STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

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Mrs. Gremel has enjoyed being a Lutheran teacher! She began her  journey by attending Concordia College Seward Nebraska, where she met her husband! They have two amazing children, Richard and Julie, and are also truly blessed with an amazing daughter-in-law, Amanda, and two grandchildren, Sawyer and Remington.  

Her journey continued when upon graduation she received her first call to serve at Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Arenzville, IL , teaching first and second grade for six years. Her next call was to serve Fountain of Life Church & School here in Tucson, where she taught first and second grade some years and just first grade other years for a total of twenty-seven years. She and her husband are still members of Fountain of Life Lutheran Church. In 1994, with her best friend Cathy Summerset, she received her Masters in Elementary Ed. from the University of Phoenix.

With the closing of Fountain of Life School, she and Cathy were able to continue Lutheran teaching by coming to teach here at Faith in 2013. She is the Kindergarten teacher, which she loves, and the music teacher. Her prayer is that God allows her to continue teaching His precious ones here at Faith for many years.

I was born in Wichita, Kansas. I asked Jesus to be my Savior when I was 5.  I have three beautiful daughters, two wonderful son-in-laws, and five amazing grandchildren.

I attended Arlington Baptist College and received my B.S. in Bible and Christian Education. I received my MAT at University of Memphis with my specialty in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership. I also received Kappa Delta Pi at U of M as well as joined NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics). I have taught in eight different schools - grades Kindergarten to High School - for thirty-one years. In my current position, I aim to teach a combination of second and third grades, Drama to Kindergarten to 8th grade, oversee a Wax Museum for grades 3 to 8, and am the Drama Director for the Christmas and Spring performances.

I enjoy playing tennis, swing dancing East Coast style, playing board games, crocheting, playing piano, reading, and playing with my grandchildren.

My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23:4.  "Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

My favorite classroom experience was teaching the difference between cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals. A student had brought a jar filled with dirt and ants to school. As we attempted to divide up the ants who would be put in ice water and the ones that would be put in the sun, the dirt and the ants fell to the floor. The third grade girls ran screaming around the room and climbed on top of their desks. The boys and I quietly and calmly picked up the dirt with the ants and put them in the two jars. It was hysterical, especially when other teachers and students peeked their heads into my classroom.

Second and Third Grade Curriculum

Religion: Concordia

Language Arts, Literature, Grammar, Creative Writing, and Spelling: Houghton Mifflin

Penmanship: Zaner Blosser 

Math: Saxon

Science: Studies Weekly

Social Studies: Studies Weekly

Mrs. Summerset brings 32 years of experience in Lutheran Education, having taught six grades as well as Language Arts for Faith Lutheran middle schoolers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University in Irvine, California, and also holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. As for her favorite classroom experience, Cathy says, “I have many, but one would be the time my students, after a class trip to Sea World, turned our classroom into an underwater adventure to teach the rest of our school about what they learned. Groups of students were given sections of the classroom to change into different regions of the ocean such as the North Pole or a coral reef. When they were finished, my students gave tours to small groups of kids from other classes, explaining their particular habitat and the animals that lived there. We even turned a wagon into a mini-submarine and gave the toddlers and preschoolers a ride through the ocean.” 

Mrs. Summerset’s favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Mrs. Summerset enjoys reading, doing puzzles, watching movies, and cooking.

Mr. Summerset teaches fourth and fifth grade at Faith, as well as serving as Athletic Director and P.E. instructor. He holds a B.A. in Education as well as having studied Physical Education at Prescott College. Mr. Summerset brings full time teaching experience to the classroom as well as over two decades of experience coaching and security for three school districts. His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16. He enjoys sports (of course!) and working on home improvement projects. His favorite classroom experience was when his students combined the thrill of competition with hands-on classroom experience by creating rubber band race cars and holding a race in the classroom!

Curriculum: Concordia religion textbook; Saxon Math; Houghton Mifflin English, Spelling; Scott Foresman science; USA Weekly Social Studies; Literature novel studies such as Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Bunnicula, I Have a Dream biography of MLK, Jr., Number the Stars,  A Cricket in Times Square, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins; and a writing curriculum teaching narratives, informational research papers, opinion essays, and letter writing.

Esther Lang has served as school principal and early childhood director at Faith Lutheran School for 8 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in educational leadership. Her previous teaching experience includes 10 years in the Vail School District and a short time at Cornerstone Christian Academy. Esther has vast experience in the areas of special and exceptional education. Her advanced knowledge of instruction, testing, and funding make a valuable resource to parents, students, and other private school leaders. 

Esther Lang exemplifies positive professional leadership that makes a difference in the lives of students, parents, and staff. As a native to Tucson she is knowledgeable about education in Arizona and is an advocate for School Choice. Esther builds positive relationships with parents, students, and stakeholders. 

Esther is married to a wonderfully supportive husband and has three children who attend Faith Lutheran School. She enjoys church and fellowship, time with family, house projects, scrapbooking and reading. She finds joy in serving the school children and families at Faith Lutheran School.