Preschool:

Mrs. Lisa Renn

Mrs. Lisa Renn is a California girl who comes to the Academy by way of Seattle where she served as preschool director and teacher. Her educational experience is not limited to the Early Childhood classroom, but extends to the softball field as well. Not only is she a veteran fastpitch coach, but she's been playing since she was 7 years old. Her favorite pastimes include all sorts of recreation, camping and sports, plus church and family get togethers. She enjoyed the movie Finding Neverland and has read the Harry Potter series. Mrs. Renn's favorite musical artist is Toby Mac (aka Toby MacKeehan from DC Talk). She finds inspiration in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Mrs. Renn's husband Peter is on staff at Concordia University Chicago and they are parents to ten year old Daniel, six year old Jacob and Boomer the dog, who is like a third child. Of her work in Seattle, she felt truly blessed, "Everything I taught was exciting and fun. I think after ten plus years of experience in this ministry with children I felt really comfortable with what I was doing." Mrs. Renn emphasized that Early Childhood is all about meeting the child's developmental needs right where they are. "After having worked in a school with a multiage program," she said, "I saw some great benefits in teaching a child as an individual learner instead of as just one of a whole class." A favorite teaching memory came after she taught a Bible lesson about Jesus' death and resurrection: "A little boy in my class came to school after passing the church with its cross on the roof. He said to his mother, 'Mommy, Jesus fell off the cross and has risen.'" Mrs. Renn sees herself as a seed planter, helping to sow grains of faith and truth in preschoolers and their families. Her goals include assisting in the growth and development of the students and the Academy and through prayer and example. Mrs. Renn is excited to have an opportunity to provide a positive experience for preschoolers and their families and to encourage them to continue pursuit of a quality Lutheran Education.