Teachers
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Caterpillars Lead Teacher (Preschool 3 & 4 year-olds)
Name: Brittanie Lammers University: University of Anchorage Alaska Major: Human Services Degree: Associates Experience: Fourth Year Email: Ms.Lammers@alsalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Brittanie was born and raised in Anchorage. She was a Teaching Assistant here at Anchor for a year and is very excited to be back as the Caterpillar Lead Teacher. In her spare time she loves to play board games, read, knit, and play with her cat, Mac. |
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Bumblebees Lead Teacher (Preschool 4 & 5 year-olds)
Name: Rebecca Finney University: Troy University, Troy, AL Major: Psychology Minor: History Degree: Bachelor of Science Experience: Fourth Year Email: Mrs.Finney@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... This is Rebecca's second year teaching 4 year old preschool at Anchor, though it is her 4th year working with the school. Rebecca is originally from Wisconsin but her husband is a 22 year soldier, and she was also in the military for a short time as well- so she has lived in nearly every part of America. She is a graduate from Troy University of Alabama. She loves working with 4 year olds and loves the joy they get from learning. She believes in putting great focus on the social and emotional dynamics of learning and puts great emphasis on autonomy, independence, respect for others and respect for self. She loves to see the change in their critical thinking and communication skills- especially in regards to their emotional intelligence; she enjoys seeing them go from a "preschooler" to a school age student. Away from work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband Shane and her two sons: Shane Jr. (18) and Samual (16) and her two Boston Terriers: Opie and Ragnar. She loves fitness and spends a lot of time at the gym. She also loves fishing and hiking and all things Alaska . |
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Butterflies Lead Teacher (Preschool 4 & 5 year-olds)
Name: Mandi Dykstra University: Reformed Bible College Major: Bible, Theology, and Youth Ministry Degree: Bachelor of Religious Education Experience: Twenty-Second Year Email: Mrs.Dykstra@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About the Teacher… Mandi has been married for 20 years with two beautiful children and two dogs. She enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time with friends and family. |
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Kindergarten Teacher
Name: Jessica Hedrick University: Concordia University Chicago Major: Elementary Education Degree: B.A. in Education Experience: Sixth Year Email: Ms.Hedrick@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About the Teacher… Born and raised in the Midwest, Jessica is the product of 10 years of Lutheran education. She attributes her desire to teach in Christ centered learning environments -like Anchor Lutheran- to the many years she spent at Trinity Lutheran School. It was there that her faith foundation was built and many life lessons were learned. Upon graduating from Concordia University Chicago, Jessica began teaching First Grade at Our Savior Lutheran School in Arlington, VA. It was during this time, that Jessica discovered her love for the “great outdoors.” An avid hiker, Jessica took a two year hiatus from teaching to attempt a “thru-hike” of the Appalachian Trail - a 2,200 mile foot trail from Georgia to Maine. After leaving the trail, she returned home to Iowa and began teaching Fifth Grade at her alma mater. Jessica is eager to return to the early elementary classroom, as well as to explore additional hiking opportunities here in Alaska! |
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First Grade Teacher
Name: Sandi Goerisch University: University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK (undergraduate degree), Concordia University Wisconsin (graduate degree) Major: Elementary Education Graduate Major: Educational Design & Technology Degree: B.A., M.S. in Education Experience: Twenty-Sixth Year Email: Mrs.Goerisch@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Mrs. Goerisch considers herself a true Alaskan, having spent time as a youngster living in various places around the state, with her family settling in Anchorage in 1981. She and her husband, Jeff, have one daughter, who is an alumni of Anchor Lutheran School. Their daughter currently attends West Anchorage High School. Their family also includes ‘Grandma Snoozy’ (Clare) who lives with them. The Goerisch ‘family’ are active disciples of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Mrs. Goerisch enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and in her spare time, she likes to curl up with a good book. She loves teaching first grade and strives to help her students become active, lifelong learners. |
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Second Grade Teacher
Name: Donna Josephson University: St. John’s College, Winfield, KS (undergraduate degree), Concordia University Wisconsin (graduate degree) Major: Education Minor: Music Graduate Major: Educational Design & Technology Degree: B.A., M.S. in Education Experience: Thirty-Fourth Year Email: Mrs.Josephson@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Donna has taught at numerous grade levels over the years, everything from First through Fourth Grade, as well as specializing at times in music and physical education. She enjoys nurturing and building upon second grade creativity throughout the school year. Second graders still love "projects"! Donna is happily married to her husband Andy, who serves as an Alaska State Representative, and they enjoy an active outdoor life together including skiing, mountain biking, camping, kayaking and traveling. Her indoor interests include a love for reading, music, and chess. Donna is an involved member at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, actively participating in the music ministry of the congregation. |
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Third Grade Teacher
