Your Partners in Faith-Based Education Excellence
Grades 7-8 Teacher
I truly love sharing God’s Word with my students and observing my students living their faith. Having students see their worth in their Savior Jesus and their many blessings is motivating. Establishing caring relationships is key to having students trust you to guide them, to have grit through the difficult, and know that mistakes shouldn’t be the stopping point, but a lesson to be learned.
I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to prepare my students for high school, life, and ultimately heaven.
Pastor
By God’s love alone, I get to tell others about God’s love. It’s a rich treasure and a wonderful blessing – both undeserved by me! – that the Savior would gift me the opportunity to study the Bible with others and learn, together, what God dares to speak. I’m convinced that this “pastor thing” is about God’s Word and people – and connecting the two. So, if there’s a way I can study with you, encourage you, help you, please let me know. I’d love the chance to listen to you.
I’ve had the joy of teaching Old Testament courses at Martin Luther College and, later, courses in Old Testament and Christian Doctrine at Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School in Denver, CO (rmlhs.org). From the pulpit, I’ve been blessed to share the gospel at Peace Lutheran in Boulder, CO, Our Savior’s Lutheran in Longmont, CO, and now here at Bay Pines Lutheran Church.
I’m deeply thankful for my dear family (amazing wife, Erica; daughters, Summer Joy, Maisie, Tillie ; sons, Otto, Odie, & Oscar); and I’m so thankful, too, for the opportunity to share the Savior in the Christ-centered atmosphere that is the ministry of Bay Pines Lutheran.
VPK Director and Lead Teacher
PRAISE – PLAY – POSITIVE MINDSET
Praise: Each child is a son or daughter of God, and can learn about His plan for us and His world daily. We can grow closer to Him through His Word and prayer, and can be comforted with His love when we struggle. Young children can give God praise by doing their best with the gifts He has given them.
Play: Play-based learning is the most effective way for a young child to take in new information, to problem solve, to develop and grow.
Positive Mindset: Young children should be encouraged to think for themselves, correct their mistakes, and solve problems. Positive social skill development and emotional regulation leads to thriving children!
VPK Aide
Serving Our Savior Since:
Retired from the Air Force in March 2022. Served for 20 years in various Civil Engineering positions ranging from Community Planner, Disaster Preparedness Flight Commander, Squadron Commander, and Basic Training Instructor.
First early educational experience, reading tutor for K and 1st graders at Pinellas Elementary.
Assistant at Seminole Elementary School in the ESE classroom
Math Tutor for 5th through 8th grade at Bay Pines Lutheran
2023 – Present Bay Pines Lutheran School Currently serving as the VPK assistant, PE teacher for kindergarten, first, and second grade. Assisting also with recess, lunch, & aftercare program monitoring
Education:
My goal in retirement is to assist the teachers that are working with the next generation. I would like to build self-discipline, health, organization, and confidence in each student.
Kindergarten Teacher
Serving Our Savior Since:
Education:
Goals and Philosophy of Christian Education:
It is a privilege to teach God’s little lambs at a Christian day school. I believe as a teacher, it is a joy to find out where each child is academically. Then to take that knowledge and help them get to the next level. I find it a joy to see the unique abilities and talents that God has blessed each child. I find that an important part of a child’s success is parental support and open communication.
It is my prayer that as the students and I study God’s Word and apply it throughout the day, we will grow closer to our Savior.
My goal is to have an active learning environment. Our room is not always a silent one, but it is structured in order to effectively teach and have a good learning environment for each student.
Grades 1-2 Teacher
I consider it a great privilege to partner with parents in the education of the children with which God has blessed us. I strive to help the children grow academically and in independence. Most importantly the children are led to know about the love and forgiveness of their Savior and the joy of sharing their Savior with others.
Grades 3-4 Teacher
With God’s help, I strive to create a Christ-centered, nurturing, and engaging classroom where each student feels valued and encouraged to grow academically and spiritually!
Our goal as a class is to learn more about our classmates, meet the expectations for the year, and set goals for how we can improve.
I am so thankful to have this opportunity to be a teacher at Bay Pines Lutheran School and serve God’s children!
Grades 5-6 Teacher
My previous career opened my eyes to the deep and pervasive challenges that some children face in our world today, and the school at Bay Pines helped me to see how a Christ-centered education can be a life-changing advantage for youth. My goal for my classroom is to have ample room for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of my students, all while providing a safe, information-rich, and positive environment for children to learn new skills and information every single day. I aim to create opportunities for students to get curious, be brave, ask questions, and love learning. My students set and exceed goals for themselves, in order to be prepared for life here and in heaven.
PT Teacher
(Science & Phys Ed Upper Grades)
Our WELS schools are really unique and wonderful places where the Holy Spirit works through his Word on the tender hearts of Jesus’ lambs. Sharing the Gospel creates and grows faith in the children who attend our Lutheran School. In addition, we teach the children to live for Christ and try to the best of their abilities. We strive to get our scholars ready for the high school experience. I know that God’s Word works because he tells us in Isaiah 55:11, “My word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Upper Grade PE & Current Events
3rd/4th Grade Florida History
As I spend time with our upper graders and elementary students, it is important to me that they hear and know that children are indeed a blessing. In an ever changing world, our Savior is a constant that we get to smile about and consider during discussions of both current and historic events, and the one to be praised as we move our bodies on the court and field. Working collaboratively we strive to discuss and listen respectfully, and actively engage our bodies to develop and grow both mental and physical resilience.
Office Manager
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Maria is a graduate of Bay Pines Lutheran School and is grateful to continue serving the community that helped shape her faith and love for music. She joyfully uses her God-given talents as the church organist and the school’s music club director, where she encourages students to grow in confidence, creativity, and musical skill.
In addition to her work in music, Maria serves in after-school care, supporting students in a safe and nurturing environment. She also offers private piano and violin lessons, sharing her passion for music with students of all ages.
