meet our staff
Brenda Wilson
Principal
bwilson@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x104
A Saginaw native, Mrs. Wilson was raised from birth in the Lutheran faith. She graduated from Saginaw Valley State University, and also completed the Lutheran Teacher Colloquy Program at Concordia University, Ann Arbor. Mrs. Wilson has faithfully taught Kindergarten at Bethlehem for over a decade!
Mrs. Wilson is thankful to God for the wonderful teachers she had throughout her early school years. Those teachers have been her inspiration, and she strives to be like them - a teacher whose foundation for all subjects is the Bible.
Mrs. Wilson is married to her husband Scott and has two children, Jacob and Katie - both of whom are Bethlehem graduates.
Delanie Plamondon
Administrative Assistant
office@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x213
Delanie is a native Michigander who has lived all over the mitten, but she loves the Great Lakes Bay Region most of all.
Delanie graduated from Valley Lutheran in 2016. She then went on to study at Northwood University, where she received her BBA with concentrations in management and accounting.
In her free time, Delanie enjoys Crossfit, crocheting, and hanging out with her husband, Daniel, and cat, Fiona.
Lisa May
4 Year Old Preschool Teacher
Preschool Administrator
lmay@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x209
Class Website
Mrs. May's teaching journey began in 2005 when she began working in a Christian preschool. She obtained her Associates Degree in Child Development and Applied Science from Delta College and continues to learn through classes, workshops and conferences.
Mrs. May's experience as a mother has deeply influenced her teaching style. She loves integrating faith into every aspect of her classroom. Mrs. May is passionate about teaching children and is very excited to serve here at Bethlehem.
She lives in St. Charles with her husband, Dave. She has 4 children, Jenna, Jake, Mackenzie and Olivia and a crazy dog.
When not in the classroom, Mrs. May enjoys crafting, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
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Shawn Griffore
3 Year Old Preschool Teacher
sgriffore@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x210
Class Website
Mrs. Griffore has been serving at Bethlehem since 2011 in a variety of roles. She worked as a Paraprofessional and Preschool aid for 5 years and has been teaching 3 year old preschool since then. She obtained her credentials through Care Courses, an online program specializing in Early Childhood courses. Mrs. Griffore also works in our school library.
Mrs. Griffore and her husband, Darin, have been members of Bethlehem for over a decade. Mrs. Griffore has two college-age boys, Ethan and Logan, who attended Bethlehem and graduated from Valley Lutheran.
Rebecca Smith
Kindergarten Teacher
rsmith@bethlehemsaginaw.org
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Class Website
Miss Rebecca Smith is a Bay City native and a graduate of Concordia University, Ann Arbor where she earned her BA in Elementary Education with a focus in Language Arts, minor in Early Childhood Education, and Lutheran Teaching Diploma.
Having attended Lutheran schools from preschool through college, Miss Smith is passionate about Christian education. Many of her teachers inspired her over the years, encouraging her to succeed and grow academically and spiritually. These teachers instilled a passion for learning and love of Christ that Miss Smith prays she can share with the students of Bethlehem.
Outside of the classroom, Miss Smith enjoys performing in community theatre, playing the ukulele, and riding roller coasters. She resides in Saginaw with her best four-legged friend, Rory, the Australian Cattle Dog.
Christine Engelhardt
1st Grade Teacher
cengelhardt@bethlehemsaginaw.org
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Mrs. Englehardt obtained a teaching degree at Central Michigan University with an emphasis in early childhood development. Prior to her current role, Mrs. Englehardt taught 3 and 4 year old children at Bethlehem's preschool.
Mrs. Englehardt is a member of Bethlehem along with my husband, Kurt, and their three daughters.
Mrs. Englehardt enjoys camping, Pinterest, spending time with friends and family and coordinating events for Bethlehem's Children's Ministry.
Sundae Peterson
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
speterson@bethlehemsaginaw.org
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Mrs. Peterson graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and mathematics. She began her teaching career in 1995 in Grand Blanc. She had the wonderful opportunity to be a stay at home mom for ten years, after the birth of her first child in 2000. Mrs. Peterson has taught for over a decade in a variety of grades.
