School Staff
|
Principal Mr. George Kovtun | Mr. Kovtun is in his third year as Principal at St. Peters Lutheran school. George is a graduate of Lutheran High East formerly in Harperwoods, MI, graduated from Concordia University Ann Arbor with an Associate’s degree, and has a Bachelor's degree from Concordia University Seward. He has a major in Special Education and a minor in English literature. Mr. Kovtun has a Master’s degree as a Reading specialist from Concordia University Seward. George is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program at Wayne State University with a cognate in reading and a concentration in administration and statistics. He is currently ABD. Mr. Kovtun has a daughter, a son and five grandchildren. He is married to Linda who is a practicing RN. Mr. Kovtun has experience teaching from preschool to the college Graduate level. Prior to coming to St. Peter’s, he was Vice President for Campus Operations, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean, and Academic Dean at Davenport University Warren and associated campuses. He believes in an open door policy so students feel and know there is always a safe and open sanctuary for them. His confidence comes from the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 (LB) In everything you do, put God first and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. |
|
Administrative Assistant Mrs. Sue Ianitelli | Pending |
Administrative Assistant Mrs. Bonnie, Porter | Pending |
|
Nursery/Pre-School, Teacher Mrs. Laura Starnes | My name is Laura Starnes and I have been teaching at St. Peter’s since, September of 2002. I am the preschool and nursery school director/teacher. I am very blessed and thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to share his ministry here at St. Peter’s. My educational career started in Tennessee. I was born there and attended school until I was in the third grade. My family and I moved from there to Richmond Michigan. Which, is my mother’s hometown and St. Peter’s is the home congregation of many generations with in my family. It is here at St. Peter’s that I have been baptized and confirmed. I attended Richmond public schools through the 12th grade and continued my education at Concordia University Ann Arbor. There I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education with English and Speech communications as my minors. While at Concordia University I received scholarships in both soccer and softball and played all four years while at Concordia. Through softball I earned two National titles for Concordia University Ann Arbor. Softball is something that I still continue today and will for many years to come. To conclude, God has put me on this path that I travel with great confidence. Through his strength and guidance I will continue to do the work he has set forth for me. I enjoy my job as a teacher more than words can explain. There is nothing more rewarding to me, then to know that I have the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. Within a child’s smile, the Love of God can be felt. Thank You, Laura Starnes |
|
Classroom Aide NurseryPre-School Mrs. Darlene, Stern | Pending |
|
Kindergarten, Teacher Mrs. Paulette, Mills | Pending |
|
Classroom Aide Kindergarten Mrs. Charlene Shuboy | Pending |
|
First Grade, Teacher Mrs. Marilyn Schade | Pending |
|
Second Grade, Teacher Miss Chris Walz | Pending |
|
1st & 2nd Grade Classroom Aide Mrs. Barb Ballard | Pending |
Third Grade, Teacher Mrs. Mary Schmitz | Whoever would have thought that a goofy little third grader who couldn’t remember to put her name on her paper or how many feet are in a mile, would grow up to love being a Lutheran School teacher? I am currently the third grade teacher here at St. Peter’s. I attended Concordia, Ann Arbor for two years before transferring to Concordia in River Forest, Illinois. I graduated with a major in elementary education and English and a minor in curriculum construction. My first teaching experience was in a Lutheran School on the south side of Chicago. My classroom was half of the church’s old bowling alley. The Lord has blessed me with many adventures along my teaching path! Through the years, I have taught all the elementary grades except Kindergarten and 5th grade. I obtained a Masters of Education from Wayne State University and I have 11 credits toward an Education Specialists degree. For four years, I was honored to be the principal of a Lutheran school in Detroit. I teach for two main reasons. I love the Lord and I love children. |
