From Students to Teachers: SFLS Alumni Lead in Lutheran Classrooms
When the 2025–26 school year began, two Sioux Falls Lutheran School graduates found themselves standing at the front of their own classrooms for the first time.
Classmates from preschool through 12th grade at SFLS, Colin Thuringer and Elizabeth Henschen (SFLS ’21) both felt called to serve in Lutheran schools. This fall, Colin began his ministry as music director at Lutheran High School of Indianapolis (LHSI) in Indiana, while Elizabeth stepped into her first year as an English teacher at Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School in Wisconsin.
Their parallel journeys—from growing up at SFLS to preparing for ministry at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), to teaching students in two different Lutheran high schools—showcase the impact a Christ-centered Lutheran education has on future leaders.
Laying the Foundation for a Future in Education
Colin can’t identify the moment when he decided to become a teacher, but his experience at All-City Honor Band in 8th grade and encouragement from music teachers like Mrs. Dooley and Mrs. Walicke helped him see what faithful, Christ-centered teaching could look like.
“While I was a student at SFLS, every teacher made a point to direct our learning toward Christ,” Colin said. “That really stood out to me, and it’s something I wanted to carry with me into my career.”
The seed for becoming an educator was planted in Elizabeth’s mind by her 5th grade teacher, Mr. Jon Pinn.
“Throughout my experience at SFLS, I was blessed to be taught by educators with a passion for their students, their subject, and their Savior,” she shared. “Mr. Pinn was the first person who told me that he could see me becoming a teacher. Although I didn’t select my career at age 10, the idea never really left my mind.”
Answering the Call
After graduating from SFLS in 2021, both Colin and Elizabeth enrolled at CUNE. Colin pursued PreK–12 Music Education, while Elizabeth studied Secondary Education with an emphasis in English Language Arts. Both also earned Lutheran Teacher’s Diplomas.
Today, Colin enjoys building personal relationships with his students while working to grow the small fine arts program at LHSI.
“When I first began and saw the small numbers, I got very discouraged by the uphill battle I knew I was facing,” he admitted. “After some conversations and hard work on my part, I have started to see that God placed me here to help build up this program and demonstrate the importance of His gift of music.”
Elizabeth also acknowledges how easy it is to feel overwhelmed during the first year of teaching, but she trusts God’s plan as she builds confidence and finds joy in the classroom.
“My greatest joy so far has just been building relationships with students and hearing about their lives,” she said. “Every day of teaching gets a little more fun as I get to know my students and the gifts God has given them.”
Teaching for God’s Glory
Colin strives to instill in his students the same Christ-centered perspective he received at SFLS. Every teacher, lesson, and activity pointed him back to Christ, and his goal is to carry that intention forward in his own classroom.
“Performers can easily become focused on what they’re doing and how it benefits them,” he explained. “However, the things we do are not for our own gain and glory. God gave us the gift of music and the arts as a way to praise Him, and we must keep that fact at the forefront of everything we do.”
Likewise, Elizabeth is grateful to root her instruction in the foundation of Christ.
“As I started seriously contemplating my future in high school, I realized that I wanted to help students feel as loved as I had felt at SFLS,” she said. “I love being in a Lutheran school because I can remind my students of the hope they have in Christ everyday. No matter what challenges the day brings, we can trust that God has good plans for us because Jesus has already defeated death on the cross.”
Coworkers in Christ
When asked how the SFLS community can continue to support them, Elizabeth and Colin gave the same answer—prayer.
“I love that there is a Lutheran school system where we can support one another and witness how God is working in our schools,” Elizabeth said. “Please pray that God would be at work in our school and that all of our students would come to trust Christ as their Savior.”
In addition to his request for prayer, Colin shared his desire to bring the SFLS community along on his teaching journey.
“In a way, my position at LHSI makes me a coworker of the faculty at SFLS,” he said. “We are all called to bring up students in God’s Word, and that shared calling is at the center of our relationship together… There are things that I can still learn from what’s happening at SFLS, and I would love for the people who helped shape me as a person to see the fruits of that labor.”
Equipped to Serve in a Complex World
As Colin and Elizabeth begin their teaching careers, they embody the mission of Sioux Falls Lutheran School—to prepare students who are World Ready, Faith Secure, and equipped to serve Christ wherever He calls them.
Their stories remind us that the impact of Lutheran education extends far beyond the walls of a single school, touching the lives of students, families, and communities across the country.
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is a family community committed to developing capable Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, our vision is to partner with families in preparing children, as led by the Holy Spirit, for faithful and bold use of their God-given gifts to navigate and serve a complex world with the love of Christ.