Preparing minds for kindergarten and hearts for Heaven
Joe Koktan
Joe Koktan has been a parishioner of Guardian Angels since 2015. He and his wife Sam have five kids – ages 13, 10, 5 and 3-year-old twins.
He has been working in early childhood education since 2018. Before joining Guardian Angels Preschool, he was the education director for a childcare center in Chanhassen – mentoring teachers in classroom management, parent-teacher relationships, curriculum preparation and more. He was voted Coach of the Year in 2024.
What Joe loves about teaching preschool: singing, dancing, fist-bumping, high-fiving, helping kids through emotions, reading stories, seeing students grow, and building relationships with parents.
In his free time he likes playing Nintendo with his kids, listening to podcasts, taking trips to Duluth, watching football and listening to early 2000’s music.
He’s excited to bring children into deeper relationships with Christ and the Catholic Church!
Tayna Alcoser
Tayna has been a dedicated educator for the past 20 years including 15 years teaching high school and 5 years working in early childhood education. After many fulfilling years guiding teenagers through academics and life transitions, she discovered a deep love for supporting young children as they grow in independence, confidence, and faith. Her background gives her a unique perspective on the full journey of a child’s development, from early learning all the way through young adulthood. Before joining Guardian Angels Preschool, Tayna worked at various levels of education, supporting students, families, and teachers through relationship-centered learning and positive classroom practices.
What Tayna loves most about teaching preschool is the joy and wonder children bring into the classroom—from exploring new ideas to expressing emotions, building friendships, and celebrating even the smallest victories. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crafting, and crocheting. Tayna is the proud mom of two young adult daughters, and a fun fact about her is that she learned to ride motorcycles at a young age. She is grateful for the opportunity to help children experience God’s love and grow in their faith each day. She is excited to help children grow academically, socially, and spiritually at Guardian Angels.
Jerilyn Oh Pastelin
Jerilyn Oh Pastelin is thrilled to be part of the Guardian Angels community—a place that has always felt like home. A proud alum of Guardian Angels Catholic School and lifelong member of the parish, she brings a deep connection and genuine passion to her work with young learners.
Before returning to the world of early childhood education, Jerilyn worked in finance and gained two years of hands-on experience in child education, which ignited her love for helping children learn and grow.
Outside the classroom, Jerilyn enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with her husband and their daughter. She also speaks Spanish and enjoys incorporating language learning into the classroom whenever she can.
Jerilyn is grateful to serve Guardian Angels families and is dedicated to supporting students each day with warmth, care, and a joyful smile.