|
Fourth Grade, Teacher Mr. Andy Contreras | Pending |
|
Fifth Grade, Teacher Mr. Andrew Wargo | Andrew Wargo is in his second year of teaching 5th Grade at St. Peter’s. Before that he taught six years at St. Luke Lutheran School in Clinton Township. Mr. Wargo graduated from Concordia University in River Forest in 2000. He is enrolled in the Graduate School at Saginaw Valley State University and is taking classes toward his Master’s degree. Mr. Wargo is a native of our area. His parents were living in Ray Township when he was born in 1978. His father, Paul, was one of the teachers that started Lutheran North. After Andrew was born his father became a pastor. He graduated from Trinity Lutheran Elementary school in Wyandotte, Michigan while his dad was the pastor there. He also attended Lutheran East when his dad became the principal and then Assistant Superintendent of the Lutheran High School Association. Andrew enjoys fishing, boating, and freighter watching at Harsens Island on Lake St. Clair. He also enjoys watching sports on TV with his two brothers, both Lutheran teachers, and spending time with his three nephews, the children of his sister and her husband who live in Clinton Township. He looks forward to many years here at St. Peter’s. |
|
Sixth Grade/Science, Teacher Mrs. Virginia Ellsworth | I am the sixth grade homeroom and middle school science teacher at St. Peter’s Lutheran School. I am in my 7th year of service at this congregation. I received my bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2000 and earned my master’s degree from Marygrove College in 2004. I love teaching science because I help students to discover so much about the world God made for them. I am also constantly learning about new discoveries in the world of science and am a member of the National Science Teachers Association. God’s blessings to each of you. |
|
Seventh Grade Language Arts, Teacher Mrs. Susan Klauer | Originally from a small town in New York, I received my bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany in 1983 with a double major in English and German, and a concentration in teaching. Junior year was spent studying in Wurzburg, Germany, which gave me the opportunity to meet and get to know my many German relatives. I moved to Armada, Michigan in 1983 to teach high school and be closer to family. I worked for several public school districts, including Armada, Romeo, Lake Orion, and Rochester. In 1986 I received my Master’s degree in Reading-Language Arts from Oakland University. At this time I also had my first Lutheran School experience, being contracted to teach German and English for Lutheran High School Northwest. It was this experience that made me realize what a Christ-centered education is and what an awesome opportunity for students and teachers alike. In 1987 I married Peter Klauer and we were blessed with two daughters, Allison (1990) and Amanda (1993). When my daughters were young, I taught Adult Education in the evenings at Armada High School for five years. In 1995 I taught upper elementary grades at Our Saviour Lutheran School in Armada and went to Concordia, Ann Arbor to receive my Lutheran Teacher’s Diploma from 1995-1997. In the summer of 2000 I was called to teach at St. Peter’s in Richmond. Teaching Middle School students is my joy, as I try to prepare them to transition from elementary school into high school. Presently my responsibilities at St. Peter’s include 7th grade homeroom, 6-8th grade English, and Algebra. I also teach fourth grade recorders and am part of the Middle School elective program, which gives me an opportunity to teach a variety of classes, including some German. Now in my 25th year of teaching, I am thankful to God for the wonderful opportunities and blessings He has given me through my students, their families and the staff I do ministry with every day. |
|
Eighth Grade Social Studies, Teacher Mrs. Katie Contreras | Pending |
7/8 Confirmation Instruction
Pastor Gerhardt Doroh
| Pending |
|
Art, Teacher Mrs. Pam Shira | Pending |
|
Physical Education, Instructor Mrs. Stacie Schmidt | Pending |
|
Music, Teacher Mrs. Mary Kay Dittman, | Pending |
Athletic Director Mrs. Kristin Abbott Not Pictured | Pending |
|
Enrichment Center Mrs. Janel Stier | Pending |
Computer/IT Support Mrs. Jackie V. Not Pictured | Pending |
|
Foor Service Mrs. MaryEllen Trautman | Pending |
HouseKeeping/Custodian Mrs. Lisa Storey | Pending |
Maintenance/Custodian Mr. Roger Bauman | Pending |
