Faculty
Mr. Jacob Steinmetz
[email protected]
Principal; 7th-8th Grade Teacher; Technology Coordinator
Mr. Steinmetz was born and raised in Watertown, South Dakota. He attended St. Martin’s Lutheran School in Watertown for preschool through eighth grade, and Great Plains Lutheran High School, also in Watertown. He attended Martin Luther College, graduating in 2013 with majors in Elementary Education and Secondary Mathematics Education. He has served at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School since graduating from MLC. He became a Google Certified Educator: Level 1 in 2017. His current service to SVLS includes school principal, teacher of grades 7-8 for part of the day, and school technology coordinator.
Mr. Steinmetz became a teacher because he loves the privilege of sharing Jesus with the kids every day, and he wants them to be able to grow to love learning as much as he loves learning. He always looks forward to trying new things in the classroom that he thinks will be beneficial for his students. He also works to integrate technology meaningfully into the curriculum so it can serve as an effective learning tool.
He is married to Ashley, also an MLC graduate, and together they have four children.
[email protected]
Principal; 7th-8th Grade Teacher; Technology Coordinator
Mr. Steinmetz was born and raised in Watertown, South Dakota. He attended St. Martin’s Lutheran School in Watertown for preschool through eighth grade, and Great Plains Lutheran High School, also in Watertown. He attended Martin Luther College, graduating in 2013 with majors in Elementary Education and Secondary Mathematics Education. He has served at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School since graduating from MLC. He became a Google Certified Educator: Level 1 in 2017. His current service to SVLS includes school principal, teacher of grades 7-8 for part of the day, and school technology coordinator.
Mr. Steinmetz became a teacher because he loves the privilege of sharing Jesus with the kids every day, and he wants them to be able to grow to love learning as much as he loves learning. He always looks forward to trying new things in the classroom that he thinks will be beneficial for his students. He also works to integrate technology meaningfully into the curriculum so it can serve as an effective learning tool.
He is married to Ashley, also an MLC graduate, and together they have four children.
Mrs. Ashley Steinmetz
[email protected]
Preschool Director; 3K Teacher
Ashley Steinmetz grew up just south of Oshkosh and attended Grace Lutheran School in Oshkosh and Winnebago Lutheran Academy. After high school, she went to Martin Luther College and majored in Early Childhood Education. Ashley currently holds a Minnesota state teaching license. After college, Ashley was assigned to St. Paul Lutheran School in Appleton. Ashley has served Shepherd of Valley since 2017. Ashley has served as a part-time second-grade teacher, as a part-time 3rd and 4th-grade teacher, and now as the kindergarten teacher. Ashley and her husband Jacob have four children. She enjoys listening to music, reading, playing cards, and spending time with her family.
[email protected]
Preschool Director; 3K Teacher
Ashley Steinmetz grew up just south of Oshkosh and attended Grace Lutheran School in Oshkosh and Winnebago Lutheran Academy. After high school, she went to Martin Luther College and majored in Early Childhood Education. Ashley currently holds a Minnesota state teaching license. After college, Ashley was assigned to St. Paul Lutheran School in Appleton. Ashley has served Shepherd of Valley since 2017. Ashley has served as a part-time second-grade teacher, as a part-time 3rd and 4th-grade teacher, and now as the kindergarten teacher. Ashley and her husband Jacob have four children. She enjoys listening to music, reading, playing cards, and spending time with her family.
Mrs. Beth Kramp
[email protected]
4K Teacher
Beth Kramp grew up mostly in Wisconsin attending a Lutheran grade school and high school. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from DMLC and holds her Wisconsin State Teaching License for the Early-Middle Childhood level. Beth taught in Green Bay, Rhinelander and Milwaukee at all the grade levels from preschool - 8th grade before coming to Shepherd of the Valley. Beth has a passion for young children and ensuring that their first school experience is the very best it can be. She is very excited to be a part of the ministry team at SVLS.
Beth and her husband Roger have three girls and a grandson. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading and playing piano.
