Staff Biographies
Craig Weide - Teacher 7-8
My name is Craig Weide. I have been serving Jesus and the parents and students of Christ Lutheran School since 1998. I teach grades seven and eight and am the principal. Additionally, I taught for two years in Valentine, Nebraska grades 5-8. I have been blessed with the opportunity to earn a M.S. degree from Martin Luther College in Education and hold a state teaching license in Nebraska and Wisconsin. I am married to Tammy, Christ Lutheran’s PK4 teacher and Early Childhood Education Director. We have been blessed with five children. All five of our children are alumni of Christ Lutheran School. I do outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, boating, home improvements, and car repairs when away from school. I truly love sharing God's Word with my students. I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to prepare my students for high school and for life.
Spencer Jensen - Teacher 5-6
I am currently the 5th and 6th grade teacher here at Christ Big Bend. I graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. I attended high school at Lakeside Lutheran in Lake Mills, WI and attended grade school at St. John’s in Juneau, WI. In between some years I attended Moraine Park Technical College and am halfway through a degree for welding. I currently reside in Oak Creek, WI with my wife, Karis, and my two dogs, Daisy and Miska. I enjoy collecting coins and currency-U.S and foreign, and doing activities outside, which include any type of fishing and hunting.
Chris Mastrocola - Teacher 3-4 / Athletic Director
I grew up in Oshkosh, WI. I attended Grace Lutheran School for K-8 and then went on to high school at Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. My Pastor at Martin Luther Church in Oshkosh was a great advocate for service to our Lord and encouraged me to attend Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. My husband, Jim, is a retired police officer and we have three fabulous boys. Nick, our oldest, is a police officer and is married to our favorite daughter-in-law, Heidi, a Medical Technologist. EJ, our second child, is finishing his teaching degree at St. Norbert College and will head out to start his life as a teacher. Tony, the youngest, attends Concordia University studying computers! I love all outdoor sports and activities and especially love doing them with my family! My husband and I camp, hike, mountain bike, kayak, ride our motorcycle, and play golf when we can.
Teaching is truly my love and calling and I have been unbelievably blessed to be here at Christ with such great kids and families.
Education and Experience:
- Graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1990
- Served at St. John’s in Jefferson teaching 3rd and 4th grade from 1990-1993
- Attended Wisconsin Lutheran College in 1994 for WI State Certification
- Substitute taught for two years in the public school system in West Allis
- Served Star of Bethlehem in New Berlin teaching 3rd and 4th grade from 1996-1999
- Currently serving at Christ Lutheran in Big Bend from 2005-present
Carol Mack - Teacher 1-2
As I reflect on the past 42 years, to say that Christ in Big Bend has been a part of my life would be an understatement. I got the call to be the teacher of the 1st & 2nd graders right after I graduated from DMLC. I still remember walking into "my" classroom for the very first time. My dream of teaching children in a Lutheran School was about to come true. This is what I went to college for and I was ready for the challenge.
If you would ask me what my favorite part of being a teacher is, I would have two answers. The absolute best part is simple- being in my classroom with my first and second graders. However, the second best (which is an extremely close tie with the first) is recess! I'm the teacher that loves to play games with the kids. After 42 years, I bet I have set some kind of record for the most pitches ever in kickball.
I love being outside to enjoy all of God's many wonders of nature. My true passion is walking and running. Even though I'm an active person, relaxing in the sun on the weekends at the lake is high on "My Favorite Things" list. While I'm relaxing, I am still getting exercise while I pedal the boat around the lake.
In addition to teaching, I have given piano lessons to many students over the years. What a joy it was to hear a child improve from one week to the next. Playing music is a gift. I played the organ for church for 41 years, prior to an illness preventing me from continuing that.
Throughout the years of teaching, my heart is filled with joy when I think of all the students that came throughout my classroom. Since I teach them for two consecutive years, it's very rewarding to see the progression in their knowledge from one year to the next. I'm a hands-on teacher who loves to get down to the kids' level and act like a kid with the kids.
It comes full circle when the student of one of my former students, is now a student in my classroom. I can only hope that their parents remember the way I taught them when they were young. They have entrusted me to teach their children the way that I once taught them, putting Jesus first each day of our lives. Some of the things that their parents used to enjoy, are still things I do today (like making teddy bear ornaments for the Christmas tree). Each year, I hear from parents who let me know that they are still hanging their teddy bear ornaments on their tree at home along with their children. Those teddy bear ornaments are a timeless tradition in my classroom that won't go away as long as I'm still teaching.
Even though God had a different plan for my personal life than I would have imagined it would be, He had a plan for me to continue teaching the children. I thank God for keeping me healthy enough to continue to teach, even though my label is Oldest Faculty Member. To have been a part of the lives of all these children for 42 years....and counting, has been an amazing blessing from God.
Carla Lindhorst - Teacher Kindergarten
Hi, my name is Mrs. Carla Lindhorst and I am excited about serving at Christ Lutheran as the Kindergarten teacher and music coordinator!
I joined the staff in 2021 with rich and varied experiences. I have a Bachelor of Music Education degree, a Parent Educator certificate, and an Elementary Education certificate. I have been a piano and voice instructor for over 30 years. For 14 years I was a certified Music Together teacher sharing music with birth to age 5 children and their families in Fort Myers, Florida and Litchfield, Minnesota. For 7 years I served as a Parent Educator and Preschool Teacher in Minnesota’s Early Childhood Family Education Program in Litchfield, Minnesota. When I lived most recently, in Watertown, South Dakota, I worked as an Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional and then as a first grade teacher.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking and biking, gardening, sewing, reading, singing and playing the piano. My husband, Paul, is the new WELS Ministry of Christian Giving Counselor for the Southeastern Wisconsin District. We will celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary in August of 2021. We have been blessed with 6 children and 8 grandchildren.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Jesus’ lambs at Christ Lutheran School and look forward to talking about Jesus every day with my students!
Tammy Weide - 4K Teacher Preschool / Director
Hi, my name is Mrs. Tammy Weide and I am serving at Christ Lutheran as the Early Childhood Education director and 4k teacher!
I have a Bachelor of Education degree in Early Education, and a director license. I have taught in South Dakota on the Rosebud Reservation and in New Berlin, Wisconsin. I was also blessed to do autism therapy.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, gardening, biking, camping, and spending a lot of time on the lake. My husband, Craig, and I are blessed with five children. Seth and Hannah are twins. Seth loves to travel and to teach in different countries. Hannah teaches at one of our WELS schools: Divine Savior in Doral, Florida. Jordan graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College and is pursuing her master's degree in London. Grace is attending Wisconsin Lutheran College. Amos, our youngest, is in his apprenticeship to be a plumber.
I am thankful to serve at Christ Lutheran School and I’m looking forward to meeting all our beautiful families that God puts in our care!
Jessica Schuetze - 3K Teacher / Mornings with Mommy Program Coordinator
Hi, my name is Jessica Schuetze and I’m blessed to be the 3K teacher here at Christ Lutheran! I love children and have wanted to be a teacher ever since I can remember. I enjoy watching 3 year olds learn and grow throughout the year. They are truly a joy to teach each day! Some of my background includes: starting a brand new preschool in Tennessee, serving as an enrollment coordinator for a children’s center here in the Milwaukee area, and administration/teaching in various preschools and child cares.
I am blessed with 3 children of my own -- two boys and a girl. My oldest son is in high school and my younger two enjoy school here at Christ Lutheran School. Some things I enjoy are: summertime, ice cream, tea, stand up paddle boarding, pilates, baking and being a part of an amazing church family here at Christ!