“Nurturing Children in a Christian Environment since 1944”

Trinity Evangelical

Lutheran School

 

500 W. Church St. Belle Plaine, Minnesota è (952) 873-6320 è FAX (952) 873-6545

Church Home

 

School Home

Newsletter

School Calendar

Links

 

Mission Statement

This We Believe

Home / School Cooperation

School Handbook

Trinity PTO

Forms
EcoPhones Fundraiser

PowerSchool Login

 

Meet the Staff

 

Visit a Classroom

Preschool/Kindergarten

Grades 1 & 2

Grades 3 & 4

Grades 5 & 6

Grades 7 & 8

 

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Soccer

Softball

Track/Cross Country

Volleyball

 

Contact Us!

                                       

 

Meet the Staff

 

 

 

Mr. Dan Whitney,

Principal,

7th-8th Grade Teacher

dwhitney@trinityluthbp.com

Service/Ministry Highlights:

  • Graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in 1975.

  • Graduated from DMLC, New Ulm, MN in 1980

  • Taught grades 3-6 at Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, SD from 1980-1984

  • Called by Risen Savior and taught grades 4, 5, & 8 at Salem, Milwaukee, WI from 1984-1995.  Also served as Risen Savior Preschool's administrator

  • Served as Principal and teacher of grades 7-8 at St. Matthew's, Iron Ridge, WI from 1995-2005

  • Earned Master's degree in Educational Administration from Concordia, Mequon, WI in 2001

  • Conducted various workshops and conferences in regard to WELS early childhood education.  Also, presented various topics from environmental education to administration in WELS teachers' conferences.

What excites you about your position?

  • I enjoy working with people.  I view the Church and School as a place where we live and grow together in faith and as a family of believers.

What is a book you would recommend?

  • I enjoy reading.  As a child I would have to sneak books into school because the teacher did not allow us to read books in reading class.  When we were finished with our worksheets, we needed to sit quite still until the next class began.  I would very quietly place a book in my lap and read--all the while hoping that I wouldn't get caught reading in reading class.  There are too many books to mention that I would call favorites.  Although, one of my favorites to read with middle grade students has always been The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.  The book is full of meaning on so many levels that there is something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

  • Matthews 19:14 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  

    'This passage is a good reminder of my mission as a Christian educator.'

Your favorite Hymn passage and why?

  • Hymn 293 "God's Word is Our Great Heritage"  This simple, yet powerful message has always stirred me.  Many years after graduating from DMLC, I visited with a professor from the college.  He told me the story of a former grade school student of mine that attended his class.  She and her classmates were celebrating an event in class and all of a sudden broke out in singing this hymn.  In all of his years as a professor, no class had ever expressed such Christian joy as they had that day.

Hobbies/interests

  • biking, gardening, woodworking, reading

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Barbara Hanneman

5th-6th Grade Teacher

Preschool Teacher

bhanneman@trinityluthbp.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service/Ministry Highlights:

  • I graduated from DMLC (MLC) in 1979.

  • I started my education career teaching 2nd grade in Medford, WI. and kindergarten in Milwaukee, WI.

  • While my children were growing, I taught pre-school in WY and NE.

  • When my family moved to MN, I taught kindergarten for 8 years.

  • The 2008-2009 school year will be my 3rd year at Trinity.  Here I have taught 5th and 6th grade and pre-school.

  • For the 2008-2009 year, I will be teaching 5th and 6th grade.  I am currently working to receive my Minnesota State Teaching License.

What excites you about your position?

  • Since I have worked so many years with early childhood students, it is a joy to work with students who are at a higher level of learning and can contribute to their own learning experience.  It is great to work with students who want to go beyond what is presented in a classroom setting.  Those who inspire each other to learn.

What is a book you would recommend?

  • Since starting this position, I have found myself reading a lot of children’s literature books.  If you have not had the experience of reading the wide variety of books that are presented to elementary school children, I would recommend taking the time to read them.  Most are very enjoyable, and as an adult they can be read at a rather fast pace.  So, it doesn’t take a great deal of time to complete a book.

Your favorite movies?

  • I enjoy watching a wide variety of movies, and I enjoy watching them over and over again.  This allows me to watch and do something else at the same time.  I would say my favorite would be a good romantic comedy.

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 3:5  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

How many times is our life filled with times where we ask “Why?”  To know that God has it all under control is the comfort that gets me through life, and to enjoy everything God has given to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Deborah Buske

3rd-4th Grade Teacher
dbuske@trinityluthbp.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service/Ministry Highlights:

What excites you about your position?

  • T

What is a book you would recommend?

Your favorite movies?

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Andrea Hahm

1st-2nd Grade Teacher
ahahm@trinityluthbp.com

 

 

 

 

Service/Ministry Highlights:

  • I graduated in 2002 from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. 

  • I also received my state certification. 

  • Here at Trinity in Belle Plaine I help as Assistant Athletic Director, coach volleyball and cheerleading.

What excites you about your position?

  • Teaching the Word of God to my students and seeing their childlike faith.

What is a book you would recommend?

  • The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a favorite and I would recommend The Legend of the Three Trees by Catherine McCafferty as a good kid’s book

Your favorite movies?

  • I love comedies.

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

  • 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

    'This Bible passage reminds us to take all our worries and concerns to the Lord and not on ourselves.  He has the power and the love to help us.'

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Lavonne Bratsch

Kindergarten Teacher
lbratsch@trinityluthbp.com

 

 

 

 

Service/Ministry Highlights:

  • I graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

  • I came to Belle Plaine.  I started the Kindergarten ministry in 1997 and the Preschool in 1999.

What excites you about your position?

  • The opportunity to work with and teach young children about their Savior.

What is a book you would recommend?

  • The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, a favorite from my High School years because of the history involved

Your favorite movies?

  • Cliffhanger

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

  • John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

    'This was my confirmation passage and I have always remembered it.'

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Mrs. Arlene Kerkow

Church Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Service/Ministry Highlights:

  • In September 2008 I will have been here a full 29 years.  In those years, learning to use the computer has been a fulfilling challenge.  I’m glad I don’t have to use mimeograph machines anymore. 

  • I’ve enjoyed watching young children grow into adults with their own families.  I also enjoy the daily activity and routine of the office; the visitors and conversations.

What excites you about your position?

  • Working with our staff and seeing the kidlets  (children)

What is a book you would recommend?

  • Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery

Your favorite movies?

  • War and Remembrance because it’s a moving story about Nazi concentration camps

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

  • Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd Psalm

    'I like God’s promises that believers will be with him in paradise.'

   

 

 

Mr. Win Vatthauer

Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

Service/Ministry Highlights:

  • I graduated in 1962 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 

  • I taught at Trinity Lutheran in Belle Plaine, MN for 42 years, retiring in 2004. 

  • Extra duties while teaching were music and athletics.

  • Currently I am active at the Lutheran Home Association of Belle Plaine as a part time employee and volunteer, and volunteering around the community in various capacities.

What excites you about your position?

  • It is a whole new way to serve God’s kingdom.

What is a book you would recommend?

  • The American Evita, by Christopher Andersen

Your favorite movies?

  • Clint Eastwood movies  

Your favorite Bible passage and why?

  • John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

    'This was my confirmation verse.'