Our Staff

Emmanuel Lutheran School is the place where your child can grow! Thank you for taking a closer look at us.

Paul Baerwolf

Paul Baerwolf

PRINCIPAL, 1ST - 3RD GRADE

I’ve been a teacher since 1991.

I went to Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I have a professional teaching certificate from the state of Michigan. I’ve taught at several Lutheran Schools before coming to Emmanuel.

My wife, Catherine, is also a teacher at Emmanuel. We have one son who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a registered nurse.

I enjoy gardening and working outside.

We challenge our students and encourage them to fully develop all the gifts God has so richly blessed them with. By this, they often accomplish more than they thought they could.

Cathy Baerwolf

Cathy Baerwolf

4TH - 8TH GRADE

I’ve been a teacher since 1986.

I went to Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I also attended Eastern Michigan University in order to obtain a continuous teaching certificate. I’ve taught at several Lutheran Schools before coming to Emmanuel.

My husband, Paul, is also a teacher at Emmanuel. We have one son who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a registered nurse.

I enjoy reading, traveling and taking care of our dog Beatrice.

My favorite part about the teaching ministry is sharing the love of Christ and His saving grace with each student. Thank you for taking a closer look at us. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them.

Judy Blackwell

Judy Blackwell

PRESCHOOL - KINDERGARTEN

I am very blessed to be the preschool and kindergarten teacher and early childhood director at Emmanuel Lutheran School in Dearborn.

I grew up in the city of Dearborn. My first church, until I was five years old, was Atonement Lutheran in Dearborn where I was baptized. My family attended Mount Hope Lutheran Church in Allen Park when I was in first grade. I remained a member until I received my call to a teacher at Emmanuel in 2007.

I received my teaching degree at Madonna University and I completed the Colloquy Program at Concordia, Ann Arbor. 

I was a third and fourth grade teacher at a Christian School in Southgate, for several years. When the school closed, I guest taught at Trinity Lutheran School in Wyandotte and St. John’s Lutheran in Taylor. God opened the door to full time teaching at Mount Hope Lutheran School in Allen Park for eleven years. Sadly, the school closed.

A wonderful blessing from God came when I received my first “Teacher Call” for a first and second grade teacher at Emmanuel Lutheran School. After three years, I accepted the kindergarten and preschool teaching position and early childhood director. I am blessed to be moving forward to my fourteenth year of teaching at Emmanuel.  

I have been married to my husband, Gordon, for thirty-six years. We have two grown children, Gordon and Charles.

Diana Rice

Diana Rice

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

I am a Deaconess of the Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society. My major role is head teacher for St. Martin Lutheran School for the Deaf which is a part of the educational ministry of Emmanuel Lutheran School.

I have been teaching children of all ages since 2008, including homeschooling my four KODA children. I am known for my love of serving my Lord by reaching out to many people both deaf and hearing alike.

I have been involved in many activities in the Deaf community. I am currently serving the Lutheran Women in Mission organization as a Deaf Liaison. I also serve as a Deaf mentor for the Community Health and Literacy program of The Holley Institute. I am also a member of the Concordia Deaconess Conference.

I attended the University of Macau, China where I majored in Elementary Education. I studied my ASL and English as a second language at Gallaudet University. I also studied a second major in the Deaconess Program at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.

My love of pursuing a higher education has resulted in my training in classical education which St. Martin uses as its curriculum. I hold a certificate of Deaf Mentor, trained with SKI-HI Deaf mentor program. I went on a short-term mission trip with MOST (Mission Opportunities Short Term) to Ethiopia in 2018, serving Deaf children by providing eye care exams and glasses, as well as sharing God’s Word in Ethiopian Sign Language which is close to ASL.

I love serving the Lord and our neighbors no matter the language and I look forward to having your child discover their God given gifts.

Kantor Mark Schultz

Mark Schultz

MUSIC

I was born and raised in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. I have a degree in Elementary Education (B.A.) from Concordia -St. Paul, a Master’s Degree (M.E.P.D) from The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a Master’s Degree in Church Music (M.C.M) from Concordia University-Wisconsin. I have served congregations for over 40 years as a full-time Director of Music in Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Michigan before coming to Emmanuel to faithfully serve as Kantor in 2018. I have written several compositions for use in the church and have several organ preludes published by Northwestern Publishing House.

I am married to my wife, Ramona. We have two daughters Emily and Stacey, and two grandchildren.