First Grade

My name is Phyllis Mortenson. I am in my 23rd year of teaching and my 18th year at Concordia. The majority of my career had been spent teaching kindergarten through second grade. This year I am again teaching First and Second grades.

My husband of thirty-three years, Jeff Mortenson, is the Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church. Our son, Andrew, is a 2000 graduate of Concordia and a 2004 graduate of Racine Lutheran High School. He is a financial advisor for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. He and his wife Katie, also a Lutheran teacher, have a one year old daughter, Amelia.

Christ was an important part of my life as I was growing up, and even when I was in grade school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher someday. I count it a great privilege to be able to share God’s Word and my faith with my students on a daily basis.

I graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1973. I attended Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated from Concordia Teachers’ College in River Forest, Illinois in 1977.

I have taught in Lutheran schools in Palatine, Illinois and in Olivette, Missouri.

From 1983-1994 we served two congregations in western Missouri.

In 1994 my husband became the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, and I began teaching at Concordia. I am active in many areas of the ministry at Faith.

I enjoy crafts, reading, hiking, traveling and spending time with my family.

I treasure the gift of Christian education! It continues to be my prayer that as many children as possible are able to enjoy this blessing!