For my first post here, I wanted to start off fairly simple and straightforward. Many of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) schools need positions filled that may require teachers that are not available from Martin Luther College (New Ulm, MN.). MLC is the WELS teacher training college. To fill teaching positions in WELS schools, WELS congregants who are secular teachers may consider teaching in these schools.

Secular teachers who happen to be members of WELS churches near schools may be called to teaching positions with the understanding that they complete the WELS Teaching Certification process through MLC. In my case, I do not live close to any WELS school, but have decided to dedicate myself to getting WELS Teaching Certification and move to where the schools are located via the calling process. You could say our family is taking a “leap of faith”.

I made contact with some personal contacts at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, which is part of the ELS (Evangelical Lutheran Synod) and in fellowship with WELS to inquire about teaching in the Lutheran school system. I was given the information to contact Martin Luther College (MLC) and did so in January 2009. My experience in finding out about the WELS Teaching Certification process took a long time. It was a 9 month series of email from April 2008 to around Christmas 2009. The process of how to become involved in Christian education without our Lutheran synods is not well disseminated. I hope I can change that a bit, so others wanting to serve can find the path more easily.

I requested the information from MLC in January 2009 and received it in early February 2009 in an information packet. I prayerfully considered the path I was considering again. The WELS Teaching Certification process required me to send a detailed application, transcripts and a letter of recommendation from my pastor. I received acceptance in March 2009 and planned a visit in April 2009 to New Ulm, MN.

I learned that I would be taking 18 credit hours of classes to provide a solid foundation that many secular teachers would not have taken in their past coursework. These courses include: three Bible Lit. and History courses, two Lutheran doctrine courses, a course on Luther confessions and also Principles to Christian Education. Lastly, after the coursework is complete, candidates will participate in a 5 week student teaching experience.

I will be finishing my coursework this summer, which include 2 weeks on the MLC campus to take the Principles of Christian Ed. course. All the other courses are online via Moodle, a course management software system that MLC uses for online teaching of courses. Next fall, the plan is to spend 5 weeks at some town with a Lutheran high school where I can complete student teaching. I am hoping, for logistics sake, that perhaps I can go to Minnesota Valley Lutheran near New Ulm, MN. where I can live in the dormitories at MLC.

Upon completion in this program, I should be placed on the WELS Teacher call list and my name passed to all the 12 WELS District Presidents for consideration of positions that become available. I have already communicated my path to a couple District Presidents in the Minnesota and Arizona districts, but will be happy to consider calls from any of the 26 WELS high schools across the country.

With God’s blessings, I will continue to relate my experiences going forward in this process, and also be called to a teaching position in our Lutheran school system.