Mrs. Peterson has been married to her husband Joel for over 20 years. They reside in Frankenmuth with their three children Brenden, Caden, and Abbi Lynn.
When not working, Mrs. Peterson enjoys spending time with her family. In particular, she enjoys watching her children play travel sports.
Mrs. Peterson looks forward to a wonderful school year with her 2nd grade Super Heroes!
Annelise Holcomb
4th Grade Teacher
arholcomb@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x224
Class Website
Mrs. Annelise Holcomb is the 4th grade and Choir I teacher. She has been teaching at Bethlehem for the past four years after graduating from Calvin College in 2017 with a degree in elementary education. She has endorsements in integrated science and math, and she also has a music minor.
Mrs. Holcomb enjoys being outdoors, playing musical instruments, and spending time with her husband, Alex, and cat, Dunson. She grew up in the Grand Rapids area and loves visiting her family there.
At the beginning of each school year, she looks forward to building relationships with her students and helping them grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ.
Nicole Obeada
5th Grade Teacher
nobeada@bethlehemsaginaw.org
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Ms. Obeada is a Navy veteran that recently graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Psychology. She is currently obtaining her teaching certificate through Teachers of Tomorrow. Prior, she has taught 2nd grade for 3 years and looks forward to a change of grade.
Ms. Obeada is a busy mother of children, Kayleigh, Olivia, Madelyn, and Sophia. She also coaches middle school cheerleading in Bay City and 6 teams through Champion Force.
In Ms. Obeada’s spare time, she likes to travel, bake cheesecake, and watch sporting events. She is very excited to grow as a teacher.
Brendan Krueger
6th Grade Teacher
bkrueger@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x203
Class Website
Mr. Krueger graduated from Concordia University Chicago in December of 2022 with his degree in Music Education. He followed his greatest passion of music to become the teacher he is today, but that is not all he is passionate for. Mr. Krueger
has a love for pursuing the Lord and all that He has revealed to us.
Mr. Krueger voraciously consumes media of any kind to learn something new about a variety of topics. Those topics can range from astrophysics, to carving, to history. He also loves well crafted stories; stories in the form of books, movies, serials, or even games. Mr. Krueger equally loves asking questions and crafting well thought answers to those questions, not settling until the question has been answered to its fullest potential from every perspective, including Biblical.
Many of these loves he shares with his wife, Bethany Krueger (formerly Daenzer), whom he married in the summer of 2022. Above all other loves and passions, Mr.
Krueger loves to serve those around him in the name of Jesus Christ and share what he has come to know about the Lord through his actions.
Shelley Biver
7th / 8th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Biver earned her elementary teaching degree from Central Michigan University with a reading major and a math minor. Upon graduation she started teaching at a charter school here in Saginaw until God called her to join Bethlehem’s staff. Mrs. Biver has taught 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades prior to joining Bethlehem. She has a love for teaching math and science and watching God’s children grow and learn each day.
Mrs. Biver has been an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Saginaw for over 3 decades. She attended Good Shepherd Lutheran School and graduated from Valley Lutheran High School.
Mrs. Biver and her husband live in Saginaw Township. She has a daughter, who graduated from Valley Lutheran, has an associate degree from Delta and currently works at Good Shepherd Lutheran ECC, a step-son and daughter-in-law, and a grandson who live in Taylor, MI.
When not teaching, Mrs. Biver enjoys bike riding, going on trips with her husband, and reading quietly in her backyard.
Kara Brown
Art Teacher
karaharrisbrown@aol.com
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Mrs. Kara Brown has had a wide variety of artistic and teaching experiences including serving as the Curator of Education at the Saginaw Art Museum, creating Art Across the Curriculum, and working for the ArtSmart Youth Program of Saginaw and Bay Counties. Formerly the visual arts teacher at CAC Headstart in Saginaw, Mrs. Brown has fostered the artistic growth and education of thousands of youth through numerous collaborations.
Mrs. Brown focuses on art appreciation and gaining self-awareness and confidence in the classroom. She incorporates cross-curriculum strategies, techniques, media, and art history into many of her lessons. She looks forward to continuing at Bethlehem for many years to come!
