School Staff Type: Specials

Hello there! My name is Jake Brennan and I am honored to be joining the staff and community here at St. John XXIII in Port Washington! I was born in Merrick, New York and moved with my family to Grafton about 16 Years Ago!

I previously worked and still currently at Annette Meyer Studios teaching lessons privately in Grafton!

Favorite Things, I first and foremost love all of my family and their diverse gifts and talents God has blessed them with. Seeing them every day and hearing how their lives are always brings me joy! I very much enjoy cooking up meals (Italian Ones mostly). I absolutely love visiting my parents’ dogs, Cookie and Luna and walking other dogs around Grafton! I also have fun playing music in a garage band I am a part of and composing music in my free time.

I graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin, and received my Bachelors from Music Education in May of 2024.

In the classroom, I love to help encourage students to learn more and understand music and its ability to connect the world. I want to help students achieve a greater level of performance so they can succeed in concerts and their instrument mastery moving forward in the future!

I cannot wait to be sharing my love of music with the students in my classes.

We moved to Ozaukee country from a Chicago suburb twenty years ago to raise our children in a family setting surrounded by nature.

My favorite things include: Food: Italian cuisine Movie: As Good As It Gets Book: The Gift of Peace Color: Red Drink: Cappuccino/Naked Mango Juice Season: Spring/Fall Sports: Gymnastics Hobby: Cooking, hanging out with friends and family Subject: Spanish Store: St. Vincent DePaul Dessert: Cherry Pie Candy: Snickers Restaurant: Messinas

Our four children: Bobby, Joshua, Jacob, and Gabriela have had an amazing childhood full of laughter, friends, and a great faith based education that will see them through all that life throws at them. Bobby and Joshua are both seniors studying mechanical engineering. Jacob is in the midst of a one year mission discerning the priesthood. Ms. Gabby is a Junior at Living Word Lutheran high school. When I am not in the classroom I help my husband run our small businesses, CPR and TechNationit.

I earned a B.A. in Spanish and Psychology education from College of the Ozarks and a Masters in Family Psychology and School counseling from Governors State University. I taught Spanish for 7 years and was a guidance counselor for four years. When my children arrived, Bob and I decided that I would stay home to raise them. I continued to use my counseling skills at home and in the community in various settings. I enjoy helping women who feel stuck in dysfunctional relationships develop a way out. In this capacity, I have been able to use my Spanish and people skills often. I am now back in the classroom where my passion for affecting future generations comes alive.

I’m excited to be back at St. John XXIII, a community dear to my heart . I left SJ23rd 7 years ago to help my husband realize his dream of business entrepreneurship. Now that our business is solid, I am ready to pay forward all that this community gave to our four children as partners in a faith-based education.

I am a native Spanish speaker who loves to share my love of language and culture. I look forward to getting to know each child assigned to my care!

Amber grew up in Green Bay. She currently lives in Fredonia with her husband and two dogs, Giggs and Rooney

Things that bring her joy are her dogs, spending time with friends and family, being active outdoors, art projects, and, of course, reading and writing every chance she gets!

Happily married for two years to her husband, Joey,

Amber graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a degree in Elementary/Middle School Education and emphases in Language Arts and Spanish.

Her passion for teaching and working with children began at age 10 when she created her very own “classroom” in her parents’ basement. There, her little sister (along with a few stuffed animals) made up her first class.

“One of the best parts of my job is supporting 5th Graders as they transition to Middle School. They experience so many new and exciting challenges, and it warms my heart to see them grow in so many ways throughout the year. They inspire me every day!”