At First Lutheran School, the staff’s care for children goes beyond simple or programmed techniques. Their caring stems wholeheartedly from their commitment to model Jesus Christ. They teach joyfully by words and deeds. 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 | Teachers | Staff

Administration

	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 2005. 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 before enrolling at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He and his wife Gretchen have two children: Kate, a current FLS student, and Sophia, a future student. Pastor Roberts is also the campus pastor for Lutheran students at the University of Tennessee.
	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, and Tracie, who have graduated from First Lutheran, and Joy currently a student. 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 A native Tennessean, Penny Wright was born in Knoxville in 1963 and has lived in Strawberry Plains since. Mrs. Wright and her husband, Roger, came to First Lutheran after searching for a school where their son, Roger, would receive a Christian education. She has volunteered at FLS, worked in the ECE as a teacher, and has taught library and arts in the school before returning to the ECE as director in 2008. She has earned her CDA (Certificate in Child Development) from Roane State Community College and has taken Early Childhood Administration classes. Mrs. Wright is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children, the Southern Early Childhood Association, the Anderson Area Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Knoxville Area Association for the Education of Young Children.
	Kim Smith, Administrative Assistant 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.

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 two children, three dogs, and two cats. She enjoys camping and hiking, gardening, reading, music, and going to the movies.
	Melanie Lelle, ECE 4 Melanie Lelle volunteered at First Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center for more than a year and has taught in the Early Childhood Education Center and Kindergarten since 2000. She is an active member of First Lutheran Church, is the chair of the youth board, and has taught Sunday school with the children. Four of Mrs. Lelle’s children have graduated from First Lutheran, and her youngest is still a student there. Mrs. Lelle is married to John and she enjoys being with her family, reading, and swimming.
	Marion Samuel, ECE 4 Marion Samuel has served at FLS since 1991. She has worked in the ECE program, after-school care, summer camp, and as a teacher’s aide. She has earned her CDA (Certificate in Child Development) from Roane State Community College. She is currently attending Pellissippi to continue her Early Childhood Education. 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.
	Christina Boatman, Begindergarten Christina Boatman has worked at First Lutheran ECE as an aide and 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.
	Laura Broyles, ECE afternoon session Laura Broyles 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. Laura is a student at Carson-Newman College, where she is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education. When she isn’t at school or at work, Laura enjoys music and plays both violin and piano. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and walking her dogs.
	Meghan Bushur, ECE afternoon session Meghan Bushur has worked at First Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center and First Lutheran Summer Day Camp since 2006. Meghan is an active member of First Lutheran Church, a First Lutheran School alumna, and a current student 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.”
	Jessie Irwin, ECE afternoon session Jessica Irwin has worked in the ECE after-school program since 2006. Jess is a senior at UT working on getting her degree in English literature with a minor in women’s studies. She is the daughter of the first- and second-grade teacher, Kay Irwin, and she has spent many years assisting her mother in her classroom from setting up to working with the students. Born in Dallas, Texas, Jess also lived 4 years in Idaho before moving to Knoxville with her family. Her free time is spent with her dogs, which she shows, and reading British literature.
	Roger Wright, After School Care Roger Wright has worked at First Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center, First Lutheran Child Care and Summer Day Camp 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 sophomore at the University of Tennessee where he 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, plays saxophone and piano, and enjoys reading and swimming.
	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.
	Kay Irwin, First and Second 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.
	Julie Haynes, Third Julie Haynes has taught at First Lutheran School since 2007. Mrs. Haynes’ teaching experience includes five years as a certified Reading Recovery teacher, eight years teaching first grade, and one year teaching fourth grade. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville. Before coming to First Lutheran, she taught at Grand Oaks Elementary in Clinton, Tenn. She thoroughly enjoys being able to share her love of Jesus with her students. She is blessed with husband, Howard, and son, Jackson, who attends First Lutheran. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Haynes enjoys working on her scrapbook, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
	Tim Wolfram, Fourth and Fifth 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.
	Jenny Cooper, Middle School (6th grade homeroom, math, and literature) Jenny Cooper has taught at FLS since 1995. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Ed. from Concordia, Seward, and her Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. She taught 5th grade for 7 years, then took two years off to be with her family, and returned to the Middle School grades in 2004. She is married to Doug and they have two children, both of whom attend FLS. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Cooper is playing with her children and animals on the farm.
	Karen Tessendorf, Middle School (8th grade homeroom, English, and history) Karen Tessendorf has been teaching in Lutheran schools for 29 years. 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 and three sons-in-law. The oldest three daughters, Holly, Kari, and Tracie, are FLS graduates. Joy is currently a student at FLS. 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, Band and Library and Art, 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.
	Janelle Coleman, Spanish Janelle Coleman has taught Spanish I and II at Karns High School for three years. She has a bachelor's degree in both Spanish and English, as well as a master's degree in teacher education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Spanish literature at UT. This year will be her first year of teaching Spanish at First Lutheran School. When she's not teaching at FLS, Ms. Coleman enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and learning guitar.
	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.

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/Second 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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