Pastor Noah Kegley became the senior pastor at Immanuel in October of 2023. He is married to his wife, Monica, and God has blessed them with their daughter, Lylah, and son, Clay. In his free time, he loves good food, all things Wisconsin sports, and enjoying God’s creation. Pastor Noah says, “It is a privilege to be able to serve you and your family at Immanuel!”

Pastor Micah Brown was ordained and installed here at Immanuel in June 2025 to serve as the new Associate Pastor. He and his wife are both Illinois natives - she is from Medinah and he is from the Peoria area - and he is excited to return to the Land of Lincoln here in Batavia. He looks forward to becoming immersed in the Immanuel family, helping our families also become immersed, & encouraging one another as we work together to follow our Lord, Jesus. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” And that is our goal here at Immanuel: unity with each other and unity in Christ. So, with joy in his heart, he says - welcome to the family!

Mrs. Laughlin graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Prior to coming to Immanuel in 2015, she served at congregations in California and Wisconsin. Mrs. Laughlin enjoys helping teachers and students increase their potential through educational experiences, and she feels especially blessed to grow together in faith with those she serves.

Mrs. Suydam has been a teacher at Immanuel for 19 years. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degree from Concordia University in Chicago. She enjoys connecting with the students and their families not only in the classroom, but through extracurricular activities and clubs that Immanuel offers.

Bio coming soon!

Ms Dickenson received her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University—Chicago, with a specialty in psychology. She has been teaching at Immanuel since 1999.

Mrs. Kovach joined the Kindergarten team at Immanuel in 2026. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Elmhurst College. She also runs a non-for-profit foundation to help newly widow/widowers with school-aged children navigate life after grief. Watching children learn, grow, and thrive is one of her greatest passions, & she is especially thankful to now be teaching in a school where she can share her faith with children each day. When not in the classroom, she enjoys crafting, cooking, going to the gym, & spending time with her husband, two children, & two stepchildren. One of her favorite Bible verses is Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Mrs. Norkus taught Preschool for over 12 years, & started at Immanuel in 2018. She is returning to her Elementary Education roots by taking over Grade 1. She & her husband have lived in Batavia for 22 years and have 2 boys. As a family they enjoy snowmobiling in the winter. She loves teaching the whole child along with the love that God has for each one of them.

Ms. McCullagh received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Aurora University and is in her third year at Immanuel. Her favorite thing about teaching is getting to make connections with her students and learning and growing together.

Mrs. Foster is in her third year as the 3rd Grade teacher at Immanuel. She has lived in Geneva for 20 year with her husband & daughter. She loves working with children and is very excited to continue this adventure!

Mrs. Wert has been teaching at Immanuel for 27 years. She loves Math and Science! However, she especially loves watching kids grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Ms. Riepe joined Immanuel as the 5th Grade teacher in 2026. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in Math & Social Studies. While at Illinois Wesleyan she was a captain of the Women’s Lacrosse team & president of the Aspiring Educators club. She is still actively a part of lacrosse & a coach at St. Francis High School. She has always had a passion for learning, helping others, community, & faith. Immanuel immediately stood out because of its strong sense of community and commitment to Christ-centered education. She is excited to be part of a school where students are encouraged to grow not only academically, but also spiritually and socially. As a teacher, she strives to create a classroom where students feel valued and supported. She is so excited to get to know all of her students & be a part of the Immanuel community!

