About Us

Growing in Christ, Step by Step.

At Christ Lutheran School, our mission is to provide a safe, loving environment where children grow in Christ through every lesson, friendship, and discovery. We weave faith into education by nurturing young hearts with biblical truths, fostering curiosity with hands-on learning, and guiding students from preschool to middle school to become compassionate, confident individuals who shine God’s light in the world.

A place to grow. A place to shine bright.

Faith-First Learning: Every subject is infused with Christian values, helping students see God’s love in math, science, and beyond.

Family Feel: Our tight-knit community ensures every child is known and cherished, creating a home away from home for preschoolers to middle schoolers.

Whole-Child Growth: From chapel time to creative play, we nurture spiritual, academic, and social growth tailored to each age.

Caring Mentors: Our dedicated teachers don’t just educate—they inspire and guide kids to live out their faith every day.

Our Beliefs

Rooted in Faith, Built on Christ

The Bible is the true Word of God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. This means that God breathed into the writers the exact thoughts and words they were to write. As a result, every statement in the bible is the truth. One part of the Bible explains another part. It is the only guideline for the faith and life of Christians. We are to read and study it diligently. It clearly teaches all we need to know in order to obtain Eternal salvation.

2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:15, Luke 11:28, John 5:39, John 17:13-17

There is only one true God. This God is invisible, holy, eternal, and has all power and wisdom. In the Bible, God reveals himself as three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is why he is called “Triune.” These three persons in one God are all God. They are equal in power, glory, and in every other quality. To deny or ignore one person is to deny all of them. It is God who created, redeemed, and sanctified us.

Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19, John 5:23, Genesis 1:1, 1 John 2:2; Romans 15:13

The first man and woman lost the image of God when they gave in to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed God’s command. This brought on them the judgment of God. Since that time, all people are conceived and born in sin, desire to do what is evil, and are dead spiritually. Therefore, we are unable to reconcile ourselves to God by our own efforts and deeds.

Genesis 2:17; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1; John 3:6; Psalm 5:4; Romans 5:12; 1 John 3:4; Romans 8:7,8

Jesus Christ is the Savior of everyone. He is the eternal Son of God, equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is also the son of the Virgin Mary. He became a man to redeem all people. Taking our place, he lived a perfect life, keeping the law of God for us. He also died as our innocent substitute on the cross to pay a price sufficient for everyone’s sin. After rising from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven. On the Last Day, he will judge all the people who are still living and those whom he will raise from the dead.

1 John 5:20; Matthew 1:23; Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 1:4; Acts 10:42

Our Staff

Andrew Mantz

Principal
7th & 8th Grade Teacher

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Andrew was born and raised in West Bend, WI. He graduated from Martin Luther College in 2021. During that summer, he married Emily, who also graduated from Martin Luther College in the same year. They first taught at Christ the King in Palm Coast, FL. Andrew taught 5th grade for one year and then transitioned to 8th grade and middle school science for the next two years. During those two years, he was also Assistant Principal and Activities Director. In 2024, he was called to Christ Lutheran to be the Assistant Principal and 7th & 8th grade teacher. The Mantzes enjoy taking their dogs to the dog park as well as going to St. Paul Saints games. They also enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Dyllan Jensen

Athletic Director/
5th & 6th Grade Teacher

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Dyllan was born in St. Paul, MN, but grew up in southeast Wisconsin. He graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School in 2010 and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2015. He double-majored in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Since graduating, he has served in various roles (Principal, Athletic Director, Upper Grades Teacher) in Sioux Falls, SD from 2015-2019, Delano, MN from 2019 – 2023, and Tacoma, WA from 2023-2025. He is excited to join the Christ Lutheran staff as the 5th-6th grade teacher along with Athletic Director. Dyllan married Lizz (the current Preschool Director) in 2015 and is blessed with three children Reese, Charlotte, and Maddox. He also has two dogs Lekkas and Mikko and lives in Cottage Grove. If Dyllan isn’t at school, you can find him with his family at sporting events, the zoo, or just hanging out with his family and friends.

Sarah Krueger

4th Grade Teacher

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Sarah grew up across the United States, living in Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana, California, and Texas. Because of this, she attended a variety of schools, including WELS, public, and a Baptist school when no WELS option was nearby. She graduated from Stony Point High School in Texas and went on to attend Martin Luther College, earning degrees in Elementary Education and Secondary Social Studies with an emphasis in Communication and Language.

While at MLC, Sarah met her husband, Seth, and they were married in 2015. During Seth’s seminary training, Sarah taught in several Lutheran schools, including Trinity Lutheran in Waukesha, Westside Christian School in Madison, and Trinity Lutheran in West Bend, teaching a wide range of upper and middle grade subjects.

After receiving calls to Mt. Olive in Overland Park, Kansas, Sarah continued teaching while Seth served as pastor. They are blessed with their daughter, Avery, and two cats, Poppy and Bella. The Krueger family enjoys traveling, visiting zoos and local markets, and spending time together.

Karen Schacht

3rd Grade Teacher

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Karen grew up in St. Paul, MN, and is a 1981 graduate of St. Croix Lutheran High School. She then attended Martin Luther College and graduated in 1985. After graduation, she and her husband moved to Washington State. Her first call was to Evergreen Lutheran High School, where she taught until 1991. She has been teaching at Christ Lutheran since 1997. Karen and her husband Brent live in Star Prairie, WI, where they love to spend time boating and fishing. They also love spending time with their grandson and family.

Emilee Friebe

2nd Grade Teacher

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Emilee grew up in New Ulm, MN. She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2016. She received her first call to Grace Lutheran in St. Joseph, MI. While there, she taught Kindergarten. In 2018, she accepted a call to teach 2nd grade at Christ Lutheran. Emilee puts together the yearbook, coaches the C team basketball, and is in charge of the school plays/musicals. Emilee married Alex Friebe in June 2018. They were blessed with a baby boy, Logan, in October 2021, and a baby girl, Violet, in June 2024. During breaks from school, you can find the Friebes traveling to new places and enjoying fun cuisines.

Rebecca Gervais

1st Grade Teacher

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Rebecca grew up in Boomer, WI. She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2014. Her first call was here to Christ Lutheran Church, but to teach the two-year-olds at Cornerstone, and she was there for 11 years before accepting the call to teach first grade here at Christ Lutheran School. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, along with reading and doing other crafty things.

Barb Polzin

Kindergarten Teacher

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Barb grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Campbellsport, WI. She graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She has taught all grades, Kindergarten-8th grade, at one time or another in Algoma, WI, and Nicollet and Mankato, MN, including 12 years of kindergarten at Trinity, Nicollet, and a year of kindergarten at Lincoln Center Elementary in South St. Paul. She has enjoyed being a supervisor for pre-service teachers from Martin Luther College since 2001. In 2016, Barb completed coursework for a K-12 reading Specialist license at the University of Minnesota. Barb is currently serving as the kindergarten teacher at Christ Lutheran. She is a parent of three and a grandparent of four. She enjoys spending time with family, walking, reading, and being active in professional organizations, such as the Minnesota Reading Association.

Lizz Jensen

Preschool Director
and Teacher

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Lizz was born in Spokane, Washington, but grew up in Juneau, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and graduated in 2010 with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education. Lizz completed WELS Synod Certification in 2020. Her teaching journey began by teaching 4-K in Wisconsin, Early Childhood Center Director at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Preschool Director and Teacher at Mt Olive in Delano, Minnesota, and 1 st -2 nd Grade in Tacoma, Washington. Lizz is married to Dyllan (Christ Lutheran’s 5 th - 6 th grade teacher) and they have 3 children: Reese – 8, Charlotte – 6, and Maddox – 5. When Lizz is not at school, she loves to read, watch cooking shows, and spend time with her family.

