Click on an image below to see more information about the faculty member.
Click on an image below to see more information about the faculty member.
Daniel Grunewald – 7th and 8th Grade Teacher
Educational History
B.S. Elementary Education – Martin Luther College (1996)
Teaching History
Dan Grunewald has served his entire teaching ministry at Salem Lutheran, where he was assigned after graduating in 1996. Throughout his years at Salem he has taught a wide variety of grades as well as serving in various capacities in both coaching and as athletic director. Dan also has special training in the sciences and teaches those classes in Salem’s departmentalized upper grades.
Personal History
Dan was born in Ohio and was one of five children. His father was the pastor of a mission church there before moving the Mount Calvary, WI when we was in the primary grades. Dan attended WELS grade and high schools in the Fond du Lac area before enrolling in Martin Luther College. During his college years as well as some time after, Dan worked an assortment of other jobs in the construction industry, DNR, and at other outdoor/recreational establishments. Dan currently lives in the rural Germantown area where he owns home and land for his favorite outdoor recreation activities, especially including hunting.
Favorite Bible Passage
Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Hannah Arrowsmith – 7th and 8th Grade Teacher
Educational History
B.S. in Education-Martin Luther College (2018)
Teaching History
Mrs. Arrowsmith is began her teaching ministry by teaching 7th-8th grade as well as upper grade science at Salem Lutheran School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is grateful and excited to spend everyday learning along with her students.
Personal History
Mrs. Arrowsmith grew up in Fort Atkinson, Wi. She enjoys spending time with her family and reads as everything she can.
Favorite Bible Passage
Joshua 1:9- Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Stephanie Pasillas – 4K Teacher
Educational History
B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education – Martin Luther College (2015)
Teaching History
2nd grade teacher at Siloah Lutheran in Milwaukee, WI
4K teacher at Salem Lutheran—Stephanie enjoys teaching students how to love Jesus and love others. She enjoys watching the children in relationship building with others and herself. She also strives to reach out to families through educational activities with their children. Educating children through play and games as they develop their many God-given skills is an important way to serve her students and families.
Personal History
Stephanie is married and has a young daughter. She and her husband also have a small dog named Jax. Her family is from Johnson Creek, WI and she grew up in Watertown, WI and attended Trinity-St. Luke’s Lutheran grade school and Lakeside Lutheran High School. Stephanie enjoys making music with the piano, clarinet, and her voice. She has a passion for the Jesus Cares Ministry and serve as a member of the group at Salem.
Favorite Bible Passage
Romans 10:17- Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.
Laura Otto – Kindergarten Teacher
Director of Early Childhood Curriculum & Instruction
Educational History
M.S. Ed in Early Childhood Special Education – Concordia University Wisconsin (in progress)
B.S. Elementary Education – Martin Luther College (1991)
Teaching History
Mrs. Otto began her teaching ministry in 1991 when she was assigned to teach grades K through 2 at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Hopkins, MI. In 1993 Mrs. Otto accepted a one year call to teach kindergarten at Peace Lutheran School in Hartford, WI. In 2005 Mrs. Otto accepted a call to serve as Early Childhood Director and 4K teacher at Reformation Lutheran School in San Diego, CA. Mrs. Otto gained some experience in the field of special education when she served as a paraprofessional from 2007-2011 at Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary School in Arbor Vitae, WI. In 2011 Mrs. Otto was hired to serve as one of the two 3K teachers at Salem Lutheran School in Milwaukee, WI. In 2012 Mrs. Otto accepted a call to serve as the kindergarten teacher at Salem Lutheran School in Milwaukee, WI. She also enjoys supporting the youngest students and their families as the director of early childhood curriculum and instruction.
Personal History
Mrs. Otto is married to Professor Joel Otto and they have 3 grown children, 1 son-in-law, and a grandbaby on the way. She was blessed to stay home and with their three children when they were young. Mrs. Otto grew up in Apple Valley, MN, which is a suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Her elementary and secondary education included attendance at both public and WELS parochial schools. In her spare time Mrs. Otto enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and photography.
Favorite Bible Passage
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV, 2011)
Hillery Koelpin – English/Language Arts Teacher
Educational History
M.S. Ed in Special Education – Concordia University-St. Paul, MN (2018)
B.S. Elementary Education – Martin Luther College (2013)
Teaching History
Hillery graduated from Martin Luther College and received her first call to teach 26, 3 and 4 year olds and be the director of Little Lambs Learning Center in Montello, WI. After teaching there for one year she returned to New Ulm, MN while her husband finished his degree at MLC. During that year Hillery taught special education full time at Lafayette Charter Public School in Lafayette, MN. She began teaching at Salem in 2016. She was originally called to be the 5-8 grade English Language Arts teacher and taught all 5-8 grade ELA during last school year. She also taught 5/6 art once a week. This school year Hillery teaches 5/6 reading and art, as well as, 7/8 ELA.
She feels this call fits her well because she really enjoys the age level. This group is especially enjoyable to chat with. She feels more like herself when she is able to joke around with them and include fun activities into her lessons that she may not be able to with younger students. Hillery really enjoyed teaching English Language Arts as she enjoys writing and helping students find a love for writing. Adding reading has really been fun for her as she has been able to plan fun activities to include with reading.
