LCL 2006 graduates John and Stephanie (Wisser) O'Connor share their journey through Lutheran education since their time at LCL.

What have you been up to since leaving LCL? 

Stephanie and I met while we were students at LCL from 2002-2006. We both attended CUW where we graduated in 2010 as Lutheran School teachers, Stephanie in Elementary Ed, and I in Secondary Ed. We married in March of 2011 and moved to Dallas, TX. Stephanie taught at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Dallas, TX. I taught at Dallas Lutheran School in Dallas, TX. We enjoyed living in Texas, but in the spring of 2014, we both took Calls back to the Milwaukee area. Stephanie teaches at Immanuel Lutheran School in Brookfield, WI and I teach at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Milwaukee, WI.

When did you know you wanted to be a Lutheran school teacher and who inspired you to pursue that path?

Both of my parents were church workers, but I didn’t want to follow them until I went to LCL. The three teachers who inspired me to hear God’s Calling were Mr. Erik Malm, Mr. David Bahr, and Mr. Mark Newman.  All three of them were my coaches, and through their passion for teaching and coaching, I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Stephanie knew she wanted to be a teacher from early on. She was blessed by so many teachers at St. Paul’s- Oconomowoc and LCL.

What are the biggest challenges and rewards you face?

The biggest challenges that we both face serving at Lutheran Schools is meeting the needs of all students. Students come into our classrooms at all different levels and our goal is to help them grow academically, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually. Our greatest rewards then stem from our challenge as we see our students grow so much from the beginning of the year when they enter our classroom to the end of the year when they leave. Being a middle school teacher I have the privilege to watch my students thrive as they enter their Lutheran High School.

How are you giving back to LCL?

I have the pleasure to coach basketball with Coach Newman. I also have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of the LHSAGM and there I get to work with all three of the Lutheran High Schools. 

Now being back in the LCL community what is different about LCL and what is the same? 

LCL is still the family atmosphere that we both loved while we were there. The building is changed, we were in the trailers and the YMCA, but the JOY of the faculty and staff has remained.