Meet High School English Language Arts Teacher Heidi Albers
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to share that Mrs. Heidi Albers will teach high school English Language Arts during the 2023-24 school year as Mrs. Liz Slavens transitions into the new role of director of curriculum and teacher development. Mrs. Slavens will also continue serving in the classroom by teaching theology, speech, and Shakespeare during the upcoming school year. Mrs. Lisa Asmus, who assisted in the school office last spring, will return to serve alongside Beth Martinez as an administrative assistant.
Mrs. Albers graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska, with a degree in English and minors in journalism, public relations, and writing. She has worked in Lutheran education as an administrative assistant and theatre director since 2015, and she looks forward to spending more time building relationships with students as she enters the classroom this fall.
Check out the Q&A below to learn more about what Mrs. Albers looks forward to about teaching high school English Language Arts.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up on a farm in southeast Nebraska with my parents and twin sister. I met my husband, Austin Albers, while attending Concordia University, Nebraska, and have been very blessed to work with him as he teaches high school social studies at Sioux Falls Lutheran School. We have three beautiful, young, and energetic children, Cordelia, Rhys, and Tristan. I enjoy reading, writing, crafting, and singing in my church choir. Our family enjoys walks around our neighborhood, visiting grandparents on the farm, and movie nights at home. Theatre is a major passion of mine, and I try to find many opportunities to attend theatre and musical productions.
What do you enjoy most about working at SFLS?
I love the faith-and-family type atmosphere found here at SFLS! It’s a joy to interact with students, parents, and staff daily. The amazing community of families and continual support from coworkers is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. Also, my husband and I are the leaders and directors of the theatre department. I enjoy sharing my passion for the dramatic arts with our students and helping them master their acting talents.
What do you look forward to about teaching high school ELA?
By sharing my love and appreciation for all aspects of English, communication, and writing, I hope to prepare students to feel confident in their communication skills before they graduate. I’m excited to read and discuss literature with the students!
Tell me a bit about your teaching style.
I enjoy collaborative and creative work where students can participate in hands-on activities and projects to help them become more engaged in the content being discussed. I enjoy finding many different ways to engage students in both literature and the arts.
How do you envision integrating faith into your classroom daily?
I plan to incorporate the Christian worldview while diving into different texts we read together, studying how writers and the characters within their stories interact with the world, and how we as Christians should live and react in comparison.
Favorite Bible verse:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” –James 1:2-3
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
At Sioux Falls Lutheran School, our mission is to develop 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, we are committed to partnering with parents and the church to raise lifelong learners who use their gifts and the fruits of the Spirit, in faith, to touch a troubled world with God’s grace.