1 minute read
A Family First
by Kerry Ognenoff
With four young children and one on the way, nearly 17 years ago Chris Rindfleisch and her family transferred their membership to St. John’s Lutheran Church. At the time, Chris was working as the night manager at Edwardo’s Pizza while keeping her teaching license from Wisconsin Lutheran College up to date and working as a substitute teacher when she could.
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Chris soon began substitute teaching at St. John’s, and in 2011, she accepted a call to teach second grade here. After a few years with second grade, she moved up to teach middle school. “I really enjoy guiding and nurturing that age group. It helps that kids that age understand sarcasm, and I love listening to their stories or having them teach me what’s trending. They keep me young and I think I relate to them.”
“When I took the call to the upper level, three different teachers taught parts of the English curriculum. I worked hard to merge it all into one ELA block.” She hears from many St. John’s graduates that their experiences with this improved curriculum prepared them well for high school.
While at St. John’s, Chris enjoyed helping to direct musicals and plan retirement parties for colleagues. She treasures her memories of everything from writing parodies and creating set pieces to simple conversations and shared smiles in passing.
Beginning next school year, Chris will join the faculty of Peace Lutheran School in Hartford, WI, as their English Language Arts and Art teacher. She is excited at the prospect of teaching art again and for the opportunity for God to use her gifts in new ways.
As Chris prepares for her new role, she reflects on how differently things turned out for her at St. John’s then she expected—and how everything turned out better than she imagined it could have. “I have felt loved and supported by the congregation, faculty, parents and students. Typically when teachers receive calls, it takes time for the members of the congregation to feel like family. For me, St. John’s was my family first and they always will be.”
Chris, we wish you many blessings on your future role at Peace. Thank you for everything you have done at and been for St. John’s.
