Mrs. Amber Thomas

Mrs. Amber Thomas

Position: KEY Team Coordinator

Mrs. Thomas was born and raised in Fairbury, Illinois. She graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Reading. She has over 10 years of experience teaching at the elementary level. Mrs. Thomas and her husband, Mike, have been blessed with twins, Millie and Presley.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Contact Mrs. Thomas:
amberthomas@trinluth.org

Ms. Rebekah Willey

Ms. Rebekah Willey

Position: Junior High Social Studies, English

Rebekah has been teaching at Trinity since 2025. She feels incredibly blessed to be teaching at her former grade school alongside former teachers as well as being able to help coach cross country. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a B.S. in Middle School Social Studies Education in December 2024 (Go Redhawks!).

Favorite Bible Verse:
Isaiah 41:10
”Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Contact Ms. Willey:
rebekahwilley@trinluth.org

Mrs. Stefanie Endress

Mrs. Stefanie Endress

Position: Junior High Science

Mrs. Endress has been at Trinity since August 2023. She graduated from Greenville University in Greenville, IL with a Bachelors in Elementary Education. She and her husband are blessed with four wonderful children.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Psalm 103:1-5
”Bless the LORD, on my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Contact Mrs. Endress:
stefanieendress@trinluth.org

Mrs. Megan Colba

Mrs. Megan Colba

Position: Art Teacher

Mrs. Colba is so grateful that God has led her here to teach at Trinity. His plans are always more creative and interesting than anything we can come up with on our own! Originally from Danville, IL, she moved to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and graduated with a BA in English Education and a BA in Creative Writing: Poetry. She later completed schooling to become a Learning Behavior Specialist, and has enjoyed her experience teaching a variety of subjects and students (Trinity is her favorite!).

Mrs. Colba is married to a Trinity alum, Scott, and they have 2 little children together, Frankie and Lillie. They enjoy being a part of Trinity's music ministry together, as well as kayaking, hiking, and any kind of wandering around outside, exploring and being looky-loos. Mrs. Colba also loves silly humor, art-ing, singing, dancing, music, reading, animals, and food- especially coffee, Thai food or anything sweet.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Numbers 6:24-26
"May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look upon you with favor and bring you His peace."

Contact Mrs. Colba:
megancolba@trinluth.org

Mrs. Karen Grotbo

Mrs. Karen Grotbo

Position: Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Grotbo was born and raised in Bloomington, IL. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her B.A. in the Teaching of Spanish. During college, she studied abroad in Granada, Spain. She then taught at University High School in Normal for 3 years and earned her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University. After spending several years outside of Illinois, Mrs. Grotbo and her husband, Andy, decided to return to Bloomington to raise their three children. Mrs. Grotbo owns The Language Spot, a language school in Bloomington, where she has taught all ages and levels of Spanish. When not teaching, she can be found watching her children play sports or out walking her Australian Labradoodle. She also loves reading and traveling.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 4:8
”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Contact Mrs. Grotbo: 
karengrotbo@trinluth.org

Mrs. Angella Riddle

Mrs. Angella Riddle

Position: Transitional Kindergarten

Mrs. Riddle graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in education and worked with Kindergarten and first-grade students in Unit 5 for seven years. She then took a break from teaching to support her family and raise her three children. She has been back in the classroom at Trinity and loves helping young children make their first years of school a positive, welcoming experience for both them and their families.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Contact Mrs. Riddle:
angellariddle@trinluth.org

Mrs. Kelly Windhorn

Mrs. Kelly Windhorn

Position: 3rd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Kelly Windhorn was raised in Downers Grove, IL, and graduated from Illinois State University with a BA in Secondary History Education in 2007. She and her husband, Jarrod, have been blessed with two children, Alexis and Parker, both graduates of TLS. Mrs. Windhorn spent time focusing on her kids and was heavily involved as a parent volunteer at Trinity through the Parent Teacher League, before becoming a Substitute Teacher in 2024. Mrs. Windhorn is blessed to continue to serve the Trinity family as a third grade teacher!

Favorite Bible Verse:  
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."

Contact Mrs. Windhorn:
kellywind@trinluth.org

Mrs. Mary Bloebaum

Mrs. Mary Bloebaum

Position: Junior High Religion

Mary is passionate about Family Life Ministry and gets to partner with families to help intentionally pass on the faith to the next generation through various ministries: Faith Milestones, Trinity Kids, Youth, and Marriage Ministry. She loves getting to teach about faith in Jesus at the school in a variety of ways—through religion, chapels, devotions, coaching, and simply being present.

She earned her Director of Christian Education (DCE) certification and degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University Chicago in 1998 and her master’s degree in Family Life Ministry from Concordia University, Nebraska, in 2006. Since her DCE internship at Trinity in 1997, she has been blessed to call this place home and these people family, where she continues to grow as a loved and forgiven child of God.

She is thankful for her husband and teammate, Brett, along with the rest of their team, daughters Nora and Jane. She is also very grateful for the Trinity team around them!

Favorite Bible Verse:  
Psalm 126:3

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Contact Mrs. Bloebaum:
marybloebaum@trinluth.org

Mrs. Kristi Tempestini

Mrs. Kristi Tempestini

Position: Pre-Kindergarten Teacher & STEM

Mrs. Tempestini graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and master's degree in STEM Education and Leadership. She has lived in Bloomington, Illinois her entire life and has a deep love for the community. Teaching is her passion and she feels blessed to be a part of Trinity Lutheran School teaching staff since 2022.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Hebrews 11:1
”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Contact Mrs. Tempestini: 
kristicollins@trinluth.org

Mrs. Cortney Schmidgall

Mrs. Cortney Schmidgall

Position: 4th Grade

Mrs. Schmidgall had the opportunity to teach in public schools for ten years before coming to Trinity Lutheran School in 2021. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2010 and received a Masters Degree from University of Illinois at Springfield in 2014. Mrs. Schmidgall and her husband, Caleb, are blessed with two beautiful children, Brinley and Jax.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 4:13
”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Contact Mrs. Schmidgall:
cortneyschmidgall@trinluth.org