Mrs. Cathy Swanstrom
Head of School

Mrs. Swanstrom was born in Wichita, Kansas, and grew up in Houston, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Concordia Lutheran College (now known as Concordia University Texas) and holds a Texas Teacher Certificate, a Lutheran Teacher Certificate, and a Director of Child Care License.

She began her teaching career in 1984 and has been at Immanuel since 1998, bringing 40 years of experience to education. Mrs. Swanstrom has taught all ages of children in her career from 4-year-old pre-kindergarten classes all the way up to middle school electives. Here at Immanuel, she began in the classroom and was later moved into the role of Director of the Preschool in 2002. She is married and has two children—a daughter and a son—as well as a granddaughter.

Mrs. Hayley Huckleberry
Three-Year-Old Teacher

Mrs. Huckleberry was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended Houston Community College and earned an Early Childhood Certificate of Christian Education from Concordia University Texas.

She has been teaching for 10 years, all of them at Immanuel. Mrs. Hayley is married to her husband, Andrew, and they have one daughter, Lilly.

Mrs. Jamie Hernandez, LTD
Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Hernandez has been teaching since 2008, with experience in Pre-K and Kindergarten at Memorial Lutheran School and Epiphany Lutheran School in Houston. This is her first year at Immanuel Lutheran.

Mrs. Hernandez was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Austin, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Concordia University Texas and holds both a Lutheran Teaching Diploma and a Texas Educator Certificate.

She is married to Stephen, who serves as the Cantor and Parish Administrator at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Ms. Winnie McNamara
Two Year-Old Teacher

Ms. McNamara was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and comes from a German immigrant family with deep roots Texas. A lifelong Christian, she has been deeply rooted in her faith and community.

She attended Houston Baptist University and Houston Community College and earned a Certificate of Christian Education from Concordia University.

Ms. McNamara began teaching in 2009, spending her entire 15-year career at Immanuel, where she has been dedicated to nurturing and educating young minds. She is the proud mother of her daughter, Robin.

Mrs. Noemi "MiMi" Whipple
Toddler Teacher

Mrs. Whipple began teaching in 2013 and has been part of Immanuel since 2016. Before entering education, she earned a technical license in occupational and physical therapy, specializing in senior care.

Originally from Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Ms. Mimi became a U.S. citizen in 2016. She is a proud mother of five—four sons and one daughter—all of whom are now adults. She has been married to her husband, Keith, since 2010.

Mrs. Naomi Davis
Teacher Assistant

Ms. Davis was born in Gainesville, Florida, and has dedicated her career to education and childcare. She has been a part of our Immanuel teaching staff since 2016. She earned her nursing degree in 1978 before transitioning into early childhood education. She received her Houston Montessori Certificate in 1988 and later earned her Texas Child Care Certification in 1995, 2019, and 2021.

Throughout her 25-year career, she has remained passionate about fostering children's growth and development.

She is the proud mother of two daughters, Karla and Dinah.

Mrs. Sarah O'Driscoll
Pre-K Teacher Assistant

Mrs. Sarah O’Driscoll has a rich love for Lutheran education as she was raised in the Lutheran church, with many Lutheran teachers in her family. She moved from Washington state to Texas after graduating from Saint Martin’s University. She worked for several years in the Texas political realm before completely switching gears to teach in a Lutheran elementary school here in Houston. Mrs O’Driscoll began working at Immanuel Lutheran School during the 2025 summer program. Her teaching experience includes 18-24 month olds, 3-5 year old childcare, and 2nd, 6th and 8th grades. 

Mrs. O’Driscoll and her husband recently moved out of the city to the suburb of Porter with their beloved golden retriever. She enjoys being a part of our ILS community.

Mr. S. M. Hernandez
Cantor/Music Teacher

Mr. Hernandez was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He attended Concordia University Texas where he studied theology and sacred music.

Stephen previously served as Kantor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Copperas Cove, Texas; and as interim organist and choir director of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.

Stephen is married to Jamie, who serves as a teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School.

Rev. I. S. Pacey
Senior Pastor

Born and raised in Orange County, California. He is married to Clarissa and they have two children. 

Rev. Pacey studied at UCLA (B.A., Political Science 1992), Concordia Theological Seminary (M.Div., Pastoral Theology 2000), and Drew University (M.Phil., Liturgical Studies 2004). His vicarage was at Montana State University (Bozeman, MT) and he was ordained 31 December 2000 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Brooklyn, NY).

Reverend Pacey previously served as Associate Pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church and School – Houston, Texas.