Upper Grade Teachers
Why I teach: I believe teaching is a gift God has instilled in me. We read Psalm 139 to children and tell them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. I teach to go beyond and help them truly feel that Biblical truth by supporting, loving, and encouraging them; meeting them where they are and guiding them to educational, spiritual, and relational growth.
Personality of my classroom: I strive to make my classroom one that is filled with imagination, exploration, and creativity. There are clear expectations and guidelines to support organization, relationships, growth, and respect. We are a community of learners who build one another up through prayer and encouragement; where students are given grace and feel safe to experiment and fail. We celebrate one another, laugh, dance, create, pray, learn, play, and grow together.
Why I chose Immanuel: I chose Immanuel because I share their mission and passion to strive to provide exceptional education in a Christ-centered environment. The atmosphere at Immanuel is that of a family; one I’m blessed to be a part of and thankful to God for leading me to.
Experience: I began teaching in 2006 as a fourth grade teacher for six years. My husband and I then prayerfully made the decision that I stay home while we began our family. I returned to teaching at Immanuel in 2019 as a second grade teacher.
Education: I graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2005, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with middle school endorsements.
Outside of class: I enjoy reading, hiking, prayer walks, traveling, writing, and, most of all, being with my husband and children; my five gifts from God!
Why I Teach: I want to help build a firm foundation in character and academics for each student because we know that the Lord has set a specific plan for each of them. It is so much fun to spend my days helping students learn about our Heavenly Father and the wonderful world that He created for us!
Personality of my Classroom: I hope to make my classroom a relaxed atmosphere so that students can learn in a way that the Lord has created them to learn best. Learning is a life-long trait, and there is always something that He is teaching us. My classroom should be a place where everyone can comfortably learn whatever the Lord is putting into their path.
Why I chose Immanuel: I love partnering with others to work for God’s glory! I am thankful that Immanuel has become a new place for me to work within His community to shine His light.
Memorable Teaching Experience: There are so many, it is difficult to just pick one. I can say that many of them have to do with when students can apply what they have learned to their lives, and are so energized to talk about it.
Education: BA in Education with minors in History and Theology from Elmhurst College
Colloquy Certification from Concordia River Forest
MA in Curriculum and Instruction with additional Specialization in Early Childhood from National Louis University
Outside of Class: I spend time quilting, reading, cross-stitching, baking, and spending time with family.
Why I teach: I teach because it gives me the opportunity to spread the Gospel story and share my love of history to all of my students.
Personality of my classroom: My classroom is an open area for discussion of the Gospel, the history of the world and the United States, and how those things are influenced by current events and how the Gospel influences the world around us.
Memorable teaching experience: My most memorable teaching moments come when students have their eyes open to moments of history and how they are connected with the Gospel story and the bible in general.
Why I chose Immanuel: I chose Immanuel because I like the opportunity to have the great gift of teaching smaller class sizes in a great facility that has all of the most up to date technology at my finger tips to give my students the best experience possible.
Experience: I began my teaching career in the fall of 1994 at St. Peter Lutheran in Arlington Heights and have taught at Immanuel since fall of 2013.
Education: Concordia University Ann Arbor, B.A. in History/Political Science with a minor in Physical Education.
Outside of class: I like to spend time with my family and follow all sports. Especially the University of Michigan Wolverines. I am also an assistant boys varsity basketball coach at Cary-Grove HS.