Our Staff
"The staff at Rainbow preschool is not only experienced, but passionate about their curriculum and supportive of the students. I have seen the teaching team provide wonderful projects and learning opportunities as well as show heartfelt respect and compassion to the students. They do not shy away from students who need more support when separating from parents for the first time, students with language barriers, or even students that tend to be more shy or exuberant in personality. The staff at Rainbow is top notch and strive to be examples of Christ’s love. We have been so blessed to have them teach our children." - Rainbow School parent
Cat Thisius
Director and Lead Teacher
TTH am / MWF Enrichments
Cat joined Rainbow School as a teacher in 2008 and became Director of Rainbow School in 2009. She has Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education from Winona State University. Cat received her Child Care Administration Credential from St. Paul College. Cat and her husband Terry have two adult daughters along with 1 dog and 1 cat. She enjoys playing roller derby, photography, and being outdoors with family.
Stacy Freimuth
Lead Teacher
MWF am and pm
Stacy is a teacher in the Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Gustavus Adolphus College and Masters from Winona State University. Stacy has taught preschool and first grade for 16 years in Rochester and St. Louis, Missouri. Stacy’s husband, Bob, is a Ph. D at the Mayo Clinic and they have two boys. They live in Rochester and love being a part of the Zumbro Lutheran and Rainbow School families.
Tracy Tollefson
Lead Teacher
MWF am and pm, TTH am
Tracy has a Bachelor's degree in English and Communications Education from Mankato State University. She joined the Rainbow School staff January 2019 as a literacy enrichment teacher. Tracy and her husband Doug have 3 children, a dog, 2 cats, and a bearded dragon. Prior to teaching at Rainbow School, Tracy has been a stay at home mom and has been involved as a volunteer and past Rainbow School Board member, and Education Team member at Good Shepherd Church, and at her children's elementary school. Tracy enjoys reading, singing, and playing board games with her family.
Kathryn Powers
Assistant Teacher
MWF Enrichments
Kathryn has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Oklahoma and a Master's degree in Literature from Georgetown University. Kathryn taught high school English for 5 years in Oklahoma and has spent the past 10 years at home raising her 3 children. Kathryn has a deep love for children's literature and enjoys reading with kids of all ages. She and her husband are originally from Oklahoma, but have also lived in Montana, Washington, DC, and Israel. They now call Rochester home.