First Lutheran Teacher

  Pictured above is a plaque on the Trinity Lutheran School building  in Altenburg, Missouri.  This school was in existence from the early years of the German immigration in Perry County, Missouri until now, although it has undergone some changes.  In the 1960's, this school joined with Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna, Missouri to become Concordia-Trinity Lutheran School.  Then last year a decision was made to also include Salem Lutheran Church in a new association, so it is now called United in Christ Lutheran School, which is located in Frohna.  This is their first year of existence.
   Johann F.F. Winter (probably pronounced Vinter) was the only "teacher" among the immigrants on the original five ships traveling to American in 1838-1839.  A good argument could be made that he was the first Lutheran school teacher in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  Teacher Winter is also given credit for the only drawing of the Log Cabin College when it was in its first location.
   As we celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week, we do well to celebrate the teachers of our Lutheran schools.  They do amazing things in our Synod's schools.  For the most part, these teachers get salaries which are considerably less than their government school counterparts.  The job descriptions of these teachers also go above and beyond the expectations of a typical government school teacher, including such tasks as youth director, coach, choir director, or Sunday School teacher.  These Lutheran teachers are incredibly dedicated to not only the welfare of their students, but also the welfare of their school and church.  Their hours of work extend well beyond the hours that they spend in their classrooms each day.
   One alarming fact about Lutheran teachers these days is that there are not enough of them that are male.  This is not just the case for Lutheran schools.  It exists in government schools too.  However, I think it is probably worse in Lutheran schools.  For example, United in Christ Lutheran School here in Perry County has NO male teachers on its staff, unless you count the pastors that come in to teach confirmation.  One thing our Synod ought to do is somehow encourage more of our young men to pursue careers in our Lutheran schools.
  Please take time to honor Lutheran teachers this week.  Hold them in high esteem.