St. Paul Lutheran Ministries | Our Faculty, Staff & Leadership

Mr. Jason Kelley

Principal

office: 920-733-9061

Jason Kelley is the principal at St. Paul Lutheran. He graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in English and social studies. He then later earned his master’s degree in education with an emphasis in leadership from Martin Luther College in 2012. He is married to Alyssa (nee Pelzl) who also is a graduate of Martin Luther College and teaches 2nd grade at St. Paul. The Lord has blessed them with 4 children: Emmeline, Amelia, Eliot, and Noelle who attend school at St. Paul and Fox Valley Lutheran High School. Prior to teaching at St. Paul in Appleton, Mr. Kelley has taught and led schools in Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and Washington. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoys gardening, woodworking, and spending quality time with his family. May the LORD continue to bless our congregation’s effort in training the next generation and reaching out into our community with the Gospel message. "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it"- Proverbs 22:6.

Mrs. Stacy Shrum

Kindergarten

e-mail: sshrum@stpaulappletonwi.com

Mrs. Stacy Shrum teaches kindergarten at St. Paul Lutheran. She grew up in Saginaw, MI, where she attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary. Stacy graduated from Martin Luther College in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in both elementary education, and early childhood education, as well as a minor in music. She taught varying age levels, from preschool through 5th grade in various locations for seventeen years, and also pursued her master’s degree in special education, graduating in 2014. Stacy is married to her husband, Justin (Pastor J) and they have one son, Judah. She enjoys music, theater, baking, photography and traveling! She also loves all things Disney and spending time with her family! You’ll rarely ever see her without a coffee in hand, (every teacher needs their fuel!) But, Mrs. Shrum enjoys teaching kindergartners because of their inquisitive nature and love for learning. She also loves sharing the Love of Jesus with all her students, and helping them reach their fullest God-given potential!

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:22-14

Mrs. Alyssa Wascher

1st grade

email: awascher@stpaulappletonwi.com

Alyssa Wascher teaches first grade at St. Paul Lutheran. She is married to Shane Wascher and has 4 children. She was born in Milwaukee, WI and moved with her family to Hoskins, NE in 1997. She went on to attend Nebraska Lutheran High School and from there she pursued her passion for teaching. She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2012 with a BS Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts. Alyssa has been blessed to serve as a teacher for grades K-3rd grade, in Las Vegas, NV, Toledo, OH, and Milwaukee, WI. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the dog parks, playing board games, reading, and trying out the local coffee shops. Her favorite Bible passage comes from Psalm 46:10a "Be still, and know that I am God!"

Mrs. Alyssa Kelley

2nd grade

e-mail: akelley@stpaulappletonwi.com

Mrs. Kelley grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota, graduating from MVL high school and MLC. She has taught in 4 different Lutheran Elementary Schools and in the public elementary school. She has taught every grade from Kindergarten through 8th grade at some point in her ministry. She has found there to be both blessings and challenges in every grade and considers it a privilege to have been able to experience them all. She currently teaches 2nd grade. Mrs. Kelley is married to Principal Kelley and they have been blessed with 4 children. Mrs. Kelley considers it a privilege to be able to teach Jesus’ little lambs every day. May the Lord continue to bless the spreading of His Word here at St. Paul and throughout the world.

Mrs. Dina Dietzler

3rd Grade

e-mail: ddietzler@stpaulappletonwi.com

Dina Dietzler teaches third grade at St. Paul. She grew up in Milwaukee, WI and attended college at DMLC in New Ulm, MN. She has taught in Morton Grove, IL, Milwaukee, and is now blessed to teach here in Appleton. She has a wonderful husband Matt, and three grown daughters, Rachel, Karis, and Erin. Outside of teaching, Dina likes to spend time with family and friends, garden, cook, work out, explore, and read. At St. Paul she co-coaches soccer and directs junior choir. Dina loves to watch the growth of childrens’ spiritual, educational, emotional, and physical journey throughout the year. She knows what a blessing it is to teach all subject matter in the light of God’s Word. “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” Jeremiah 29:11.

Miss sara mears

4th grade

e-mail: smears@stpaulappletonwi.com

Miss Mears grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, graduating from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in 2020. She then went on to graduate from Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee in 2024 with focuses in Elementary Education and Spanish Education. She teaches 4th grade. She looks forward to guiding each student in Christ’s love each day. Outside of teaching she enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, and playing sports and games. One of her favorite Bible passages is Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Mr. michael schulz

5th grade

email: mschulz@stpaulappletonwi.com

Mr. Schulz earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Math from Martin Luther College. He previously served as a teacher at Emanuel First Lutheran School (Lansing, MI) and Bethlehem Lutheran School (Hortonville, WI) before coming to St. Paul. He also has experience as a school principal and school technology director. He is married to Candy, the ECC director at St. Paul. He has two children - a son attending Fox Valley Lutheran High School and a daughter attending Martin Luther College. In his spare time Mike enjoys woodworking, tinkering with technology, and sitting on his patio soaking in God’s creation. His favorite Bible passage is 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.”

Mr. Matthew Ivan

6th grade

e-mail: mivan@stpaulappletonwi.com

Matthew Ivan was born in Saginaw, Michigan and grew up on a farm in Saginaw County. He graduated from Martin Luther College in 2016 with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Staff Ministry. He was a missionary and teacher on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona for five years before moving to Phoenix. He taught at a charter school in Phoenix for one year before accepting the call to teach at St. Paul. He and his wife, Stephanie, have a three-year old son named Leo. He enjoys visiting national and state parks, camping, hiking, and gardening. His favorite passage is: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

MrS. Jewel Pautz

7TH GRADE

e-mail: jpautz@stpaulappletonwi.com

Jewel Pautz grew up in Milwaukee, WI, and then attended Luther Preparatory school for High School. She then went on to MLC to obtain a double major. After she graduated this past December, she was assigned to teach 8th grade in Milwaukee. She has coached volleyball from a range of ages from 10-23 years old and coached volleyball at Bethany Lutheran College for two years. She is engaged to be married to Brock Pautz. Other than teaching, she loves to hike and play sports and games! One of her favorite Bible passages is Romans 8: 38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Mrs. naomi leyrer

8th grade

e-mail: nleyrer@stpaulappletonwi.com

Naomi Leyrer is beginning her ministry this year after graduating from Martin Luther College with a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an emphasis in social studies in May. She will be teaching 8th grade for homeroom as well as departmentalized social studies. She is married to Jacob Leyrer who is starting his ministry as a math teacher at Fox Valley Lutheran. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, thrifting, trying out different coffee or plant shops, and being active. Her favorite bible passage is Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble."

MRS. stephanie ivan

Spanish instruction

email: sivan@stpaulappletonwi.com

Miss kirsten gullerud

Guided Studies coordinator

e-mail: kgullerud@stpaulappletonwi.com

Kirsten Gullerud graduated from Immanuel Lutheran College (CLC) in 1999 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She taught in a one-room school in Valentine, NE. She served in Phoenix, AZ as the principal and 5-8th grade teacher. In Mountain View, CA, she was the principal, 5-8th grade teacher, and math/science departmentalized teacher. In 2020, she joined the WELS and was later called to St. Paul to be the Guided Studies Coordinator. She is currently working on a Master's Degree in Special Education through Martin Luther College. She loves national parks, board games, geocaching, and learning all the things. Her favorite passage is I Sam. 7:12 "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"