My path to Celebration is different than most, however my passion for a Lutheran education helps to fill the gap. For the past 17 years I have worked in market research, but was excited to make a change. For the past year and half I have been part of Celebration’s Board of Directors and highly involved in our Marketing. Following my departure from my previous position, I was eager to find a position where I can make a difference. Given my love for Celebration, I was excited to dive into the Administration role. My husband Steven and I have two girls Ellie and Lylah. My formal education comes from Eastern Illinois University where I have both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Economics.
The Mission of the Lutheran School
The most effective outreach and evangelical tool of the Lutheran church is the Lutheran school. It is a valid choice for members of the congregation their children academically and spiritually. It is the “front porch” of the church to the surrounding community. Many community parents and families come to the church by first coming through the Lutheran school, the church’s “front porch”. They experience the Lutheran Christian education, trained ministry teachers, and the welcoming fellowship of a Christian Community.
Development of the Lutheran School
The key to the successful development of a Lutheran school is proportional to its positive relationship between the three major stakeholders; students, parents, and teachers. If a school is to be effective in educating its students, then the students, parents, and teachers need to be working together. I like to use the analogy of the three-legged stool. Each leg is represented by one of the three main stakeholders; students, parents, and teachers. If one of these is not functioning in a positive, open communication manner then the stool will fall and the child will not be served in the best possible way. Each day we need to work at keeping the lines of communication open so that the relationships remain strong.