Meet Our Teachers.

Introducing our Sunday School of Discipleship Teaching Team.

(MillsKids School of Discipleship meets 9-10am Sunday Mornings September - June)

Two's and Three's

Hi, I'm Konnie Plaep.  I've been part of the Mills Church family for over 45 years and currently teach the 2 & 3 year old Sunday school class.  I have a degree in Christian Education and licensures in Early Childhood Education and Parent Education.  I've taught weekday preschool for nearly 30 years.
 
I am passionate about:  Studying the Word of God and conveying its truth to others, especially children.
 
My favorite things are:  Brisk walks, good books,  table games, anything with my grandkids, time with my husband and adult children, breakfast with friends, and the wonders of God's creation.
 
People say:  I understand the way young children think and have fun interacting with them and guiding them as they learn and grow.

Pre-Kindergarten

Hi, I'm Sarah Morrow.  I am one of the millsKIDS School of Discipleship teachers.  I have been teaching Sunday school at The Mills Church for three years and love it!  As an oldest child, I have always enjoyed teaching and guiding those younger than me.  I enjoy teaching kids to love and serve God.

I am passionate about:  Having fun!  Living for God is full of adventure and joy.  God has given us every day as a precious gift to go out and serve him…and have fun doing it!

My favorite things:  I am a coffee addict!  I love spending my time with friends and family over a good cup of Joe.  I enjoy photography, baking, and bargain hunting.  I love spending time with my husband (Peter, pictured with me).  He is truly my best friend!

People say:  I am very responsible.  I just can’t leave a task undone!  I like seeing things come to fruition & love being able to check items off my to-do list!

Kindergarten and First Grade

Hi, I'm Pat Morrow. This is my fifth year teaching at the MillsKids School of Discipleship in the primary department. Before that I was on the Youth Team for ten years. I have loved teaching and pouring into the lives of both children and teens. My husband, Denny, and I have been at the Mills Church for 26 years. It has been a place that has nurtured my love for Jesus and through this community of people I have been challenged to follow Him in deeper ways.
 
I am passionate about: My family….we have two daughters and one son who are all married and they have given us six grandchildren. I love being able to be part of their lives. I’m also passionate about the local church. I love being part of the ministry of this church. I appreciate being part of a body of believers that are trying to show our community how much God loves them.
 
My favorite things are: Talking with friends over a cup of tea, reading a book in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea (I really like tea!), spending time at our cabin with our family and friends, gardening at our cabin, spending time with my grandchildren, and traveling and working with my husband.
 
People say: I am organized, a planner, good at listening to people and encouraging them.

Hi, I'm Jean-Marie Paul.  I am a team teacher with Pat Morrow for the kinder and first grade MillsKids School of Discipleship.  I graduated from Bethel University with an Elementary Education degree knowing that I want to share my passion for learning and Christ in tangible ways. 

I accepted the Lord in to my heart very early on but really started to understand the relationship I could have with him when I was in seventh grade.

I am passionate about:  My family, attending siblings' and cousins' sporting events, spending time with kids and getting them to think, and always attempting to share my love of God through my actions.

My favorite things are: Sunday night dinners with my extended family, hanging out with my friends, watching funny or sweet movies and eating ice cream, also I love to work out.

People say: I am good with kids and am patient. 

 2nd and 3rd Grade

Hi. I'm Jana Hoober.  I am the Director of the millsKIDS ministry at the Mills Church.  I hold a degree in elementary education, have taught in the public schools, and been involved with kids’ ministry for over 10 years.  I have 5 kids and have been married to Mark for 21 years. I have a continual and growing love for Jesus and I chose to follow Him when I was 8 years old. 
 


I am passionate about:  Spending time with my family, cheering at my kids' sports events, teaching kids about God's amazing story of love and redemption.  I love it when the "lights go on" and I can actually witness a child understand something new about Jesus.  Can't think of anything better!
 