[email protected]
4K Teacher
Beth Kramp grew up mostly in Wisconsin attending a Lutheran grade school and high school. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from DMLC and holds her Wisconsin State Teaching License for the Early-Middle Childhood level. Beth taught in Green Bay, Rhinelander and Milwaukee at all the grade levels from preschool - 8th grade before coming to Shepherd of the Valley. Beth has a passion for young children and ensuring that their first school experience is the very best it can be. She is very excited to be a part of the ministry team at SVLS.
Beth and her husband Roger have three girls and a grandson. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading and playing piano.
Ms. Stephanie Diersen
[email protected]
Kindergarten Teacher
Stephanie grew up in Caledonia, MN and went to St. John's Lutheran School through 8th grade. She attended Martin Luther College and graduated in 2000. Her first call was teaching for three years at Ascension Lutheran in Escondido, CA grades 2-4. She then taught for 4 years at St. John's Lutheran in Caledonia teaching varying grades from Preschool to 8th grade.
Currently she is teaching Kindergarten and loves to spend her days teaching students about Jesus.
Stephanie has two children and enjoys spending time with them.
[email protected]
Kindergarten Teacher
Stephanie grew up in Caledonia, MN and went to St. John's Lutheran School through 8th grade. She attended Martin Luther College and graduated in 2000. Her first call was teaching for three years at Ascension Lutheran in Escondido, CA grades 2-4. She then taught for 4 years at St. John's Lutheran in Caledonia teaching varying grades from Preschool to 8th grade.
Currently she is teaching Kindergarten and loves to spend her days teaching students about Jesus.
Stephanie has two children and enjoys spending time with them.
Mrs. Angela Knorr
[email protected]
1st-2nd Grade Teacher; School Music Coordinator
Angela Knorr attended Lutheran grade schools in Wisconsin and Michigan and graduated high school from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. In 2006 she received a degree in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. After graduation, Angela was assigned to Mt. Calvary Lutheran School in Menasha, WI. She now serves at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School in Menasha as the first and second grade teacher and school music coordinator. She is thankful for the privilege of sharing Jesus with her students on a daily basis at SVLS!
Mrs. Knorr became a teacher because she loves learning and sharing that learning with her students. She is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Over the years, she had attended many professional development trainings and workshops in order to improve her effectiveness in the classroom.
In her spare time, Angela enjoys listening to live music with her husband, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband live in Appleton and are members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church along with their four young children.
[email protected]
1st-2nd Grade Teacher; School Music Coordinator
Angela Knorr attended Lutheran grade schools in Wisconsin and Michigan and graduated high school from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. In 2006 she received a degree in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. After graduation, Angela was assigned to Mt. Calvary Lutheran School in Menasha, WI. She now serves at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School in Menasha as the first and second grade teacher and school music coordinator. She is thankful for the privilege of sharing Jesus with her students on a daily basis at SVLS!
Mrs. Knorr became a teacher because she loves learning and sharing that learning with her students. She is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Over the years, she had attended many professional development trainings and workshops in order to improve her effectiveness in the classroom.
In her spare time, Angela enjoys listening to live music with her husband, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband live in Appleton and are members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church along with their four young children.
Mrs. Greta Backus
[email protected]
3rd-4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Greta Backus grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. While living there, she attended Faith Lutheran School and Winnebago Lutheran Academy. Following her graduation from Martin Luther College, she was assigned to be a dormitory supervisor and teach English at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI. After that, Greta spent three years teaching 2nd grade at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, FL. While teaching in FL, she accepted a call to teach English back at LPS, where she met her husband, Rev. Dave Backus. Before coming to Shepherd of the Valley in 2017, Greta worked at an early childhood center in Springville, NY, where her husband served a congregation.
In her free time, Greta enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. She is very thankful to work with the faculty, staff, and families at SVLS. There is nothing better than sharing the love of Jesus with the students each day!
[email protected]
3rd-4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Greta Backus grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. While living there, she attended Faith Lutheran School and Winnebago Lutheran Academy. Following her graduation from Martin Luther College, she was assigned to be a dormitory supervisor and teach English at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI. After that, Greta spent three years teaching 2nd grade at Divine Savior Academy in Doral, FL. While teaching in FL, she accepted a call to teach English back at LPS, where she met her husband, Rev. Dave Backus. Before coming to Shepherd of the Valley in 2017, Greta worked at an early childhood center in Springville, NY, where her husband served a congregation.
