Welcome to FVL

Rachel works directly with the Principal. She has a degree in Music Therapy from UW-Eau Claire (2004), and prior to taking her position at FVL, Rachel taught for six years in public education.

Members at St. John, Center, Mrs. Bonson and her husband, Matt, have two children: Garrett (FVL Junior) and Zoe (FVL Freshman).

• Hometown - Appleton, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Performing music, camping, weightlifting, and games
• Favorite Bible Passage - Psalm 46:10
  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Liam was hired onto our custodial staff. He graduated in 2024 from Martin Luther College with a Pastoral Studies degree. Opting to take a year off before continuing his training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, he taught English in Japan for two months last summer, and plans to travel to Iceland in the summer of 2025. Liam will enroll at the seminary in the Fall of 2025.

• Hometown - Appleton, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Creative writing, spending time with friends, exercising, traveling
• Favorite Bible Passage - 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
  "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not vain."

Jacob was assigned to serve as a mathematics teacher at FVL, having graduated from MLC in 2024. In addition to teaching, Jacob is assisting our theatre department with coordinating set painting and decoration. He and his wife Naomi were married in the summer of 2024. They are members at St. Paul in Appleton.

• Hometown - Milwaukee, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Working out, camping/hiking, reading, music/podcasts, lawn games
• Favorite Bible Passage - 1 Corinthians 16:13
  "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."

Jason has been called to teach mathematics and coach boys baseball. He is a 2014 graduate of FVL. He earned a teaching degree from St. Norbert College in 2018. Since then, he had been teaching math and coaching. He worked for three years at Oshkosh North and then three years at Pius High School in Milwaukee. Members at St. Peter in Freedom, he and his wife, Brittany, have one daughter: Addilyn (1).

• Hometown - Appleton, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Baseball, golf, working out
• Favorite Bible Passage - Psalm 46:10
  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
  

Julia works directly with the President. She graduated in 2007 from North Dakota State University in Fargo with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Mrs. McLister and her husband Jared have three children: Jaxson (FVL Freshman), Bryson (12), and Addison (9). They are members at Mount Olive in Appleton.

• Hometown - Wausau, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Reading, playing card games with family, camping, and traveling
• Favorite Bible Passage - Ephesians 2:8-9
  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

Tom has been called to serve as our Director of Mission Advancement. He graduated from Northwestern College in 1988 and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1994. During his ministry he served as parish pastor for two years in Garden Grove, CA; for six years in Maribel, WI; for six years in South Windsor, CT; and for 10 years at St. Matthew, Appleton, WI. For the past five years, Rev. Mielke has been the WELS Christian Giving Counselor to the Northern Wisconsin District. He and his wife Laura are members at St. Matthew in Appleton. They have five adult children: Nicole, Andrew, Leah, Caleb, and Megan.

• Hometown - Kenosha, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Dining out, traveling, watching TV and movies, following professional sports (Brewers, Packers, and Bucks)
• Favorite Bible Passage - Psalm 46:10
  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
  

Colin has joined the faculty as a math, science, and technology instructor. He graduated from MLC in 2016 and was assigned to Trinity Lutheran School in Neenah, WI as teacher and athletic director. While there, his call changed in two significant ways. The first was in 2020, when he was called by Neenah Lutheran School (Trinity and Martin Luther, having amalgamated), and the second was in 2021, when he was called to serve as principal. Members at The CORE in Appleton, Mr. Paustian and his wife, Jackie, have two sons: Emmett (6) and Owen (2). 

• Hometown - Racine, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - DIY house projects, reading, running, basketball, sports in general, Packers, technology, spreadsheets
• Favorite Bible Passage - Romans 8:38-39
  "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Stephanie has been hired to assist in our Media Center. She has a degree in Social Change and Development with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from UW-Green Bay (1996). Prior to working at FVL, Mrs. Thomas has served as a career police officer, completing over ten years as a patrol officer, four years as a police investigator, and over ten years as a school resource officer. Members at The CORE in Appleton, Mrs. Thomas and her husband, Todd, have one daughter: Samantha (FVL Junior).

• Hometown - Grafton, WI
• Talents, Interests, Passions - Working out and carpentry
• Favorite Bible Passage - 2 Timothy 1:7
  "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."