Our teachers and staff are committed to supporting the students in their faith and education.
Staff Members
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Joy Reitsma
- Title: Principal
- 6th-8th Grade
Joy brings over 35 years to teaching and administrative experience to Salem Lutheran School. She has a BA in education from Concordia University, Chicago, as well as an MA in education from Florida International University. Joy has taught in Illinois, Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina. Her favorite subjects to teach are math and art. She enjoys helping with sports, music and drama. Joy and her son moved to Jacksonville in July 2022. Her son plays ice hockey, is a Star Boy Scout. They are excited to join the Salem Lutheran family.
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Barb Wiegand
- Title: Teacher
- Pre-K
- Ages 3
Barb has been providing early childhood education for the past 34 years, including the last 15 years at Salem. Prior to coming to Salem, she worked at Mighty Mites at the YMCA and Bright Beginnings Daycare Center. Barb is a graduate of the early childhood education program at Lincoln Land Community College. Barb and her husband reside in Jacksonville. In her free time, she enjoys arts, crafts, music, swimming, movies and documentaries, and baking cakes and cookies.
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Mindy Lysaythong
- Title: Teacher
- Pre-K
- Ages 4
Mindy has worked in the early care and education field for the past 20 years. She has worked with children, 0-5, in the private, non-profit and faith based communities. She has an Associates of Arts degree in early childhood education from Merced College. Mindy’s hobbies are gardening, crafting and cooking. Mindy, her husband and four children recently moved to Virginia, IL. She is proud and excited to join the Salem Lutheran School family!
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Deborah Steinacher
- Title: Teacher
- 1st and 2nd Grade
Deborah has been blessed to be a member of Salem Lutheran Church for over 50 years and a teacher at Salem Lutheran School for nearly 30 years. She is a graduate of Illinois College and earned her colloquy from Concordia College-River Forest. In her free time, Deborah enjoys working in her flower garden, camping, day trips and spending time with family. “My teaching career at Salem has been a blessing to me and family,” said Deborah. “We were truly blessed to be able to send our children to Salem Lutheran School from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.”
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Blayre Petri
- Title: Teacher
- 3rd-5th grade
Blayre earned her BA in education from Monmouth College. She has taught both children and teens during her 12 years of teaching, but her heart is with the younger children. Blayre and her husband, Ben, reside in White Hall. They are the parents of two boys, Harrison and Jameson, both who are students at Salem. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, and being involved with her sons’ extracurricular activities.
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