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Andy DeWitt
Principal work: 708.839.1444 Ext. 222 Email: [email protected] Mr. Andrew DeWitt graduated from Concordia University, River Forest with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Administration. He has been teaching since 2007 in grades three through eight and began his role as an administrator in 2015. Mr. DeWitt is currently the Principal. He also is the Jr. high track coach. When he is not at school, he fills his time with family, friends, and playing a variety of sports. |
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Tom Mikolyzk
7th and 8th Grade Homeroom Teacher Tom and his wife, Amy, live in Countryside. Tome is a retired Head of School and college professor, who recently taught at Immanuel Lutheran, Elmhurst. Tom began his teaching career in 1983, and has taught in Wisconsin and New Hampshire, as well as, Illinois. Tom is a certified teacher, librarian and school administrator, with a BA in Elementary Education and English from Beloit College. He earned a MS at the University of Chicago, and a Certificate in Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. Tom's wife is an English Professor at Loyola University, and ran the writing centers at both Loyola campuses. They have four adult children and eight grandchildren. |
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Pam Winterroth
5th and 6th Grade Homeroom Teacher Mrs. Pam Winterroth graduated from Concordia University, River Forest with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in English and art. She has been teaching since 1996 and has taught in grades fifth through eighth; currently teaching sixth grade. Mrs. Winterroth directs the Christmas program and assists on the Lutheran Schools’ Week committee. She also sings in the praise team Sunday morning. When not involved in church or school, she enjoys watching her children play sports and reading. |
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Allison Kumke
Preschool Teacher Ms. Allison Kumke graduated from Concordia University, Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle Grades Education with a specialization in math and English. She has been teaching since 2018 and currently teaches preschool. Ms. Kumke assists coaching volleyball. When she is not teaching, she spends her time reading, baking/cooking, and playing volleyball. |
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Rebecca Hansen
4th Grade Teacher Mrs. Rebecca Hansen graduated from Concordia University, River Forest with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Masters degree in differentiated instruction, and a Masters degree in reading/literacy instruction from Capella University. She has been teaching since 2004 and has taught in the Jr. high and elementary grade levels; currently teaching third & fourth grade. Mrs. Hansen’s extra duties include coaching volleyball. When she is not teaching, she enjoys playing volleyball and reading. |
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Lisa Haak
3rd Grade Teacher Ms. Lisa Haak graduated from Concordia University, Ann Arbor with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a received her Masters degree in reading instruction from Concordia University, Chicago. She has been teaching since 1985 and has taught first, third, fourth grades and currently teaches second grade. Ms. Haak is the athletic director. She participates in the altar guild, church choir, handbells, and plays guitar for the Saturday worship service. When not at church or school, she enjoys watching sports and reading. |
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Allison Golz
1st Grade Teacher Mrs. Golz is in her 23rd year of teaching, but in her 1st year at Trinity. Her other years were spent at Zion-Concord Lutheran School in Bensenville, which was also the school she attended for grade school. She later attended Walther Lutheran High School and graduated in the top 3 of her class. She has wanted to be a teacher since she was in fourth grade and also wanted to follow in the footsteps of her parents and other members of her family to attend Concordia University Chicago. Allison graduated in 2002 with Magna Cum Laude honors and a BA in Elementary Education. Mrs. Golz lives in Addison with her two children and dog. She plays the organ and teaches piano. |
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Kim Michaelsen
Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Kim Michaelsen graduated from Concordia University, River Forest with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in curriculum instruction. She also received her Masters degree from Eastern Michigan University in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching since 1985 with most of those years in kindergarten. Mrs. Michaelsen is on the Fine Arts Fair and Dinner-Dance Committees. She also sings in the praise team on Sunday morning. When Mrs. Michaelsen is not teaching, she enjoys walking. |
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Leann DeWitt
Early Childhood Director & Preschool Teacher Mrs. Leann DeWitt graduated from Concordia University, Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching since 2010 and has taught in third grade, kindergarten, and currently teaches preschool. Mrs. DeWitt coaches cheerleading and assists on the Lutheran Schools’ Week committee. When she is not teaching, she likes spending time with family, friends, reading, and crafting with her Cricut. |
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Amanda Laux
Early Childhood Aide - Extended Care Staff - Summer Camp Director Ms. Laux recently found her passion for working with kids at Trinity. She is planning to start school in 2023 to become a teacher herself. When she isn't adventuring with the preschoolers, she is chasing around a toddler of her own. |
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Ashley Breese-Avina
Early Childhood Aide - Extended Care Staff Mrs. Breese-Avina graduated from Governor State with a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2008. She has obtained her Paraprofessional License in 2021. She enjoys spending time with her family. |
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Chloe Mason
Music & Choir Hello! My name is Chloe Mason and I am 24 years old and am from Westmont, IL. I have a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy and am excited to be the new music teacher at Trinity Lutheran. Besides that, I am also a freelance musician, on the oboe, around the Chicago area, and teach music lessons. I am a current band member of the Northshore Concert Band and play with the Naperville Municipal Band during their fall/summer seasons. A new hobby that I have picked up is ballroom dance, as a way of reconnecting with my body, while continuing to be active. I’ve started to dance competitively in American Smooth with my professional dance partner/instructor, and I love finding another outlet to express myself. |
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Carrie Swenson
Art Teacher & Kindergarten Enrichment Mrs. Carrie Swenson graduated from University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Art in Elementary Education. She has spent over 10 years teaching in K-2nd grade classrooms. She also has subject specific instruction experience for grades 6th-8th. She is married and has 3 children. She spent most of the last 15 years raising her children at home. Now that they are older, she feels a calling back to education and is looking forward to getting to know your child(ren). She is very excited to be your teacher and already has many learning activities planned for our art program. If you see her please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself, ask a question or just say hi to Mrs. Swenson. |
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Michele Geaschel
School Secretary work: 708-839-1444 x 221 Email: [email protected] Mrs. Geaschel has taught at Trinity various years and grades since 1997, and last year moved into the Secretary position. She earned an Associates Degree from Rock Valley Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from NIU in education. Mrs. Geaschel is certified for K-9th grade in Illinois. Her son Jesse graduated from Trinity in 2013, and attended Trinity since Preschool. She is also married to Trinity's Senior Pastor, Bob Geaschel. |
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Pastor Bob Geaschel
Senior Pastor Pastor Bob loves proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to both young and old alike. He is excited to see how God's love changes the lives of families and believes he is called to bring a message of hope to Burr Ridge and surrounding communities. In addition to his ministry at Trinity, he serves as Chaplain to Pleasantview Fire Department, Tri-State Fire Department, and Western Springs Post 10778 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Pastor Bob has his M. Div. from Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, and he is thankful for 29 years of marriage to Michele. They have one son and two dogs. |
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Rob Grady
Director of Christian Education Mr. Grady has been on staff at Trinity since 2003. He serves in Trinity School as our Seventh Grade Religion teacher and on occasion our Junior Varsity Basketball coach. As the Director of Christian Education for Trinity Lutheran Church, he oversees the Board of Parish Education, the Board of Youth, and the Board of Family Life. Mr. Grady and his wife, Leslie, have two sons, Ethan and Timothy. Prior to coming to Trinity, he has served at Trinity, Lombard, Illinois and King of Kings in Round Rock, Texas. Mr. Grady’s favorite Bible passage is Joshua 22:5 “ Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” |
