Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Nancy Kemper, ASP Clerk

I was the School Secretary at St. John Lutheran School for 34 years, retiring in 2016.  I had also spent 12 years as the Art Teacher for grades 5^th–8^th.  I now am working part-time as the Auxiliary Services person.  My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  Could anything be better?  I do what I can to further the work of St. John Lutheran School so all students will realize God’s plan and hope for their lives.

Mrs. Kelly Monnin, 1^st Grade Teacher

I am a proud mother of three and married to a man who has tolerated me for 29 years.  I know the Lord has brought me to St. John Lutheran to guide the children to Him

Ms. Krista Ordway, 2^nd Grade Teacher

Hello everyone!  I’m Krista Ordway, 2^nd grade teacher here at SJL.  This is my 3^rd year teaching here and I have been teaching for 17 years.  I have two daughters, Natalie 14 and Raylin 11.  I am engaged to my amazing fiancé Chad.  We are a sports family and anything that keeps us active and healthy, we give all the glory to God!

Mr. Ryan Volkman, 5^th & 6^th Grade Teacher

I grew up in Northwest Ohio so it feels great to be back home and serving in this area.  I have been working with youth since 2010, either as a teacher through LCMS World Mission abroad in Central Europe or as a youth and family pastor in West Texas.  I also have a background in music and worship ministry.

In my free time, I enjoy playing piano and guitar, going for nature walks, working with Archbold Community Theatre, and working out in the backyard. 

I am so thankful to teach math and science in this school, and to share Jesus Christ with each student I meet.  My favorite Bible verse is Romans 7:24-25.

Mrs. Audrey Eis, Title Reading Teacher

Hello. I am the Title Reading Teacher at St. John Lutheran.  My task is to encourage, instruct and coach students to take responsibility using the strategies presented.  These strategies will help fill those voids missed during their reading process.  It is a pleasure to work with our students.

Mrs. Kristina Phipps, Intervention Specialist

A long time ago, I graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor of Science in Education. I was certified licensed in 2 areas: Elementary Education grades 1st–8^th and Multiple Disabilities.  A few years later, I took additional classes at the University of Toledo to add another area of certification, Orthopedic and other Health Handicaps to my toolbelt. 

Over the years, I taught at the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities, with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center and the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Center.  This is my 6^th year of teaching at St. John Lutheran School as the Intervention Specialist, and my 20^th year of teaching altogether. 

My grandkids, Ashlynne and Quinton, are my pride and joy.  I spent a lot of time hanging out with them, attending their sporting events and school activities as well as bringing them to church with me every week.  They also spend a lot of time with me at my home because of their mothers third shift job.  I love being with them.

Mrs. Iliana Herrera, Spanish Teacher

I am the Spanish Teacher here at St. John Lutheran and have been teaching for a total of four years.  My goal is to create a comfortable and safe environment for students to learn a second language, in addition to listening to my students speak Spanish.  I love to see each student’s social, emotional, and academic growth!

Mrs. Zachrich

Favorite Bible Verse: James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised for those who love Him.

Mrs. Teresa Maag, Teacher Aide

I live in Defiance with my wonderful husband Jeff and our adorable DOG, Sasha.  We have three beautiful children, Jen, Nick & Michelle and three amazing grandchildren, Zander, Cecilia and Daphne.

I am a member of St. John’s Catholic Church where I volunteer to work in the office as a money counter. 

I enjoy reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, bicycling and nature.

Mrs. Tami Rohlf, Tiger’s Den Director, Preschool Teacher Aide

I have been employed by St. John Lutheran School for 19 years. I love working with the children and their families. I received my Associates of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development in 2013.  I reside in Defiance with my husband Jeff and attend St. John Lutheran Church. We have four grown children who attended school here, from Preschool to 8^th grade.  It is a great place to send your children for a Christ–centered environment.

Miss Hannah Breedlove, Preschool Teacher Aide & Tiger’s Den Aide

Hello!  I primarily work with the Tiger’s Den kids, and love it.  Outside of work, I focus on school work in order to graduate college with an Environmental Science Degree.

