Trinity Lutheran School - Sturgis, Michigan

I am very blessed to come from a family where Lutheran education was very important. Being a Lutheran, and attending the Lutheran school (grades 1-8) was a way of life, it was part of the history of our family. My family tree is firmly anchored by strong German roots.

I was raised on the family farm a few miles outside of Decatur, Indiana. I have two wonderful parents, Don and Evelyn Grote.(Dad went to heaven several years ago.) I have two older sisters, Pam and Ellen, and an older brother, Roger. Yes, I am the "baby" of the family.

I was surrounded by a very close-knit family of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. We all attended the same Lutheran church and school a half-mile down the road, as my nephews and nieces do now.

Not only did the pastors and teachers have a profound impact in my school life, but also they were also frequent visitors in our home, for meals and conversation. My family appreciated them as people, as friends, not just employees of the church. They were held in very high esteem in our household and the church community. They often became part of our extended family, and many are still in contact with our family to this day.

As you can see, my elementary teachers had a huge impact on what I wanted to do with my life. I adored them. I wanted to be just like them. At the age of 8, when I was in second grade, I knew that I wanted to become a Lutheran schoolteacher. I set my sights on that goal and never looked back. My teachers, parents, relatives and pastors constantly encouraged me.

When I was six years old, my oldest sister went to Concordia Ann Arbor. My second sister followed two years later. At that time, Ann Arbor was only a two-year college, and my sisters continued their education at other Lutheran campuses in St. Paul, Minnesota, Seward, Nebraska and River Forest, Illinois. Naturally, our family made quite a few trips to see my sisters. But I had fallen in love with Ann Arbor's campus at first sight. I headed there for college after graduating from Bellmont High School.

I was called to Trinity in 1984, four days before the start of the school year. I knew that becoming a Lutheran teacher was what I was created to do.

I have never regretted that decision. I have loved being a Lutheran educator. There have been many times I have felt God's hand guiding my life's journey, circumstances have twisted and turned, yet I know this is where I am supposed to be right now.

I have been teaching at Trinity for twenty -five years. I have many fond memories of all the special kids that I have had the honor to teach. Many of them have stayed in touch through the years. I am very proud of each and every one of them.

I have many cherished friends in Trinity's congregation. I want to give back to the Lord for the many blessings He has given to me in my life. I look forward to continuing my ministry as a Lutheran schoolteacher as long as God sees fit.

I married a "nice Lutheran boy", my husband Bryan, in 1986. He works at Syndicate Systems in Middlebury as the CAD manager. We have a wonderful son, Alex, who attended Trinity from pre-school through eighth grade. He is now a sophomore at Sturgis High School.

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