Faculty and Staff

Pastor Craig Birsching

Pastor and 7-8th grade Catechism

Pastor B was born in Tacoma, Washington on April 11, 1991 to Pastor David Birsching and his wife Sheryl. He is the second of six children. Craig was homeschooled through the fourth grade, but then attended two different WELS grade schools for 5-8th grade because his mother returned to teaching full time.He graduated from Evergreen Lutheran High School in 2009 and from Martin Luther College in 2013 after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree. After attending Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary for two years, Craig served a yearlong pastoral internship at Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Mississauga, Ontario under Pastor Joel Schulz. During that year, Craig met his future wife Brittany.Craig and Brittany returned to Mequon, Wisconsin in August 2016 so Craig could begin his final year of training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He and Brittany were married on October 1, 2016 in Brittany’s home church of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Wyoming, Michigan. In May, 2017 Craig graduated from the Seminary and received his first call into the pastoral ministry to serve at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Westland, MI. Shortly after arriving in Westland, God blessed Craig and Brittany with two sons, Cooper and Cole, and recently Cohen.

Mrs. Lori Bartholomew

Principal, Shared 5th, 6th-8th grade teacher, and Preschool Director

Mrs. Bartholomew received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1980 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. She first taught in the English Department at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in Westland, MI. In 1981 she began teaching 5th grade at St. John’s Lutheran School with her husband Tod, who became the principal of St. John’s Lutheran School in 1987. During that time, Mrs. Bartholomew also coached girls’ volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball.

In 1989, Mrs. Bartholomew became a stay at home mom for several years to raise her two sons. In 1994, Mrs. Bartholomew returned to teaching at Huron Valley Lutheran High School and taught Math and Current Events. From 1996-1999 Mrs. Bartholomew was a substitute teacher in the Wayne/Westland Public School system at the Junior High level.

In 1999, Mrs. Bartholomew returned to St. John’s to teach 7th and 8th grade temporarily. In 2000, the congregation of St. John’s officially called Mrs. Bartholomew to teach 7th and 8th grade and to serve as principal and athletic director of the school. She is presently still serving in these three positions.

Mrs. Lillian Henning

3rd, 4th, and Shared 5th Grade teacher and Athletic Director

Mrs. Henning grew up in Linwood, MI and graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in 2014. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 2018 from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. St. John’s has been her first call since and she has taught from 2nd grade up to 5th grade in her time here so far.

Mrs. Henning married her husband, John Henning, in June of 2018 and they were blessed with their first child, Adelaide, in November of 2019. Mrs. Henning’s lifelong dream has been to become a teacher and share God’s Word with her students, so this call has fulfilled her dream! Mrs. Henning also enjoys assisting the volleyball team, taking photos of all church and school events, putting together the yearbook for the school, and playing in our church’s adult handbell choir.

Ms. Grace Cook

1st & 2nd Grade teacher

Ms. Cook grew up in Waukesha, WI and graduated from Luther Prep School in Watertown, WI in 2016 with Ms. Parker. She followed her mother and sister’s footsteps and attended Martin Luther College to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education which she received in May 2020. She was assigned to St. John’s to teach 1st grade and has been with us ever since. 

Ms. Cook loves teaching and often played “teacher” with her siblings and toys growing up. She has one brother at MLC pursuing the Pastor track and a one sister who teaches 2-4 grade in Chesaning, MI. Overall, Ms. Cook is spiritually and mentally prepared for the challenges of school life! 

Mrs. Sharon Dorow

Kindergarten Teacher, Preschool Teacher, and Director of Choir and Handbells

Mrs. Dorow received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1984 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. In addition to raising her three sons with her husband Eric, Mrs. Dorow helped St. John’s Lutheran School start their Pre-Kindergarten program in 1986. Mrs. Dorow served as a teacher in that program for many years and became the Kindergarten teacher at St. John’s in 2001.

In 2009, Mrs. Dorow started teaching 1st and 2nd grade in addition to Kindergarten and is presently still teaching these three grades at St. John’s. Mrs. Dorow also directs two children’s hand-bell choirs, the children’s vocal choir, the adult vocal choir at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and is a talented flutist. Mrs. Dorow greatly enjoys using her musical gifts to praise God and loves helping others to do the same.

Mrs. Dorow is always looking for new workshops to help her stay up to date on the latest methods for teaching early education. She is a very loving, energetic, and enthusiastic teacher whose students love coming to school to learn from her. Like the rest of the teachers at St. John’s Lutheran School, Mrs. Dorow especially loves teaching the children in her care about the love of their Savior Jesus.

Ms. Kenna Parker

Secretary

Ms. Parker is an Air Force kid who moved a lot growing up. She has lived in Alaska, Florida, Pennsylvania, and now Michigan. She is an alumni of Luther Preparatory School’s graduating class of 2016 along with Ms. Cook. Prior to LPS, she attended 9 different schools due to her dad’s job. She briefly attended Martin Luther College but changed degrees to a General Education and received an Associates Degree from Harrisburg Area Community College. She frequently attends St. Johns Lutheran Church and helps out with the technical operators during the church services. She hopes all of you can visit us!