Mrs. Daw is in her second year as a teacher here at Immanuel, starting with teaching 5th Grade in 2025 and now in Middle School. She received her teaching degree from Hope College in Holland, MI, where she also met her husband (coincidentally, he was in one of Immanuel’s first 8th Grade graduating classes!). For the 8 years prior to joining Immanuel’s staff, she taught German and English in the beautiful beach town of Grand Haven, MI, mostly at the middle school level. They have two young daughters and decided to move to Batavia to be closer to family. She loves learning, growing, and jumping in the deep end. She encourages curiosity, creativity, and confidence in her students at Immanuel. Most of all, she is praising God for the opportunity to tell her students of the amazing God that we serve. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

MS Science, PE

Math, Literature; Mrs. McFarland earned a BS in Elementary Education & Middle School Math Endorsement from NIU, a Masters as a Reading Specialist from Concordia University, Chicago, & her Colloquy from CUE Net. She has been teaching at Immanuel since 2006, though parented her children through ILS starting in 1997. Middle school students are her favorite and she loves their ability & desire to work on things until they get it—it is exciting to watch them grow in maturity, intelligence, & most importantly, their faith. The “aha moments” are the absolute best!

English & History

Ms. Garesche has taught at Immanuel since 2022. She previously taught French and Spanish at St. Francis High School and Batavia High School as well as being a stay-at-home mom for a few years while subbing in the Kaneland school district. She received Bachelors degrees in Spanish & French Education from the University of Illinois, and later received her Masters from Aurora University in ESL and Bilingual Education. She loves getting the opportunity to work with younger students as well as teaching at the same school her children attend.

Mrs. Clark is entering her 4th year at Immanuel and my 25th year of teaching preschool. She has 3 boys and a 13 year old grandson who is the light of her life. She loves animals, camping, fishing and gardening.

Mrs. Peters received her teaching degree from Illinois State University. She taught elementary grades in the public school system before staying home to raise her three children. Mrs. Peters first became involved with Immanuel Lutheran School as a parent, and later served as a substitute and a long-term substitute beginning in 2018. She loves being able to talk with children about Jesus at school! Mrs. Peters feels blessed to serve in her current role as a preschool teacher and truly enjoys working with preschoolers and their families. 

Mrs. Nelson has been Preschool4 teacher at Immanuel since 2017, preschool aide for 3 years prior, & Grade 2 teacher for 5 years, with time off in between to stay at home with her 3 children. Wendy has her BA in Education from Concordia University. God called Wendy to Immanuel 25 years ago and she has called it home ever since, as a teacher, church member, and parent whose children attended Preschool to 8th Grade.

Mrs. Willmann received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. She started her career teaching second grade. She took a break to stay home with her two children before returning back to the classroom. It is a blessing to be teaching at the same school her children attend. Watching students grow their love for learning in a Christ-centered environment is what makes being a teacher at Immanuel so special!

Bio coming soon!

Ms. Cannon joined Immanuel in 2023 as a long-term substitute and has stayed on as Middle School Art Teacher & Building Substitute. Her undergraduate degree is in Art. Each year, she makes a missionary trip to Africa to teach art & other subjects in a local school.

Mrs. Hartzell has been one of our School Secretaries since 2005. Her favorite thing about her job is her co-worker Katie! She felt called to be at ILS because she really loved the school when her boys attended ILS Preschool through Grade 8. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BS in Business Education.

Mrs. Williams has been at ILS since 2017. She loves her job thanks to her wonderful co-workers and also because the kids and their families make Immanuel feel like home. Immanuel is one big family of which she feels blessed to be a part.

Mrs. Barry been here for 5 years. She is a wife and a mom, and both of her children attend(ed) school at Immanuel through 8th Grade. She truly enjoys working with preschool age children, watching them learn and grow.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Ms. Childers joined Immanuel in 2026 as a preschool teaching assistant.

She attended St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and received a paraprofessional license last year in hopes of being able to be a part of a classroom. Her family found their forever home at Immanuel, and she is eager to be a part of children’s early steps. She & her husband have been married for 10 years, and their three children attend Immanuel. In her spare time, you can find her leading cheers for Batavia Youth Baseball (and any other team her kids are on), connecting foster dogs with their furever homes, cultivating vegetables from her garden, & baking all manner of sweets.

