It’s no surprise Keely (Keese) Prekop MLC ’16, ’25 wanted to be an early childhood teacher. Her own early years at a WELS preschool changed everything for her—and for her family.
A Preschool that Changed Everything
When Keely was small, her dad was a nominal Catholic and her mom unchurched. As they searched for a preschool, her mom wanted her to attend a Christian school. The choices were Lutheran and Catholic—and the Lutheran one happened to have a teacher her mom knew and highly respected and a reasonable price tag.
What followed were quiet but life-changing steps: the family was invited to church and then began taking Bible information classes. Soon Keely’s mom and uncle—and then her new baby brother!—were baptized. Before long, the family became active members of the congregation, a connection that continues to this day.
The gospel did its work, and the destiny of a whole family was changed.
A Calling Takes Shape
As a teenager considering her future, Keely wanted to make that same kind of difference in other families’ lives. She came to MLC and double-majored in early childhood education and staff ministry.
Nine years after her graduation, she completed her master’s degree at MLC, writing a thesis that echoed the gospel focus of her heart: “A synod-wide study of identifying successful outreach strategies in WELS ECMs.” The results suggested that “successful ECM outreach is intentional, involves a whole-ministry approach, uses personal relationships and interactions, and engages in more outreach strategies overall than ECMs with typical outreach results.”
Journey to a Master’s Degree
Keely began thinking about a master’s degree seven years ago, as she was serving at Loving Shepherd-Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Her double major at MLC had prepared her to be a teacher and an evangelist, but she wanted additional training in administration.
She knew she could learn how to be a skilled ECE director at almost any college, but she wanted more. She wanted to become the best Christian ECE director she could be, leading a high-quality center on which she could proudly put Jesus’ name.
Keely Prekop wanted a master’s matched to ministry.
So she decided to try one course at MLC. Because it was MLC, she says, “I knew it would benefit myself and my ministry immediately.”
She was right. That one course made a difference. As she moved on to other ECE ministries in Wisconsin—Trinity/St. Luke-Watertown and St. Peter-Helenville—she took a few more courses, each shaping her ministry more deeply.
The Smart Choice
Meanwhile, Keely researched three other master’s programs at University of Wisconsin schools. In the end, though, she realized her first instincts were right. MLC was the smarter choice—for several reasons.
“The price was reasonable,” she says. “I was guaranteed it was fully online. And I already knew some of the professors from my undergrad studies,” she says. “Most importantly, though, I wanted my learning environment to be Christ-centered.”
That Christ-centered environment—where the Word of God is foundational—makes all the difference, she says. “Administration in Lutheran schools and centers is where ministry can really get deep and sticky. It’s not always cut and dried. It’s about balancing advocating for students, staff, families, the congregation, and—most importantly—Christ and his mission. I wanted my education to reflect that priority.”
Learning that Changes Ministry
As Keely dove into the next few courses, her goal was simple: to fulfill her administrative roles as effectively as possible—and to explain confidently why she was doing what she was doing.
That’s exactly what the courses gave her. When someone asked why she was implementing a change at her center, she now had more than “I thought it was a good idea.” She had the research to back it up.
Two courses made an especially big impact on her ministry: Legal and Ethical Issues in Early Childhood Education and Leadership for Change.
“These two classes gave me the desire to push for a high-quality center in the name of Jesus. They gave me the resources on how to build that program, how to invigorate change in the ministry around me, and how to help build a caring and highly respectable workplace.”
“From Day 1”
Like so many MLC graduate students, Keely found that her coursework delivered far more than theory. It offered immediate, practical application.
“From day 1,” she says, “I’ve been able to use the lessons, techniques, and resources I gained in the courses and apply them in my ministry. Each course went above and beyond my expectations for adding to my library of resources, practical knowledge, and better understanding of the ministry I was called to do.”
Networking was another blessing. “I was able to network with other directors and principals and learn how other ministries work,” she says. “Through that process I found more ways to help improve the ministry I was in too! I also found other directors and principals I felt confident going to for advice and help when something came up that I wasn’t quite sure how to handle. That networking was invaluable in itself.”
Worthy of the Name
All these factors led to greater proficiency and deeper confidence—the kind that comes from knowing she’s serving faithfully. “It helped me to know I was doing my absolute best for Christ and to feel proud to put Jesus’ name on the work we were doing.”
That’s the kind of godly pride she hopes other early childhood educators will experience too. “Just try one class,” is her advice. “It can give you a taste of what the entire program is like without having to commit. I found myself trying one class, then planning on only taking 3-5, then being excited to finish the whole program. All of the classes are well planned and filled to the brim with both great resources and great people to learn with.”
Passing On the Blessing
Every course in MLC’s graduate program is ministry-focused, helping teachers and directors share the gospel every day—with their students and their students’ families too.
Keely knows firsthand how that gospel can change a family’s life. It changed hers, and she’s eager to pass on the blessing.
Meet Keely Prekop
Family: She and her husband, Tyler, married after she graduated from MLC in 2016. They have three children—Marek (8), Audrey (6), and Seamus (2)—and are expecting Baby #4 in January!
Ministries: She served at Abiding Love LPS-Cape Coral FL, Loving Shepherd LS-Brown Deer WI, Trinity-St. Luke LS and TSL Roots-Watertown WI, and St. Peter-Helenville WI.
Current Duties at St. Peter-Helenville WI: Keely is the lead 4K teacher, and teaches 5K PE and grade 1-2 Word of God, music, PE, and art. She is an ELC & After-School substitute, the Cradle Roll director, the ELC music director, and the Camp Phillip liaison, and she serves on the Ministry Development Team, Ladies’ Aid, PTA, Sunday School Supervision Team, Fellowship Planning Committee, Women’s Bible Study Small Group, and VBS Camp Team.
Interests/Hobbies: She enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, deer hunting, going to her parents’ cabin, and just generally being outside. She cheers on the Packers and the Everton Football Club (Premier League). And she and her husband like to take turns experimenting with foods and drinks. “We’re always looking for new foods to try at restaurants, grocery stores, and at home. We love trying to make foods from other countries, old and tested recipes from OLD cookbooks, new trending food ideas, and even things we make up.”
