Master of Science, Marine Biology

University of North Carolina at Wilmington, NC

Bachelor of Science, Zoology and Environmental Studies, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Julie Schlenger has been a welcome addition to the Concordia team serving as a long-term substitute since the Spring of 2025. Julie has over 10 years’ experience working with students at Maplewood School in Edmonds.

Along with her energy, creativity, and love of students, she brings a love of all things science with her background in Marine Biology and Environmental consulting. 

MEd in Educational Administration from Concordia University, Nebraska
BS in Elementary and Secondary Education from Concordia University, Nebraska
Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD) from Concordia University, Nebraska

Al comes to Concordia with many years of teaching, coaching and administration from six
different Lutheran elementary and secondary schools in three states. He brings with him a love
for Lutheran education, and a desire to see students grow mentally, physically, emotionally and
especially spiritually. Before retiring in 2017, he last served as the superintendent/principal of
Concordia Christian Academy, a K-12 Lutheran school, in Tacoma, WA. His wife has also served
in Lutheran schools as an educator and administrator.
Al enjoys traveling, camping and bike riding with his grandchildren. He especially looks forward
to attending his five grandchildren’s athletic and cultural events.

Paix Irigon began his career in Early Childhood Education over 15 years ago at Concordia Lutheran Seattle, where he worked as an Assistant Preschool Teacher. Now, after spending eight years as a Preschool Director in Bellevue, WA, he is returning to Concordia Lutheran as the Preschool Director.

Paix holds an Associate degree in Child Development and has completed numerous professional development courses. As a leader, he is always seeking ways to enhance the preschool and better serve the families and community.

Outside of work, Paix is married and has a daughter in middle school. He is also an avid Seattle sports fan, with a particular passion for the Seahawks.

MS in Educational Design and Technology, Concordia University Wisconsin                                    BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Music, Concordia University, Saint Paul

Kayla joined Concordia Lutheran School in August 2020. Prior to that, she had 8 years’ experience teaching a variety of combinations of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade at Amazing Grace/Renton Prep in Renton, WA. One aspect of teaching that Kayla enjoys is inspiring her students to use their passions and creativity in their learning. She loves seeing student perspective and voice in projects and is always amazed at their insight and imagination. In addition, Kayla appreciates the opportunity to build positive relationships with her students, where she can share Christ’s love and grace and instill a sense of confidence in who her students are as people and children of God. When Kayla isn’t teaching, she enjoys running, listening to podcasts, and trying new restaurants!

Shannon is familiar with our community as a parent of a preschooler and sought out to join our team based on our goals and culture. She has 8 years of teaching experience, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a passion for helping young students fall in love with learning!

BA in Elementary Education from Western Governors University

Rebecca has experience teaching a variety of ages at a K-8 Christian school in Tacoma, tutoring K-8 age students. She completed her student teaching at an elementary school in Orting. She has worked in Pre-K and kindergarten Sunday school settings for almost 10 years and was on staff for several years with children’s ministry at a church in Oregon.

She is very excited to join the Concordia family and looks forward to connecting with students and families while creating a space where students feel seen and valued. She loves seeing how each child learns differently and has a passion for meeting students where they are and helping them reach their God-given potential, while celebrating growth and hard work. In her free time, Rebecca loves spending meaningful time with her fiancé and friends, volunteering at church, going to local farmers markets, and being creative. Most recently, she is enjoying exploring Seattle and all this area has to offer!

BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Professional Church Work, Concordia University Portland

Katie started working as an elementary teacher at Concordia in 2015 but has been part of the Concordia family for much longer. She attended Concordia as a student from Kindergarten through 8th grade and worked with both preschool- and elementary-age kids at the summer camp program while in high school and college. One thing Katie loves about teaching (especially with smaller class sizes) is forming a positive and caring relationship with each individual student so that they feel safe and are eager to challenge themselves and take risks in their learning! Her goal is that each child knows of God’s unending love for them, and with that knowledge, are confident in themselves and their unique abilities.

MS in Literacy Education, Concordia University Nebraska                                                                        BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics, Concordia University Nebraska 

Kristin joined Concordia Lutheran School in August 2018. Prior to that, she taught at Zion Lutheran School in Brighton, CO for 13 years where she taught in grades 1-5. Kristin found the upper elementary ages bring her the most joy as she gets to watch the students grow and question the world around them. They are beginning to explore, find themselves, and find who God created them to be. Kristin loves being a part of their adventure.

Kristin is so thankful God brought her to this school of amazing staff, parents, and students! Kristin lives north of Seattle with her old puppy and enjoys running and biking around the area.

