Meet Our Teachers.

Introducing our Sunday School of Discipleship Teaching Team.

(MillsKids School of Discipleship meets 9-10am Sunday Mornings September - June)

Two's and Three's

Kait Schroeder

Hi, I'm Kait Schroeder.  I am a teacher for the 2's and 3's Sunday School of Discipleship. My family and I have been attending the Mills Church for the last year and we feel so blessed to be apart of such a wonderful community.
 
I'm passionate about:  Spending time with my family and raising my two girls.  I feel so blessed to be with my girls every day and experience life with them.  They teach me so much about living life to the fullest, and being thankful and joyous in all that I do.

My favorite things are:  Being with my family, sewing, crafting, walks, garage sales

People say:  I'm laid back and a good listener

Sarah Landt

Hi, I'm Sarah Landt.  I am a teacher for the 2's & 3's Sunday School of Discipleship.  I started attending the Mills Church when I was 8 years old and I love this church!  I love seeing kids learn about Jesus and choosing to follow Him.

I am passionate about:  following Jesus and living life for Him. I am also passionate about worship and being together in community.

My favorite things are: being with my 4 kids and my husband, David.  I love speaking Spanish and travelling to other places in the world where I can learn about other cultures and see things so different from my life at home.  I love being with my friends and having long conversations over a cup of coffee.  I love playing my violin and singing - especially when it involves worshipping together with other people who love Jesus.  

People say: I make them laugh. 

Honja Kocemba

I'm Honja Kocemba and I have been attending Mills Church for over 7 years now.  I started volunteering with the summer VBS kids camp and that brought me fully into the community of this church.  I have been active as a leader in the Sr. High youth group and just recently transfered my volunteering over to the 2's and 3's MillsKids Sunday School this past year.  There is a large difference in the age and ideals of toddlers from teenagers, but the need is just as great for Jesus.  My husband and I have one daughter almost 3 years old and another one due this month!


I'm passionate about: my family and friends and the church community as a whole.  I'm passionate about wanting my life to be centered around Jesus and sharing that with others.  
 
My favorite things are: garage sales and thrift stores.  I also love playing with fabric and thread and the occasional use power tools.  Gardening is a new love that continues to grow every year as my knowledge of the "art" slowly increases.
 
People say: "children are the future" and I've always thought that was a cheesy line, but after having my own kid I have realized there is so much truth to that statement. 

4's and 5's

Pat Levy

Hi!  I’m Pat Levy, and I teach the 4’s and 5 year old Sunday school class.  I have been attending the Mills Church ever since my family moved to Minnesota from California about eleven years ago now.  I remember feeling really welcomed the first time our family walked through the front doors.  That was the Sunday morning that the youth group shared about their experiences on their summer mission trip.  My husband Tony and I looked at each other, and said “we want to be a part of that”.

I’m passionate about:  My family; my husband Tony, my daughter Ellie who is a freshman at St. Olaf College, and my daughter Sophie who is an 8th grader at Minnetonka Middle School East.  Music; I am blessed to live in a house which is filled with beautiful music from my husband Tony who plays classical guitar, and daughter Sophie who plays piano.  God’s Word; I am usually involved in one or two bible studies and I enjoy sharing what I have learned, and encouraging others in their studies.

My favorite things are:  children’s laughter, a cool fall day when the trees are just tinged with color, and a perfectly ripe apricot.

People say:  I love a new challenge!

Shannon Daugherty

Hi! I'm Shannon Daugherty. This is my first year attending The Mills Church and I'm so excited to get to know you! I volunteered with VBS this summer and love the energy of the kids in this community. I am married to Mike and have two children in the Sunday School program. By training I'm a graphic designer but my occupation right now is, MOM! I am excited to see what God has planned for us all this year and how he is going to grow our kids' hearts!



I am passionate about: Jesus! I'm continually growing and learning what it means to be a follower of Him. I love to be involve in a Christian Community; serving and growing with others.



My favorite things are: My family. Travel. Games. Creativity: cooking, photography, design, etc. And I love to eat!



People say: I'm genuine and reliable

Kindergarten and First Grade

Hi, I'm Pat Morrow. This is my fifth year teaching at the MillsKids School of Discipleship in the primary department. Before that I was on the Youth Team for ten years. I have loved teaching and pouring into the lives of both children and teens. My husband, Denny, and I have been at the Mills Church for 26 years. It has been a place that has nurtured my love for Jesus and through this community of people I have been challenged to follow Him in deeper ways.
 
I am passionate about: My family….we have two daughters and one son who are all married and they have given us six grandchildren. I love being able to be part of their lives. I’m also passionate about the local church. I love being part of the ministry of this church. I appreciate being part of a body of believers that are trying to show our community how much God loves them.
 
My favorite things are: Talking with friends over a cup of tea, reading a book in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea (I really like tea!), spending time at our cabin with our family and friends, gardening at our cabin, spending time with my grandchildren, and traveling and working with my husband.
 
People say: I am organized, a planner, good at listening to people and encouraging them.

Hi. I'm Jana Hoober.  I am the Director of the millsKIDS ministry at the Mills Church.  I hold a degree in elementary education, have taught in the public schools, and been involved with kids’ ministry for over 10 years.  I have 5 kids and have been married to Mark for 21 years. I have a continual and growing love for Jesus and I chose to follow Him when I was 8 years old. 
 


