MEET THE FACULTY & STAFF

EDUCATION STARTS WITH GREAT TEACHERS

Each member of our faculty brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to foster academic growth intertwined with Christian values. They are passionate about nurturing curious minds, developing character, and creating a supportive, engaging learning environment. Discover more about our faculty's unique qualifications, specialties, and personal interests here.

A Message From Our Principal

Dear students and families,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our beloved Trinity Lutheran School community. As the principal of our school, I am honored to lead an academic and spiritual institution that instills Christian values in our students. Our school's mission is to provide a Christ-centered education that fosters student growth, both academically and spiritually. We aim to provide a nurturing and supportive environment where students can develop into confident, kind, and compassionate individuals. Our dedicated staff and faculty invest in our students' well-being, and we always strive to create a safe and positive learning environment. With every school year, we build stronger relationships that are grounded in love and faith, and I look forward to doing so with you.

Sincerely,
Wade Stockman

  • Mr. Stockman grew up in Oregon and Minnesota. He received his undergraduate degree from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN,in 1985 with a degree in Secondary Education Math and a coaching license. He received his Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN, in 2013. He has taught for 36 years in both Lutheran and public schools. He has been Principal at TLS since 2008.

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  • First and foremost reason I enjoy working at Trinity is that I have the opportunity to share my faith with students and families and have the opportunity to watch them grow academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

  • Mrs. Stockman grew up in North Carolina, where she attended Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC, in 1985. She has worked in two different Lutheran schools, and also worked in a church Preschool program in the Hickory area. She began teaching preschool at Trinity in 2013. She has worked in schools and preschools for 33 years.

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  • First and foremost reason I enjoy working at Trinity is that I have the opportunity to share my faith with students and families and have the opportunity to watch them grow academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

  • Mrs. Teachout grew up in a small farming community in Jeffers, Minnesota. She graduated from Storden-Jeffers High School in 1990. Initially attending Faith Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa, she decided to transfer to Pillsbury College in Owatonna, Minnesota to be closer to home. In 1995, she graduated with a BS in Children Ministry/Biblical Studies. After working as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional in the public school system for several years, she pursued an AS degree in Early Childhood in 2020. Currently, she is attending SMSU in Marshall, MN through online classes to complete her BS in Early Childhood Education and obtain a Birth through 3rd grade license. Mrs. Teachout has been married for 27 years and has three grown children and one in high school. She and her family have resided in Waseca for 28 years.

  • Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice!

    I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

    Phillipians 4:4&13

  • I am thankful that I can teach about God to the students and have Christian coworkers to lean on when I have questions.

  • Ingrid Huelsnitz grew up in Topeka, Kansas were she attended Topeka Lutheran School Grades 5-8. It was there, even at a young age, that she felt God’s calling to become a LCMS Lutheran school teacher. Mrs. Huelsnitz attended 3 year at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas and completed her BS in Education at Concordia Seward - Seward, NE. Mrs. Huelsnitz first Call was to Trinity Lutheran Janesville to teach 2nd grade in 1987 where she has continued to serve for 35 years. She is married with 2 children who attended Trinity.

  • And that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love - Ephisians 3:17

  • As my students learn and grow it is a gift to be able to daily remind them that they are loved, valued members of God’s family and He has a plan for each of them.

  • Jill Wulf, the daughter of a pastor, grew up in South Carolina, Florida, Alaska, Washington, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree from Lancaster Bible College and continued her education at Alvernia University receiving her elementary and special education teaching certifications. She has taught at public and Lutheran schools for 15 years. She is married and has two children, who both attended Trinity Lutheran School.

  • Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

  • I love that we can talk about Jesus at any time during the day!

  • Ali Manning started her life in Illinois and later moved as a Middle Schooler to Florida.  It was during this time that she realized her true calling to pursue becoming a teacher.  She attended the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!) where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.  Mrs. Manning was later selected for and graduated with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education with a focus on Math, Science and Technology.  She has taught for close to 20 years in both the public schools and as a called teacher in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.  She is married and has 3 children. They have been blessed to have seen the beauty in God's creation both in the land and the people by living in Montana, Oregon, Wisconsin and Florida.  They look forward to calling Minnesota their new home. Mrs. Manning enjoys digging into God's Word, serving her family and her church.  She looks forward to serving at Trinity Lutheran School.

