Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Fr. John Klockeman
Pastor
Fr. John Klockeman was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2000. He joined St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and School as Pastor in 2021. Fr John has served in a rich variety of ministries. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Olaf Catholic Church in downtown Minneapolis where he focused on outreach to young adults, catechesis, and wider public outreach on the cable television program, Generation Cross.
Fr. John has served as a spiritual director and formation director at St. John Vianney College Seminary and at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, where he also taught a number of academic courses. Prior to his more to Wayzata, he served as pastor of St. Gerard's in Brooklyn Park, MN for two years.
Fr. John 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.
Fr. John was born and raised in West St. Paul, where his family were members at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He has attended a number of universities and holds multiple degrees including a Master of Divinity from the University of St. Thomas.
Fr. Bobby Pish
Associate Priest
Fr. Robert "Bobby" Pish, St. Bart's associate priest, joined our staff in April 2024. After several years working on an advanced degree in psychology and practicing as a mental health counselor, he is excited to resume ministry in parish life by serving the people of our Archdiocese. He is pleased to be working with Fr. John and the community of St. Bart's.
Fr. Bobby was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He attended college at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and used his business degree to launch him into an 8-year career in technology consulting with a company that brought him to Minneapolis in 1997. Around that time, he discerned a call to the priesthood, which persisted since grade school.
He entered the St. Paul Seminary in 1999 and was ordained in 2005. His first assignment was at All Saints in Lakeville followed by work at the St. Paul Seminary as the Vice Rector and Associate Dean of the seminary, where he also worked with Fr. Klockeman.
After a very intense seven years at the seminary, he was granted the opportunity to study psychology at the Adler Graduate School after which, he gained a wealth of experience as a mental health counselor specializing in addictions. He studies in psychology built upon his PhD in Historical Theology from Catholic University in Washington, DC.
Mrs. Ginger Vance
Principal
Living my faith fully is important to me, which is why I choose to lead in a Catholic school. The traditions of the Church and the opportunities to be of service for my faith is part of who I am as a leader and a person. I have over 20 years experience as a Catholic school principal and teacher. Leading St. Bartholomew’s Catholic School, being collaborative with all parts of the community, while making decisions and accomplishing goals to increase our Catholic identity, student academic success and creating an environment filled with virtue and service will be the cornerstone of our school.
Mrs. Nicole Jude
Programs Director
In addition to being a long-time parent of St. Bart's Bulldogs, I am delighted to add Programs Director to my title at this wonderful school. Having attended Catholic Schools and Institutions since Kindergarten, I have a deep love for education rooted in the love of Jesus. I have years of experience serving on administrative teams in Catholic Education in the Twin Cities, and look forward to lending my time and talent to the staff and children here.
Our family of 6 currently resides just down the road in St. Louis Park and calls St. Bartholomew our parish home as well. Find us at the 10:30 Mass every Sunday!
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!
Ms. Kim Bernardino
Preschool Teacher & Site Director
Kim has been teaching with the Discovery Center since August of 2018 and has worked in the education field for many years. She has her degree in History from the University of California/LA and her MN Teaching Certificate. Kim enjoys reading, crafting, jigsaw puzzles and her cats.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
Top 5 Strengths * Context * Deliberative * Intellection * Maximizer * Empathy
Ms. Emily Johnson
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!
Ms. Emily Bilski
Second Grade Teacher
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.
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Mrs. Cathy Anderson
Third 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!
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
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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.
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.
Mr. Justin Fields
Choir Director, Director of Liturgy & Music
Justin Fields joined St. Bart’s as the Director of Liturgy and Music in late April 2023 and joined the St. Bartholomew School as Choir Director in 2024. He is an experienced musician, director and composer as well as a skilled pianist, organist, and vocalist. He received his BA Degree in music education with a concentration in vocal, choral and composition at the Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY Queens College. Justin has worked at multiple Catholic parishes, playing everything from contemporary, to praise and worship, to chant. He comes to us from St. Patrick’s Parish in Brooklyn, NY.
Marilyn Nelson
Director of Stewardship and Development
Marilyn Peller Nelson joined St. Bart’s as the Director of Stewardship and Development in October 2023. Marilyn has been involved in the philanthropic world for the past 37 years, most especially in Catholic philanthropy. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in Catholic education and most recently has served as the Executive Director of the Walker Methodist Foundation. Prior to Walker, she spent 10 years at CommonBond Communities serving in resource development, and over 15 years in fundraising and development roles at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Marilyn was raised Catholic and has a Catholic education, including receiving her B.A. from the College of St. Benedict. Her two adult sons were also educated in Catholic schools.
She is really excited to connect back to her roots and raise opportunities for the mission of St Bartholomew Catholic School.
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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. Jasmine Leach
PE & Activity Leader
Jasmine is a current St. Bartholomew Parent who is now our Physical Education lead instructor! You will also find her on Mondays with our Running and Activity Clubs. We are thrilled to have her as a part of our staff!