Faculty
The teachers in the program at Bethany Lutheran Elementary School are prepared to instruct a child in God’s everlasting truths. Our school teaches standard, academic subjects. Fully qualified teachers not only know how to teach a child to read and to understand the workings of mathematics, but also how to lead a child into that greatest guidebook for life, the Bible - God’s Word.
Tim Thies
Mr. Thies is our new Principal/Upper grades teacher. He is a Wisconsin native and Martin Luther College graduate and comes to us from Midland Michigan, where he served for 6 years as Principal and upper grades teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran. His interests include social studies, science, and athletics; hobbies involve outdoor activities such as fishing and camping.
Sarah Gullixson
Miss Gullixson began teaching in 2006-07 and teaches the Middle grades here at BLES. She is a graduate of Bethany Lutheran College and comes to us from Mankato MN. Miss Gullixson is our lead PE teacher and part-time piano accompanist.
Barb Mantey
Mrs. Mantey is our Lower grades teacher and has been at Bethany Lutheran since 1992. She also serves as one of Bethany’s church organists and directs both the Senior (church) & Junior (school) choirs, as well as our music education programs. Mrs. Mantey is both Washington State certified and ‘mom’& ‘grandma’ certified, with 6 children & 11 grandchildren of her own; all six of her children have or are pursuing degrees in Lutheran education.
Becky Bergemann
Mrs. Bergemann is our Kindergarten teacher. She returned in 2006-07 to the classroom after taking a ‘teaching break’ while her two children were little, and co-leads our Art & Science education programs. Mrs. Bergemann has the honor of being the only faculty member to also be a Bethany Lutheran Elementary School graduate.
Janine Techtmann
Miss Techtmann is our new Director of Early Learning and head teacher in our Early Learning Center. Janine is a graduate of Martin Luther College in New Ulm MN; her degree is in the areas of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Her first call was to McDonough GA, where she worked with a mission church to establish a preschool program. Miss Techtmann is VERY excited to share Jesus’ love with all the little lambs in Kitsap County!
Part-time faculty: Pastor Tony Pittenger teaches catechism and religion; Miss Jodi Justman teaches band; Mrs. Roberta Highfill and Mrs. Nancy Lorette teach piano; and Mr. Dave Olsen teaches photography. Mrs. Cathy Sharrett, Mrs. Rachel Miller, and Mrs. Melissa Pittenger are guest teachers.