Our Team

  • Pastor Noah

    Pastor Noah Kegley, Senior Pastor

    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!”

  • Donna Laughlin, Principal

    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.

  • Penny Suydam, Assistant Principal, Grade 5 Teacher

    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.

  • Matt Cassidy, Dean of Students, Athletic Director

    Bio coming soon!

  • dickenson kindergarten

    Lisa Dickenson, Kindergarten Teacher

    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.

  • Emily McCullagh, Grade 1 Teacher

    Ms. McCullagh recently graduated from Aurora University and is in her first year at Immanuel. Her favorite thing about teaching is getting to make connections with her students and learning and growing together.

  • Gail Beckmann, Grade 2 Teacher

    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.

  • Anissa Foster, Grade 3 Teacher

    Mrs. Foster is the new 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 begin this new adventure!

  • Mary Wert, Grade 4 Teacher

    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.

  • Beth Bierlein, Middle School Teacher

    Religion, Science, Art

  • Michele Randall, Middle School Teacher

    Math, English, Grammar

  • Julie McFarland, Middle School Teacher

    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!

  • Michelle Garesche, Spanish Teacher

    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.

  • Christine Olsen, Middle School History Teacher

    Bio coming soon!

  • Lisa Clark, Preschool 3

    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.

  • Wendy Nelson, Preschool 4

    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.

  • norkus preschool

    Bobbi Norkus, Preschool 4

    Mrs. Norkus has been teaching Preschool for 11 years, however, she started at Immanuel in 2018. She & her husband have lived in Batavia for 22 years and have 2 boys. As a family they enjoy snowmobiling in the winter. In Preschool, she loves teaching the whole child along with the love that God has for each one of them.

  • Robin Lambert, PE

    Mrs. Lambert has been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 18 years. Her twin daughters graduated 8th grade from Immanuel in 2016 and her son is currently at Immanuel. She enjoys teaching others and has truly enjoyed teaching physical education classes for the last year.

  • Grace Politowicz, Music Teacher, Preschool Aide

    Bio coming soon!

  • Allison Cannon, Middle School Art Teacher & Building Substitute

    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.

  • Erica Filyo, Special Needs Coordinator & Interventionist

    Mrs. Filyo has been a Learning Behavioral Specialist for 17 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Purdue University, and her master's degree in Education from Roosevelt University. She joined Immanuel in 2022, serving K-5th Grade students. She previously taught at Glenbard School District 87 for 10 yrs. Her passion is providing students with tools to thrive. Mrs. Filyo also provides Movement Therapy for children and adolescents in the Tri-City area.

  • Heidi Hartzell, School Secretary

    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.

  • Katie Williams, School Secretary

    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.

  • Penny Janacek, Church Secretary

    Bio coming soon!

  • Andrea Carroll, Kindergarten Aide

    Bio coming soon!

  • Jennifer McLane, Preschool & Kindergarten Aide, School Librarian

    Bio coming soon!

  • Carole Barry, Preschool Aide

    Mrs. Barry been here for 5 years. She is a wife and a mom, with both of her children currently attending school at Immanuel. She truly enjoys working with preschool age children, watching them learn and grow.

  • Lisa Thomas, Preschool Aide

    Bio coming soon!

  • Erica Ciro, Grade 1 Aide

    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.

  • Jamie Crooks, Grade 2 Aide

    Bio coming soon!

  • Rachel Castro, Grade 3 & 4 Aide

    Mrs. Castro is going into her second year as a classroom aide at Immanuel. Her favorite thing about her job is being able to work with the students and see them progress throughout the year and loves helping kids of all ages in a place that foster an amazing educational platform for its students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Benedictine University.

  • Rebecca Bello, Admissions Director

    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. Prior to this, 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.

  • Gayle Yanong, Band Director

    Band for Today

    Ms. Yanong has been a band director for 25 years with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Illinois, and has been leading Immanuel’s band program with Band for Today since 2020.

  • Liz Bell, Orchestra Director

    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.

  • Kari Larsen, Children & Family Ministry Director, Sing & Play Teacher

    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.

  • Karen Marchen, Bookkeeper

    Karen joined Immanuel church in 2006, and came on staff as Bookkeeper in October 2018. She enjoys her co-workers, and seeing the little children grow in learning over the course of the school year. Karen’s career started in banking, then bookkeeping in the world of politics, the golf course industry, and construction. She is thankful that all of that helped prepare her to serve God in this capacity.

  • Tom Zillman, Business Manager

    Tom has been employed at Immanuel since 2021 & has been a church-member for 27 years. He's served on numerous committees and boards as well as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the congregation. He was awarded the congregation's Martin Luther - Servant of Christ Award in 2020. Tom has a degree in Business Administration and Speech Communication from Augustana College, & has 40+ years of experience in business, primarily in mortgage banking operations and risk management.

Advisory School Board Members:

  • Gayle Rueter - Chair

  • Sheryl Dauksha - Secretary

  • Mark Kammrath

  • Jennifer Neujahr

  • Amy Lewis

  • Terri Holmes