Two brothers with learning disabilities were Sheila Jones Krause’s inspiration. “Working with children who struggle in school in a WELS setting has always been my dream,” she says. As the extended learning teacher at David’s Star, Jackson WI, she does just that, teaching children with learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as teaching grade 7-8 English.

Sheila loves working with God’s children at David’s Star. “The challenge is to find what works for each student, since they are all unique. Each lesson is designed to fit the student’s academic level and learning style, to strengthen their weaknesses, and to teach them the tools that they need to become independent learners. I spend time getting to know each student—inside and outside school. I want the students to know that I am there for them as an advocate with their teachers and parents.”

It takes a lot of time, she says, “but the joys of what I do outweigh the challenges! The joy is when they have achieved something that they have never been able to do before, no matter how small. We celebrate all successes! The joy is there when I see them move on to high school and see them succeed there, too.”

In 2006, Sheila decided to expand her knowledge base by enrolling in MLC’s Master of Science in Education program with an emphasis in special education. “I wanted to be more knowledgeable in finding ways to help my students,” she says. “I wanted to be better prepared for my students’ IEPs with the public school and learn how to work more closely with our public school pupil services departments. I wanted to learn more about different types of disabilities, different types of assessments, and how to write a plan for my students.”

Did MLC’s program meet her needs? Absolutely. “I believe that I am a better teacher because of the classes that I took,” she says. “I have a better understanding of the different types of disabilities and am more confident in working with these students. I have also noticed that the public school district respects what I do at David’s Star due to my master’s degree. I have built a wonderful working relationship with the public school district. Because of that relationship, they are willing to share ideas and programs that work for them and help me use these ideas and programs at David’s Star.”

Sheila spent three years in the program, continuing to teach while doing her own homework—and squeezing in her other interests, reading and stamping. She finished in May 2009.

Looking back, she would highly recommend the program to other WELS teachers. “Being able to choose the classes that best fit your call, the flexibility of completing the lessons and assignments online, and the working relationship with other called workers and the MLC graduate professors are why I recommend MLC’s Master’s program,” she says.

“I liked being able to take classes online while I was teaching,” she continues. “I could set my own schedule, and I was able to choose the classes that best fit the needs of my call. There were so many choices that it was difficult at times to choose one class.

“Many of the assignments were practical,” she adds. “I was also able to have my students participate in some of the projects that I developed. It improved my relationship with both the parents and the students. They were able to see that I was actively trying to help them do better in school. They also liked the fact that their teacher had homework to do, too. I enjoyed the interaction with the other teachers who were taking the class and with the professors. The professors were all very knowledgeable in their area and were eager and willing to share that with all of us. And I know that I can still stay in touch with these professors and continue to ask them questions.”

Jeff Loberger (MLC 2003, MLC MS 2012) believes that good schools begin with good leaders.

As a leader at Good Shepherd-Omaha, he wears a number of leadership hats, but, interestingly, not one of them says “Classroom Teacher.”

“I spend my day as principal of our school, development director of our building program, and member ministry director of our congregation,” he explains.

It’s an unconventional, forward-thinking calling that Jeff’s congregation has given him, but then again, Good Shepherd-Omaha is a forward-thinking congregation. And God has certainly blessed their efforts. In Jeff’s first two years there, the school has grown from 68 to 101 students. When some other WELS schools are closing due to low enrollments, Good Shepherd is turning students away due to lack of space—thus, the vision for the addition of classroom and office space, along with updated bathrooms, additional parking, and, further down the road, a new sanctuary.

“We are praying this building project will help us to add more families in our school and church family, thus exposing many more to this wonderful peace we have through God’s Word,” Jeff says.

To accommodate the growth, the faculty of five teachers, which, in 2008, many thought might need to be reduced to four, has now grown to 7.5.

As one of the 7-1/2 teachers, Jeff has the most varied daily schedule. “Every day is different,” he says. “There are days where I am down at city hall filling out documents for waivers and applications for leased parking. The next day, I will be working with various members, discussing gifts and amending wills to give a gift to our building program. The next will be handling discipline of a child or observing one of our classrooms. Sometimes, I get a little of all three of these during the day.”

With so many avenues for leadership, it was important to Jeff that he become the best leader he could be. “If I could learn to become a better leader and visionary for my school, this would greatly benefit the children attending our school. Also, I would hopefully be a better resource for my faculty to come to in times of need. Finally, with greater vision and climate in the school, we would become more of an option for our community families when they look to enroll in quality schools.”

In 2008, while he was serving in Salt Lake City, the desire to be a better leader led him to begin his master’s coursework with a leadership emphasis. He notes that the WELSSA accreditation process and the encouragement of the Salt Lake City congregation were catalysts as well. He will finish the program in 2012 or, if he completes a second emphasis, in 2013.

He says the program has made a dramatic impact: “This program has completely changed who I am and how I operate. I have been a principal for eight years. Since enrolling in this program, I have learned so many practical things to help with time management to classroom observation to curriculum mapping to handling issues with families. These benefits are seen by my wife, who has been by my side the whole way through. She can see the confidence in my way of running and handling school issues.”

