At Prince of Peace School, we take pride in our incredible, experienced teachers and staff.
Get to know our team by reading their biographies below. We know you will love them as much as we do!
Kristy Kolodge
Kindergarten Teacher
Kristy has a Master’s degree in teaching with an emphasis in early childhood & elementary education. She has spent the last thirteen years working with children at Nike. She is married with twin boys. Some of her hobbies outside of work include spending time with her family, reading, cooking, scrapbooking, and hanging out with her close friends. Kristy’s favorite part about working with children in any capacity is to watch them learn and grow as people. Her goal is to be a part of helping children develop a love and desire to learn. She loves meeting and building relationships with the children and families at Prince of Peace.
Leslie Swinford
Kindergarten Art Teacher
Leslie was born in Seattle and moved to Portland in her teens. She attended Concordia University in Portland and graduated from Lewis and Clark College. Leslie and her husband Rich have a son, Carl. While her son was is school, Leslie discovered she enjoyed teaching art to children, giving them skills to help them express their creativity. Leslie volunteers at the Prince of Peace food pantry and her son’s boy scout troop.
Desiree Sellke
Kindergarten Teacher
Desiree grew up in Golden, CO. She graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she taught preschool in CO for two years, then moved to gorgeous Oregon! She has taught both pre-K (ten years), and kindergarten (two years) since moving. Desiree and her husband have two daughters, two Labrador Retrievers and a fish. In her spare time, Desiree enjoys ballet, fishing for salmon and halibut with her husband, gardening, and hosting family gatherings. She is excited to join Prince of Peace as a pre-k teacher. “I believe all children are a precious gift from God and am overjoyed to be a part of His plan for their lives”.
Kelly Morris
Pre-Kindergarten 4-Day Teacher
Kelly Morris is passionate about educating, inspiring and encouraging young children. She loves looking to the children as the roadmap to the experiences and opportunities that she provides in the classroom. Kelly is excited to teach at Prince of Prince School and looks forward to creating partnerships with parents to provide the best possible experience for their children. She loves being a team builder and is eager to teach alongside Prince of Peace School’s outstanding teachers. Kelly graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Science with a focus on Early Childhood Education. After moving to Portland, she taught at Bright Horizons Child Development Center followed by 6 years as the program supervisor for Nike’s birth to 3 yr. child development center.
Kim Goudy
Pre-Kindergarten 3-Day Teacher
Kim was born in the Midwest, but has called Oregon home for the past 37 years. Teaching runs in her family, both of Kim’s parents were teachers. Kim and Paul have two adult children. Kim liberally shares her musical talent, teaching the 4’s music and she also participates in the hand bell choir at Prince of Peace. In the early morning you will find her walking; traveling, reading, gardening, cooking and playing piano are activities she enjoys. “I have a passion for teaching young children about the world we live in and the love of God. I love to engage young children through music, crafts and stories.” Kim is delighted to be a teacher at POP for over 27 years!
Hannah Lee
3’s Teacher
Teaching brings Hannah so much enjoyment! She has over 20 years of experience in teaching students and loves being with children! It brings Hannah joy to see her students’ improvement! She is married and has a son. She has a vocal degree and loves music. Her family enjoys traveling and especially loves being out in nature. Hannah loves the God and wants to teach her students with the love of the Lord!
Michelle Shipley
Pre-K 4 day teacher
Michelle was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. She graduated from George Fox University with a degree in Elementary Education. Michelle is married and has three children, all of whom attended Prince of Peace School. Michelle keeps busy being involved in her church, community and in her kids’ schools. You can find her on the field or gym watching her kids play sports. Michelle loves to entertain and enjoys adventures with family and friends. She is excited to be at Prince of Peace this year and be able to teach young children about how much God loves them. Michelle has been teaching for 4 years as a 3’s and Pre-3’s teacher
Nancy Lydon
Pre-Kindergarten 3-Day & 3’s Teacher
Nancy is an “Army brat” living in many places growing up. She has lived in Oregon for 27 years. Nancy and her husband, Tim, have been married 34 years and have two adult daughters and 1 1/2-year-old granddaughter. Their youngest daughter attended preschool at Prince of Peace (3’s and 4’s) 20 years ago and Nancy started teaching at POP after that. She and her family love to go camping and hiking. In her spare time she likes to spend it with friends and family and plays in the handbell choir at Prince of Peace. “I love teaching children about Jesus and how much He loves them. It’s a very rewarding job.” Nancy has been a teacher for 24 years at Prince of Peace School!
Ali Caponette
MWF 3’s teacher
Alison Caponette grew up in Shawano, WI and developed a love for Jesus and teaching after working at a Christan camp in high school. Camp continued to be one of her favorite places as she spent all of her summers throughout college and graduate school working at them. Ali gained her BA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN and her MA in Child, Youth and Family Ministries from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Ali has taught at Prince of peace for 11 years. She loves learning about learning and strives to make her classroom a safe community filled with the love of Jesus, movement, music, and fun!
She lives with her husband Jason, son Elias, and dog Dutch. Together they enjoy hosting bbqs, game nights, going for walks, and snuggles on the couch with a pile of books. Some of Ali’s favorite things are, singing worship or silly songs, eating chips and guacamole with friends, and hearing the laughter of children!
Jeff Kranich
Family Life Minister | School Chapel Leader
Jeff Kranich (Mr. K) joined the staff of Prince of Peace in January 2011. He graduated in 1980 from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon as a Director of Christian Education with a BA in Education, Minor in Theology, and a Youth Ministry Emphasis. He loves kids and families, and especially enjoys the wonder of discovery in young children as they encounter our amazing world. He works to regularly remind our kids that they are each unique and special and loved by God! Mr. K loves serving in a Team Ministry and working to help others develop the gifts God has given them for ministry. He leads Confirmation Class & School Chapels, and works with our Ministry Teams and leaders to create events for Family and Community Faith development and growth. He is an accomplished singer-songwriter and uses his musical gifts in Worship, School activities, Sunday School, and Family Ministry.
Pastor Dan Haugen
Pastor
Pastor Dan is new to Prince of Peace and was installed on June 10th, 2018. He has a long history of working with children and is especially proud of his time as the founder and director of the Alleluia Children’s Theater which he intends to continue here in Portland. He is a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis Missouri and loves working with people of all ages towards the strengthening of their faith. He has a wife (Cheryl) of 35 years and three children, Erik, Alexander and Emily. He looks forward to working with the kids and getting to know all the parents and wants all to know his door is always open.
Susan Sturm
Financial Administrator & Office Manager
Susan has lived in Beaverton, Oregon, for over 40 years. She and her husband, Steve, have one grown-up son who lives in Portland. Some of her favorite pastimes are hiking, going to the beach, reading, getting together with family and friends and playing Bunco and Pinochle. Susan loves her position as administrative assistant for POP School. She especially enjoys getting to know the parents and the children and feels very blessed to have a job that she loves!
Karen Kiser
School Director
Amanda Leckvold
Pre-Kindergarten 4-Day Teacher