Faculty & Staff

“Preschool is such an exciting time for children! It is a joy to share the day with these little learners! They are so eager to learn and explore! It is my goal to create a loving, Christian learning environment where each child develops a love for learning and is excited to come to school each new day!”

Linda Childers makes sure each child receives the genuine, loving care and attention needed to learn and grow and is very skilled at working with each individual student at their own level. She makes sure that her preschool students develop a love for learning by doing a lot of creative hands-on activities.

Mrs. Childers graduated on the Dean’s List from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi (an Honor Society in Education) and Mu Alpha Theta (a National Mathematics Club). She has been teaching preschool since 1999.

Mrs. Childers is a lifelong member of St. John’s. She and her three children all attended St. John’s Lutheran School from Preschool and Kindergarten through 8th Grade.

“I am passionate about what I do and am always thinking of new ways to motivate students to learn and to make my classroom fun.”

Mrs. Van Arsdale loves teaching in Early Childhood because of young children’s excitement and love of learning. It is most rewarding to her to see her students learn and grow.

Mrs. Van Arsdale graduated summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She was also on the Dean’s List. She has 8 years of experience teaching preschool and 3 years of experience teaching Kindergarten.

Mrs. Van Arsdale attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Crystal Lake from preschool-8th grade. She has been working in Lutheran Schools for the past 7 years.

With these words representing her philosophy, Linda Hoffmann is an important liaison for the school as she answers students’ questions, greets parents who stop by the office, and assists teachers during the school day. She makes everyone feel special, parents and students alike. For her, St. John’s has a family atmosphere, and she especially loves how the school has many second and third generation families. All three of her children attended and graduated from St. John’s.

Mrs. Hoffmann received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from Penn State University and has used her talents at our school for the past sixteen years.

What a great reason for Dale Woock to teach!  He graduated from Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is the music director for St. John’s Lutheran School and Church and has been teaching since 1980.

For Mr. Woock, music is his family’s passion. His wife, who also teaches kindergarten at St. John’s School, is the director of the Adult Chancel Choir and two of the school's choirs.

Mr. Woock loves to encourage students to develop their musical talent and is very passionate about his calling. He teaches music for grades 1-8 and is responsible for the Primary Choir. As he works with the students, he helps them engage in musical opportunities for school events and Sunday morning worship. His devotion to his students and to his faith is evident in all that he does.