The Heart of St. Ann School: MaryJo Timm’s Journey in Community

The Heart of St. Ann School: MaryJo Timm’s Journey in Community

A Warm Welcome to Stoughton

MaryJo Timm’s soft laugh punctuates her storytelling as she reminisces about her initiation into St. Ann School. When she and her husband, Fred, moved to Stoughton in 1979, they found a small elementary school run by the Sisters of Nazareth. The nuns not only taught but also cared for the nursing home attached to Nazareth House.

A Quick Start

That fall, the Timms registered their two school-age children and MaryJo quickly began subbing. Within weeks, she had taken on multiple roles: school secretary, co-director of the children’s choir, and religious education director.

“It’s funny how things work at a Catholic school,” she smiles. “The first Sunday we went to Mass, the priest mentioned they were looking for an organist. After the third week, I felt the Holy Spirit moving and went to Father to say I would help out. Once my foot was in the door, it all fell into place!”

A Commitment to Education

All four of the Timm children graduated from St. Ann's. “We never considered anything else,” MaryJo reflects. “As a young couple with four children, we had to think about finances, but we felt we would never regret investing in a private school. The benefits far outweigh the costs.”

MaryJo eventually taught first grade at St. Ann's, retiring in 2006 but continuing to substitute until 2019. Even now, she remains active in the community, often helping out at special events like Vacation Bible School.

“I’m here often,” she laughs. “Every St. Ann’s teacher is here for the mission, not the money. This community puts children and their families first. Raising good citizens and good people—it's intentional, and they’re doing a fabulous job.”

The St. Ann Difference

MaryJo highlights two key aspects that set St. Ann's apart: small class sizes and a strong sense of family.

“It’s a family of people who truly care about each other. Every teacher and every family chose to be here, and they know they are here for a purpose.”