My favorite things:  Mexican food at Rey Azteca with friends, the North Shore of Lake Superior, funny movies, Sunday afternoon Vikings games, fall colors, gardening, and cooking a great meal.
 


People say:  I am organized, efficient, and a good teacher.  My kids would say I like neat and clean space where "everything has a home."

4th and 5th Grade

Hi!  I'm Kara Groff.  I have been attending Mills Church for about three years and this is my first year teaching at the MillsKids School of Discipleship.  I have loved it!  I have a degree in elementary education and have taught in several different settings.  I also have volunteered with students in junior high and high school youth groups.  I have grown in my love for Jesus ever since age four when I decided I wanted to follow Him.  I have been married to Scott for eleven years and have three children.

I am passionate about:  spending time with my family, especially in nature; encouraging others in their walk with God; listening to people's hearts and praying for them; serving others in hands-on ways.
 
My favorite things: playing with my kids, gardening, listening to "good" music, making a gourmet meal and sharing it with friends, exercising outside in nature, reading, and traveling with my husband.  I love the turning of the seasons and how even that tells of God's redemptive story.  One of my dreams would be to travel and take pictures of people and places and record their stories.
 
People say:  I'm creative and compassionate. And a little forgetful!  :)

Hi, I'm Christine Conlin.  I have been teaching at the MillsKids School of Discipleship for the last six years ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade.  I have enjoyed seeing the kids of Mills Church grow up in Christ right before my eyes.  It's a joy to see the light of Jesus shine through a child.  I have grown in my own walk with Christ, simply by teaching Sunday school and learning from the kids as well. I am married to John and we celebrated 15 years of marriage this year.  We have two children, Jack (10 years) and Sami (8 years).
 
I am passionate about:  My kids and cheering them on in the various sports they are in - especially hockey!  I enjoy Gopher hockey games, WILD games, Vikings and the Twins.  We enjoy traveling to spring training baseball games in the winter and spending time together as a family camping with our pop-up camper - making memories. 
 
My favorite things are:  Reading to my kids, playing music in the living room with our family, going on Gopher hockey dates with my husband and yes, camping - even though I'm a "city girl."
 
People say: I am an encourager, organized, energetic and fun.  My kids would say, Mom likes to have everything nice and clean before she "plays." 

Large Group Instructor for our 2nd - 5th Grade

Hi! I am Dan McCarthy.  My family and I have been attending The Mills Church for 16 years, and I have been teaching at the MillsKids School of Discipleship for about 15 years.  My wife Kay and I have lived in Minnetonka in our house on Randall Lane for 26 years and have 3 daughters, Adrianne(23), Meghan (21) and Aubrey (18).  Kay teaches Kindergarten at Gatewood Elementary in the Hopkins School District and I have worked as a self-employed landscaper for 10 years with Arborgate Horticultural.



I am passionate about:  John 10:10, living life to the full.  I don't want to miss anything.  The world and all that it holds is a fascinating place.  I love it.  I also love this Church.  It has been a big part of who my family is today.  I love teaching Sunday School and playing with kids.  I want their memory of church to be a great memory.



My favorite things are:  Being outside.  My gardens.  Growing things, peonys... My turtles.  Raising rabbits and chickens.  Camping, canoeing, trout fishing.  The BWCA.  Biking to Duluth.  Travel.  Flying places with my family. Great swimming spots.  Agates.  Taking kids on trips.  Using my gifts.  Growing apples.  Lifting weights.  Playing broomball.




People say:  Kay and I are frustrated farmers.  I'm just a big kid.  I'm an awesome Dad.  (by Meghan)  I'm goofy. (by Aubrey)  I'm slightly irregular. (Dave Creek, Middle School Youth Pastor at the Mills Church)
 

Interested in checking out our Mills Kids Team?  I would love to talk with you and give you more information on our ministry philosophy and opportunities to get involved.  Contact Jana Hoober at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .