Ben Washburn - Principal
Ben Washburn
- Principal
- 262-673-3811 X209
- bwashburn@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. Ed. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
- M.S. Ed – Curriculum and Instruction – Concordia University Wisconsin
- Ed.D – Leadership and Innovation – Concordia University Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2013-Present – Principal, Peace Lutheran, Hartford, Wisconsin
- 2010-2013 – Principal, Apostles Lutheran, San Jose, CA
- 2005-2010 – Asst. Principal, Apostles Lutheran, San Jose, CA
- 2000-2005 – Asst. Principal, St. Mark Lutheran, Eau Claire, WI
- 1997-2000 – Dormitory Supervisor and Instructor, Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, WI
Service & Awards
- 2021-2022 – Concordia University Wisconsin Adjunct Professor
- 2016-2020 – Wisconsin Lutheran College Adjunct Professor
- 2016-2018 – WELS Commission on Youth and Family Ministry, Member
- 2015-2018 – WI Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference, Program Committee Member
- 2015-2018 – WELS Leadership Candidate Training Program, Mentor
- 2010-2015 – WELS National Leadership Conference, Steering Committee Member
- 2008-2010 – WELS Administrator Candidate Training Program, Mentor
- 2003-2005 – WELS Western WI Ministerial Educational Scholarship Committee, Member
- 2001- Eau Claire, WI Teacher of the Year
Personal Mission Statement
A Christian educator’s responsibility is to bring up a child in the knowledge and training of the Lord. A teacher’s goal should always be to teach a child how to learn, not just what to learn.
Sherman Carstensen - Vice Principal & 8th Grade
Mr. Sherman Carstensen
- 8th Grade
- 262-673-3811 ext. 208
- sdcarstensen@peacehartford.org
Education
- BS Education – Immanuel Lutheran College
- BS Math and Finance – UW Eau Claire
Ministry Experience
- 2022 – Present Peace Lutheran School
- 2021-2022 – Morning Star Lutheran School, Jackson, WI – Principal
- 2017-2021 – Immanuel Lutheran School, Mankato, MN – Grades 7-12
- 2015-2017 – Faith Lutheran School, Markesan, WI – Grades 3-7 8
- 2012-2015 – Trinity Lutheran School, Watertown, SD – Grades 3-7
Aaron Zingsheim - Middle School
Mr. Aaron Zingsheim
- 5-8 Science
- 7th Math
- Athletics
- 262-673-3811 ext. 111
- azingsheim@peacehartford.org
Education
- A.A. – Liberal Arts – UW Washington County
- B.S. – Elementary Education – UW Milwaukee
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience:
- 2022-Present – Peace Lutheran School
- 2017-2022 – Silverbrook Elementary, West Bend, WI – 5th Grade
- 2012-2017 – Whitman Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI – 6th Grade
- 2006-2012 – Milwaukee Academy of Science – 7th & 8th Grades
Personal Mission Statement
Marv Wittig - 7th Grade
Marv Wittig
- 7th Grade / Technology Director
- Phone:262-673-3811 x207
- mwittig@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
- Several continuing education credits at UW-Stevens Point and Wisconsin Lutheran College
- Wisconsin Teaching license
Ministry Experience
- 2004-Present Peace, Hartford, WI, 7th Grade Homeroom, departmentalized, Athletic Director & Technology Coordinator
- 1997-2004 Mt. Calvary-Grace, La Crosse, WI, 6-8 Departmentalized, Technology Coordinator
- 1989-1997 St. John’s, Caledonia, MN, 5-6, Athletic Director
Service and Awards
- Presented at our Wisconsin State Teacher’s Conference in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2011, & 2015
- Presented at the WELS Education Conference 2015
- Presented a number of technology workshops for schools and organizations
- 2008 Hartford Teacher of the Year
Personal Mission Statement
Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
It is the responsibility of the parent and teacher to work together to fulfill this command. It is the child’s responsibility to show respect and obey those whom the Lord has chosen to guide them.
As teachers, we must continue to grow stronger both spiritually and mentally to best guide the children. We must also use all the tools the Lord has given us here at Peace. We pray that the Lord’s will be done through us.
Courtney Mitchell - 6th Grade
Mrs. Courtney Mitchell
- 6th Grade
- Language Arts & Art
- 262-673-3811 ext. 206
- cmitchell@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
Ministry Experience:
- 2022-23 – Peace Lutheran School – 6th Grade
- 2021-22 – St. Marcus Lutheran School, Milwaukee, WI – 2nd Grade
Personal Mission Statement
Martha Johnson - 5th Grade
Mrs. Martha Johnson
- 5th Grade & Musical Director
- 262-673-3811 x205
- mjohnson@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Lutheran College
Experience
- 2022 – Present – Peace Lutheran School
- 2015-2022 – Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Music Minister
- 2004-2015 – Nebraska Lutheran High School – Instructor
Deb Wittig - 4th Grade
Deb Wittig
- 4th Grade / Library
- 262-673-3811 x206
- dwittig@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2007-present – 4th Grade – Peace, Hartford
- 2004 – 6th Grade – Peace, Hartford, part-time
- 2001-2002: Immanuel, La Crosse, WI, 2nd-3rd Grade
- 1997-1998: St. Matthew’s Stoddard, WI, 6th-8th Grade
- 1989-1997: St. John’s, Caledonia, MN 2nd & 4th, part-time, PE Grades 1-4
Service and Awards:
- 2017-Present Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers Conference Program Committee Member
Mission Statement
John 21:15 “Feed my lambs.”
What an awesome responsibility our Lord has given us. I relish the opportunity to be in the classroom educating children academically, physically, emotionall, and most importantly, spiritually.
Shelly Steinbrenner - 3rd Grade
Shelly Steinbrenner
- 3rd Grade
- 262-673-3811 x.203
- shsteinbrenner@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2018-Present – 3rd Grade – Peace Lutheran School
Personal Misison Statement
Connie Schmidt - 2nd-3rd Grade
Connie Schmidt
- 2nd – 3rd Grade
- 262-673-3811 x205
- cschmidt@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Dr. Martin Lutheran College
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Experience
- 1993-Present – Peace Lutheran School – 3rd Grade and Musical Director
Service and Awards:
- 2016-Present – New Teacher Induction Mentor
“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 3:15
Krista Rydecki - 2nd Grade
Krista Rydecki
- 2nd Grade
- 262-673-3811 x202
- krydecki@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
Ministry Experience
- 2018-Present – 2nd Grade, Peace Lutheran School
Personal Mission Statement
Leah Plocher - 1st Grade
Leah Plocher
- 1st Grade
- 262-673-3811 ext.233
- lplocher@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2022-Present – Peace Lutheran School – 1st Grade
- 2021-22 – Leap of Faith Childcare, New Lisbon, WI – Director
Stephanie Arndt - 1st Grade
Stephanie Arndt
- 1st Grade
- 262.673.3811 ext. 203
- sarndt@peacehartford.org
Education
- B.S – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
- M.S. – Education – Mankato State University
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2019 – Present – Peace Lutheran – Kindergarten
- 2007 – 20011 – St. John’s, Sleepy Eye, MN – Preschool and Kindergarten
Service and Awards
- 2014 – 2019 – Assistant to WELS National Civilian Chaplain
Personal Mission Statement
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:17-19
Jillian Igl - Kindergarten
Jillian Igl
- Kindergarten Teacher
- 262-673-3811 x.233
- jigl@peacehartford.org
Education
- BS – Early and Middle Childhood Education – Wisconsin Lutheran College
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2019 – Present – Peace Lutheran School – Kindergarten
- 2016 – 2019 – Allenton Elementary – Kindergarten
- 2014 – 2016 – St. John’s Lutheran, Waterloo, WI – 1st and 2nd Grades
- 2014 – 2012 – Walker Elementary, West Allis, WI – 1st – 3rd Grades
Personal Mission Statement
Leslie Campbell - Kindergarten
Leslie Campbell
- Kindergarten Teacher
- 262-673-3811 ext.128
- lcampbell@peacehartford.org
Education / Certification
- B.S. Elementary and Early Education – Alverno College
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2021-Present – Peace Lutheran, Hartford, WI – Kindergarten Teacher
- 2011 – 2021 – St. John’s, Wauwatosa, WI – Preschool Teacher
Leah Unke - Preschool Director
Leah Unke
- Preschool Teacher
- 262-673-3811 ext. 211
- lunke@peacehartford.org
Education / Certification
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
Ministry Experience
- 2019 – Present – Peace Lutheran – Preschool Teacher
-
2016 – 2019 – Divine Savior Academy, Doral, FL – Preschool Teacher
- 2010 – 2011 – Divine Savior Academy, Doral, FL – Preschool Teacher
- 2008 – 2010 – Beautiful Savior Lutheran School, Carlsbad, CA – Preschool Teacher
- 2006 – 2008 – Divine Savior Academy, Doral, FL – Preschool teacher
Personal Mission Statement
Bethany Gerbing - 3K/4K Teacher
Bethany Gerbing
- 3K/4K Teacher
- 262-673-3811 ext. 211
- bgerbing@peacehartford.org
Education / Certification
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Martin Luther College
Ministry Experience
- 2020 – Present – Peace Lutheran – 3K/4K Teacher
- 2017 – 2020 – St. Paul, Algoma, WI – Preschool Director
Terri Salzwedel - Special Needs
Terri Salzwedel
- Special Needs
- 262-673-3811 ext. 216
- tsalzwedel@peacehartford.org
Education / Certification
- B.S. – Elementary Education – Dr. Martin Luther College
- M.S. Ed – Special Education – Wisconsin Lutheran College – currently enrolled
- Wisconsin Teaching License
Ministry Experience
- 2020 – Present – Peace Lutheran – Special Needs
- 2015 – 2019 – Mt. Lebanon, Milwaukee, WI
- 2003 – 2015 – St. Peter, Schofield, WI
- 1998 – 2003 – St. Peter, Schofield, WI
- 1987 – 1990 – Pilgrim, Mesa, AZ
Ruth Wiedoff - Resource Teacher & Piano Teacher
Ruth Wiedoff
- Reading Resource Teacher
- Piano Teacher
- rwiedoff@peacehartford.org
- 262-673-3811 ext. 216
Margie Bentz - Piano
Margie Bentz
- Piano Teacher, K-4 Music
- mbentz@peacehartford.org
Education / Certification
- B.S. Elementary and Early Education – Wisconsin Lutheran College
Ministry Experience
- 2005 – 2015 – Holy Trinity, Okauchee, WI – Preschool Teacher and Director, Piano Instructor
- 2017-Present – Peace Lutheran – Preschool and Piano Teacher
Philosophy of Education
Teaching, to me, is a huge privilege. It’s an opportunity to watch young minds grow and learn. It’s a responsibility that I share with each child’s parents to help develop a love of learning and growing. But, most importantly, it’s a blessing to be able to share the love of Jesus with them each and every day!
Kris Smith - Panther Care Director
Kris Smith
- Panther Care Director
- ksmith@peacehartford.org
- 262-673-3811 ext. 213
Jenna Heinz - Bookkeeper/School Office
Jenna Heinz
- Bookkeeper/School Office
- 262-673-3811 ext. 210
- jheinz@peacehartford.org
Julie Ehlers - Preschool Aide
Julie Ehlers
- Preschool Aide
- School Secretary
- jehlers@peacehartford.org
Renee Biondich - Kindergarten Aide
Renee Biondich
- Kindergarten Aide
Brandi Draheim - Preschool Aide
Brandi Draheim
- Kindergarten Aide
Rachel Hyer - Special Needs Aide
Rachel Hyer
- Special Needs Aide
Shanna Marek - Panther Care
Shanna Marek
- Panther Care
Kalinda Trapp - Kindergarten Aid
Kalinda Trapp
- Kindergarten Aid
Kathleen Zastrow - Elementary Aide
Kathleen Zastrow
- Grades 2-3 Aide