Meet our Teachers
Our teachers are the heart and soul of Abiding Word.
They are committed to supporting our students in their faith and in their studies. The teachers at AWLS are all active in our church community.
Seth Herrmann
Principal
Education:
B.S. in Education, Masters Degree: Leadership and Innovation
Experience:
I am entering my 19th year in education. I spent six years in South Chicago, eight years in North Milwaukee, and five years in Houston. I have held leadership positions as athletic director, head coach, middle school team leader, events coordinator, and assistant principal.
Personal Philosophy:
I believe that every child can learn, but they first must know they are loved. The adage goes, “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Every child is capable, and they all can become exceptional learners. As an educator, it is my personal goal to show each individual how much they are valued and that their limits are only defined by their expectations. Together we will learn from our failures, but we will not be defined by them. We will celebrate our successes, but we will not settle. Every day presents us with the opportunity to be better than we were yesterday.
Personal Interests:
I love spending time with my family, being outdoors, watching sports, and having meaningful conversations. I enjoy meeting new people, developing relationships, and sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Favorite Bible Verse:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16
Faith Brown
School Administrative Assistant
Education:
Graduated from Abiding Word and Luther Prep and attended (some) college at UofH
Experience:
Experienced Domestic Engineer and Abiding Word mom of 6
Personal Philosophy:
See a need, fill a need! Let's get organized and get the job done well.
Personal Interests:
Volunteering at church, my family, art, museums of all kinds, axe throwing for fun
Favorite Bible Verse:
"`For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11
Kate Herrmann
Preschool Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Education, licensed in early childhood and special education
M.S. in Child Development with an Administration Specialization
Experience:
7 years teaching at an international school in Chiang Mai, Thailand (taught 2nd grade and was Preschool director and lead teacher)
3 years providing professional development through coaching and facilitating workshops for early childhood teachers and directors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1 year teaching 3rd grade at Abiding Word
Personal Philosophy:
As a teacher, I will work to know each child well and to provide meaningful learning opportunities. I will work to create a classroom that is loving and predictable. I will work to build strong relationships with families. Most importantly, I will work to make sure each of these aspects of my work as a teacher is centered in Christ.
Personal Interests:
Reading, being outdoors, and spending time with my family.
Favorite Bible Verse:
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” - Ephesians 5:1-2
Alicia Bonilla
Preschool Aid
Kari Freiberg
Kindergarten Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Education- Martin Luther College (2015)
Experience:
5 years teaching Kindergarten at Abiding Word.
Personal Philosophy Statement:
My goal is that each student feels loved by their Savior, by me, and by their peers. Students will grow academically, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy getting outside and being active through running and hiking. I also enjoy crafts and painting!
Favorite Bible Verse:
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." Philippians 4:8
Faith Scheer
1st Grade Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Education - Martin Luther College (1993)
M.S. in Disciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University (2002)
Experience:
10 years teaching 1st grade at Faith Lutheran in Antioch, IL
19 years teaching at Christ the Lord Lutheran in Brookfield, WI
2 years at Abiding Word Lutheran, Houston as 1st grade teacher
Personal Philosophy:
I am always in the process of continuous refinement of my teaching craft. I am passionate about math and science in the classroom and love to build on the knowledge a child has and continue to help them grow and become independent learners. In Social Studies, I enjoy giving insight to new learners in the beginning background knowledge for future learning. I am also passionate about the best ways to teach reading to beginning readers. Most importantly I love teaching Bible stories and wrapping Jesus into other areas of the curriculum.
Personal Interests:
Listening to podcasts, being outdoors, hiking, biking, swimming, playing volleyball, and playing any kind of game. I love watching historical movies based on true life events. I love going to art and historical museums and traveling around the country. I have visited 7 presidential libraries, 22 states, 5 different countries, and 41 WI state parks and forests.
