INTRODUCING THE FACULTY & STAFF OF LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHEAST

v  Kathy Ageton is our guidance & library director. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where she majored in secondary English and minored in library science. She has served at LHNE since 2001.

v  Fred Aufdembrink is our Development Director. Fred graduated from Concordia Seward, where he majored in DCE, elementary education, and theology; and minored in music. He served as Director of Children’s Ministry and Youth at Trinity Lutheran Church, Atchison, Kansas; also at Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings, Nebraska. Fred has served at LHNE since 2006. He also serves as Development Director for the Lutheran High School of Northeast Nebraska Educational Foundation.

v  Hope Beam has served as part-time computer and business teacher at LHNE since 1998. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Business Education from Wayne State College and her Masters in Education from the University of Nebraska in Kearney. She currently teaches business classes and is faculty advisor to the FBLA. Hope also teaches classes at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

v  Phil Carlson was called to LHNE in 2007. He previously taught at Cannon Valley Lutheran High School in Morristown, Minnesota. Phil is a graduate of Concordia Seward where he majored in life sciences and received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Phil’s Masters degree is in progress. He currently teaches science classes, serves as assistant wrestling coach and is our Quiz Bowl advisor.

v  Trina Gentile is our newest teacher, joining the LHNE faculty in 2011. She received her Bachelors of Science from UNL & her Masters degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University. She has previously coached & taught in public schools. She will serve as our part-time Government teacher in 2011-2012.

v  Rebecca Jabs was called to LHNE in 2010 . She graduated from Concordia Seward with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in math & physics. She had been serving at Baltimore Lutheran Middle-High School since January, 2005. Her teaching assignments include math & physics. She also serves as a class advisor, student council advisor, and assistant girls' basketball coach, and head girls’ soccer coach. Rebecca is also a graduate of Sheboygan Lutheran High School in Wisconsin.

v  James Jurchen was called to LHNE in 2002. He previously taught at Orlando Luther Middle and High School. He is a graduate of Concordia Seward, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with concentrations in math, computer science, and instrumental music. Besides serving as LHNE Music Director, James also serves as Technology Director. He currently teaches Band, Choir, and computer classes.

v  Dee Leavitt began teaching at LHNE in 1999. She previously taught at St. John Lutheran School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and also has taught at a variety of public schools. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Edgecliff College (now Xavier University) and a Masters of Education from Wright State University. She currently teachers art classes, Home Ec, and English 11, and serves as prom advisor. Dee also teaches classes at Northeast Community College.

v  Paul Leckband was called to serve as Executive Director of the Lutheran High School Association of Northeast Nebraska and Principal of Lutheran High Northeast in August, 1996, and began his service in January, 1997. (LHNE opened in August, 1997.) He previously served as teacher and coach at Luther High School North in Chicago; teacher, coach, administrator, and principal at Lincoln Lutheran Junior High in Nebraska; and teacher and principal at the Lutheran High School of Hawaii in Honolulu. He has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Concordia Seward, where he also received his Masters in Secondary Educational Administration. Paul has received certification as a development professional from Development Marketing Associates, Inc. He is also a graduate of St. Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri.

v  Sarah Mattila was called to teach English at LHNE in 2007. She received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Concordia Seward. She currently teachers English classes & Journalism, which is responsible for our yearbook. Sarah serves as a class advisor & assists with drama advisor at LHNE. She is also a graduate of Sioux Valley Lutheran High School in Lakefield, Minnesota.

v  Stephanie Pape, our former German teacher from 2001-2008, returned to serve as part-time social studies teacher in 2010. Her Bachelors degree is from Doane College, where she majored in German & History. She also received her Masters at Doane. Stephanie has also taught previously in public schools.

v  Greg Rathke serves as Activities Director and Assistant Principal of LHNE. He was called to LHNE in 1999. He previously taught and coached at South Bay Lutheran High School in Inglewood, California, and Lutheran High School in Springfield, Illinois. Greg received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and his Masters of Secondary Educational Administration from Concordia Seward. He has taught English, social studies and p.e. classes at LHNE and returns to the English 9 classroom this year. Greg also serves as head boys- basketball coach, as well as head track coach.

v  Darin Suckstorf did his student teaching at LHNE, then was called to serve as mathematics and physical education teacher in 2007. Prior to that he taught in public education. He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Concordia Seward, where he double-majored in physical education and mathematics. He currently teaches math, health, and physical education classes. He also serves as head football coach and assistant boys basketball coach. He also serves as a class advisor. Darin is working on a Masters degree from the University of Nebraska in Kearney.

v  Maria Sweigard taught Spanish at LHNE in 2000-2001, took time out to raise a family, and returned to LHNE in 2006. She is a part-time teacher of Spanish classes. Maria graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota.

v  Rev. Jason Wolter was called to serve as Director of Spiritual Life and theology teacher at LHNE in 2007. Previous to that he served at Martin Luther High School in Northrop, Minnesota, and Baltimore Lutheran Middle & High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia St. Paul (MN) and a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He teaches Old Testament, New Testament, Doctrine, and “Word vs. World” (Theology 12), heads our chapel program, and supervises servant events, mission trips, and various other spiritual life activities. Pastor Wolter also serves as speech advisor, National Honor Society & FCA advisor.

v  Also serving LHNE:   Julie Moenning, Administrative Assistant since 1998; Becky Carretto, Business Manager since 2008; Jennifer Vavra, Assistant to the Activities and Development Directors since May 2011; Rod Hughes, school custodian since 2001; and John Ahlers, school custodian since 2005.