At First Lutheran School, the staff’s care for children goes beyond simple or programmed techniques. Our caring stems wholeheartedly from our commitment to model Jesus Christ. We teach joyfully by words and deeds, and central to every caring act of every day is Christ’s love. When children learn they are loved by God and by others, they learn to love Him and each other.

Administration | K-8 Teachers | ECE Teachers | Staff | Pastors

Administration

	Roger Tessendorf, Principal and Middle School teacher (7th grade homeroom and science) Roger Tessendorf has taught at First Lutheran School since 1991. He has both a bachelors and masters degree in elementary education as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies in administration. He earned his bachelors degree from Concordia College, River Forest and his masters and certificate of advanced study from Illinois State University, Normal IL. His two main philosophies about education are that it is impossible to have a quality education without Christ and learning should be fun. Mr. Tessendorf is married to Karen and they have four daughters: Holly, Kari, Tracie, and Joy, all graduates of First Lutheran. He enjoys movies and time with his wife, and dreams of one day going with his wife and watching the aura borealis with his own eyes.
	Penny Wright, ECE Director Penny Wright was born in Knoxville and has lived in Strawberry Plains since. Mrs. Wright and her husbandcame to First Lutheran Church and School in 1993 searching for a school where their son would receive a sound Christian education. She volunteered in the classroom and the family began attending Church at First Lutheran. She was hired to teach in ECE, later serving as Curriculum Support Speciaiist, teaching library and visual arts and has come full circle returning to her passion in ECE as Director in 2008. Mrs. Wright's enrichment specialty at First Lutheran ECE is Art and Classical Music exposure. She attended Roane State majoring in Behavioral Sciences with enphasis on Early Childhood Education. She later earned her CDA (Certificate in Child Development) and is in the process of earning a TECPAC (Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential) which exceeds requirements for ECE Administration. Mrs. Wright is a member of several child advocacy groups including the National Association for the Education of Young Children. When not at school, she enjoys art, sketching, music and reading.
	Cathy Price, Development Director/Comptroller Cathy Price joined First Lutheran as Development Director/Comptroller in February 2009. Born and raised in Powell, she is a native to our area. She and her husband, Bob, have been married 22 years, and they have a daughter, Zoe, who attends First Lutheran School. Mrs. Price and her family have been members of First Lutheran Church since 1999. She served as youth leader for three years and treasurer for two years. Mrs. Price is truly dedicated to First Lutheran and is excited to be here to help the school grow and to share God’s love and His Word with all.
	Kim Smith, Administrative Assistant/Student Life Coordinator Kim Smith joined the staff of First Lutheran School as Administrative Assistant in 2008. Born and raised in Wisconsin, she settled in her husband’s hometown of Knoxville nearly 20 years ago. Gary and Kim have two children: Stacie, an alumna of First Lutheran and a student at Pellissippi State, and Taylor, a student here at First. Mrs. Smith and her children have been members of First Lutheran Church for nine years. She served on the Board of Christian Day School for two terms, and was a member of the church choir. As a church member and school parent, Mrs. Smith is genuinely eager to serve First Lutheran School by sharing the love of Christ and promoting a superior educational and spiritual experience for all of God’s children.

