John Kolander
Biography
Adjunct Graduate Faculty
Teaches EDU5002 – The School as a Learning Community
Provost, Wisconsin Lutheran College
PhD University of Wisconsin, Madison: Education Administration
MS University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh: Curriculum & Instruction
BS Dr. Martin Luther Collge, New Ulm MN: Education
Having taught at Lutheran elementary, high school, and college level, he brings his experience and optimism to the MLC grad students who take his class. His goal is not only to improve Lutheran teachers, but to improve Lutheran schools. “I enjoy seeing educators excited about school improvement and feeling equipped to carry it out,” he says. “MLC provides a Christ-centered program of quality that is accessible to WELS educators. Bottom line: it assists in strengthening Lutheran schools.”
Kolander himself has been a leader in Lutheran schools for 30 years. A 1981 graduate of DMLC, he served 11 years as principal and upper-grade teacher at Samuel-Marshall MN and Immanuel-Waupaca WI, 12 years as teacher and assistant principal at Fox Valley LHS, and, most recently, seven years at Wisconsin Lutheran College, five as academic dean and two as provost. He has an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Lutheran education is a trademark of the whole Kolander family. His wife, Anna (DMLC ’81), serves as assistant principal at Risen Savior-Milwaukee. Kurt, a Lutheran school grad, is completing his PhD in Biomedical Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin; Paul is a WLC grad currently enrolled in the Seminary Certification Program at MLC; Meta is graduating from WLC in May; and Sarah is graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in May.
A member of Christ the Lord in Brookfield WI, Kolander enjoys camping, hiking, and cooking. His favorite books include historical fiction by Allan W. Eckert and the nonfiction of Malcolm Gladwell, including The Tipping Point and Blink.
