Mrs. Gayle Dietsch

Mrs. Gayle Dietsch

Position: Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Dietsch was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She was blessed to attend Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and Milwaukee Lutheran High School in Wisconsin.  Mrs. Dietsch graduated from Concordia University Nebraska in December 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an Early Childhood Endorsement.   She was called to Trinity in August 2004 to teach Kindergarten.  Mrs. Dietsch and husband Dave have three children.  She enjoys being involved at church, reading, supporting her favorite Wisconsin sports teams, playing sports, and hanging out with family and friends.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 3:14
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Contact Mrs. Dietsch:  
gayledietsch@trinluth.org

Mr. Kurt Busse

Mr. Kurt Busse

Position:  Junior High Math

Kurt has been teaching at Trinity since 1995, serving as Athletic Director, 8th grade teacher, and instructing Jr. high math and PE classes. He retired in May 2026, but has returned part time to teach math in grades 6-8 this year. He and his wife (Laura), who also recently retired, have two children and two grandchildren in NC. They plan to join them sometime in the near future but that is all according to God's plans. To God be the glory.

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 Mr. Busse:
kurtbusse@trinluth.org

Mrs. Kathy Bahn

Mrs. Kathy Bahn

Position: 5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Bahn graduated from Concordia University Irvine, CA in 1988 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught in California for six years before moving to Bloomington with her husband Chuck. She spent time raising three children before returning to full time teaching at Trinity Lutheran School and has been here since 2004.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Contact Mrs. Bahn: 
kathybahn@trinluth.org

Mr. Dan Bell

Mr. Dan Bell

Position:  Athletic Director, Junior High Social Studies & PE

Mr. Bell graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in December of 2008. He began teaching at TLS in August of 2009. In addition to teaching, Mr. Bell coaches Varsity Boys Basketball and Golf. He has a loving wife Leslie, a daughter, Cameron, and a son, Peyton.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Contact Mr. Bell:
danbell@trinluth.org

Mrs. Toni Boomgarden

Mrs. Toni Boomgarden

Position: Speech Language Pathologist

Mrs. Boomgarden was a nurse before returning to school to obtain her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at Illinois State University. Upon graduating in 2009, she has had the opportunity to work in both public and private schools. She and her husband, John, have grown children, Samantha and Jason, and a new daughter-in-law, Meagan. She feels blessed to be able to help God’s kids find their voice.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Matthew 7:7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Contact Mrs. Boomgarden:  
toniboom@trinluth.org

Mrs. Heather Grieshaber

Mrs. Heather Grieshaber

Position: Early Childhood Director & Multi-Age Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Grieshaber graduated from the University of Illinois in 1999 with a degree in Education.  She taught and coached volleyball in Freeport, IL and South Lyon, MI for several years before staying home with her children.  In 2012 she began serving at TLS as the teacher aide in the Multi-Age classroom, and now currently serves as the Early Childhood Director and Multi-Age Preschool Teacher.  She and her husband, Chris, have been blessed with three wonderful children. 

Favorite Bible Verse:  
Psalm 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  

Contact Mrs. Grieshaber:
heathergrie@trinluth.org

Mrs. Andrea Carrel

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Mrs. Andrea Carrel

Position: 1st Grade Teacher

Andrea Carrel has taught first grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. Andrea graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She received a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University in 2014. She completed coursework at the University of San Diego in 2016 to become a Certified Dyslexia Specialist in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. She and her husband, Jeremy, have two beautiful girls; Elly and Bella and two handsome sons; Asher and Tytus. Andrea enjoys teaching first graders and their love for learning!

Favorite Bible Verse:
Isaiah 40:31
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Contact Mrs. Carrel:
andreacarr@trinluth.org

Mrs. Lisa Matejka

Mrs. Lisa Matejka

Position: Assistant Principal & Junior High Science & Math

Mrs. Lisa Matejka is a graduate of Eureka College and Illinois State University, with a bachelor’s of science in Mathematics (with Teacher Certification), and a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning, with a focus on using Design Thinking as a tool for integrated learning. Prior to joining the Trinity Lutheran School Family in 2015, Lisa taught mathematics, technology & engineering, and design; she is excited to bring each of those subjects into the junior high science classroom to enhance students’ understandings of the integrated nature of our world. Mrs. Matejka feels blessed by the opportunity to work with students, teachers, and families at TLS in order to help develop well-rounded, lifetime Christian disciples who have the skills needed to make a positive difference in God’s world. Mrs. Matejka and her husband, Wes, live in Bloomington, with their two children Nicolas (Cole), a 2021 graduate of TLS, and MacKenzie, a 2024 graduate of TLS. 

Favorite Bible Verse:  
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Contact Mrs. Matejka:
lisamate@trinluth.org

Ms. Jenna Stevenson

Ms. Jenna Stevenson

Position:  Junior High Language Arts

Jenna has been teaching since 2020 and started teaching at Trinity in 2022. Jenna loves teaching at her old school with her former teachers as well as helping coach the girls' basketball team with her dad, Tod Stevenson. She is thrilled she gets to work at a school where she can spread the love of Jesus to her students. She loves spending time with her son, T.J., going to the pool, and playing video games together. Jenna is also a big fan of anything Marvel, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, etc.

Favorite Bible Verse:
James 1:1-2
“Consider it PURE JOY whenever you face trials of any kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

Contact Ms. Stevenson: 
jennastevenson@trinluth.org

Mrs. Julie Higgins

Mrs. Julie Higgins

Position: Band Director

Mrs. Higgins graduated from Illinois State University with her Bachelors of Music Education in 2011 and her Masters of Music Education in 2015. She taught band in Naperville, IL for 7 years before returning to Bloomington, her hometown, with her husband and two beautiful boys, Erik and Brendan. Their newest addition, Emily Anne, was born in 2021. She feels blessed for the incredible opportunities God has provided for her family in Bloomington, especially the opportunity to instill a love of music and God in the students at Trinity Lutheran School.

Favorite Bible Verse: 
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

Contact Julie Higgins
JulieHiggins@trinluth.org