In her free time, Greta enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. She is very thankful to work with the faculty, staff, and families at SVLS. There is nothing better than sharing the love of Jesus with the students each day!
Mr. Steve Lehman
[email protected]
5th-6th Grade Teacher; Athletic Director
Mr. Steven Lehman was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and attended Lutheran grade schools in Hortonville and La Crosse. He graduated from Luther High School in Onalaska, WI in 2004. After high school, he attended Martin Luther College, graduating in December 2009. While at MLC, he met his wife Katie (nee: Nettesheim). They were married in October of 2012. They have 5 children: Hazel and Abby (twins), Malachi, Elijah, and Charlotte.
Mr. Lehman is very excited to be able to teach his students the love and grace we have received from our Father in Heaven for free while also helping them grow to love all things school. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, relaxing at their family cottage, and camping. He also enjoys cheering on all Wisconsin teams, no matter how stressful that may be.
[email protected]
5th-6th Grade Teacher; Athletic Director
Mr. Steven Lehman was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and attended Lutheran grade schools in Hortonville and La Crosse. He graduated from Luther High School in Onalaska, WI in 2004. After high school, he attended Martin Luther College, graduating in December 2009. While at MLC, he met his wife Katie (nee: Nettesheim). They were married in October of 2012. They have 5 children: Hazel and Abby (twins), Malachi, Elijah, and Charlotte.
Mr. Lehman is very excited to be able to teach his students the love and grace we have received from our Father in Heaven for free while also helping them grow to love all things school. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, relaxing at their family cottage, and camping. He also enjoys cheering on all Wisconsin teams, no matter how stressful that may be.
Mrs. Cheryl Root
[email protected]
7th-8th Grade Teacher
Cheryl Root’s ‘roots’ began as a country girl from Auburn, Michigan. She attended elementary school at St. Bartholomew Lutheran School in Kawkawlin, MI, and high school at Bay City, Western. From there the Lord led her to begin her professional training at Martin Luther College, then known as ‘Dear DMLC.’ In 2004 she received state licensure in Elementary Education and in Middle School level Social Studies and English Language Arts. In 2018 she also received a charter school license for ELA at the high school level.
The Lord has blessed Mrs. Root with numerous teaching experiences in the Valley in both our WELS schools and as a substitute teacher in a number of public school districts and as a part-time ELA teacher in the AASD. Her experiences with WELS include part-time and full-time teacher of grade 8 and 5 at Mount Olive Lutheran School; 7-8th grade teacher at Immanuel, Waupaca; eleven years as 6-8 teacher at Zion, Morrison Lutheran School; five years as part-time teacher at FVL; one year as grade 4 teacher at St. Mark, Green Bay; and four years at Shepherd of the Valley - one year as grade 3-4 teacher (2012-2013) and last three years as part-time teacher of grades 7-8. Mrs. Root’s area of responsibility is teaching English Language Arts, Social Studies, art, and music.
When not teaching Mrs. Root enjoys kayaking, boating, fishing, camping, and hunting with her husband, Brian, who is a 6th-grade teacher at Mount Olive, Appleton. Cheryl and Brian are both Michiganders who relish time spent with family - especially their many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Root also enjoys biking, gardening with native plants, and writing poetry. Much of her poetic inspirations come when she is out in the woods waiting for ‘dinner’ to appear. While she would starve on her harvest, she enjoys time spent absorbing the beauty of God’s creation. Some day she hopes to publish some of her poetic creations.
Mrs. Root looks forward to continuing the work the Lord has called her to do at SVLS in working with parents and staff to help instill in the students a love for their Savior as well as helping them grow academically and developing skills needed for lives of service.
[email protected]
7th-8th Grade Teacher
Cheryl Root’s ‘roots’ began as a country girl from Auburn, Michigan. She attended elementary school at St. Bartholomew Lutheran School in Kawkawlin, MI, and high school at Bay City, Western. From there the Lord led her to begin her professional training at Martin Luther College, then known as ‘Dear DMLC.’ In 2004 she received state licensure in Elementary Education and in Middle School level Social Studies and English Language Arts. In 2018 she also received a charter school license for ELA at the high school level.
