TEACHERS & STAFF
Pastor James Kroonblawd - Senior Pastor
Greatest joy in being Pastor at TLO:
The highlight of my day is greeting students and parents at the door and interacting with the tremendous faculty, staff, students and families at TLO Lutheran School. I enjoy digging into God's Word in Chapel services and seeing relationships among the school grow among the chapel buddies. Most of all, I enjoy engaging with the 7th and 8th grade class as we explore our identity as children of God and what it means be forgiven and forever free through Jesus Christ.
Favorite Bible verse:
My favorite Bible verse is Romans 1:16, “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” And a close second is my Confirmation verse: "Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22.
Kathryn Jones - Principal
Greatest joy in being Principal at TLO:
Lutheran education has always been a part of my life! The minute you walk into a Lutheran school you immediately feel that something is different - it's not just a cross on the wall of a classroom or the Bibles in the desks - it's the joy and sense of community among students, teachers and school families that make a school like TLO so special. It's a privilege to be part of a learning environment where each and every day we can show our students God's love and grace.
Favorite Bible verse:
"...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10
Education
B.A. in Elementary Education, School Music- Concordia Univ., St. Paul;
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction- University of Minnesota;
LCMS School Leadership Project Certificate
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Andy Olson - Preschool Director
Greatest joy in being Preschool Director at TLO:
What I love about Christian schools is that children learn about Jesus every day through Bible stories, music, prayers, and through their relationships with teachers and peers. It is always great to see children get excited about Jesus and even imitate the teachers by having their own chapel or Jesus time lessons with their friends. There is also the school-home connection when children take what they have learned about Jesus and share it with their families at home.
Favorite Bible verse:
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20
Education
BA in Youth Ministry, with a minor in Bible Studies - University of Northwestern;
MA in Early Childhood - Concordia University, St. Paul
Claire Ruckheim
Kindergarten
Ms. Claire Ruckheim loves helping kindergarteners develop their skills in reading, math, and more! She believes in teaching each student where they are at and working one-on-one with students often to give them the individual attention they need to grow into capable students. Ms. Ruckheim first realized that she wanted to be a teacher when she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School after being confirmed. She enjoys being able to express and share her faith with students every day, which helps her continue to grow and strengthen her own faith.
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Education: BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from University of Minnesota, Crookston
Amy Zenda-Johnson
Grade 1
Mrs. Amy Zenda-Johnson spends her days with the "fabulous first graders." Although an avid Packer fan, somehow she has spent her entire career teaching in the land of the Vikings and chooses to make this frigid state her home. During the course of her teaching career, she has taught all ages and grades from preschool through eighth grade, and has been a preschool co-director, conference presenter, and parent educator. She believes in being a life-long learner and enjoys taking continuing education courses. She feels it an honor to be able to share not only her love of learning, but also the message of Jesus with her students and their families.
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Education: BA in Elementary Education, Minor in English - Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN;
Colloquy - Concordia Univ., St. Paul;
MA in Education - Concordia Univ., St. Paul
Rachel Symmank
Grade 2
Mrs. Rachel Symmank loves nurturing 2nd graders at TLO! Before accepting God's call to serve at TLO, she taught in parochial schools in Nebraska and Kansas, teaching children from preschool through middle school. She has also served as Director of Early Childhood. For ten years, Mrs. Symmank was a Parent Educator in the national Parents as Teachers program. She is an educator who loves to teach children about God’s amazingly complex and organized world. Mrs. Symmank enjoys fostering a love of life-long learning in her students.
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Education: BS in Elementary Education - Concordia Univ., Nebraska
Dan Schield
Grade 3
Mr. Dan Schield enjoys being part of the learning process and seeing the independent growth that takes place throughout the school year. He wants to prepare critical thinkers and lifelong learners for the future in God’s Kingdom. His greatest joy in working in a Christian setting is sharing Christ’s love and forgiveness on a daily basis.
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Education: BA in Elementary Education, Concordia University – St. Paul
Jenny Brewer
Grade 4
Mrs. Jenny Brewer loves her TLO fourth graders. Previously, she taught upper elementary classes in Illinois. Mrs. Brewer began teaching at TLO serving as the middle school Language Arts teacher, and then she transferred to 4th grade. As the fourth graders continue to progress in their development, Mrs. Brewer aspires to create an environment in which students can strengthen their love of learning. Students continue to grow in their faith, and strive to meet or exceed the state standards in all academic areas. They begin to develop specific skills aimed at making them more proficient studiers and learners, helping them to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Overall, Mrs. Brewer wants her students to see their intrinsic value as children of God!
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Education: BA in Elementary Education - Concordia Univ., Chicago;
Minor in Sociology
Matthew Boll
Middle School, K-8 Physical Education
Mr. Boll thinks there is nothing better than being able to openly live and share what he believes. "God gives us so many blessings that it is hard not to share with others what He has done for us. It is such a joy to talk and discuss who God is, what He has done for us, and everything about being a Christian. The joy and excitement the students have when asking questions and trying to figure out things that we have a hard time wrapping our heads around is awesome to see."
Education: BS in K-12 Health and Physical Education,
BA Christian Education Leadership-DCE certificate -
Concordia University, Nebraska
Rob Orr
Middle School, Athletic Director
Mr. Rob Orr enjoys teaching students of all ages the ins and outs of sports and fun games, and is even more passionate about sharing history and math with the middle school students. Previously, he taught at Central Lutheran School for eight years and then was principal/teacher at Joy Academy for five years. Mr. Orr is also TLO's athletic director. He has also served as a coach for many years. Mr. Orr loves being able to share Christ in the classroom and to also share his faith with students the way his teachers did with him when he was in school.
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Education: BA in History - University of Minnesota, Duluth
BA in Secondary Education- University of Minnesota, Duluth;
Minor in Coaching
Colloquy - Concordia University, St. Paul
Stephanie Vallin
Middle School, Music Education
Mrs. Stephanie Vallin takes the job of preparing middle schoolers to succeed high school very seriously! Previously, she was a third grade teacher and band director at a Lutheran school in Missouri. She has directed the band program at TLO since 2001 and also taught middle school language arts from 2004-2012. Currently, she teaches 7th and 8th grade and 4-8 music. The most exciting part of her job is seeing students’ growth in God’s gift of music, and interacting together as a musical team.
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Education: BS in Elementary Education - Concordia Univ., Nebraska;
BS in Secondary Education - Concordia Univ., Nebraska
Amber Poppe
School Administrative Assistant
Amber joined the Trinity Lone Oak School family August 2024. She loves working in such a supportive and welcoming environment that cares about the people they serve. She's enjoying getting to know the staff, parents, and students, and is very thankful for God's guidance leading her here.
Jean Peterson
Church Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Peterson enjoys working with the administration, teachers and staff of Trinity Lone Oak, as well as school families and prospective families who want to know more about our Christ-centered school. She loves TLO because we offer quality academics structured within a loving Christian environment.
Joey Nilan
School Nurse
Mrs. Nilan has been serving TLO as a school nurse since 2007. She works through District 197 to serve us and other area private schools. Mrs. Nilan is on-site once every week to address students' health needs, keep school records in order, run any health screenings, and educate teachers on the health needs of their students. Mrs. Nilan helps support the health goals of the school and works to keep students' bodies in good working order so they can continue to be a blessing to God and others.
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Education: Bachelor's of Science in Nursing; licensed school nurse