Hello! My name is Michael Martens. I grew up as a third generation farm boy in New Ulm, Minnesota. I went to St. Paul’s Lutheran for grades K-8, Minnesota Valley Lutheran for high school, and finally Martin Luther College. At MLC I completed a double major in Staff Ministry and Elementary Education. My first assignment out of MLC was to Trinity Lutheran School in Caledonia, Wisconsin where I served five years.

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While at MLC, I met my wife Esther. God has blessed us with three wonderful children together. At the time of me writing this Paityn is 5, Evianna is 3, and Jasper is 2, and our fourth is on the way. In my free time I love to play with my kids, spend time with my wife, watch sports, fish, read, play my cello, and sing.

​I am excited to serve the People at Christ Lutheran Church and School. To God be the glory!

Email Address: 5-6teacher@christbigbend.com

I grew up in Oshkosh, WI. I attended Grace Lutheran School for K-8 and then went on to high school at Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. My Pastor at Martin Luther Church in Oshkosh was a great advocate for service to our Lord and encouraged me to attend Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. My husband, Jim, is a retired police officer and we have three fabulous boys. Nick, our oldest, is a police officer and is married to our favorite daughter-in-law, Heidi, a Medical Technologist. EJ, our second child, is finishing his teaching degree at St. Norbert College and will head out to start his life as a teacher. Tony, the youngest, attends Concordia University studying computers! I love all outdoor sports and activities and especially love doing them with my family! My husband and I camp, hike, mountain bike, kayak, ride our motorcycle, and play golf when we can.

​Teaching is truly my love and calling and I have been unbelievably blessed to be here at Christ with such great kids and families.

Email Address: 3-4teacher@christbigbend.com

Hello! My name is Debbie Spriggs, and I’m so excited to teach grades one and two along with art for grades 1-8 at Christ Lutheran!

 My recent teaching background includes 12 years of middle school English Language Arts, and Art instruction at Peace Lutheran in Hartford, Wisconsin. I graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College, and hold a Wisconsin State Teaching License.

My husband, Martin, serves the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod as its Chief Technology Officer. God has blessed us with three grown, married children and two grandchildren.

​When I’m not teaching, I enjoy camping, bicycling, hiking, sewing, and home improvement projects. As an alumni of Christ Lutheran School, I am both thrilled and humbled that God has brought me “home” to serve His children here. I am privileged to share God’s love for us with the children of Christ Lutheran and I trust in Him for guidance, “For I am the Lord your God. I am the one who is holding on to your right hand. I am the one who says to you, “Do not fear. I myself am helping you.” Isaiah 41:13, EHV

Email Address: 1-2teacher@christbigbend.com

Hi, my name is Mrs. Carla Lindhorst and I am excited about serving at Christ Lutheran as the Kindergarten teacher and music coordinator!

I joined the staff in 2021 with rich and varied experiences. I have a Bachelor of Music Education degree, a Parent Educator certificate, and an Elementary Education certificate. I have been a piano and voice instructor for over 30 years. For 14 years I was a certified Music Together teacher sharing music with birth to age 5 children and their families in Fort Myers, Florida and Litchfield, Minnesota. For 7 years I served as a Parent Educator and Preschool Teacher in Minnesota’s Early Childhood Family Education Program in Litchfield, Minnesota. When I lived most recently, in Watertown, South Dakota, I worked as an Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional and then as a first grade teacher. 

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In my free time, I enjoy hiking and biking, gardening, sewing, reading, singing and playing the piano. My husband, Paul, is the new WELS Ministry of Christian Giving Counselor for the Southeastern Wisconsin District. We will celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary in August of 2021. We have been blessed with 6 children and 8 grandchildren. 

​I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Jesus’ lambs at Christ Lutheran School and look forward to talking about Jesus every day with my students!

​Email Address: kteacher@christbigbend.com

Hi, my name is Jessica Quinn and I’m blessed to be the 3K teacher here at Christ Lutheran! I love children and have wanted to be a teacher ever since I can remember. I enjoy watching 3 year olds learn and grow throughout the year. They are truly a joy to teach each day! Some of my background includes: starting a brand new preschool in Tennessee, serving as an enrollment coordinator for a children’s center here in the Milwaukee area, and administration/teaching in various preschools and child cares.

​I am blessed with 3 children of my own -- two boys and a girl. My boys are in high school at Luther Preparatory School and my daughter enjoys school here at Christ Lutheran School. Some things I enjoy are: summertime, ice cream, tea, stand up paddle boarding, pilates, baking and being a part of an amazing church family here at Christ!

Email Address: 3kteacher@christbigbend.com

Email Address: schooloffice@christbigbend.com