Jeff began his ministry as an emergency teacher at Nebraska Lutheran High School (2001-2002). He taught at Immanuel-Hadar NE (2003-2006) and Prince of Peace-Salt Lake City (2006-2008) before being called to Good Shepherd. In his spare time, he enjoys playing men’s league basketball, camping, watching a good comedy, reading nonfiction books about World War II, and spending time with his wife and children.

He humbly admits that he has the gift of gab—and lots of opportunities to use that gift in his many leadership roles. “God has given me the ability to talk! I have no problem talking to anyone, anywhere about our school and church. I get to talk with community families, sharing with them the opportunities they could have attending a parochial school where Jesus is the center of everything we do. I get to help people understand the blessing of giving to church (particularly the building program) and the opportunities this giving will have on our ministry of being able to reach many more people who need to hear the Word. I get the privilege of helping current members find something they want to do to help grow the ministry. I get to see the smiles on their faces during times where they now feel part of what we do here.”

Finally, Jeff notes that leadership is tied to ministry. And ministry is ultimately about souls. “Everyone who is privileged to serve in the public ministry is in it for the souls we serve each day. As we serve, we need to remember we can best serve if we keep up with the changes in standards and techniques that are unique to each generation. As we continue to improve in our methods and strategies as teachers, we will ultimately be improving the output of the children and families we serve.”

And of the many blessings God has bestowed on Good Shepherd-Omaha, Jeff humbly says, “It makes me realize that the Lord can use someone like myself for the benefit of his kingdom. ”

(Article written by Laurie Gauger)

BS 1984 DMLC

MS 2011 MLC

In 2009, after 25 years of elementary school administration, Kurt Rosenbaum was called to a different kind of ministry: principal of Arizona Lutheran Academy. Fortunately, the change did not interrupt his pursuit of his master’s degree through MLC. And he was pleased to find that the skills and competencies he gained from his coursework in the leadership emphasis transferred seamlessly from a K-8 school to a 9-12 school and from a single-parish ministry to a federation of parishes.

After his graduation in 1984, Kurt served as a principal at three different elementary schools: Good Shepherd – Burnsville MN (1984-1993), King of Kings – Maitland FL (1993-1999), and Ascension – Sarasota FL (1999-2009). “For 25 years,” he says, “I had the pure joy of serving in a parish ministry. I loved the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the congregation’s ministry and the intimate person-to-person interactions that it provided.”

An accreditation team visiting Sarasota told Kurt’s congregation it was essential that he pursue his master’s degree. The congregation agreed. “So I began with their blessing and encouragement, and the rest is history,” he says.

Kurt had actually started his master’s twice before, but the demands of ministry had made it impossible to finish. MLC’s program was a different story. “I liked the online approach for its flexibility. That was probably the main reason I could finish it.”

A move from Florida to Arizona is no small thing, but Kurt was able to continue working on the master’s program. “I love the fact that the work applied so directly to my ministry and that my classmates were like-minded in their backgrounds and ministries. The fact that the instructors were able to relate quickly to our special needs and our unique ministries was a big plus. I’ve taken some graduate courses at other institutions, and I admit that having some ‘outside of the WELS’ paradigms and approaches has great value too, but when it comes right down to it, I think this program offered much more in my ministry. I feel that the instructors made great efforts in keeping our classes pertinent and current.”

He finished his program at Christmas during his second year at Arizona Lutheran Academy. “I have been extremely pleased with the coursework and applications and how easily these things transferred from my LES ministry to the ALHS world. My degree has allowed me to enter a new world of ministry (LES to ALHS) feeling more competent than I would ever have felt otherwise.”

On a personal note, Kurt has eclectic tastes. He loves travel and has visited all 50 states. He likes gardening, landscaping, reading, cooking, baking, and playing and watching tennis. A social studies concentrate back in 1984, he continues to enjoy history and calls himself a bit of a political junkie, especially in an election year like this one. When not tuned to political talk shows, his radio plays swing, Christian contemporary, or Broadway. And church music has always played a big role in his ministry.

When he retires, he may look into a bed-and-breakfast, maybe in a place like Virginia where he could also offer his services as a historical tour guide.

But for right now, he says, “I’m living my career dream! Since first grade I’ve never wavered on being a teacher as a career, and I’ve enjoyed my years immensely. This is coupled with the fact that I always desired to play a role in missions and in ministerial education, and I’ve been blessed to serve on governing boards of three of our ministerial education schools as well as the Board for Ministerial Education, and I served about eight years as school counselor in Antigua. I’m humbled by both experiences.”

To those who may be on the fence about pursuing their master’s degree, Kurt offers his encouragement: “I waited until I was in the ministry 25 years to complete my program. I now wish I would’ve completed it earlier for the benefits I’ve received. I would encourage others to jump at it to gain the maximum benefit. I would encourage congregations and calling bodies to make it possible—both in time and in finances—for called workers to continue their education and pursue advanced degrees. It’s essential for our treasured WELS school system to remain current and our teachers to be experts in the arena in which we serve. I consider it a privilege to have served now for 28 years in this kind of work, where God’s Word and people meet.”

(Article written by Laurie Gauger)