The St. John Child Development Center (CDC) recently welcomed Tom Koffarnus of Lincoln as its new director.
“I’m just really excited to take on this new role and happy to be part of the Seward community and just kind of getting to know people,” Koffarnus said. “It’s been an enjoyable experience so far.”
His connection to church work began in childhood. His father was a teacher and a principal at various Lutheran schools for more than 30 years.
“I’ve seen church work firsthand since I was born,” Koffarnus said. “It’s just is almost second nature for me to be involved in church work.”
He discovered his interest in early childhood education while completing a service class in high school. He later worked at Family Service in Lincoln, which furthered his passion for the field.
“I’ve always just loved seeing the little lights just go on when the kids figure something out or they learn something,” he said. “It’s just fun to see when something just clicks. That’s always been what kind of keeps me going with it.”
Koffarnus graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 2008 and earned his Master’s degree in early childhood education from Concordia University in 2012.
He spent a couple of years working in before- and after-school programs, then taught preschool and pre-kindergarten at Christ Lincoln for 16 years.
Koffarnus, who joined St. John in June, is the first man to serve as the director of the church’s CDC.
“It’s not very common to find guys in early childhood roles, but I enjoy it,” he said. “I love being with the kids, and that’s another thing that, even as a director, I want to make sure I have chances to do a story or play my guitar with them and just kind of stay involved with them, too.”
Koffarnus was drawn to St. John because of the high quality of the center and its building.
“It’s already such a good, successful center, and I just kind of want to keep leading it in that direction and just keep filling it with kids that we can get to know Jesus and connecting with their families,” he said.
The center serves children age 18 months through fifth grade. It also offers after-school, before-school and summer programs for school-age children.
“We’re just kind of leading and helping them grow in all aspects, from emotionally to socially, spiritually, and just getting in knowledge as well,” he said.
Koffarnus also cares deeply about working closely with families and supporting his staff.
“I understand modern-day challenges in an early childhood classroom, since I just left it a month and a half ago,” he said. “I know what their struggles are, so I can relate. So, I want to just kind of be a leader and helper and supporter for them, too.”
Administrative assistant Kari Huntington said Koffarnus has already made a great impression at the center.
She looks forward to the fresh ideas he will bring to the team.
“He jumped right in,” Huntington said. “Not much of a transition period – just jumping in and getting his hands dirty right away.”
Outside of work, Koffarnus enjoys gardening, smoking meats, watching football and watching his stepkids participate in their sports and extracurriculars.
“Tom has been a fantastic addition to our center,” Huntington said. “The children love to say hi to ‘Mr. Tom’ whenever he walks through the building. We're excited to continue providing quality, Christ-centered care under his leadership.”
