Lutheran Education Podcast

Glenn Rollins, is a manager with the Set Apart to Service initiative at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In that role he’s responsible for finding those who are set apart to serve in the church. A pastor at his Lutheran grade school encouraged him to consider a career in church work and from there he attended Concordia University, Seward, NE. He taught at various levels of Lutheran education throughout the years and during his time in education he realized the need for better recruitment efforts to identify new teachers.

Dr. Thomas Wrege, a frequent guest and the new Executive Director of the Lutheran Education Association, revisits the podcast and talks about obtaining his role with LEA after being a consultant in Lutheran education the last several years. He talks about his predecessor, Dr. Jonathan Laabs, and the impact he had on LEA for the past 29 years. Wrege was LSEM’s first Charles A. Winterstein Administrator of the Year Award in 2023.

Dr. Tracie Salgado and Richard Schumacher welcome Dr. Alan Freeman, Director of LCMS School Ministry to the podcast. Freeman talks about his background in Lutheran education and how it prepared him to be able to do what he’s doing today. The three talk in depth about the latest trends and topics in Lutheran education.

Dr. Tracie Salgado and Richard Schumacher welcome Dr. Alan Freeman, Director of LCMS School Ministry to the podcast. Freeman talks about his background in Lutheran education and how it prepared him to be able to do what he’s doing today. The three talk in depth about the latest trends and topics in Lutheran education.

Dr. Kim Marxhausen, a long-time friend of the podcast, joins us for another conversation about Lutheran education. In the second part of their conversation about the anxious generation, Dr. Kim Marxhausen explores the influence that adult technology usage has on children. She emphasizes the importance of mindful technology habits among adults, especially when children are present.

Dr. Kim Marxhausen, a long-time friend of the podcast, joins us for another conversation about Lutheran education. In this first of two parts, this conversation is around anxiety in our students and the “great re-wiring of childhood” and how that is contributing to mental illness. Dr. Marxhausen spent 25 years teaching in Lutheran schools before going back to graduate school to earn her PhD in educational psychology. She’s currently teaching a course on expertise and creativity at the University of Nebraska and is currently writing a book to help teachers who don’t have special education experience to work with students who are neurodivergent. 

Dr. Kim Marxhausen, a long-time friend of the podcast, joins us for another conversation about Lutheran education. In this first of two parts, this conversation is around anxiety in our students and the “great re-wiring of childhood” and how that is contributing to mental illness. Dr. Marxhausen spent 25 years teaching in Lutheran schools before going back to graduate school to earn her PhD in educational psychology. She’s currently teaching a course on expertise and creativity at the University of Nebraska and is currently writing a book to help teachers who don’t have special education experience to work with students who are neurodivergent. 

Dr. Drew Gerdes, Assistant Professor of Education, Director of Undergraduate Early Childhood Education and Director of Student Teaching at Concordia University, Nebraska, once again joins the podcast to revisit last year’s discussion about students with heightened levels of anxiety. He also discusses the values of the late Fred Rogers and how is show, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, stands the test of time.

Ronda Spalding, one of our LSEM teachers, talks about diagnosing and the definition of dyslexia. Tested for dyslexia when she was nine, Ronda heard a lot of “you can’ts” and turned them into “you cans”.  Ronda wanted to offer that opportunity to her students. In this episode Ronda talks about the various types of dyslexia and her passion in helping her students and their unique needs.

Stacy McGhee, President and CEO of LSEM, joins the podcast and talks about how the group of educators, support staff, parents, pastors and administrators should join together in celebrating the students in our classrooms and resource rooms so they feel supported, loved and safe in a positive way. By providing structure in the classroom there’s comfort and trust so students can thrive. Stacy also talks about her career through various levels of education and what she loves about leading LSEM.