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

Mrs. Erin Berlin

Mrs. Erin Berlin

Position: 5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Berlin was born and raised in Bloomington, Illinois. She graduated from Illinois State University with an Elementary Education degree and an endorsement in Reading. She and her husband are blessed with four children.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Contact Mrs. Berlin:
erinberlin@trinluth.org

Mrs. April Myers

Mrs. April Myers

Position: Music

Mrs. Myers graduated from Illinois State University in the spring of 2000 with a BA in Music Education. She started her teaching career in the Chicago suburbs as a K-4 music teacher and continued as a Pre-K-12th grade music teacher when she moved back to Bloomington in 2003. After starting a family in 2008, she decided to teach music part-time at the high school level. Mrs. Myers lives with her husband Josh and their children Gracie and Simon.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Contact Mrs. Myers:
aprilmyer@trinluth.org

Mrs. Jill Peters

Mrs. Jill Peters

Position: 3rd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Peters has been at Trinity since graduating from Concordia University Chicago with a BA in Elementary Education in May 2007. She was raised on a farm near Cissna Park, IL. She and her husband John along with their four children, Adelynn, Konnor, Emmie and Beckett, live in the country outside of Atlanta. Mrs. Peters is so blessed to be a Child of God, a part of the Trinity family, and to share the love of Jesus!

Favorite Bible Verse:
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Contact Mrs. Peters:
jillpete@trinluth.org

Mrs. Sara Urban

Mrs. Sara Urban

Position:  2nd Grade Teacher

Originally from Minnesota, Mrs. Urban graduated from of Concordia University Wisconsin with a Bachelor's degree in elementary/early childhood education. She first taught kindergarten in Florida before moving to Illinois. Sara Urban has been a member of the TLS faculty since 1996. At Trinity she taught first grade for a few years and before moving up to second grade. In 2007, Mrs. Urban received her Master’s degree from Illinois State University in curriculum & instruction of reading. Sara is married to Ron and they are parents of Brady ('05) & Kingston ('13). She loves watching her students grow academically and spiritually.   

Favorite Bible Verse: 
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Contact Mrs. Urban:  
saraurban@trinluth.org

Ms. Sara Brewer

Ms. Sara Brewer

Position: Technology Teacher

I have been at Trinity Lutheran School since 2001. I have four wonderful kids. My two youngest have been at Trinity since Kindergarten. I was born and raised in Bloomington Il. I attended Bloomington High School and later worked there for 12 years before coming to Trinity.

Favorite Bible Verse: 
Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God”

Contact Ms. Brewer: 
sarabrewer@trinluth.org

Mrs. Julie Hoffmann

Mrs. Julie Hoffmann

Position:  Junior High Language Arts

Mrs. Hoffmann has been at Trinity since August 2001. She was raised in Elmhurst, IL, and graduated from Concordia University Chicago with a BA in Secondary Education in 1998. She and her husband, Shawn, have the joy of serving together at Trinity.  They are blessed with four wonderful children.

Favorite Bible Verse:  
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Contact Mrs. Hoffmann:  
juliehoff@trinluth.org

Mrs. Gretchen Buhrke

Mrs. Gretchen Buhrke

Position: 1st Grade Teacher

Gretchen graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, in 2002 with a degree in Elementary Education and received her Master's in Reading from Illinois State University in 2007. Mrs. Buhrke completed coursework at the University of San Diego in 2016 to become a Certified Dyslexia Specialist in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. She is blessed to have a loving husband, Brad, and son, Marshall. Gretchen wants to thank God for the gift of first graders because they are a joy to teach.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself, each day has enough trouble of its own.” God has a plan.

Contact Mrs. Buhrke:  
gretchenbuhrke@trinluth.org

Mrs. Christy Malinowski

Mrs. Christy Malinowski

Position: Religion Teacher

Christy has a real heart for youth and enjoys helping them use their God given gifts and talents in service to Him.  She serves the Jr. and Sr. High Youth at Trinity, along with their families.  Christy also loves to go on mission trips where she can use her gift of serving in a variety of ways.

Christy is married to her handsome husband, Jeff, and together they have three wonderful children; Kristin, Chad and Claire.

Christy enjoys being silly with youth, reading, scrapbooking and watching her daughter, Claire, compete at swim meets.

Favorite Bible Verse: 
Romans 8:37-39
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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."

Contact Mrs. Malinowski: 
Christy@trinluth.org