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K-8 Teachers

	Ann Bushur, Kindergarten Ann Bushur has taught kindergarten at First Lutheran School since 1998. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia, River Forest. Before coming to First Lutheran, Mrs. Bushur taught in several Lutheran and public schools in Illinois and Indiana. She is married to Paul, and they have four children: Bethany, Meghan, Thomas, and Abigail, all of whom attend or have graduated from FLS. When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Bushur loves to sing and play the piano and take long hikes with her family.
	Lindsey Knolhoff, First Lindsey Knolhoff joined the First Lutheran staff in 2009 as the new first grade teacher. She has an associate of arts degree from Kaskaskia College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia University, Chicago, and is originally from a small town in southern Illinois, where her parents still live. Miss Knolhoff has a younger brother who plays football at Eastern Illinois University. She loves to coach volleyball and basketball, and she enjoys the theater, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
	Julie Haynes, Second and Third Julie Haynes has been teaching at First Lutheran School since 2007. Mrs. Haynes taught in the public school system for ten years prior to joining us. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville. Her experience includes Reading Recovery, as well as first, third, and fourth grade. She thoroughly enjoys being able to share her love of Jesus with her students here at First. She is blessed with husband, Howard, and son, Jackson, who attends First Lutheran School. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Haynes enjoys painting, working on her scrapbook, and spending time with her family and friends.
	Erin Rodgers, Fourth Erin Rodgers came to First Lutheran School in 2009 to teach fourth grade. She has a bachelor's degree in Lutheran Elementary Education from Concordia University, Chicago, and is originally from Illinois. She has one sister and two wonderful parents who are also Lutheran educators. When she's not busy teaching, Miss Rodgers likes to play volleyball or anything active, knit, scrapbook, and spend time with family and friends.
	Kay Irwin, Fifth Kay Irwin has been teaching for 28 years. She has a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in River Forest, IL and has taught at Lutheran schools in Drayton Plains, Michigan, Dallas, Texas, and Nampa, Idaho, before coming to First Lutheran School in 2000. She is married to Michael, and they have two children: Jessica, a student at UT, and Joshua, a student at Central High School. When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Irwin raises, trains, and shows English cocker spaniels.
	Tim Wolfram, Middle School (6th grade homeroom, math, and history) Tim Wolfram has taught at First Lutheran School in three stints from 1971-78, 1986-90, and from 2000-present. FLS was his first teaching assignment out of college in 1971, and he returned twice after teaching in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Wolfram is married to Shirley and has four children, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He enjoys coaching and working with athletics at First Lutheran School.
	Roger Tessendorf, Principal and Middle School (7th grade homeroom and science) Roger Tessendorf has taught at First Lutheran School since 1991. He has both a bachelors and masters degree in elementary education as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies in administration. He earned his bachelors degree from Concordia College, River Forest and his masters and certificate of advanced study from Illinois State University, Normal IL. His two main philosophies about education are that it is impossible to have a quality education without Christ and learning should be fun. Mr. Tessendorf is married to Karen and they have four daughters: Holly, Kari, Tracie, and Joy, all graduates of First Lutheran. He enjoys movies and time with his wife, and dreams of one day going with his wife and watching the aura borealis with his own eyes..
	Karen Tessendorf, Middle School (8th grade homeroom, English, and literature) Karen Tessendorf has been teaching in Lutheran schools since 1979. She has had the privilege of teaching in grades 1-8, and currently serves in the eighth grade. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia, River Forest. She is married to Roger, and they have four daughters (all FLS alumni) and three sons-in-law. Mrs. Tessendorf, along with her husband Roger, has also taught in Lutheran schools in Texas, Iowa, and Illinois. Her hobbies are spending time with her family and sewing.
	Amanda Hillard, Library, Art, Band, and Choirs Amanda Hillard has taught at First Lutheran School since 2007. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN. Before coming to First Lutheran, Mrs. Hillard taught middle school band at Lascassas and Kittrell Elementary schools in Rutherford County in Tennessee, for 2 years. She is married to husband BJ and has an eight year old son, Austin. When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Hillard scrapbooks, decorates cakes, and is involved with many of her son’s extracurricular activities.
	Traci Roth, Computers Traci Roth teaches computer and technology skills for grades 6-8. She has a Bachelor's in elementary education and a master's in education and professional development. She taught elementary school for seven years, then worked for five years for a state service agency in Wisconsin as a curriculum and technology staff development specialist. After moving to Tennessee in 2004, she continued to facilitate professional development activities locally and for PBS TeacherLine. Traci is married to husband, Phil, and has two children. In addition to teaching computer skills, she is a full-time mom, volunteers at her children's schools and her church, takes adult karate lessons, and helps teach women's self-defense classes.

