FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Concordia Lutheran High School welcomed five new teachers this year. The first day of school was Aug. 10.
Chris Murphy, Theater and Math Teacher and Director of Theatrical Arts/Auditorium Manager
Chris Murphy joined the staff as the Fine Arts Department Chair, teaching theater and algebra classes, and as the Director of Theatrical Arts/Auditorium Manager. As a Concordia 1981 alumnus, Murphy has work for nearly 20 years directing the plays at CLHS. He previously worked as an eighth grade teacher at Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School.
Kelly Beverly, English Teacher
Kelly Beverly joins Concordia this year from Central Lutheran School. She taught English at New Haven High School for 12 years and spent the last five years at Central as the librarian and admissions counselor.
She has been married to her husband Jason for 17 years, and they have a 13-year-old son William and a 10-year-old daughter Elizabeth who attend Central and will attend Concordia.
“Concordia was the first place I applied in 1999,” she said. “I have always wanted to teach in a faith-based environment and feel so blessed that God has brought me here now.”
Kylee Heisler, Art Teacher
Kylee Heisler is a recent graduate of IPFW where she earned her BFA in art education. She recently spent time in Kenya where she worked at an orphanage for six weeks working alongside the Mighty Acorn Foundation to break the cycle of poverty and love on children who need it most.
“God has taught me so much through school and my times in Africa,” she said. “I loved my time there, and I am so excited for this next chapter in my life.”
She teaches Intro to 2D art, Photography 1 & 2, Painting 1 & 2, and AP Studio Art class.
Betsy Ladwig, English Teacher
Betsy Ladwig recently graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she was a volunteer leader for a high school ministry. She is a 2013 CLHS graduate.
“I am so thankful for the way it has shaped me and provided a foundation for my faith,” she said. “A huge part of why I want to be an educator is because of my teachers at Concordia and the academic excellence they helped me pursue.”
Reese Breischaft, TA for Computer Science
Reese Breischaft, a 2016 Concordia graduate, joined the faculty this fall as a part-time teacher assistant. He assists in the computer science and IT departments to provide technology support in the building and a unique perspective in the classroom.
“I’m really looking forward to share my love for technology with other students my age,” he said. “The kids taking computer science classes at Concordia in the next few years will have some awesome opportunities awaiting them because of the administration’s upcoming plans. I’m actually a little jealous, but I’ll definitely be learning things as well.”
Concordia Lutheran High School, located at 1601 St. Joe River Drive in Fort Wayne, Ind., was founded in 1935 as a private, co-educational Lutheran high school open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. With Christ at the center, Concordia continues to pursue educational excellence that equips individuals for lifelong learning and service as disciples of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.clhscadets.com.