Our teachers and staff are committed to supporting the students in their faith and education.
Staff Members
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Rev. Jonah Schultz
- Title: Pastor
Rev. Jonah Schultz was installed as the 25th pastor of Salem Lutheran on June 16, 2024. Pastor Schultz graduated from Concordia University Chicago in 2017. He served as a Lutheran High School teacher in Kansas City, MO, for three years before studying at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He married his wife, Mary, in 2017. They have one son, Stephen, who attends Salem Lutheran School where he receives the best education available on either side of the Mississippi.
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Joy Reitsma
- Title: Principal
- 6th-8th Grade
Joy has 40 years of teaching and administrative experience. She joined the Salem Lutheran School team in 2022. 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. She has a son, Ronnie, and a dog, Piston, whom she loves to spend her free time with.
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Rashana Wells
- Title: Teacher
- Kindergarten
Rashana lives in Jacksonville with her daughter, husband, and three cats. She enjoys walking, music, reading, and spending time with her family. She has received educational preparation from Lincoln Land Community College and Grand Canyon University.
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Deborah Steinacher
- Title: Teacher
- Kindergarten/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 more than 30 years. She is a graduate of Illinois College and earned her colloquy from Concordia College River Forest. She enjoys relaxing with family and friends, spending time in her flower garden, taking day trips, and being thankful for all the many blessings that God has given her. “Teaching has always been my passion, and I am truly blessed to have been able to teach at Salem. Salem is my home away from home,” said Deborah. “The Christ-centered education that my children received at Salem from preschool to eighth grade was wonderful!”
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Jackie Steinacher
- Title: Teacher
- 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade
Jackie is a lifelong member of Salem’s church family and a 2004 graduate of Salem Lutheran School. She earned her B.S. from Western Illinois University and her Education Licensure from the University of West Florida. She has a passion for geography and microbiology and for learning new languages. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and two children, Amelia and Henry.
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Katherine (Kate) Ruggless
- Title: Teacher
- 3rd - 8th Grade
Kate is a retired Middle School Teacher and Coach with 40 years of experience. She is the mother of 3: Michael, Kara, and Jennifer, and grandmother of 3: Alonna, Claire, and Olivia. She enjoys spending time with family, walking, and college sports.
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Candy West
- Title: Teacher
- Pre-K
- Age 4
Candy is a Jacksonville native and Illinois College graduate. She brings
with her three decades of business and people experience, three decades of volleyball coaching and officiating experience, and she has spent the last decade teaching and mentoring the youth of Jacksonville and surrounding communities. She maintains close relationships with all three parochial schools in the community and volunteers at the Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen. She considers herself a lifelong learner. Candy, along with her husband, raised two married daughters. She is the proud grandmother of three future leaders. -
Christina Martin
- Title: Teacher
- Pre-K
- Age 3
Christy received her Associate Degree in 2014 for Business and received Teaching Certificate for Level 2 in Early Childhood in 2023. She has worked in early childhood for over 10 years. When not in the classroom, she enjoys being a mother of two, Evangeline and Evander and all of the sports and school projects they do. Her favorite color is green and she likes being very crafty and artsy, as well as spending time outdoors and enjoying all things nature.
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Bethany Malone
- Title: Teacher
- Pre-K
- Age 2
Bethany is a 2013 graduate of Waverly High School and received her CDA in 2024. She has worked in early childhood development for three years. Outside of the classroom she is a mother of two daughters, Dalaney and Karlie, and enjoys cooking, reading, and anything outdoors. Her favorite color is yellow and she loves Fall and Spring the most.
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Emily Brust
- Title: Aide
- Pre-K
- Age 4
Emily has been working with preschool students for 4 years. She has 2 children of her own, Esmae and Luella. She also has a dog named Socks and a kitten. She is eager to help the students at Salem grow. She is looking forward to a great year!
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Cindy Daugherty
- Title: Aide
- Pre-K
- Age 4
Cindy is from Woodson, Illinois, and now resides in Jacksonville. She worked for the State of Illinois for 30 years. She has a husband, Doug, 3 children, and 12 grandchildren. Cindy is now retired and happy to be working at Salem part-time in our preschool.
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Jenna Hart
- Title: Aide
- Pre-K
- Age 2
Jenna graduated from Routt Catholic High School in 2024 and is currently pursuing her associate’s degree in Radiography at Lincoln Land Community College. In addition to working at Salem, she works as a Patient Care Technician at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, where she assists patients, families, and healthcare staff across various departments. In her free time, Jenna enjoys spending time outdoors, reading a good book, and relaxing at home with her pets. She is excited to work with Salem Lutheran and support students and staff in any way she can.
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