Mrs. Stephanie Yarzak grew up in Freeport. She attended Northern Illinois University where she got her degree in Child Development. Mrs. Yarzak has worked with several community organizations before joining the Immanuel staff in 2001. Mrs. Yarzak and her husband, George, have three adult children, Ellen, Brett and Ryan.

She enjoys riding her bike, reading and hiking when she’s not teaching. Mrs. Yarzak is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Kristin Tiesman graduated with a B.A. in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Before joining the Immanuel Child Development staff in 2007, she worked six years at the YMCA Children’s Center/YMCA Camp in Freeport while completing college. She teaches both preschool 3 year olds and 4 year olds on a rotating basis in the Christian Child Development Center. She and her husband, Troy, have a daughter, Addison.  

Gloria Baker grew up in Fulton, IL. She attended college in Joliet. While in college, the Lord led her into teaching. She taught in Christian schools (grades 1-3, 5-8) for 27 years. Miss Baker has been working in the Immanuel Christian Child Development Center since 2005.

Mrs. Kristen Andrews, aide in both the classroom and Child Development Center, has been a member of the Immanuel staff since 2004. Mrs. Andrews does the billing for the Child Development Center. She and her husband, Rick, have two daughters, Haley & Allison, both graduates of Immanuel.

Mrs. Sharon Thompson was born and raised in Sask, Canada. She attended Concordia University in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and transferred to Concordia College, River Forest to complete her teaching degree. She taught for 21 years, 15 of those as a preschool/kindergarten teacher at a Lutheran parochial school. She started at Immanuel in 2005 as an afternoon daycare teacher.

Mrs. Thompson loves to read, knit and crochet. She and her husband, Dave live in Lanark. She is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lena.

Mrs. Jennifer Martin was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She went to school for Food Service Management and has worked in several hospitals and nursing homes as Director of Food Service. Mrs. Martin joined the Immanuel Child Development staff as the preschool teacher aide in 2010. She and her husband, Jeff, have lived in Freeport for the past 9 ½ years. They have three children, Nina, Katie & Wyatt - all attended Immanuel

Mrs. Kathleen Dittmar, the preschool teacher aide in the Christian Child Development Center, has been a member of the Immanuel staff since April, 2010. She also attends Highland Community College where she studying to acquire her Early Childhood Degree. She and her husband, Eric, have two children Maddie (a student at Immanuel) and Jeremiah.

Noelle Maher was born in Freeport. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School from preschool until second grade. Miss Maher is as student at Freeport High School and during the summer she does volunteer work at FHN and at a church camp in Wisconsin. She joined the Immanuel staff in 2010.

Miss Becky Bastian grew up in Dakota, IL. She was home schooled from Kindergarten through high school. She states she loves to work with children and has also worked at a Christian camp. Miss Bastian joined the Immanuel staff in 2010.

Mr. Ernie Schwartz, retired from the Freeport Water & Sewer System, before joining the Immanuel staff in 2006 and the child development janitor. He is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.