Lisa Duclos
Physical Education Teacher
lduclos@bethlehemsaginaw.org
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Saginaw native and lifelong Bethlehem member, Mrs. Lisa Duclos has been serving as the Physical Education since 2005!
Mrs. Duclos is married to her husband, John, and has three sons, Hayden, Will and Colten. All 3 of her sons attend Bethlehem!
Mrs. Duclos especially loves getting to know Bethlehem students and the family atmosphere of the school. In her free time she enjoys doing anything active - water-skiing, snow-skiing to name a few.
Catherine Hutter
Technology Teacher
chutter@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x
Ms. Catherine Hutter comes to
Bethlehem with several years of teaching experience in public schools.
Catherine has a BAA in Early Childhood Education and minor in Family Counseling from CMU. After a variety of different teaching & work experiences, Ms. Hutter attended SVSU to earn her BA in Elementary Education.
Ms. Hutter attended grade school at Zion Lutheran Bay City, and then went to Valley Lutheran, graduating in 1982. She was inspired by many teachers from Valley and prays that she can instill the same passion for learning and love of Christ.
Ms. Hutter currently attends and is an active member at her home congregation, St. Paul Lutheran
Frankenlust. She enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Lily Reyes
Band Teacher
lreyes@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x
Mrs. Lily Reyes is the 5th-8th grade band director for Bethlehem Lutheran. She graduated from SVSU in 2021 with a degree in Music Education and a minor in psychology. She has performed on a plethora of different instruments as well as in many unique types of ensembles. These ensembles range from big band jazz ensembles and steel drum bands to full orchestras and brass quartets. Her primary instrument, the French horn, will always stay close to her heart.
Being a Saginaw native, Mrs. Reyes graduated from Carrollton High School before attending SVSU where she met her husband, Nick. Together they have two boys, Julius and August. In her free time, she enjoys practicing guitar or ukulele, hiking, cooking, building Lego sets, and playing video games with her son.
sbiver@bethlehemsaginaw.org
989-755-1144x208
Class Website
Diane Gallegos
Teacher's Aide
Ginny Sowatsky
3 Year Old Preschool Teacher's Aide
4 Year Old P.M. Lead Teacher & Extended Care Leader
Mrs. Gallegos has been working at Bethlehem since 2000. She serves as a paraprofessional for grades K-3 and assists in many other capacities around the school. Mrs. Gallegos earned her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Delta College.
Mrs. Gallegos is a former Bethlehem student and a lifelong member of the church. She is married to her husband, Ricardo, and they have three daughters who also attended Bethlehem and Valley Lutheran.
A busy mom of four, Mrs. Ginny is excited to help teach little ones. She graduated from Michigan State with a degree in kinesiology and worked as an exercise physiologist in the Detroit area before moving back home. She has led various groups including Mothers of Preschooler’s, Community Bible Study’s preschool program, and coached at Bethlehem for many years.
Being a mom has taught her many lessons and has grown her faith in so many ways. She has learned to see and trust God through the eyes of childlike faith. She loves to encourage and remind kids of all ages that God lavishly loves each of them.
Mrs. Ginny is married to Eric who has been a lifelong member at Bethlehem. His mom was a former preschool teacher. Their four kids have attended Bethlehem and are growing up too fast! She is so thankful for the foundation of faith that the teachers have helped to form in her family’s
life.
Miss Jenna teaches afternoon preschool and is in charge of our extended day program.
She previously spent five years in La Grande, Oregon teaching preschool at a Lutheran church there, but moved back home with her husband, Kiel, to raise their daughter closer to home.
She truly is going back to her roots! Miss Jenna attended Bethlehem from K-8th grade. She then moved on to graduate from Valley Lutheran and attended Concordia University in Ann Arbor.
Miranda Cisneros
4 Year Old Preschool Teachers Aide
Miss Miranda is excited for this coming school year! She has been working in early childhood education for several years now.
In her free time, Miss Miranda enjoys taking classes at Medal Martial Arts & spending time with friends and family.