Hannah Knakmuhs Second Grade

ABOUT THE CLASSROOM

• Reading: Super Kids Program, phonics, accuracy, fluency, comprehension and transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn.
• Math: Saxon Math, addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, place value, time, money, and skip counting.
• Social: Pearson, People and Place, map skills and what makes a community.
• Science: Interactive Science, matter, living things, how things grow and change
• Religion: Acension Press
• Character Development: TOP 20
• Students also have music, phy.ed. and art taught to them by specialists.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

• A class newsletter is sent home every Monday through Fast Direct.
• Assignment sheets are sent home weekly to keep parents informed about nightly assignments.
• We have title services available for reading and math.
• Students attend mass weekly. Classes have the opportunity to plan and lead the mass every 6 weeks.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in Science Squad which meets monthly.

Abbie Herkenhoff 4/5 Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Abbie will be joining our team as the teacher for the 4/5 preschool classroom. A graduate of Sacred Heart School, she is excited to return to her school community and begin her teaching career here. Abbie attended Alexandria Technical and Community College, where she studied Early Childhood Education and developed her passion for working with young learners. 

Abbie and her husband, Loren, recently welcomed their daughter, Ellie, in May 2026. The family lives on a hobby farm near Freeport, where they enjoy caring for their pigs, beef cattle, and their dog, Marley.

In her free time, Abbie enjoys walking, biking, and spending quality time with her family.

ABOUT THE CLASSROOM: 

Our preschool program provides a well-rounded learning experience that supports children’s development across all major areas of early childhood education, including reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, art, sensory exploration, and fine and gross motor development.

The preschool classroom is intentionally designed to encourage children to participate in all areas of learning. Throughout the day, children engage in activities that promote literacy, early math skills, science and social studies, dramatic play, social-emotional development, art, sensory exploration, and fine and gross motor skills.

We also incorporate Catholic values into our curriculum by teaching children about God and helping them understand that each child is a unique and special gift from God.

Other Things To Know

* Mrs. Abbie and the Early Childhood Team are Trained Early Childhood Catalyst Approach Teachers and implement this in the classroom philosophy. 

*Classroom Newsletters are sent out every month.

* We have a two year rotating full themed preschool Literacy curriculum.

*We use the His Little Way religion program.

Emily Engel Infant Room

Ms. Emily has experience working in childcare and classroom settings and has a special love for infants. Ms. Emily believes that babies thrive when they feel safe, loved, and cared for, and she strives to make every day full of cuddles, smiles, learning, and fun.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Emily enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Ethan. She loves being outdoors, spending time around their cows, and enjoying the simple things in life. She also loves getting creative and working on fun projects. She feels very blessed to do what she loves and is excited to share her days with the little ones at Sacred Heart.