Our Staff

Assistant

Laura Banks has a son currently attending St. Lucas and an older son who graduated from the preschool program. She worked in her older son's classroom when he first started at St. Lucas in 2022 and finds herself back again this year with her younger son! Previously, she worked in corporate health care, but spent many years in higher education as an admissions counselor working with high school students before obtaining her MBA. She is thrilled to spend time each week with the youngest birds at St. Lucas and enjoys coming to school with her little guy. In her spare time, Laura enjoys running, reading, traveling, baking and spending time with her family. 

Teacher

Haley Burr received a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008. She has taught for several years in public, private and online schools. She has been married for 15 years and is a mother to five great kids. In her spare time she likes to be with her family, go running and be in nature. She loves being part of the St. Lucas community.

Assistant

Heather Bopp joined the St. Lucas staff as the Teal bird assistant in 2023 after having her 2 older kids attend St. Lucas.  She is lucky enough to have one of her children currently attending.  In her spare time, Heather loves to spend time with her family at their property, travel, read and cheer on the St. Louis Blues as well as her children’s sports teams.

Lynn Crecelius is a mother and grandmother with 39 years experience teaching preschool and kindergarten. She has a B.A. in elementary education from Millikin University and early childhood certification from the state of Missouri. Lynn has worked at St. Lucas since 2020. She feels privileged to work with a collaborative, professional staff and loving families at St. Lucas.

Teacher

Becky Feliciano has been part of St. Lucas since 2012. She is married to Tony and has a lovely daughter who attended St Lucas when she was young. Becky loves working with kids and being very creative with their learning experiences. She loves working with the staff and families. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, going to the lake and shopping.

Assistant

Vivian Fleming has been working in after care at St. Lucas since 2022. She has been retired from Cass Information Systems since 8/2019. She has been married to Mike Fleming since 1971 and they have two wonderful children: Kelly (Jeff) and Jason (Chrissy). She is also blessed to have six grandchildren. She loves having fun with the after care students at St. Lucas preschool.

Teacher

Kathy Hensler has been a teacher at St. Lucas since 1988.  A life long St. Louisan, she is the proud product of Cleveland High School, Mizzou, and Harris-Stowe Teachers College.  She has taught PSR at her parish for over thirty years.  Kathy has two children and seven grandchildren. She feels that working with the wonderful children, families, and staff of St. Lucas is a privilege and a real joy.

Assistant

Carol Huster joined our staff in 2015 as a Hall Assistant.  After 5 years as a Classroom Assistant in the Yellow Bird room, and PDO teacher, she is now a Hall Assistant again.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati in nutrition.  She moved here from Tennessee in 2013 where she was the assistant director of her church's preschool for 5 years.  She enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren.

Teacher

Lynda has been a part of St Lucas Preschool since 2015. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with state certification in Early Childhood and a Master’s degree in Education. She taught kindergarten and first grade in the Lindbergh and Maplewood school districts for 31 years. She resides in Crestwood and has three grown children. Being around young children brings her such joy and she is thrilled to be working with the children and families at St. Lucas Preschool!

Teacher

Lisa Lauber has a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University. Upon graduation, she started teaching as a Wobbler teacher teaching 1 year- olds at an Early Childhood Center in Fort Collins, CO. After moving back to Missouri and getting married she continued teaching at a Preschool in St. Louis until choosing to stay at home with her 3 kids. In her spare time, she loves to watch her kid’s sports games, travel, try new restaurants, and walk her dog, Rosie. She loves teaching 2’s at St. Lucas. Lisa is passionate about early learning in children’s education and enjoys being a part of some of their first experiences!

Music Teacher

Muffie Myers signed on as our music teacher in January of 2018.  She has a Master's degree in the 'art of teaching', M.A.T., along with a Bachelor's degree in special education K- 12 and early childhood education for both typically developing children and those with special needs.  In 2017, after 40 years in the field of education, Muffie 'retired".  However, she was beyond thrilled when she saw the 'tiny job' opening for a music teacher at St. Lucas.  Now she can continue to share her love of music with children even in her retirement years.

Teacher

Gwyn Nottelmann has been a teacher at St. Lucas since 2004. She is married and has 3 children: Evan, Kristin and Kaitlyn. She began her studies in accounting at Southeast Missouri State University but switched her major to Education when she realized her passion for teaching. She earned her Associate's Degree with an emphasis in Education. Working with kids and watching them grow and develop is what keeps Gwyn excited for each new school year. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, making crafts, riding her bicycle and hanging out with her grandchildren. 

Assistant

Caitlin Peaslee joined us this year as one of our before care assistants.  She has two boys who also have been St Lucas birds.  She holds a Bachelor of science degree in psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Missouri- Columbia.  Caitlin has spent the last 3 years working in the child watch room at Burn Boot Camp.  She loves providing a safe place for children while their families practice self care.  She love traveling and spending time with her family and many pets.

Teacher

Jen Punnewaert has been teaching at St. Lucas since 2020.  She has a BA in English from Kent State University and a secondary teaching certificate from UM-St. Louis.  Before choosing to stay home, she worked as a preschool teacher at Kirkwood Baptist Wee Center.  Working with young children has always been something that she enjoys and finds rewarding.  Jen is also a church member at St. Lucas.  She has served on the Preschool Board and has been a vacation bible school volunteer for many years.  She feels blessed to now be a part of the preschool staff. 

Teacher

Lisa Quinn has been at St. Lucas since 2018. Before coming to St. Lucas, she taught in the Lindbergh School District for twenty-five years working with elementary children in various educational settings. She has degrees in Special Education from Missouri State University. She believes that every child is unique and has their own learning style. She strives to prepare each child socially and academically in a fun and loving environment. She enjoys being part of the children’s beginning years of learning.

Assistant

Elaine Simon has been at St. Lucas since 2010 as a teacher and an aide.  She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Special Education. Before she had her children, she taught first grade at Seven Holy Founders. She lives in Affton with her husband. She has 6 daughters who all attended St. Lucas Preschool. She enjoys being a part of the St. Lucas Community!

Teacher

Angie has a Masters Degree in Special Education from Webster University.  She taught in the Lindbergh School District for the past 28 years.  She has worked on a variety of leadership committees within the Lindbergh School District.   She enjoys working with students and teaching them both academically and socially. Her greatest accomplishment is seeing students succeed when they find things that are difficult/new for them.  Their smiles on their faces says it all. She is married and has two daughters.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, watching them play soccer, relaxing on her deck, and hiking.  She is happy to be a part of the St Lucas staff to continue her teaching experience.

Janet Wallinger has been with St. Lucas Preschool as a staff member since 2014. She and her husband were married in 1988 and have raised their 3 daughters through St. Lucas preschool and church. She has her Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University and worked at McDonnell Douglas until deciding to stay home to raise their girls. Janet loves working with the children and nurturing them as they embark on their journey of learning about themselves and the world around them.

Assistant

Emily Webster joined the St Lucas team in 2025. She is married and has 3 children, all of whom attended St Lucas Preschool.  Emily enjoys spending time with her family, baking and playing board games.