Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Blythe MacKinder - Preschool Director

About: Blyth MacKinder is an alumnus of St. Paul School and member of the church. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Wayne State University. She has completed the educational credits to be lead teacher in the Preschool program. She is currently working on completing her second bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

She has twin daughters who currently attend St. Paul Lutheran School. Her two-year-old son will be attending shortly! She and her husband share a love of baseball, hockey and spending time together as a family on adventures.

Favorite Bible Verse:  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And

Proverbs 31:10, 25-26 …She is worth far more than rubies…25-26 She is clothed in strength and dignity she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction on her tongue.

What is the most inspiriting part of your job? The most inspiring part of her job is watching the children in her class grow. This includes their vocabulary, actions, emotions, and especially love of Jesus!

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Ms. Jaclyn Moelich – Preschool

About: Jaclyn Moelich grew up in Plymouth-Canton. She attended MSU earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in special education. After college Mrs. Moe first taught at Eton Academy in Birmingham as a middle school teacher then onto Plymouth-Canton as a middle school resource room teacher. Most recently, she was a program teacher for students impacted by their Autism in Troy. Mrs. Moe has a husband, Rob, who she married here at St. Paul Royal Oak Church! They have two daughters, Mayla and Kenna who attend the preschool here at St. Paul Lutheran School!

Favorite Bible Verse: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job? A: I enjoy being the students' first experiences with school! I am passionate about instilling a love of learning and an eagerness to participate.

Contact: jmoelich@stpaulroyaloak.org

Mrs. Miranda Lorence – Kindergarten

About: Mrs. Lorence was born in Eastpointe, Michigan. She earned my Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Baker College and has started working towards her graduate degree at Oakland University.

Favorite Bible Verse: “He who took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.“ – Mark 9:36-37

Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job?: A: “The most inspiring part of my job is that I get to impact the lives of children and mold the foundation of their education. “

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Mrs. Christina Eising – 1st Grade/ Teacher Resource

About: Mrs. Eising was born in Flint, Michigan but moved to Royal Oak when she was five. She received her B.A. in Education from Concordia, Ann Arbor, and her Master’s in Learning Disabilities from Wayne State University. She and her husband, Chip have three children who have graduated from our school.

Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What is the most inspiring part of your job? I love getting to know each child as a person, as a student, and as a child of God, (and, of course, their families, too,) and then helping them imagine the possibilities of what they might do.

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Mrs. Dawn Heins – 3rd and 4th Grades

About: Dawn Heins grew up in Troy, Michigan.  She is a graduate of Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, and has completed 21 hours of post graduate work at Wayne State University. Mrs. Heins has 30 years of teaching experience and has taught every grade but first.  She loves to spend time with her family, read, and play games on her tablet.  She is the mother of three grown children and the proud grandmother of seven.

Favorite Bible Verse: Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5b

Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job: The most inspiring part of my job is watching children grow spiritually, academically, and emotionally.  “Light-bulb” moments (when students grasp concepts) are my favorite!

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Mr. Kurt Schmidt – 4th and 5th Grade Teacher

About: Mr. Schmidt was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was baptized at home two weeks later! After earning his Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Concordia University, Nebraska, he accepted a call to teach band in Lutheran schools throughout metropolitan Houston, Texas. After completing his second year there, Mr. Schmidt was called to serve the congregation of St. Peter’s, East Detroit, teaching 6th Graders and band. However, his longest call served was at St. John, Fraser, where he taught 5th Graders, bands, and led the church’s brass choir for 16 years. There are other schools among his experiences, including a year at a classical Lutheran school where he taught beginning Latin to his 3rd and 4th Graders, and even online school with middle school and high school students. Mr. Schmidt has three grown daughters, three wonderful sons-in-law, and five grands: Reese and Lewis, Micah (who shares a birthday with his grandpa), and Thomas with his little sister, Piper. Mr. Schmidt, a Type 1 Diabetic, has interests that include classical and jazz music, baseball at any level, college football, and U.S.
Presidential history.

Favorite Bible Verse: Cast all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job?: A: “Hearing a student say something like, ‘ooohh, I get it now’, especially during a Bible lesson, keeps bringing me back to school confident that the joy in my heart is affecting students, whether they proclaim it
aloud or not.”

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Miss Julie Thomas – 5th and 6th Grade

About: Miss Thomas grew up in Royal Oak, MI and attended St. Paul as a child. She graduated from Oakland University with her Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education, completed her Colloquy classes through Concordia University’s online program, and has started her graduate degree at Concordia Mequon (online program). In her free time she enjoys baking, singing with the choir, spending time with friends, and playing with her pets.

Favorite Bible Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.“ – Psalm 46:1

Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job?: A: “The most inspiring part of my job is seeing students live out their faith. I love watching the older students step up and encourage the younger ones. I learn just as much from them as they do from me! “

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Mr. Greg Paul – 5th and 6th Grade Science, Choir, Band

About: Mr. Paul began his college studies at Concordia University, Ann Arbor then transferred to Concordia University, Seward, NE, where he received his B.S. degree in Education with a concentration in church music. Mr. Paul earned a Master’s in Organ Performance from Wayne State University in 2003. He serves St. Paul Church and School by playing the organ for worship, directing various choirs and ensembles, and teaching in the middle school.

Favorite Bible Verse: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job?: A: Coming Soon

Contact: 

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