Mrs. Melissa Rock

Mrs. Melissa Rock

Position: 2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Rock is originally from Decatur.  She graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Nebraska in 1987 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  She completed her M.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1994.  She has taught at Christ Lutheran in Peoria, Illinois, Christ Lutheran in Norfolk, Nebraska, and St. John Lutheran in Champaign, Illinois before being called to serve Trinity in 2003.  She has taught 2nd and 3rd grade, plus 1 year of 5th grade during her years in education.  She is married to Steve, and they live in Le Roy with their four-legged children.  She enjoys serving the children and families at Trinity.  She enjoys exercising, reading, counted cross-stitch, and gardening; as well as watching the Cardinals, Illini, and NASCAR.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 4:13
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  

Contact Mrs. Rock: 
melissarock@trinluth.org

Pastor David McBurney

Pastor David McBurney

Position:  Associate Pastor and
Discipleship Teacher

Pastor David, a BLO-NO native, graduated from both Normal Community High School and Illinois State University (BS in Journalism and MS in Speech Communication.) After teaching communication courses at both Heartland Community College (92-93) and ISU (94-04), he and his family moved to St. Louis where David began his studies at Concordia Seminary to become a pastor. After being ordained in ‘08, David served at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in South St. Louis County as both associate pastor (08) and senior pastor (09-20). In 2020, he returned to BLO-NO to focus on two ministry passions: outreach and young adults. As a pastor, David attempts to preach God’s Word faithfully and passionately, to create tangible opportunities to share the love of Jesus with our community, to foster mentoring opportunities for mentoring, and to strengthen current and create new ministry partnerships. David and his wife Jennifer, who married in ‘93, are blessed with two sons: Keenan, a 2020 graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology who is working on his masters in structural engineering at the same school, and Lyle, a future graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin (23), who desires to be a Christian counselor.

Favorite Bible Verse:  
Matthew 11:28-30 
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Contact Pastor David:
pastordavid@trinluth.org

Mrs. Laura Busse

Mrs. Laura Busse

Position: Early Childhood Director and Key Team Coordinator

Mrs. Busse has been at Trinity since August 1995. She was raised in Waverly, IA, and graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska (twice!) with a BS in Education in 1984 and a Masters in Early Childhood Education and Administration in 2006. She and her husband, Kurt, have the joy of serving together at Trinity, and they have two grown children and two granddaughters.

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

Contact Mrs. Busse: 
laurabuss@trinluth.org
309-829-7513

Mrs. Gayle Dietsch

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:  Athletic Director & Junior High Math & PE

Mr. Busse has been at Trinity since August of 1995.  He was raised near Ft. Wayne, IN, attended Lutheran schools there (Wyneken, then Concordia H.S.) before attending Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska where he received his BS in Education.  In 1990 he completed his Masters in Administration at Concordia University, River Forest (Chicago).  He and his wife, Laura, have two grown children and have enjoyed serving together at Trinity.  Sola Deo Gloria.

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 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:  Junior High Social Studies 

Mr. Bell graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in December of 2008. He began teaching here at TLS in August of 2009. In addition to teaching, Mr. Bell helps coach Varsity Boys Basketball, and is the Golf Coach. 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

Ms. Kristi Collins

Ms. Kristi Collins

Position: Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Collins graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelors in Elementary Education. 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.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Luke 11:9
”And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Contact Ms. Collins: 
kristicollins@trinluth.org

Mr. Shawn Hoffmann

Mr. Shawn Hoffmann

Position:  School Principal

Shawn Hoffmann is a 1995 graduate of Concordia University in River Forest. He has served as an administrator at Trinity since 2004. Previous to being principal, he taught 5th-8th grade science. Trinity is Shawn's first Call and he is so very thankful for the opportunity to serve here among some of the greatest parents, faculty, and staff he has ever met. To God be the Glory!

Favorite Bible Verse: 
Romans 8:35, 38-39  
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 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 Mr. Hoffmann:  
shawnhoff@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