St. Bart's School
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Fr. John Klockeman
Pastor
Fr. John A. Klockeman joined St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and School as Pastor on July 1, 2021. Previously, he served as pastor of St. Gerard Majella in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota for two years. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2000. Fr. Klockeman was born and raised in West St. Paul, Minnesota, where his family were members at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. Klockeman has attended a number of universities and has multiple degrees including a Master of Divinity degree in 2000 from the University of St. Thomas.
Since his ordination to the priesthood in May 2000, Fr. Klockeman has served in a rich variety of ministries. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Olaf Catholic Church in downtown Minneapolis from 2000 to 2003 where, in addition to his duties as Associate Pastor, he focused on outreach to young adults, catechesis, and wider public outreach on the cable television program, Generation Cross.
For the next six years he served as a spiritual director and formation director for the seminarians at St. John Vianney College Seminary. From 2009 to 2019 Fr. Klockeman shifted to the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, where he served as Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation and taught a number of academic courses. In 2019 Fr. Klockeman was appointed Pastor of St. Gerard in Brooklyn Park.
Fr. Klockeman is widely acclaimed as an expert in Catholic spirituality. He has appeared locally and nationally on television and radio programs, conducted pilgrimages, led retreats and parish missions in many dioceses, and has been a speaker at conferences across the United States.
Mrs. Jennifer Haller
Principal
BA - Elementary Education, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
MS - Curriculum and Instruction, St. Cloud State University
K-12 Administration - St. Mary's University, Minneapolis
I am a lifelong Minnesotan and I love our 10,000+ lakes! I attended Catholic school through sixth grade and it was there that I began dreaming of becoming a teacher one day. I have taught at many levels of education including primary, intermediate, and high school, and at the graduate level as an adjunct professor.
I served as principal for the community of St. Michael Catholic School in St. Michael, near my home, for several years. My husband, Mark, and I have three children who all survived having their mom as principal! Now adults, two of them are married, and one is beginning his final year of undergrad. Our eldest son and his wife made us grandparents in March of 2020 with the birth of a beautiful baby girl! What a joy!
Most recently, I had the privilege of supporting all of our Catholic school leaders throughout the Archdiocese by working at the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (cscoe-mn.org). With each visit to our area schools, my heart longed to be in the daily life of a Catholic community again with the happy blend of students and teachers all around. It was a great blessing to connect with St. Bart’s this summer and say “yes” to serving here as principal. When I’m not at school, I enjoy time with family, digging in the garden, catching up with friends, and trying to convince my husband that we should one day relocate to Alaska!
Ms. Emily Bilski
Programs Director
This is my tenth year here at St. Bart's. This school year brought a new adventure for me stepping out of the classroom and into the school office. Growing up, I attended Catholic grade school, Catholic high school, and finished my Catholic education at St. Mary's in Winona, MN. After graduating I knew I wanted to be apart of a community where I could share my faith, and that is what I found here at St. Bart's.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, watching MN sports, and traveling.
Mrs. Devon Kirschner
Office Manager
As a long time Plymouth/Wayzata resident and St. Bart’s parishioner, I am thrilled to join the outstanding staff at St. Bart’s School this year! I enjoy seeing familiar faces throughout the building in various capacities, whether in the office, on the playground, or in the cafeteria for lunch. I grew up in this community and returned in 2009 from Colorado with my husband. We have three delightful sons who keep us busy. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, taking walks, and trying new recipes.
Mrs. Jen Folkens
Office Paraprofessional
I’m a lifelong Minnesotan and I love the outdoors. My husband and I live in Rogers, MN and our son is a Junior at St. John’s University. Our Saturdays in the fall are spent cheering on the Johnnie football team! I am very excited to be here at St. Bart’s and getting to know so many wonderful people. I attended Catholic school as a child and it is so good to be back in a faith filled building!
Mrs. Hannah Valdez
Preschool Teacher & Site Director
BA Pre-Primary & Elementary Education, Northwestern University, St. Paul
I have taught preschool with Lake Area Discovery Center since 2007. My husband and and I enjoy spending time with our toddler aged son. Some of my favorite things to do are traveling, crafts, and spending time outdoors.
Ms. Kim Bernardino
Preschool Teacher
Coming soon!
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Mrs. Tracy Wilson
Kindergarten Teacher
BA Elementary Education, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
I am excited to be a part of the wonderful community at St. Bartholomew Catholic School! I am from the Plymouth and Wayzata area. I have experience teaching 1st grade and recently taught Kindergarten in the Wayzata School District. I also teach for the District’s Summer Academic Reinforcement Program for incoming 1st and 2nd graders. As a Kindergarten teacher, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to enrich the academic, spiritual and social growth of my students and to set the foundation for a life-long love of learning.
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Miss Kara Korton
First Grade Teacher
BS in Elementary Education - UW River Falls
I am originally from Rogers, Minnesota. This is my first experience teaching in a Catholic school, so I am looking forward to meeting the St. Bart’s community. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin River Falls with a BS in Elementary Education. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, gardening and watching figure skating. I am looking forward to continuing my teaching career at St. Bart’s!
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Mrs. Cathy Anderson
Second Grade Teacher
BA Elementary Education, College of St. Benedict, MA Curriculum and Instruction, University of St. Thomas.
