Staff Profiles
Adam Schmidt – Director
Background: I grew up right here in Winthrop, graduating from GFW High School. I first started in childcare as a volunteer for God’s Treasures Child Care when my wife, Jessica, was serving as Director at our Zion Lutheran Church location. I began my duties as Director in March 2024, a few months before we officially re-opened our doors as a Minnesota-licensed child care center, at our present location. My love for ministry began as a college student in Duluth where I served in various roles at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. One of those roles was establishing a preschool that still exists today. In 2010, a few years after my family moved back to Winthrop, I was part of the committee at Zion that established God’s Treasures. Prior to serving as Director, I most recently served in managerial roles for 9 years at New Ulm Medical Center where I remain employed as a casual Medical/Surgical Registered Nurse.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I’m taking courses through Martin Luther College for my Staff Ministry certification.
Jessica Schmidt – Infant Teacher
Background: Jessica has been working with children and families for more than 15 years. After years working in a hospital and clinic system as a Registered Nurse she began a position in Public Health after moving from Duluth to Winthrop. During that time she did family home visits, worked with childhood nutrition in the WIC program, was a lactation consultant, was a school nurse, and did new baby visits. For the last seven years she has been providing childcare to infants and toddlers. Her favorite position yet!
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, taking synodical and early childhood training through Martin Luther College
Clara Handy – Toddler Teacher
Background: The Lord has given me the opportunity to serve him in different ways these last few years. My first call was to Bangor Wisconsin where I taught 3-4th grades for two years. Next I served at Mt. Calvary Grace in La Crosse Wisconsin for a year as a 4k and Kindergarten teacher. Then the Lord blessed me with my first daughter and I stayed home to take care of her for about a year. My husband Quinn Handy decided he would like to go back to MLC to finish his preseminary track. So we moved to Sleepy Eye MN and the Lord blessed me with a call here to help support my husband as he goes to school for two years.
Education: I graduated from Martin Luther college in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education
Morgan Ritter – Pre-Kindergarten Transition Teacher
Background: Hello, my name is Morgan Ritter, and I serve as a Preschool Transition Teacher. This is my first call into the full-time ministry, and I am very excited to get to know the students and families I will be serving. I have a strong passion for child development, active play, and imagination in learning. I love discovering new ideas about education, and I look forward to fostering that same love of learning in my students. I live in Nicollet, Minnesota, with my husband, Alex, who teaches at Trinity Lutheran in Nicollet. We also have two cats, Milo and Winnie.
Education: I graduated from Martin Luther College in December 2025 with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Naomi Johnson – Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Background: Hi, I’m Mrs. Johnson, the PreK 4 teacher at God’s Treasures! I’m from Gibbon, MN and live on a farm just south of town with my husband Lindsey and our 6 kids. We have Berkshire mother and baby pigs, chickens and a couple geese and dogs. I have previously taught PreK at Prairie Lutheran and also helped Lindsey homeschool our kids as well. I truly enjoy finding ways to make learning fun and connecting it to the personalities of learners, both big and small. Most of my time outside of school is spent cooking and spending time at home with family.
Education: I graduated from Martin Luther College in 2006 with a degree in Elementary Education. I also enjoy reading books and watching webinars to learn more about how and why children learn to be able to reach as many little minds as I can.
Naomi Evenson – School Age Teacher
Background: I have taught grades 1-2 at St. John Luth. School in Fairfax, started the PreK program for Immanuel/Prairie Luth. School in Gibbon, and subbed daily and long term for PreK-12th grades in local districts, also serving as Gr. 1-7 Sunday School teacher and children’s choir director, and later subbing at MLC’s ECLC. I am currently the PLS resource teacher for K-4th grades and again teach the PreK classes.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Dr. Martin Luther College with emphasis in Language Arts, later becoming state certified through MLC. Continually update certification in CPR/First Aid, SUID/AHT, etc.