Ann Ponath

Music and Language Arts Teacher & Church Music Coordinator/Lead Organist

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Ann Ponath serves part-time as Christ Lutheran’s Music and Language Arts teacher. She also serves as head organist and music coordinator for Christ Lutheran Church. The daughter of a pastor, Ann spent her first ten years in a mission church in South Windsor, CT. Later, she and her family moved to a larger congregation in Lake Mills, WI. She attended Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills, WI. In 1991, she graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN, with a Bachelor of Science in Education/English Subject Matter Major. Upon graduation, she was assigned to CLS as the third and fourth-grade teacher. From 1992-1995, as CLS continued to grow, she taught only fourth grade. In 1995, as her family began to grow, Ann started her work as a part-time teacher. She has continued her education at Concordia University, St. Paul, and with private organ lessons. Ann and her husband, David, an alumnus of CLS, live in Stillwater. They are blessed with two sons, two daughters, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Ann enjoys spending time with her family, reading, music, theater, walking, gardening, and traveling. She also enjoys writing and has contributed to the Christ-Light religion curriculum, In God’s Orchard, a women’s Bible study book, Lutheran Parent, Parents Crosslink, Forward in Christ, Stillwater Living, WELS Women’s Ministry, Christ Lutheran, and St. Croix Lutheran Academy publications.

Mark Wessel

Pastor & Catechism Teacher

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Pastor Wessel was born and baptized in Red Wing and raised in New Ulm, MN. He grew up with five siblings in a college home at Dr. Martin Luther College, where his father taught for over three decades. He attended Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982. Mark graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, in 1986 and was assigned to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran in Dowagiac, MI. There, God blessed them with three children: Laura, Ethan, and Samuel. The family later moved to Grove City, Ohio, for eight years, and most recently, Mark served as pastor in Sparta, WI. In the summer of 2016. The couple came to Christ Lutheran Church. Pastor Wessel and his wife enjoy serving God’s people through His Word and music. He also enjoys the outdoors, fishing, and sports.

Marcia Schuyler

Algebra 8, Food Service Director,
& Classroom Aide

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Marcia enjoys being an aide for the lower grades and watching the kids learn and develop skills they will use throughout their education. In like manner, Marcia loves math and algebra in particular. Algebra helps students develop their problem-solving skills as well as their ability to express their thought processes in a clear manner. These are skills that can be applied to other coursework as well as like skills. Marcia and her husband, Greg, are parents of 4 CLS alumni and are grandparents as well.

Julie Balk

Piano Teacher

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Julie Balk grew up on a dairy farm in Southeastern Minnesota. She graduated from Winona State University with a BS degree in music. Over the years she has been involved in teaching many different types of music, piano, band, choir, handbells, etc. She started with teaching band and choir at St. Croix Lutheran Academy and has stayed involved with music thru most of her career. Her focus is now on teaching piano and is truly enjoying it. In her spare time she sings in a barbershop chorus (City of Lakes), walks with friends and takes care of three cats and her husband.

Char Fogle

Administrative Assistant

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Char grew up in St. Paul Park, MN, and attended St. Andrew’s Lutheran Grade School. She graduated from St. Croix Lutheran High School (now St. Croix Lutheran Academy) and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in travel management from the University of Minnesota. Char has been the administrative assistant at CLS since 2003. She has been blessed with two daughters, two sons-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes are visiting her grandchildren and traveling with her family and friends.

Schedule Your Visit

Schedule your visit or get in touch! We would love to hear from you.

Location

2475 17th Ave E North St.
Paul, MN 55109

Call

(651) 777-1450

Office Hours

Mon-Fri, 8:30AM - 4:00PM

Schedule a visit

About Us

Growing in Christ, Step by Step.

A place to grow. A place to shine bright.

Rooted in Faith, Built on Christ

Our Staff

Schedule Your Visit

2475 17th Ave E North St.
Paul, MN 55109

(651) 777-1450

Mon-Fri, 8:30AM - 4:00PM

Address

Phone

About

Programs

Admissions

Resources

About Us

Growing in Christ, Step by Step.

A place to grow. A place to shine bright.

Rooted in Faith, Built on Christ

Our Staff

Schedule Your Visit

2475 17th Ave E North St. Paul, MN 55109

(651) 777-1450

Mon-Fri, 8:30AM - 4:00PM

About

Programs

Admissions

Resources

2475 17th Ave E North St.
Paul, MN 55109