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ECE Teachers

	Shirley Eimmerman, ECE 3 Shirley Eimmerman has been working with children at First Lutheran School since 2002, first as a classroom aide and then as an ECE teacher. Originally from Maryland, Mrs. Eimmerman was raised in the Lutheran church and attended Lutheran schools through high school. She attended Broward Community College and the University of Mississippi, majoring in journalism/communications and working as the director of children’s ministries at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church before moving to Tennessee in 1996. She has earned her CDA (Certificate in Child Development) from Roane State Community College. Mrs. Eimmerman is married to Scott and they have three children, three dogs, and two cats. She enjoys camping and hiking, gardening, reading, music, and going to the movies. Mrs. Eimmerman's enrichment specialty at First Lutheran ECE is Science.
	Melanie Lelle, ECE 4 Melanie Lelle volunteered at First Lutheran ECE for more than a year before she began teaching there. In 2000, she served as aid in Kindergarten, then returned to ECE to teach three-year-olds. Her family attends First Lutheran Church, where she serves as chairperson of the Youth Board. Four of Mrs. Lelle’s children have graduated from First Lutheran, and her youngest is still a student here. Mrs. Lelle is married to John and she enjoys being with her family, reading, and swimming. Mrs. Lelle's enrichment specialty at First Lutheran ECE is Beginner Biographies.
	Marion Samuel, ECE 4 Marion Samuel has served at FLS since 1989 and her family has been longstanding members of First Lutheran Church. She has worked in the Child Care program, aided in ECE and progressed to her current status as ECE Teacher as well as teaching in the Summer Day Camp program. She attended Pellissippi State and Roane State, majoring in Early Childhood Education. She has earned her CDA (Certificate in Child Development) and is currently attending advanced Early Childhood education classes. Mrs. Samuel is married to husband Ben, and they have three children, all of whom graduated from FLS, and four grandchildren. In her spare time she spends time with her family. Mrs. Samuel's enrichment specialty at First Lutheran ECE is the Cherub Handbell Choir and Program Choir Director.
	Christina Boatman, Begindergarten Christina Boatman has served at First Lutheran ECE first as a teaching aide advancing to teacher since 1999. She attended Berea College, where she majored in economics, but later found that she enjoyed teaching preschool-aged children more than analyzing data. She is an active member of First Lutheran Church and lives in Knoxville with her husband, Gary, and her sons Robert, who currently attends FLS, and Jonathan. Mrs. Boatman's enrichment specialty with First Lutheran ECE is Music and Movement.
	Laura Broyles, ECE afternoon session Laura Broyles began serving as a volunteer in Kindergarten and was hired to work as a member of First Lutheran Summer Day Camp staff. She was extended a position in the ECE program where she has now served since 2006. She is an active member of First Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry. Laura is a senior at Carson-Newman College, where she is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education. She is a member of the Speech and Debate team and studies French. When she isn’t at school or at work, Laura enjoys music, playing both violin and piano. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and walking her dogs. Laura's enrichment specialty at First Lutheran ECE is working individually or in small groups with preschoolers that need extra assistance with skills development.
	Meghan Bushur, ECE afternoon session Meghan Bushur has worked at First Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center and First Lutheran Summer Day Camp since 2006. She is an active member of First Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee. Meghan is a First Lutheran School alumna, and a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, where she is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. Meghan enjoys singing, playing guitar and piano, as well as outdoor activities and volleyball. Meghan feels that the focus and center of everything is Jesus, and that she is living her “dream serving children and the Lord.” Meghan's enrichment specialty at First Lutheran ECE is Special Story Times and working individually or in small groups with preschoolers that need extra assistance with skills development.
	Roger Wright, After School Care Roger Wright has served as volunteer and then was extended a position at First Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center, Child Care and Summer Day Camp, where he has served since 2005. He is an active member of First Lutheran Church as well as Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee. He is a junior at the University of Tennessee double majoring in Classics and Chemistry and is in the Chancellor’s Honors Program. Roger attended First Lutheran School from preschool through eighth grade and graduated as valedictorian. He enjoys studying Latin, watching old movies, reading and activities outdoors.

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Staff

	Joy Witt, Head Cook Joy Witt has served as cook at First Lutheran School since 2001, and as head cook since 2002. She and her husband, Randy, have been married since 1987. They have a son who graduated from First Lutheran and a daughter who currently attends FLS. Joy enjoys reading, watching movies, cooking, and watching her children in their various sports activities. She enjoys preparing lunches and serving the children at First as they come to the cafeteria for their mid-day break and nutrition.
	Michelle Tillman, Assistant Cook and Athletics Director Michelle Tillman is a Knoxville native who was raised at First Lutheran Church & School. Graduating from FLS couldn’t keep Mrs. Tillman away: she has served as the assistant cook since 2002. All three of her children have attended FLS as well. When she’s not dishing delicious food out to the students, Mrs. Tillman likes to swim at the lake, go camping, and read.
	Laura Dudley, Kindergarten Aide Laura Dudley is the kindergarten aide starting with the 2008-2009 school year. She and her husband, James, moved to Knoxville in November 2007 from Dyersburg, Tennessee. Mrs. Dudley has a bachelor of science degree from Indiana University and is a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience. Her educational experience includes substitute teaching in high school and program coordinator and instructor at a community college in Tennessee. Mrs. Dudley has one daughter, a veterinarian medicine student at Purdue University. When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys learning about Knoxville and the surrounding communities, outdoor activities, baking, and reading.
	Lori Wiberley, First Aide Lori Wiberley has served as a classroom assistant since 2000. She has an associate’s degree in computer programming from Knoxville Business College. Mrs. Wiberley is a Knoxville native. She is married to husband Kurt, and they have three children, two of whom are graduates of FLS, and the youngest is a current student.

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Pastors

Rev. Paul Bushur, Superintendent Rev. Paul Bushur has served at First Lutheran Church and School since 1998. He is the school superintendent, teaches 8th grade religious confirmation, and leads chapel services in rotation with Pastor Roberts and the teachers. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia River Forest and an M. Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He and his wife, Ann, have four children: Bethany, Meghan, Thomas, and Abigail, all of whom have graduated from or currently attend FLS.

Rev. Derek Roberts, Associate Pastor Rev. Derek Roberts has served at First Lutheran Church and School since 2006. He teaches religion to the middle grades and prepares chapel worship on rotation with Pastor Bushur and the teachers. Born in Aberdeen, SD, Pastor Roberts completed his degree in kinesiology and biology at the University of Minnesota, and his M. Div. at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He and his wife Gretchen have two children: Kate and Sophia, both FLS students..Pastor Roberts is also the campus pastor for Lutheran students at the University of Tennessee.

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