Name: Kelly Wondzell University: University of Anchorage Alaska Major: Education Degree: Associates of Arts; B.A. Early Childhood Education Experience: Second Year Email: Ms.Wondzell@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Kelly is from Anchorage and is the youngest of two. She has a brother two years older. She has attended school here in Anchorage her whole life. Kelly enjoys traveling and being with friends and family. She is very excited to teach Third graders this year. |
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Fourth and Fifth Grade Teacher
Name: Cody Collier University: Concordia University Nebraska, Seward, NE Major: Elementary Education Graduate Major: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Concentration: Math Degree: B.S., M.Ed. Experience: Eighth Year Email: Mr.Collier@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Cody is a 2013 graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. He hails from the Midwest growing up in Springfield, IL, and spending time in Midwestern states like Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri working at summer camps or attending school. He enjoys playing sports, being outdoors, and spending quality time with friends and family. Cody looks forward to continuing his ministry at Anchor Lutheran School and finding ways to become involved in our family-rich community. He is a firm believer in being a passionate learner and looks forward to bringing this belief into the classroom while showing the love of Christ to those he encounters. Cody joins us with our music teacher, Jessica, and their sons, Robby and Wyatt. |
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Fourth and Fifth Grade Teacher (Part-Time)
Name: Dan Milosch University: Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL Major: Science & Math Degree: B.A. Experience: Forty-Sixth Year Email: Mr.Milosch@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Dan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has one brother and one sister back in the Midwest. Dan has taught a variety of grades over the years, mostly at the fourth, fifth, or sixth grade levels. He also spent two years as a school principal at his former school quite a few years back. Dan enjoys history, science, and photography. In his spare time he also enjoys doing and teaching woodworking. A member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, which shares facilities here in the Lutheran Center with our school, Dan is actively involved in helping to maintain our facility, putting his handyman skills to use for us. Now semi-retired after his first 40 years as a teacher, Dan continues serving part-time teaching a few subjects in 4th and 5th grades while fulfilling many other duties. He proves his worth again and again! |
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Sixth Grade Teacher
Name: Emma Digert University: University of Alaska, Anchorage; Concordia University, Portland, OR Major: Elementary Education Graduate Major: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Concentration: Literacy Degree: B.S., M.Ed. Experience: Third Year Email: Ms.Digert@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Emma is in her second year of teaching Sixth Grade at Anchor, though it is her Seventh year working with the school. She previously taught Third grade with the Anchorage School District, and was excited to be welcomed back by the Anchor community last year. Emma hails from Anchorage, Alaska, and has previously lived in California and the United Kingdom. She is a proud graduate of the University of Alaska, Anchorage, where she received her B.A. in Elementary Education. She went on to earn her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in reading intervention from Concordia University, Portland. Emma is incredibly passionate about learning, and is an advocate for teaching the whole child. She is a firm believer that school is the place to learn not only academic skills, but also social/emotional skills such as empathy, citizenship, integrity, and self-advocacy. She loves having the chance to create a welcoming classroom environment that fosters academic discussion, personal growth, perseverance, and community. Outside of teaching, Emma is passionate about theater, music, travel, and all the wonderful activities Alaska has to offer. |
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Seventh & Eighth Grade (Jr. High) Teacher
Name: Christie Platt University: Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth, UK Major: English Literature, Education Degree: B.A. Experience: Fourth Year Email: Mrs.Platt@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... This is Christie’s Fourth year with us at Anchor Lutheran, but her second as the Junior High teacher. A graduate of Aberystwyth University in Wales, UK, she excited to bring her previous secondary education teaching practice to the Junior High. She is happily married to her husband, Tucker, and has been enjoying seeing the world through the fresh eyes of their son, Calvin. |
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Director of School Music (PS - 8th) and Physical Education Teacher (K-8)
Name: Jessica Collier University: Concordia University Nebraska, Seward, NE Major: Music Education Specialization: Vocal and Instrumental K - 12 Degree: B.Mus. Graduate Major: Pursuing a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education Experience: Fourth Year Email: Mrs.Collier@ALSalaska.org Previous Service
About The Teacher... Born in South Dakota and raised in Minnesota, Jessica is well adjusted to the large range of temperatures possible throughout the seasons. She is married to Cody Collier, our 4th and 5th grade teacher. Her goal, within the classroom, is to create patrons of music. Not everyone has the passionate desire to create music, but all enjoy music in some form. Jessica encourages and fosters this love of music, as the love of music will be with her students all of their lives. She has also stepped into the role of Physical Education Teacher this year and will enjoy teaching various sports, movements, and exercises to her K-8 students. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and playing with her two sons, Robby and Wyatt. |