  •  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

    Romans 8:38-39

  • She is excited to learn more and grow with us.

  • Jeremiah 29:11 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                              

  • Trinity is my home away from home.  I feel respected, loved, and listened to.  I love being able to share my faith , knowledge and love of reading with everyone that enters my room.

  • Chelsea grew up in Michigan and graduated from Concordia University - Chicago with a Music Education degree. She previously taught in Houston, Texas, as a Fine Arts and Band Teacher Lutheran North Academy, and at four different Lutheran middle schools for three years. Her and her husband, Jack, are both excited to be back in the Midwest and closer to family. One of her favorite things to talk about is her two cats and their silly personalities

  • Isaiah 40:31

    but those who hope in the Lord

        will renew their strength.
    They will soar on wings like eagles;
        they will run and not grow weary,
        they will walk and not be faint.

  • I look forward to connecting more with the staff and students as time goes on. When I moved up, I met so many friendly faces and I cant wait to deepen those connections.

  • Jennifer Kinkade grew up in Breckenridge, Texas where she attended school there and graduated in 1994.  Then attended Ranger College, in Ranger, Texas. Relocated to Waseca, MN where she spent the last 18 years working for Waseca public schools in the early childhood department. Her passion has always been working with children.

    She and her husband Jim, reside in Waseca and have been married 27 years and so blessed with a son and daughter in law who both also work in education for the Mounds View district. Jennifer and Jim are eagerly anticipating being grandparents to twin boys this spring 2025!

    Jennifer’s hobbies include: scrapbooking, geneology, history books, cooking, yardwork, fishing, lake time with family.

    And I feel so blessed to be part of the Trinity school family, thank you for welcoming me!

  • For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and of a sound mind.

      2 Timothy 1:7.

  •  What is not to love! Such a wonderful environment of faith- filled coworkers who feel like family. What a blessing to be able to share your faith in Jesus and pray freely with the students. What a gift it is to work with kids and tell them each day how much God loves them!

  • After growing up in Frankenmuth, MI, Mrs. Harting graduated from Concordia College in Ann Arbor, MI, with a BA in Education and a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma. She also has Evangelical Lutheran Synod Teacher Certification. For the past forty years she has continued being a student herself while serving as a teacher to students of all ages in church, private, public, and home education.

     

    She and her husband Robert have been married over forty years and have been blessed with five children and five grandchildren. They are members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church­ Smiths Mill and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church-Alma City where he serves as a dual parish WELS pastor.

     

    Dawn has a passion for Christian education which began for her when her parents transferred her to St. Lorenz Lutheran School in fifth grade. During that same year, Dawn and her brothers were baptized, and her life was transformed by Christ's love and forgiveness.

  • "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go," Joshua 1:9, Dawn's confirmation verse

  • Children are a gift from the Lord. The opportunity to share Christ's love and forgiveness every day with children is joy-filled service to families. Providing children with a well-balanced strong academic education centered in Christ's truth, goodness and beauty is providing them with the tools they need to live a fulfilling Christian life physically, socially, morally, and spiritually.

  • I have been teaching elementary school since 1996. I graduated from Mankato State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and then got a Master’s degree at Cal Baptist in 2004 in Education. I live in Owatonna, MN and married to Andy Steel. I have 4 children, two of them have graduated from MSU as well. I have been teaching at TLS since 2018 in second grade. I am a proud mom of 5 bunnies and a hamster.

    I also have my own photography business in Owatonna, called Steel the Moment Photography. My hobbies are gardening, camping, photography, reading a good book.

  • Yes, he will give a command to his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.. Psalm 91:11

  • The staff is so wonderful to work with! We are like a family and help each other no matter what. I also get to express my faith in God and pray openly with my students.