What's your title at CLHS?
Math teacher & department chair
Are you a Concordia alum or parent ?
I am a parent of two alums -- Mason ('19) and Rhaya ('21) -- and one current Cadet -- Landon ('23)
When did you start at CLHS?
I student taught at Concordia in the spring of 1995 with Mr. Don Luepke and Mr. Bill Ihssen, then was blessed to accept a call to teach and coach in the fall of 1996.
Please describe your position at CLHS.
Currently, I teach three different courses in the math department, while also serving as the chair for the math department.
What was your education that led you to CLHS?
My parents (both Lutheran school teachers) gave me great opportunities for growth while attending Lutheran schools in both elementary and high school. I studied secondary math education at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, and then received a Master's Degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University.
What did you love most about teaching at CLHS?
Formal education works best when we have great partnerships between students, parents and teachers, where everyone is focused on helping the student grow academically while also growing in faith. I enjoy working with students and parents to be part of their "village" that it takes to raise young Christian men and women. Opportunities to study Scripture together, pray, and grow in faith are things I cherish. That being said, CLHS is also a place full of sinners, so I'm thankful for the forgiveness that is shared inside and out of this building on a daily basis.
What's your favorite story about your time at CLHS?
It's too challenging to pick just one moment, but many of my favorite memories at CLHS have centered around some sort of triumph. That may be the everyday small triumph that a student has in the classroom when a breakthrough is achieved with a difficult problem or topic in math, or it may be something so large as the eternal triumph when a student or former student has been called home to heaven by our Savior and we get to rejoice in the resurrection. My own children have had amazing experiences of triumph here, including some special athletic opportunities of getting to play or run in state championship competitions.