School Staff | Zion Lutheran School

Preschool

Mrs. Kristen Thun

Kristen was born and raised in New Germany and attended Zion Lutheran, Mayer Lutheran High School and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN. She has now been a teacher at Zion for 3 years, teaching 5th grade and 2nd grade. She is excited to be teaching preschool this year! Kristen is married to her husband Luke and together they have 4 kids.

Kindergarten

Mrs. Mollee Mielke

Mollee is in her fifth year of teaching at Zion. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southwest Minnesota State University, her Master of Education in Instructional Design from Western Governors University, and recently completed the Colloquy program through Concordia University. Mollee lives outside of New Germany with her husband, David, and their two children Matthew and Adeline.

1st Grade & 2nd Grade

Mrs. Tracy Shipler

Tracy is in her 31st year of teaching at Zion. She is our current 1st & 2nd grade teacher. She graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music. She directs our K-4 choir and is a worship leader for Zion’s contemporary worship service. She is married to Kirk and they have been blessed with four children.

3rd Grade

Mrs. Heidi Olsen

Heidi is in her 21st year of teaching. She has taught in Rochester and in Howard Lake. She is currently in her first year of teaching third grade at Zion. She attended Zion Mayer for elementary school then Mayer Lutheran High School and received her BA in Elementary Education at Concordia University in St. Paul. She lives in Mayer with her husband David Olsen. They have 3 adult children and two dogs.

4th Grade

Mrs. Bailey Friske

Hi! My name is Bailey Friske, and I am so excited to be teaching 4th grade at Zion Mayer Lutheran School! This will be my third year teaching and I got my teaching degree at Concordia St. Paul. This summer was extra special for me because I got married to my husband, Graham! Outside of the classroom, some of my favorite things to do are watching my husband coach football at Mayer Lutheran and exploring new coffee shops while reading a good book. One of the things I love most about teaching at a Lutheran school is the opportunity to grow in faith alongside my students. I hope to create a classroom where students feel loved, supported, and encouraged to grow not only academically, but also in their relationship with Jesus.

5th Grade Homeroom

Mrs. Elizabeth Gadbaw

Elizabeth is the 5th grade teacher at Zion. She graduated from Concordia University - Ann Arbor, MI with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with minors in English and psychology and also earned her Lutheran Teacher’s Diploma. Elizabeth also received her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University - Irvine, CA. Originally from Indiana, she moved to Minnesota in 2024. She lives with her husband (Pastor Daniel Gadbaw) and three children (James, Seth, and Eden) in Hutchinson.

6th Grade Homeroom

Mrs. Shannon Aurich

Shannon teaches 6th grade at Zion. She began teaching at Zion in 2005. Shannon grew up in Excelsior, MN, and attended Mayer Lutheran High School. She graduated from Winona State University with an Associate’s Degree and Graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Aurich lives in Mayer with her family.

7th Grade Homeroom

Mr. Paul Erdman

Paul Erdman is the 7th grade homeroom teacher at Zion. He teaches Social Studies, Science, and Computers. He grew up in the Mankato/Lake Crystal area. He received a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in Geography with an emphasis in Meteorology and Physical Geography. He received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University. He and his wife, Diane, have three wonderful children: Luke, Adam, and Lauren.

8th Grade Homeroom

Mr. Kirk Shipler

Kirk Shipler is the 8th grade homeroom teacher and teaches Math, Science, and Music. Kirk is in his 26th year of teaching, all at Zion Mayer. He received his bachelor's degree from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. Kirk and his wife Tracy live in Lester Prairie. They have four children Katelyn, Caleb, Samuel, and Ellie.