Ms. Robyn Erickson, Preschool Teacher Aide & Tiger’s Den Aide

My name is Ms. Robyn.  I’m a Teacher’s Aide in Ms. Rohlf’s M-W-F Class and also work in the Tiger’s Den Monday–Friday.  I graduated with my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2017 and have been working with children since the early 2000’s. 

I’m engaged and also have a 13-year-old daughter named Rylee, along with a house full of pets.  I’m so happy to be a part of the St. John’s team to, not just help them prepare for kindergarten, but to help spread the word of God’s love to each and every child.

Mrs. Sallyann Miles, Preschool 4 Teacher

I am married with two girls who attend St. John Lutheran School.  Our oldest is in 5^th grade and our youngest is a Preschooler.  Our girls keep me very busy outside of school and I wouldn’t have it any other way!  We have a few pets at home, one being a dog named Leo.  My family says I love him more than them.  They could be right.

I teach Preschool here at St. John’s.  I have been here for almost two years and started out in the Tiger’s Den.  Every day is a new adventure.  The children are always so happy, ready to learn and have fun.  At the end of the day, they aren’t just learning from me, I am learning from them.

Miss Tori Rohlf, Preschool 4 Teacher

I am excited to be teaching at St. John Lutheran.  In my free time, I like hanging out with my friends and family and going to concerts.  I also love being outside and going on walks.  I am a part–time college student who is going back to school to get my license to teach full–time in Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. Amber Sherry, Preschool Teacher Aide

I am a wife and mother of a daughter.  I have been married for 11 years. It hasn’t always been easy, as we’ve been through a lot together. But then God truly saved us and changed us.  I praise God that I am not where I used to be and am so blessed to be where I am today.  I get to work with some pretty awesome people and also get to see, teach, and love on so many children by showing the love of Christ.

Mrs. Julia Rossow

As a Christian School Counselor, services I provide are spiritual in nature and based on God’s love and forgiveness.  I work with students in many ways, especially in helping them learn coping strategies to managing their behavior, emotions, and academic concerns.  Counseling provides a safe place to share in a loving Christian environment.

Personally, I love to crochet.  Another love is music.  I direct a bell choir, play in the bell choir, and sing in a choir.  I love spending time with family and enjoying God’s wonderful creation.

Mrs. Kelley Phillips, Speech and Language Pathologist

I come to St. John Lutheran with more than 40 years of experience as a speech and language pathologist in the public–school setting.  Over the past 40+ years, I’ve touched the lives of nearly 4,000 children.  In 2016, after being on dialysis due to very rapid kidney failure, I received a life–saving kidney transplant from a wonderful living donor.  I am ever thankful to her and to our Lord and Savior, for the amazing opportunity to regain better health and to be able to get back to the work I love. 

I’m a life–long member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sherwood, where I am the children’s music director.  I also “attempt” to play bells in our bell choir and am a transplanted soprano from the alto section in our church choir.  My husband and I are the proud parents of four grown children, and six grandchildren.  In my spare time, I enjoy reading, singing, and traveling; in fact, this past summer we traveled through ten states on our trip to Montana.  I am thrilled to join the staff here and look forward to working with the wonderful children at St. John’s.

My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10

Mr. Shawn Booher, Lunch Room Manager/Cook

I was born and raised in Defiance, Ohio.  I am a Navy Veteran.  I enjoy spending time with my family, watching sports of all types, and playing cards with my friends.

Mr. Bill Philpot, Head Custodian

Hello.  I am the Head Custodian at St. John Lutheran and have been with St. John for 16 years. The students are the best part of working here and are always happy to see me.  They love calling me Mr. Bill. 

Mr. Seth Peters, Custodian

I am originally from Bowling Green, Ohio.  I’ve been living in Defiance for three years with my wife Ashley.  We have one dog, Leia, and three cats, Duchess, Ziggy and Toxy.  I am a big baseball and hockey fan.  My favorite teams are the Detroit Tigers, Toledo Mud Hens, BGSU Falcons, Toledo Walleyes, and Detroit Red Wings. 

If I’m not at work, you can find me at Planet Fitness working out or walking around town with Leia, trying to get her energy out.  My favorite part of my job is seeing the kids in the morning and dismissal time when they say “Hi” or “Bye Mr. Seth”.