I have been teaching for more than 25 years and the opportunity to teach these precious children and learn from them at the same time is truly the most amazing experience. What makes it even better is the Catholic environment in which we learn and play because we have Jesus with us every day. I love it!
Miss Ashley Hadden
Third Grade Teacher
I grew up in Victoria, MN and was raised in a loving and faith-filled home. I have one younger sister and love spending time with my family and friends in my free time. Recently, I worked as a paraprofessional over at St. Therese! I love working in Catholic education where I can help my students grow not only academically, but spiritually as well. This is my first year at St. Bart’s and I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful community!
Ms. Bridget Gabel
Fourth Grade Teacher
BA Elementary Education, College of St. Catherine
MA Educational Studies with Math Concentration, University of St. Thomas
I am originally from Orland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and moved to Minnesota to attend college in St. Paul. After graduating from St. Kate’s, I taught two years in a charter school in Minneapolis, then worked four years at Home Base in the Wayzata Public Schools. I came to St. Bart’s in 2014 and have been teaching 4th Grade ever since. Teaching at St. Bart’s is the best! We are blessed with incredible families, students, and staff. I love getting the opportunity to help and watch students grow academically, spiritually, and socially. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, staying active, and traveling. “Dreams will not be thwarted, faith will be rewarded.” -Bruce Springsteen
Mr. Luke Bearth
Fourth Grade Teacher
Coming soon!
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Mr. Steve Hanson
Fifth Grade Teacher
BA Political Science, University of Minnesota JD Hamline University School of Law Teaching Certification, College of St. Catherine
Fifth grade is a time of great exploration and growth, both spiritually and intellectually. To foster that growth, I try to create a culture of curiosity in the classroom. This culture allows students to meet the high expectations of the class and develop a love of learning. After 15 years of teaching, and 20 years in a totally different industry, I know God has blessed me with the greatest job possible . . . fifth grade teacher.
Mr. Ryan Benkert
Sixth Grade Teacher
A.S., A.A. From North Hennepin Community College, B.A. In K-6 Education from St. Cloud State University
I am originally from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and I went through the public school system there. I first graduated with an associates degree in art and in science from North Hennepin Community college, before pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher at St. Cloud State University. While there I worked as a student teacher in the St. Cloud school district, at Madison Elementary. I grew up in a Catholic home and environment, and I am excited to get to work in a Catholic school! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends, playing basketball, and reading. I am so excited to be working with such wonderful students!
Mrs. Kate Egan
Resource Teacher
BA Elementary Education, University of North Dakota
MA Education, Concordia University, St. Paul
I grew up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota where I attended a Catholic elementary and high school. I was inspired by all of my wonderful teachers there to become a teacher myself. I began my teaching career in 2017 in the Hopkins Public School District and am now entering my second year of teaching at St. Bart's. My faith and love for teaching continues to grow everyday while teaching at this exceptional school. The community is unlike any other and we treat everyone as family. There is no place I would rather be! In my free time I enjoy spending time up at my cabin in Park Rapids, Minnesota with my husband, our families, and our Labradoodle named Archie. Go Bulldogs!
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Mrs. Rose McNeill
Music & Media Teacher
BA Elementary Education, Long Island University, New York, MA Theatre, Long Island University, New York
“Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance!” What an exciting job I have! I am given the great opportunity to expose the students to music, theater and dance. All our students from preschool through 6th grade have music at least once a week, if not twice. I have an enormous passion for music and the impact it can have on children. The families of St. Bartholomew truly value the arts and understand how important they can be in a child’s education. It is a pleasure to work with the staff and children at St. Bartholomew school.
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Mr. Chris Mayer
Art Teacher
BFA Illustration, College of Visual Arts St. Paul
I have taught art at St. Bart's since creating the art program in 2000. I enjoy working with the classroom teachers to plan art units each year that are complimentary to their curriculum. One of my favorite projects each year has been leading each class as they create a painting on canvas for the Images of Spring auction.In addition to teaching at St. Bart's, I lead classes for children at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts and am a swim coach at LifeTime Fitness in Chanhassen. In my spare time, I enjoy freelance photography, landscaping, printmaking and spending time with my family.
Coach Pa Nhia
Physical Education Teacher
Coming soon!
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Mrs. Megan Moseley
Counselor
Originally from Texas, I made the journey to Minnesota in 2010, and found my home at St. Barts in 2017. I am incredibly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community. I love everything about my job and truly enjoy getting to know all the students in the building! I strongly believe in supporting students' mental health so that they can be as successful as possible within the classroom. Outside of school I enjoy reading, a good cup of coffee, and traveling with my family.
Mrs. Elaine DeMarte
Paraprofessional
I relocated from Connecticut to Minnesota in 1994 and was so fortunate to have found Saint Bartholomew's Faith Community at that time. What an extraordinary journey it has been. I began my career as a paraprofessional in the preschool setting for 17 years and then graduated to the kindergarten classroom(s). The amazing families, students and staff who have touched my life and being part of the excitement of learning in the preschool and kindergarten classrooms have been the highlight of my time here at Saint Bart's. What a special community to be part of for 24 years. When I am not at Saint Bartholomew's I am busy creating special memories with my husband Martin and our family.
Mrs. Lindsey Koch
Paraprofessional
Coming soon!
Mrs. Caroline Harrington
Paraprofessional
Coming soon!