I am passionate about:  Spending time with my family, cheering at my kids' sports events, teaching kids about God's amazing story of love and redemption.  I love it when the "lights go on" and I can actually witness a child understand something new about Jesus.  Can't think of anything better!
 


My favorite things:  Mexican food at Rey Azteca with friends, the North Shore of Lake Superior, funny movies, Sunday afternoon Vikings games, fall colors, gardening, and cooking a great meal.
 


People say:  I am organized, efficient, and a good teacher.  My kids would say I like neat and clean space where "everything has a home."

2nd and 3rd Grade

Adam and Jess Lennartson

Hi I'm Adam Lennartson. I have been attending Mills Church for a little over a year with my wife Jessica and this is our first year teaching with MillsKIDS. I have a degree in Athletic Training and currently teach high school Biology at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska. One of the best parts of the job is being able to mentor young people in their walk with the Lord. My wife and I have one son, Simon (6 mo), and its been so much fun...who knows how many more we'll have?

I'm passionate about: God, family, teaching... in that order.

My favorite things are: the great outdoors, athletics, and spending time with friends.

People say: my wife's beautiful, my son's cute, and I'm lucky... they're right!!


Hi, I'm Jess Lennartson. My husband and I have been committed to The Mills for about a year now and feel so blessed by the wonderful Jesus-centered community we have found here! We are so excited to become more involved and will be the 2nd-3rd grade small group leaders this year. Serving in this way is a perfect fit for me as I have always had a huge soft spot for anything having to do with kids! I have 5 younger siblings, grew up nannying, made several volunteer trips to Russian orphanages, have worked as a neonatal and pediatric nurse for 5 years, and just had our first baby boy Simon in February! Whew! I believe that children are extremely near-and-dear to God's heart, and I view it as a wonderful privilege to guide these precious little ones towards the loving arms of Jesus.

I am passionate about: Learning what it means to love Jesus completely and follow Him fully! And I'm absolutely head-over-heels for my awesome husband and sweet little Simon...they are my dearest blessings!

My favorite things are: Anything outdoors - experiencing God's breathtaking creation is such a worship experience for me, I just stand in awe of His majesty and goodness! Travel. Adventures! Photography. Chill time with friends and family. Going out to eat. Mom-and-pop pizza joints! Ice cream and berries. Dark chocolate. Long walks and good talks. Fall. A quiet evening with a great book.

People say: I'm a rollin' stone! I love to dream and plan and then change all my plans and dream up some new ones. This happens frequently...my husband is verrrry patient with me!

4th and 5th Grade

Jason and Mindy Schommer

Hi, I'm Jason Schommer. I have been part of the Mills Church Family for six years. Through my time I have volunteered with the 2nd-5th graders, junior high youth group, nursery, 2s & 3s and the Mills Church mowing crew. This will be my second year teaching in the 2nd-5th grade department. I enjoy the opportunity to teach this age group as they are energetic, curious about Jesus and eager to learn of God's Big Story. Even though I teach, I consider this an opportunity to grow in my faith as I continually learn from our Mills Kids. I'm married to Mindy, and we have two children: Calvin (2 years old) and Sadie (born August 2011)...and a dog, named Punky, that we currently forget about! :)

I am passionate about: People, learning and finding ways to stay active. Serving in our church family among the community of believers allows me to live out each of these passions.

My favorite things are: Spending time with my family and friends, staying active through playing golf, working out, basketball, broomball, house projects and completing my MBA program. And cookies, Oreo's are good - chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk could be my favorite meal.

People say: I'm compassionate, energetic and goofy - I sometimes get the occasional, "Schommer's a punk" but I find that endearing.



Hi, I'm Mindy Schommer. My parents started attending The Mills Church when I was just 2 years old. So, I have grown up benefitting from the discipleship of this church family and now get to disciple the next generation! This is my second year teaching in the 2nd-5th grade department, but I have also volunteered in the senior high youth group, nursery, 2s & 3s and in VBS throughout the years. I'm married to Jason, and we have two children: Calvin (2 years old) and Sadie (born August 2011).

I am passionate about: Our church family! The Mills Church is truly a place I consider home. I love serving alongside the adults within our community and sharing God's love with our amazing kids.

My favorite things are: Spending time with friends and family playing games or doing puzzles, a good walk, Diet Coke, bargain shopping, family vacations (usually to Disney World) and entertaining people in our home.

People say: I'm genuine, discerning and wise. And a little bit of a perfectionist.

Large Group Instructor for our 2nd - 5th Grade

Kathy Shapiro 

Scott Groff  

I'm Scott Groff. I have attended Mills with my wife and three kids or four years. I was a previously a youth pastor in the area and have not forgotten God’s heart to teach our kids in the way they should go.
 
I am passionate about: kids discovering God’s story, where they fit into God’s redemption mission, and the reality of God and his spirit in the everyday. I am continually amazed at how profound young kids can be when we ask God to reveal himself to them.
 
My favorite things are: time spent with family, camping, a little running here and there, and playing table games.
 
People say: Kids can’t be challenged to hear from God. Jesus said, “Let the little ones come.”

Interested in checking out our Mills Kids Team?  I would love to talk with you and give you more information on our ministry philosophy and opportunities to get involved.  Contact Jana Hoober at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .