MEET THE FACULTY
PASTOR MICHAEL (MIKE) GEHL
HEAD PASTOR AND FIFTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE CATECHISM TEACHER
Pastor Gehl lives in Wrightstown with his wife, Aura Lee, their son Zaine, their daughters Miranda and Matteah, and their dog Cooper. He joined St. John in 2015 and currently serves as head pastor of St. John and circuit pastor of the North Valley WELS Circuit.
TIMOTHY (TIM) RADDATZ
PRINCIPAL AND SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE TEACHER
Mr. Raddatz grew up in Kaukauna, WI. He graduated from Martin Luther College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and took up post-graduate studies through both Winona State University and St. Mary State University. Prior to joining St. John in 2014, Mr. Raddatz served as an upper grade teacher and administrator at St. John in Goodhue, MN, an upper grade teacher at HOPE Christian in Milwaukee, WI, and an upper grade teacher and administrator at JOY Academy in St. Paul, MN.
Mr. Raddatz lives in Appleton with his wife, Abby, their daughter, Cecelia, their son, Owen, and their dog, Gus. He enjoys playing and officiating sports, camping, watching college football, reading, hosting and participating in community events, hunting, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Raddatz shares, "It is truly an honor and privilege to serve families and their children, being able to teach them about the saving grace of Christ."
DILLON SOLOMON
FIFTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE TEACHER
Mr. Solomon grew up in Troy, MI. He graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and in Secondary Mathematics. After graduating, he was assigned as a Tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI for one year. In 2021, he was reassigned to serve as the fifth through eighth grade teacher at St. John.
Mr. Solomon and his wife, Gabrielle, live in Fox Crossing, where they enjoy hiking and the outdoors, reading, and all things sports. He shares, "Every day in school is a learning opportunity, both for the kids and me. It's a great blessing to be able to share my love for learning with my students and an even greater blessing that we get to do so in the context of God's Word."
REBECCA WICKS
KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE TEACHER
Mrs. Wicks grew up in Neenah and Menasha, WI. She graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a Mathematics Concentration. After graduation, she spent several years as a teacher and assistant director in WELS early childhood centers. She joined St. John’s faculty in 2013, initially serving as the preschool and preK teacher.
Mrs. Wicks and her husband, Jason, live in Kaukauna. Together they have a son, Arlen, who keeps them busy attending baseball and football games. Mrs. Wicks also enjoys biking, reading, and baking.
Mrs. Wicks states, “I love teaching young children. They show eagerness for God’s Word and a simple but strong faith and learn quickly. They have a new skill, accomplishment, or piece of knowledge almost every day and are always excited to share their stories.”
JAMIE BUSS
PRE-K TEACHER AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTOR
Miss Buss grew up in New London, WI. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and received a WELS synod certification from Martin Luther College in 2014. She joined St. John’s faculty in 2015, initially serving as the preschool teacher.
Miss Buss currently lives in DePere with a cat for company. She enjoys a wide variety of hobbies, including reading, writing, photography, painting, hiking, and camping. She says, "I love working with the kids and watching them grow, learn, and achieve new things that they didn’t think they could do! My favorite thing about teaching little kids about Jesus is seeing how they love him and trust him so sincerely and I love introducing them to the same God that I know loves me, and all of us, so perfectly."
Miss Buss' favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
ALEXA FOELSKE
PRESCHOOL TEACHER
Mrs. Foelske spent her childhood in Manitowoc, WI before attending Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. She graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and has since had a wide variety of teaching experiences, serving as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher at St. John Redwood Falls, MN; a 5th-8th grade English Language Arts teacher in Peoria, AZ; and an Early Childhood teacher at Loving Arms Early Learning Center in Maribel, WI.
Mrs. Foelske and her husband, Micah, live with their daughter, Evie, and their dog, Rhea, in Green Bay, WI. In her spare time she enjoys reading, music, and cheering for the Packers. She shares, "I love teaching preschool! It allows me to instill in my class my love of Jesus, reading and music, while getting to be silly and dance all day."