Board of Education

We are a small team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience, who are committed to the excellence of St. John’s School.

Click here for the BOE Policies and Procedures.

Click here for the BOE Minutes.

Dacia Hermes

Chair

As a lifelong parish member and school alumni, my pride in the St. John’s community runs deep. My husband, Eric and I have 3 children who have benefited from SJS education. We have been impressed with the integration of faith in their academic journey, the opportunities they have been offered outside the classroom, and the family atmosphere. Being a part of the school board is a way to support the mission of our Catholic school and promote continued academic excellence. The importance of being a lifelong learner with a self-directed learning mentality was fostered at SJS and has been beneficial in my own career ventures. I currently practice in palliative medicine as a nurse practitioner, serve on our company’s APC council and participate in our organization’s leadership academy.

Kim Lamers

Vice-Chair

As a lifelong member of our parish and a proud school alumni, I bring a unique and heartfelt perspective to our Board of Education. My husband, Marty and I have three wonderful children who all attend SJS. My experiences as a parent have deepened my understanding of the importance of a nurturing and faith-centered educational environment.

In my professional life, I serve as a 4th-grade teacher, where I witness daily the transformative power of education. My passion for teaching is matched by my enthusiasm for continuous improvement within our school system. I am excited to join the school board with a clear objective: to help drive school improvements that benefit both students and educators, while ensuring that faith remains at the heart of all our decisions.

Joining the Board of Education is an opportunity for me to give back to the community that has given me so much. I am eager to support our school and its mission, fostering an environment where every student can thrive academically, spiritually, and personally. Together, I believe we can make a meaningful impact, nurturing the next generation with the values and education they need to succeed.

Amber Eisenschink

Secretary

As a proud graduate of St. John School and a lifelong member of the parish, I am deeply committed to preserving the traditions, academic excellence and Catholic faith that define student life at St. John School. My husband and I are blessed with two daughters: one currently attending St. John School and the other a fellow alumna.

Professionally, I serve as the Data Operations Manager for a local school district, where I apply my expertise in educational data to enhance the learning environment.

I am honored to be serving my third term on the Board of Education, continuing my dedication to fostering a nurturing and effective educational experience for all students.

Carly Tiedt

I’m a lifelong parish member who grew up able to see the church and school from my front yard. Now that my own kids can see the church and school from our front yard, I look forward to partaking in this community of people with a shared goal of ensuring our students receive the same enriching, well-rounded experience I had as a student at SJS. I have nine years of experience as a high school English teacher and am passionate about SJS students gaining the academic tools needed to succeed in their schooling and lives after graduation. I am excited to learn, collaborate, and grow in faith alongside my fellow board members and St. John Nepomucene community members.

Emily Hietpas

I am honored to be on a team that cares deeply for all students and teachers at SJS. My husband, Matt, and I have four beautiful children. Three are currently attending St. John School, and one will start in the PreK program next year. The desire for my family to be part of a strong faith-filled community has to do with the fact that I am a lifelong parish member and proud student alumni. I also witnessed firsthand the positive impact a faith centered community can have, when I taught within a Catholic School for a number of years. Once I became a mom I put my professional teaching on hold. My passion for helping others grow in their faith and academics still stays strong! I am thrilled to do my part on the Board of Education to keep our work centered on God and the schools mission of equipping students and educators with the tools they need for a fulfilling educational experience.

Nicole Vanden Heuvel

I am a wife and mother to four beautiful children, who are all proud SJS alumni. My role as a full-time mom has allowed me the opportunity to volunteer my time and talents in various capacities throughout our parish and school, community and non-profit organizations. The Board of Education advisory team serves a pivotal role to the administration, and I am honored, once again, to be a part of it. Over the years I served two prior terms where I held the roles of Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chairperson. In addition to being on the Board of Education, I am also in my second term of Parish Trustee.

Olivia O’Connell

As a lifelong member of the parish and a 2014 graduate of St. John’s, I am honored to give back to the school and faith community that shaped me. From a young age, St. John’s instilled in me the values of a vibrant, faith-filled life and taught me to turn to God in all things. St. John’s also taught me the importance of being a steward of the world—caring for others, serving my community, and living with purpose and compassion. In serving on the school board, I’m proud to support the mission of St. John’s by being an active advocate for our school, a voice for its staff, and a steward of the traditions that have helped guide generations in living their faith. Outside of my role on the board, I work as a funeral director alongside my parents, Tim and Jenny O’Connell, at O’Connell Funeral Home, with plans to carry the business forward in the coming years. I’m also active in the broader community—coaching volleyball and basketball at Little Chute High School, volunteering as a buddy with the Miracle League of Appleton, coordinating sponsorships for Holy Cross’s Oktoberfest, and serving as Vice President of the Little Chute Kiwanis Club. While I don’t have children of my own, I am deeply committed to enriching the lives of youth and families in our community. I see my role on the school board as a meaningful extension of that mission.