Ms. Bethany Ehlert

Early Childhood Director & Teacher

Ms. Ehlert has been serving as Immanuel Lutheran Preschool's Early Childhood Director and Teacher since 2014. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from (Dr.) Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, and in 1999 received a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from UW-River Falls. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, also having served at St. Andrew Lutheran School in Chicago, and at Zion Lutheran School in Monroe, Michigan.

Bethany grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, enjoys serving as an organist, collecting antiques, and making cards. She also loves being auntie to her many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Brenda Smith

Preschool Teachers' Aide

Mrs. Smith received an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Lakeshore Technical College in May, 2007.  She also received the Preschool Credential through the Wisconsin Registry of Early Childhood Educators in August, 2007.  She has been serving at Immanuel Lutheran Preschool since 2002, and also served as our Wrap Around Care Director from 2009-2021.

Brenda and her husband, Dan, have two children, Zachary and Elizabeth.

Mrs. Barb Baeckman

Wrap Around Care Director

Mrs. Baeckman is a Manitowoc native who has served since 2025 as our Wrap Around Care Director, leading our Before- and After-Care programs for our students. She comes to Immanuel with experience as a substitute teacher and production scheduler, and has also taught Sunday School. She has both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business Management from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc.

She and her husband, Jerry, enjoy spending time with their 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, and Barb also enjoys scrapbooking.