Favorite Bible Verse:
"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine'." Isaiah 43:1
Amelia Thiel
2nd Grade Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Elementary Education - Martin Luther College
Experience:
Personal Philosophy Statement:
As a teacher, I want all of my students to feel loved and cared for by me and, most importantly, their Savior. I will work to build strong relationships with families and ensure that their children are taught in a safe and structured learning environment. I strive to have each student grow and succeed together academically, emotionally, and spiritually
Personal Interests:
I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy being active, exploring the outdoors, and playing a number of sports. I also like to play the piano in my spare time.
Favorite Bible Verse:
Angie Engel
3rd Grade Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Education with a Minor in Art from Texas Woman's University (Class of 1999)
WELS Certification through Martin Luther College
Experience:
I am entering my 19th year in education. I have previously taught Grades 2, 3, and 4. I have also taught Art to Grades K-8. My experience in the classroom includes:
1 year teaching 2nd Grade in Navasota ISD
3 years teaching 2nd Grade in Bryan ISD
14 years teaching 3rd and 4th Grades at Abiding Word Lutheran School
Personal Philosophy:
God has called me to be a teacher and I am blessed to be able to share the Gospel with all of my students and their families. I want to provide a loving and safe environment where we will all grow together academically, emotionally, and spiritually. I will encourage them to use their talents and abilities to serve our Savior, Jesus. In school and in life, there will be challenges, but we are encouraged when we remember Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him (Christ) who gives me strength!"
Personal Interests:
I love spending time with my husband and three sons, reading, cleaning/organizing, drinking coffee, and watching hockey. My favorite team is the Dallas Stars! Interesting Fact: I am not only a teacher here, but I am a former student. I attended Abiding Word for grades K-8. This was MANY years ago!
Favorite Bible Verse:
Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Claire Rehberger
4th Grade Teacher
Education:
Mrs. Rehberger graduated from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, MN in 1986, and then went on to graduate from MLC in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She completed her provisional Wisconsin State teacher’s license in 2023.
Experience:
Mrs. Rehberger has had a number of different teaching experiences over the last 34 years in six different Lutheran schools,as well as substitute teaching in the public schools. She has taught all grades from Preschool through eighth grade. She went back into the ministry full time in 2011 when she was called to teach grade 6/upper grades at St. John’s, Burlington, WI. When the Rehbergers moved to Appleton, she taught one year at St. John’s, Fremont, WI, and then served the next seven years teaching 5th grade/upper grades at St. Paul, Appleton.
Personal Philosophy:
As a teacher is it my privilege to point children to their Savior every day! Every child is a unique child of God with gifts and abilities given to them. I am there to help them understand and use those gifts to experience success. My role is to provide a challenging, structured, safe environment so that the children may learn and flourish in lives that give glory to God.
Personal Interests:
I like to sew, garden, thrift/rummage shop, and spend time with family.
Favorite Bible Verse:
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Rev. 2:10 (Confirmation verse).
Karissa Holdcroft
5th & 6th Grade Teacher
Phillip Rehberger
7th & 8th Grade Teacher
Education:
Mr. Rehberger received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and History from Martin Luther College in 1989. Since then he has taken graduate-level coursework in several different areas, including history, English literature and language, computer education, and curriculum and instruction receiving a Master's Degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from University of Phoenix in 1998 and have worked at a doctorate in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of West Florida. Mr. R loves learning new things!
Experience:
Mr. Rehberger taught high-school English for one year at Luther Preparatory School, before receiving calls to serve as principal at teacher at schools in Hemlock, Michigan; Redding, California; Aberdeen, South Dakota; and Burlington, Wisconsin. He also served as a staff minister of outreach and education at Mt. Zion in Kenosha. His first call to the full-time classroom was to teach grade 8 in Appleton, Wisconsin. He has over 34 years of experience in Lutheran congregations and schools.
Personal Philosophy:
Education is a journey powered by God and his Word.
Personal Interests:
Mr. R enjoys reading books, playing games with family, hiking and camping, catching up with children (5) and grandchildren (3), and writing and studying curriculum designs.
Favorite Bible Verse:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11).