The Lord has blessed Mrs. Root with numerous teaching experiences in the Valley in both our WELS schools and as a substitute teacher in a number of public school districts and as a part-time ELA teacher in the AASD. Her experiences with WELS include part-time and full-time teacher of grade 8 and 5 at Mount Olive Lutheran School; 7-8th grade teacher at Immanuel, Waupaca; eleven years as 6-8 teacher at Zion, Morrison Lutheran School; five years as part-time teacher at FVL; one year as grade 4 teacher at St. Mark, Green Bay; and four years at Shepherd of the Valley - one year as grade 3-4 teacher (2012-2013) and last three years as part-time teacher of grades 7-8. Mrs. Root’s area of responsibility is teaching English Language Arts, Social Studies, art, and music.
When not teaching Mrs. Root enjoys kayaking, boating, fishing, camping, and hunting with her husband, Brian, who is a 6th-grade teacher at Mount Olive, Appleton. Cheryl and Brian are both Michiganders who relish time spent with family - especially their many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Root also enjoys biking, gardening with native plants, and writing poetry. Much of her poetic inspirations come when she is out in the woods waiting for ‘dinner’ to appear. While she would starve on her harvest, she enjoys time spent absorbing the beauty of God’s creation. Some day she hopes to publish some of her poetic creations.
Mrs. Root looks forward to continuing the work the Lord has called her to do at SVLS in working with parents and staff to help instill in the students a love for their Savior as well as helping them grow academically and developing skills needed for lives of service.
Mrs. Joann Kasten
[email protected]
Individual and Small Group Instruction Teacher and Coordinator
Mrs. Kasten is a graduate of Dr. Martin Luther College. She furthered her education at Bemidji State College, Michigan State University, The Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay as well as taking many continuing educational opportunities offered by State and District Teachers’ Conferences, WELS Leadership Conferences, and online webinars. She is trained in the Barton Reading and Spelling System to assist struggling readers.
She previously taught at St. Croix Lutheran High School, West St. Paul, St. John’s Lutheran School, Two Rivers, Trinity Lutheran School, Marinette, and St. Paul Lutheran School, Green Bay before being called to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School in 2017. In addition to teaching in the Individual and Small Group Instruction Program and coordinating academic volunteers, she coaches forensics.
Mr. and Mrs. Kasten have been blessed with two sons (both WELS teachers), three daughters (a registered dietician, a teacher trainer, and a doctor of pharmacy), and eight grandchildren.
She enjoys serving with the faculty, students, and families of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School by being mindful of the mission to teach children and their families about God’s plan of salvation, to guide them in applying their faith to their lives and to share that faith with others through an excellent Christ-centered curriculum and environment.
1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
[email protected]
Individual and Small Group Instruction Teacher and Coordinator
Mrs. Kasten is a graduate of Dr. Martin Luther College. She furthered her education at Bemidji State College, Michigan State University, The Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay as well as taking many continuing educational opportunities offered by State and District Teachers’ Conferences, WELS Leadership Conferences, and online webinars. She is trained in the Barton Reading and Spelling System to assist struggling readers.
She previously taught at St. Croix Lutheran High School, West St. Paul, St. John’s Lutheran School, Two Rivers, Trinity Lutheran School, Marinette, and St. Paul Lutheran School, Green Bay before being called to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School in 2017. In addition to teaching in the Individual and Small Group Instruction Program and coordinating academic volunteers, she coaches forensics.
Mr. and Mrs. Kasten have been blessed with two sons (both WELS teachers), three daughters (a registered dietician, a teacher trainer, and a doctor of pharmacy), and eight grandchildren.
She enjoys serving with the faculty, students, and families of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School by being mindful of the mission to teach children and their families about God’s plan of salvation, to guide them in applying their faith to their lives and to share that faith with others through an excellent Christ-centered curriculum and environment.
1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
Mrs. Carrie Clark
Preschool Aide 
Mrs. Alyssa Schwede
K-8 Aide |
Mrs. Sarah Gomulkiewicz
K-8 Aide 
Mr. Moses Enter
K-8 Aide |