MS, Curriculum & Instruction, Seattle University                                                                                       BS, University of Illinois, 1992

Jen Falck is a longtime educator who recently joined the Concordia family. Before taking leave to raise her three children, she taught middle school and high school math. She’s excited to return to the middle school classroom and provide individualized instruction that will engage, support, and challenge each student while also providing them with a lifelong confidence in the subject and the sense that math is fun! For Jen, an interdisciplinary approach is more engaging than other methods and helps students develop the skills to work through messy problems in an organized way, encouraging high-order thinking.

Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies education with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL),   Crown College (St. Bonifacious, MN) 

 Mrs. Julia Rieniets is joining our team as a Middle School teacher! She will be teaching  Study Skills, High School Prep, and Health at the Middle School level.

She will also serve as our mentor, 2nd writing teacher, and Science teacher assistant. Mrs. Rieniets has been helping with Hawthorn Math for a couple years and is excited to take on more responsibilities.  She also completed a certificate of Biblical studies and has experience and training in congregational youth ministry. Before having children, she taught for 5 years in both private and public education. 

BA in Physical Education with a minor in Recreational Sports and Development

Kendrick is a former college athlete who played for Northwest University in Kirkland. During his tenure there, he helped his basketball team make a run at the Final Four for NAIA College Athletics. After receiving his degree, Kendrick had the opportunity to be an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program at Northwest University for four years while he began teaching at Concordia Lutheran School as a Physical Education teacher. Kendrick has worked with children of all ages. Having taught at different levels, he relates to children very well and understands that every child is unique in his or her own way.

As well as teaching P.E. to the kids, Kendrick is the Athletic Director for the school. He oversees all the athletics at the school with scheduling games, practices, transportation, etc. Kendrick take great pride in representing the school in a positive manner at all times. Concordia Lutheran School is a place for your child to grow as an individual and be loved and respected by others.

BS in Family and Child Life with a specialization in Family Science, Central Washington University

Mikaeyla joined Concordia Seattle in 2023. She has worked with students in many different capacities teaching academics, social/emotional skills, biblical studies, and even dance, for the past 10 years. She has taught preschool, ministered to college students and families, and everything in between during this time. Her goal always is to guide students in experiencing the joy of learning academically, relationally, and spiritually. She is so grateful to be serving at such an amazing school that promotes learning in all of these areas.

Mikaeyla lives in North Seattle with her husband, Alex. They love to spend time with friends and family, serve at their church, see live music/theater, and discover new local restaurants.

BS in Math Education minor in Human Development, Washington State University

Lauren has worked in early childhood education since 2019. In her spare time she likes to read, spend time outside, and volunteer with her church in college ministry.

Born in Ethiopia, Rahel arrived in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, in 1994. While there, she attended St. Paul’s Technical College studying in the field of Child Development. Married to my husband, Pr. Yoseph Petros, she has three wonderful grown boys all of whom have attended and completed their Junior High here at Concordia Lutheran School – Seattle. She joined Concordia in August 1999 and has been working with the Preschool children and their families for the last 28 years. She loves children and has a strong compassion for them, which also equips her with witnessing the love of God to them. She enjoy working at Concordia and being part of the larger family of Christ. 

A.A. in Early Childhood Education, Mount Saint Joseph University Ohio

Amy has been in the teaching field for over 20 years; mostly with ages 2-5, but also has some experience with school-age children. Amy spent four years teaching to children of missionaries overseas; the first two years were spent teaching 2nd grade and her last two years she worked with 6th graders.

Amy grew up in Westport, Connecticut, but has lived in the Seattle area since 1992, currently residing in Lynnwood with her dog, Pepper. She loves the beach, traveling, writing poetry and lyrics to songs, hiking, and taking pictures of nature.

Wendy Hansen is an artist, set, and costume designer, mother and grandmother. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College, Chicago, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Mississippi. Both degrees are in theatre arts with emphasis in set and costume design. Before and besides art and theatre design, she has worked as a mechanical and electrical drafter, as well as drafting supervisor. She taught art in Mississippi to 2nd grade through high school students, as well as theatre classes at the University of Mississippi and Oklahoma City University. She is really excited to be teaching art and drama again. 

Stanwood High School 
University of Washington 

 Wesley has been involved in music performance and tutoring every year of his life, including first Trombone, French Horn and Tenor in bands, orchestras, and choirs respectively. He knows God through the mastery and meditation required to achieve beautiful music, and shares his love for practice, performance, and the popular music of the last century.