Personal History
I began my love for teaching at a young age. Both of my grandparents taught at Michigan State University and I remember playing teacher as a young girl. The love for teaching grew as I grew older. During my eighth grade year my mom had me switch schools to a small Lutheran school, similar to Salem, so that I could be in a smaller classroom size. During this year the Lord worked in my heart and my family came to faith. Through going to this small Lutheran Elementary school I learned of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), similar to Luther Preparatory School, and I attended MLS for my high school years. Going through high school, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I planned to attend Michigan State University. I was encouraged enough in high school to attend MLC. During MLC I met my husband. I went out to teach for a year before getting married. We have been married for three years. My husband currently attends Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. This last August we had our first child, a sweet boy named Ezekiel. This year has been an adjustment as we adapted to parenthood. It has been an amazing experience thus far. We look forward to and eagerly await vicar call day in May.
In our free time we enjoy going on family runs and walks. We also enjoy spending a lot of our free time with family. My husband is from Dallas, TX (yay for a warm place to visit all year long) and I am from Michigan. We frequent those places. We also enjoy relaxing and being around our many friends in Milwaukee. We typically spend our weekends with friends exploring Milwaukee or relaxing at home watching Netflix.
Favorite Bible Passage
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV 2011)
This bible verse gives me such peace! What a powerful statement Jesus makes to us “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Kristin Christie - First Grade
Educational History
B.S. Elementary Education – Dr. Martin Luther College (1992)
Teaching History
Mrs. Christie began teaching at St. John’s, Fox Lake, WI teaching 3-5 grades for two years, while also serving as the girls’ coach for volleyball and basketball. She accepted a call to teach preschool and kindergarten at St. Matthew’s, Benton Harbor, MI for one year while her husband served as a vicar there. Her latest call is to Salem Lutheran School, teaching first grade and is in charge of the yearbook.
Personal History
Mrs. Christie is married to Pastor Aaron Christie, who serves as administrative pastor at Trinity, Waukesha. They have three children, who all attended Luther Preparatory School in Watertown. Their two sons are studying for the pastoral ministry at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, and their daughter plans to attend there after she graduates in 2019 from LPS. Mrs. Christie likes to spend time with family and friends, travel, read and garden.
Favorite Bible Passage
Philippians 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Nicholas Bush – Principal
Educational History
M.S. Ed in Education Administration - Concordia University-Mequon (2015)
B.S. in Education - Martin Luther College (2008)
Teaching History
Mr. Bush began his ministry in 2008 when he was assigned to teach grades 4-8, as well as serve as principal and athletic director for Zion Lutheran School in Torrance, CA. After serving in Los Angeles for 4 years he accepted a call to teach grades 6-8 and serve a principal and athletic director of Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Midland, MI. In 2014 he received and accepted the call to serve as Salem’s principal. Mr. Bush loves being able to serve Salem as a full time administrator, something which he had always wished he had more time to dedicate toward in the past.
Personal History
Mr. Bush is married to Melissa Bush and they have 2 children, both of whom currently attend Salem Lutheran School. Mr. Bush grew up not far from Milwaukee, in Racine, WI and attend our WELS elementary and high schools there. In his spare time Mr. Bush loves to go hunting, build and maintain computers, and make his own beer, wine, and mead.
Favorite Bible Passage
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Martha Deibert – 2nd Grade Teacher
Educational History
B.S. in Education – Dr. Martin Luther College (1995)
Teaching History
Upon college graduation, Mrs. Deibert was assigned to St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Newark, Delaware. Mrs. Deibert spent four years at St. John’s teaching grades 3K- 4th grade in a variety of combinations. In 1999 she accepted the call to Salem Lutheran Church and School where she has served ever since. At Salem, Mrs. Deibert has taught 5K - 2nd grade, both in combined-grade and single-grade classrooms. She currently teaches second grade at Salem and serves as forensics coach, track coach, and piano accompanist. Her favorite part of teaching is sharing the truths of God’s Word with her students.
Personal History
Mrs. Deibert, her husband Dave, and daughter Amy love being part of Salem Lutheran Church. Mr. Deibert is a retired teacher who keeps busy working in the community, volunteering, and visiting some of Salem’s homebound members. Amy attends Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School and is active there. Mrs. Deibert enjoys reading, playing piano, going for walks, and travelling with her family.
Favorite Bible Passage
Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Kathryn Freudenwald – 4th Grade Teacher
Educational History
B.S. in Education – Dr. Martin Luther College (1986)
Teaching History
Miss Freudenwald began her teaching ministry in 1986 when she was assigned to teach grades 1-2 at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Janesville, Wisconsin. After serving in Janesville for twelve years she accepted a Call to teach at a WELS elementary school in Milwaukee. Miss Freudenwald has taught grades 3K-8th at schools in Milwaukee during the last twenty years.
Personal History
Miss Freudenwald grew up in Caledonia, Wisconsin. She enjoys spending time with her family, and she also likes taking care of plants and flowers.
Favorite Bible Passage
Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.
Kathryn Freudenwald – 4th Grade Teacher
Educational History
B.S. in Education – Dr. Martin Luther College (1986)
Teaching History
Miss Freudenwald began her teaching ministry in 1986 when she was assigned to teach grades 1-2 at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Janesville, Wisconsin. After serving in Janesville for twelve years she accepted a Call to teach at a WELS elementary school in Milwaukee. Miss Freudenwald has taught grades 3K-8th at schools in Milwaukee during the last twenty years.
Personal History
Miss Freudenwald grew up in Caledonia, Wisconsin. She enjoys spending time with her family, and she also likes taking care of plants and flowers.
Favorite Bible Passage
Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.