Miss Ruthann Gieseke, Third Grade Teacher
God chose to begin my life in Northern Illinois on a very “green” day, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, a day which encourages me to daily teach and profess the Trinity as a witness to others. Baptized April 15, my Christian education started to root and grow at home, through regular attendance of church, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. With parents rooted in church life, Lutheran schools and close family ties, those teachings and values now flourish in my life. I attended Concordia University, Chicago, receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in 1978 and my Masters in Church Music Degree in 1981.
With God’s blessings, this is the beginning my 36th year in the teaching ministry! I have served the church as a Lutheran educator and musician, serving first at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, Dundee, Illinois from 1978-1985 as third grade teacher and assistant musician for church and school. I received the call to Green Park Lutheran School in 1985 as second grade teacher and, nine years later, as third grade teacher. I have served as assistant church musician at Peace and at Resurrection. I am now a member of Christ Memorial.
Professional interests include serving as an author/consultant of religious curricula for Concordia Publishing House, author of professional articles for teachers, and speaker on behalf of the LESA Music Curriculum Committee at local and state wide conferences. I have been honored to be included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and nominated for Disney’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2001 and 2006. I am also a piano teacher after school, hosting a spring recital at Laclede Groves Retirement Center.
On a personal note, family continues to be the nucleus of activities. I was blessed to be a caregiver for my parents; both have now joined Jesus in heaven. My brother and his wife reside in St. Louis which allows us to be close and supportive of each other. I have two nieces, both married and involved in their careers. In leisure times, I enjoy gardening, attending cultural events at The Fox, Powell Hall, the Botanical Gardens and a renewed joy in photography. This summer I was blessed to travel to Colorado, New York and Hawaii!
It is a joy for me to teach at Green Park Lutheran School. The classroom is my highest priority as these children are “my family” for the year. I daily challenge myself with an energetic approach to presenting my lessons, especially utilizing new technology. Though the students and activities change every year, my motto of who I am and what I do remains strong: “Working Together in Love”. I thank and praise God for all the gifts He has given to me, especially as a called teacher in Lutheran Education!