Mrs. Jill Peters

Mrs. Jill Peters

Position: 3rd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Peters has been at Trinity since graduating from Concordia University Chicago with a BA in Elementary Education in May 2007. She was raised on a farm near Cissna Park, IL. She and her husband John along with their four children, Adelynn, Konnor, Emmie and Beckett, live in the country outside of Atlanta. Mrs. Peters is so blessed to be a Child of God, a part of the Trinity family, and to share the love of Jesus!

Favorite Bible Verse:
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Contact Mrs. Peters:
jillpete@trinluth.org

Mrs. Sara Urban

Mrs. Sara Urban

Position:  2nd Grade Teacher

Originally from Minnesota, Mrs. Urban graduated from of Concordia University Wisconsin with a Bachelor's degree in elementary/early childhood education. She first taught kindergarten in Florida before moving to Illinois. Sara Urban has been a member of the TLS faculty since 1996. At Trinity she taught first grade for a few years and before moving up to second grade. In 2007, Mrs. Urban received her Master’s degree from Illinois State University in curriculum & instruction of reading. Sara is married to Ron and they are parents of Brady ('05) & Kingston ('13). She loves watching her students grow academically and spiritually.   

Favorite Bible Verse: 
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Contact Mrs. Urban:  
saraurban@trinluth.org

Mrs. Gretchen Buhrke

Mrs. Gretchen Buhrke

Position: 1st Grade Teacher

Gretchen graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, in 2002 with a degree in Elementary Education and received her Master's in Reading from Illinois State University in 2007. Mrs. Buhrke completed coursework at the University of San Diego in 2016 to become a Certified Dyslexia Specialist in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. She is blessed to have a loving husband, Brad, and son, Marshall. Gretchen wants to thank God for the gift of first graders because they are a joy to teach.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself, each day has enough trouble of its own.” God has a plan.

Contact Mrs. Buhrke:  
gretchenbuhrke@trinluth.org

Mrs. Linda Brockett

Mrs. Linda Brockett

Position:  3rd grade teacher

Mrs. Brockett has been at Trinity since 1989 serving as a teacher for 2nd and  5th grade, before moving to 3rd grade. She was born in Chicago, Il, and later moved to Danville, Il.  Mrs. Brockett graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL in 1981 with a degree in Elementary Education.  Before coming to Trinity, Mrs. Brockett served for 2 years as a 2nd grade teacher at Peace Lutheran in Antigo, Wi, 2 years as a 2nd grade teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Pekin, IL, and 3 years as a 2nd grade teacher at Zion Lutheran in Belleville, IL.  She and her husband Ron have 2 daughters, Amber and Cheyenne, son-in-law Hayden, and 2 grandchildren.

Favorite Bible Verse:   
Romans 8:28  
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Contact Mrs. Brockett:
lindabroc@trinluth.org

Mrs. Melissa Rock

Mrs. Melissa Rock

Position: 2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Rock is originally from Decatur.  She graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Nebraska in 1987 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  She completed her M.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1994.  She has taught at Christ Lutheran in Peoria, Illinois, Christ Lutheran in Norfolk, Nebraska, and St. John Lutheran in Champaign, Illinois before being called to serve Trinity in 2003.  She has taught 2nd and 3rd grade, plus 1 year of 5th grade during her years in education.  She is married to Steve, and they live in Le Roy with their four-legged children.  She enjoys serving the children and families at Trinity.  She enjoys exercising, reading, counted cross-stitch, and gardening; as well as watching the Cardinals, Illini, and NASCAR.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 4:13
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  

Contact Mrs. Rock: 
melissarock@trinluth.org

Mrs. Laura Busse

Mrs. Laura Busse

Position: Early Childhood Director and Key Team Coordinator

Mrs. Busse has been at Trinity since August 1995. She was raised in Waverly, IA, and graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska (twice!) with a BS in Education in 1984 and a Masters in Early Childhood Education and Administration in 2006. She and her husband, Kurt, have the joy of serving together at Trinity, and they have two grown children and two granddaughters.

Favorite Bible verse:
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Contact Mrs. Busse: 
laurabuss@trinluth.org
309-829-7513

Mrs. Gayle Dietsch

Gayle Dietsch

Position: Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Dietsch was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She was blessed to attend Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and Milwaukee Lutheran High School in Wisconsin.  Mrs. Dietsch graduated from Concordia University Nebraska in December 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an Early Childhood Endorsement.   She was called to Trinity in August 2004 to teach Kindergarten.  Mrs. Dietsch and husband Dave have three children.  She enjoys being involved at church, reading, supporting her favorite Wisconsin sports teams, playing sports, and hanging out with family and friends.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Philippians 3:14
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Contact Mrs. Dietsch:  
gayledietsch@trinluth.org

Mrs. Kathy Bahn

Mrs. Kathy Bahn

Position: 5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Bahn graduated from Concordia University Irvine, CA in 1988 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught in California for six years before moving to Bloomington with her husband Chuck. She spent time raising three children before returning to full time teaching at Trinity Lutheran School and has been here since 2004.

Favorite Bible Verse:
Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Contact Mrs. Bahn: 
kathybahn@trinluth.org

Mrs. Andrea Carrel

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Andrea Carrel

Position: 1st Grade Teacher

Andrea Carrel has taught first grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Bloomington, Illinois, since 2005. Andrea graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She received a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University in 2014. She completed coursework at the University of San Diego in 2016 to become a Certified Dyslexia Specialist in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. She and her husband, Jeremy, have two beautiful girls; Elly and Bella and two handsome sons; Asher and Tytus. Andrea enjoys teaching first graders and their love for learning!

Favorite Bible Verse:
Isaiah 40:31
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Contact Mrs. Carrel:
andreacarr@trinluth.org