Kevin Creutz, Executive Director of the Lutheran Schools Partnership in Fort Wayne, IN, is a former teacher and principal. While he didn't always envision working on the administration side of education, Kevin talks about how his professional journey was encouraged by fellow administrators throughout his career. The Lutheran Schools Partnership provides services and resources to Lutheran schools.

Richard Schumacher, Senior Director of Operations at Lutheran Special Education Ministries and host of the podcast, recaps the year, talks about the state of the ministry and what’s ahead in the coming year at LSEM. Richard also reflects on some of 2024's podcast highlights.  

Dr. Drew Gerdes, Assistant Professor of Education, Early Childhood Education Program Director, Director of Student Teaching, Department of Education at Concordia University Nebraska, has served as an Early Childhood Teacher and Administrator at schools in the United States and Asia for nearly three decades. Noted as a professional who loves to share and develop other educators, Dr. Gerdes has been a sought-after speaker on a variety of topics in Early Childhood Education and Lutheran School Ministry.

Andrew Monkemeyer, Principal at Concordia Lutheran School in Peoria, IL, joins the conversation with Dr. Tracie Salgado and talks about the relationship between his school and Lutheran Special Education Ministries. After 14 years as a teacher at Concordia, Andrew became principal last year and stepped into the role of navigating the special education needs in his school. He talks about challenges that all Christian schools face in regards to social and emotional learning and well-being as well as other needs of their students.

Dr. Thomas Wrege, a frequent contributor to the podcast, joins this episode and talks about his new endeavor as a School Funding Executive at DAST Consulting. A former teacher and principal, Wrege recently earned his doctoral degree in innovation and continuous improvement from Concordia University. In his new role, he helps school administrators find and access funding that they may not have realized is available to them.

LSEM’s Dr. Tracie Salgado talks with Annie Palmer, owner and literacy coach at Annie Palmer Consulting, about the importance of being proficient in writing. A parent and teacher, Annie knows what it takes to work with parents and educators in better equipping them to guide their children and students to become better writers. 

Matt Dery, a sports radio broadcaster turned teacher, joins the podcast for a conversation about how he took a non-traditional path to becoming an educator and the ways he was able to connect with and bring a different perspective to his students and parents in the classroom. He talks about some of the approaches he used in getting on his students level and come across as equals. There are some great points in this podcast for anyone considering a career change and venturing into teaching.

Rebecca Friedrichs, author of Standing up to Goliath, has spent her career fighting within the school system to protect her students and parents from the darkness and grief that the teachers' unions have caused. Friedrichs wrote an editorial that was featured in her local newspaper. That piece started the wheels in motion in challenging the union and eventually led to their case appearing before the U.S. Supreme Court. By sharing her story and experiences, Friedrich wants to ensure that the issues that affect our public schools don't creep into our private school curriculum.

Rev. Joel Kaiser, Associate Pastor at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, MI, talks with Richard Schumacher on the role he plays in welcoming new students and families to their Lutheran school. With enrollment increasing during the pandemic, a wonderful opportunity presented itself to evangelize to these new students and families. Kaiser is involved with the school in working with staff and faculty on how to maximize the opportunity to welcome and bring the news of Jesus to these new families and what it means to be part of the Lutheran church.

Dr. Danisha Keating  joins the podcast and shares her story about growing up in an environment of abuse within a foster care environment. From homelessness and taking care of her siblings, to earning her Ph.D. Dr. Keating tells her story to help other children who are in foster care as well as foster parents. A research psychologist, Dr. Keating’s traumatic upbringing gave her the passion and tools to help others through her books and speaking engagements.