Mrs. Hartman is excited to serve as a preschool teaching assistant and substitute teacher at Immanuel this year. She & her husband have two children at Immanuel, and she feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve in the same community that is helping to shape and nurture our own children. She has spent over 15 years in healthcare administration & higher education. She holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration, a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration and Management, & she currently teaches as adjunct faculty at both Grand Canyon University & Colorado State University Global. Some of the most meaningful experiences in her life have come through serving children, families, & the church. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, visiting national parks, & reading. One of the guiding principles of her life is Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory), which reminds her to approach her roles as a parent, educator, and servant with gratitude, humility, and a desire to faithfully serve God and others.

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Mollie is thrilled to join Immanuel as the new 1st Grade teaching assistant! She & her husband, Andy have lived in Batavia since 2015. She’s been a stay-at-home mom in recent years to two daughters. Mollie has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and has previously worked in a hospital and with the elderly. She loves the sweet babies & helping out in Immanuel’s church nursery while their parents have the opportunity to worship. In her spare time she enjoys running, thrifting, traveling, & spending time with her family. Her favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. She’s looking forward to supporting the amazing kids at Immanuel as they grow in their faith and education.

Mrs. Ciro has been employed at Immanuel for 1 1/2 years as First Grade teacher’s assistant. She was a pediatric nurse for 12 years then a stay-at-home mom. She loves working with children and felt called to first serve as a substitute teacher at Immanuel, then her current position. She loves being able to share Jesus with our students, pray with and for them and see them grow both academically but also in their relationship with our amazing savior.

Bio coming soon!

Mrs. Beckmann has been in ministry at Immanuel since 2012. It is a joy for her to watch the students in her classes learn and grow in their love for Jesus and in all academic areas. She feels called to be at Immanuel to work with children. Her undergraduate degree is from Valparaiso University and her colloquy was completed through Concordia University Chicago.

Mrs. Bello has been employed at Immanuel since 2019, but both of her children attended ILS through 8th Grade, graduating in 2017 & 2023. She enjoys sharing her passion for parochial schooling with new families. Before working at Immanuel, she was a stay-home mom for 10 years, though she spent the 10 years prior in corporate America as a Marketing Manager after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing from the University of Illinois.

Mrs. Kaiser received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1997, and we welcome her to lead Immanuel’s band members in 2025. Her children attend(ed) Preschool through Grade 8 at Immanuel and she has been involved in coaching, teaching, & so much more throughout her years here.

Ms. Bell has been the Strings Director at Immanuel for two years. She started playing the violin at age 2, learning through the Suzuki Method. She studied Music Performance at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She loves teaching at Immanuel because it allows her to share her passion for music while fostering a nurturing and spiritually uplifting environment for the students.

Bio coming soon!

Mrs. Larsen has been on staff at Immanuel since 2004. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University—Chicago, she started as the DCE for Youth Ministry at Immanuel and has since moved into the Family Ministry position. She enjoys the family-friendly environment at Immanuel and loves helping families connect the Christian faith to everyday life.

Michael brings a background in bookkeeping, operations, and community-focused service with a strong commitment to supporting organizations rooted in faith, stewardship, education, and outreach. He has served as Co-Owner of R&R Bookkeeping Services, where he managed accounts payable and receivable, payroll, reconciliations, and financial reporting. His professional experience also includes leadership and operational support roles within healthcare organizations where he was known for dependable service, collaboration, and compassionate support of others. A graduate of Benedictine University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Economics, Michael values integrity, organization, and careful stewardship of resources. He looks forward to supporting the mission and daily ministry of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School while serving the congregation with professionalism, humility, and a willingness to help wherever needed.

Justin Clavet was born and raised in Connecticut and is still a New Englander at heart. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management, and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Bible and Theology. Justin has spent the last 10 years working primarily in human resources and information technology. He has been a member of Immanuel since 2020. He currently is a member of the Spiritual Guidance Committee, leads the young men's Tuesday night Bible study, and serves as a worship assistant and reader at Sunday morning services.