Sharon Fries - Principal
Sharon was born in Australia and grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana. She attended Emporia State University and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an area of concentration in health and physical education. Sharon completed the Lutheran Teacher Colloquy program through Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and has her Master of Science in School Leadership degree from Baker University. Sharon taught at Grace Lutheran School in Kansas City, Kansas for seven years. When Bethany Lutheran School opened in 2000, Sharon was one of the founding teachers and taught first grade. She has since served in many roles including kindergarten aide, athletic director, coach, PE teacher, music/choir teacher, piano accompanist... and now principal. Sharon and her husband, Martin, have two boys, Jacob and Luke, who attended all the way through Bethany and then the Lutheran High School of Kansas City. Sharon enjoys playing, coaching and watching sports of all kinds, including competing in several triathlons every summer. See Sharon's favorite things here!

Mark Croucher- Director of Student Services
Mark was raised in the Kansas City area and has served as a parish pastor for over 13 years. Pursuing his pastoral education, he earned a Bachelors in Theology from Concordia University - Seward, NE and then a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary - St. Louis, MO and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Leading Change. Mark is passionate about Lutheran education and helping families connect to Christ. Mark currently lives in Raymore, MO with his son, Zeke, and their two dogs, Ben and Spock. See Mark’s favorite things here.

Erin Bickel - Administrative Assistant
Erin grew up in Paola, Kansas. She attended Concordia University-Nebraska where she graduated with a BS in Secondary Education (English concentration) and a minor in history. Prior to working at Bethany, Erin worked at Calvary Lutheran EEC, Lutheran High School of Kansas City, and Mid-Continent Public Library. Erin and her husband, Dan, have three children, Evelyn, Charlotte, and Micah, who attend Bethany. In her “spare time”, Erin enjoys reading. See Erin's favorite things here.

Debbie Carter - Kindergarten
Debbie grew up in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the daughter of a Lutheran school principal and Lutheran school teacher. She has attended Lutheran school from preschool through college when she attended Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. She graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. Debbie has two beautiful daughters that are the light of her life. Debbie married her best friend, Gil, on October 28, 2022. Debbie loves serving the Lord at Bethany and is grateful for families here that are now dear friends! See Debbie's favorite things here.

Jen Peterson - First Grade
Jen was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Lindenwood University with a degree in Elementary Education, and then got her Colloquy through Concordia-River Forest in Chicago. She has taught preschool, kindergarten, first and fifth grade for over 20 years in different Lutheran Schools in St. Charles, MO, Hales Corners, WI, Sturgis, MI, and Overland Park, KS. Jen and her husband, Russ, have a son, Isaiah, who is in high school. As a family they enjoy the outdoors, camping, hiking, biking, traveling, and just spending time together. See Jen's favorite things here.

Molly Baker - Second Grade
Molly grew up in Wichita, KS. She attended Concordia University, Nebraksa and graduated with a B.S in Elementary Education and Early Childhood with a Lutheran Teacher’s Diploma. Molly previously taught 1st and 2nd grade while her husband, Pastor Sean, was completing seminary. Pastor Sean and Mrs. Baker have two young children, Noah and Lucy. The Bakers love serving at Bethany as a family with Sean serving as Pastor. See Molly's favorite things here.

Sarah Abramovitz - Third Grade
Sarah was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Concordia University Nebraska with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught Kindergarten for five years in Topeka and has taught for seven years at Bethany. She and her husband, Alex, live in Olathe with their cat, Hermione. She enjoys singing, traveling, photography, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. See Sarah's favorite things here.

Amee Rosales - Fourth Grade/K-8 Spanish
Amee was born and raised in Emporia, Kansas. She attended Emporia State University and graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. In December of 2022, Amee graduated from Ottawa University with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She and her husband, Ruben have 3 wonderful children - Teo, Luc and Scarlett - who all attended Bethany. Amee enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and playing with Sweetie the family dog. See Amee’s favorite things here.

Karen Holland - Fourth Grade
Karen grew up in on a farm in WaKeeney, KS where she was baptized, raised, and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She graduated from Kansas State University where she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. Karen has taught 5th grade, science, K-5 technology classes, and has enjoyed subbing in middle school long-term sub positions in the KC area. She and her supportive husband, Brian, live in southern Overland Park and have 3 wonderful children: Reed, Blake and Kenzie. Karen feels blessed each day with an incredible God, family, friends, and an amazing health journey. God is Good ALL the Time! Karen enjoys exercising, gardening, being with her family, and visiting her grown children. See Karen’s favorite things here.

Jana Grimm - Fifth Grade
Jana is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics. She has completed the Lutheran Teacher Colloquy Program. Jana has taught fifth grade at Bethany since 2004. She and her husband, Brian, have three amazing children, Brianna, Reagan, and Evan, and one grandchild, Hollis. See Jana's favorite things here.

Kevin Kuske - Middle School
Kevin was born in Detroit and grew up in Frankenmuth, Michigan. He attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in history and minor in music. Kevin completed his Master of Science degree in Education at Concordia University, NE in 1988. Kevin has taught for 40+ years at various schools in Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Iowa. He has served schools and congregations teaching and leading in the areas of administration, music, athletics, and youth. Kevin and his wife, Janice, have three grown children, Matthew, Stephen, and Gina and four grandchildren. Kevin enjoys just about every sport, reading, and traveling. See Kevin's favorite things here. 

Jane Limback - Middle School Language Arts/Student Support
Jane was raised on a farm in Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Concordia University - Nebraska and a Master of Education from Wichita State University. She has served in education ministries as both a classroom teacher and administrator. See Jane’s favorite things here.

Missy Landis - Middle School Language Arts/Social Studies
Missy was born and raised in Lancaster, PA and moved to Kansas in 2006. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Chris, since 1998 and is mom to her two beautiful children, Christine (16), and Iain (12).  She has three dogs (Dexter, Colby, and Scarlett), a Persian cat named Beau, and Christine's horse named Bentley. Missy graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University of PA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and graduated with highest honors from Pittsburg State University (KS) with her Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Secondary High Incidence Special Education. She is endorsed to teach middle school/high school ELA and Social Studies and has been co-teaching both ELA and Social Studies for several years in the KCK, Spring Hill, and Blue Valley School Districts. Missy and her family love to travel and have taken numerous trips across the country in their RV with their favorite destination spots being the beautiful beaches of North and South Carolina. Missy enjoys reading, taking the dogs for long walks with her husband, spending time with her family, and cooking/baking on her 1952 Chamber Stove. See Missy’s favorite things here.

Dave Owens- Middle School Science
Dave Owens was born in St. Louis, MO, but grew up in the Kansas City area. He attended Rockhurst High School and Regis College in Denver. He was an English major at first, but went back to get a teaching degree. He has taught in several capacities. Besides elementary school, he has taught at Wildwood Outdoor Education camp and English as a Second Language to Laotian refugees at Donnelly College. He taught PE for two years in Denver and has taught first and 6th grade in Pleasant Hill, MO. For 31 years, he taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in the Shawnee Mission school district. He has two grown children, Allie and Daniel. He enjoys fishing, remodeling homes, and spending time with his wife, Gerie. Teaching science at Bethany is pure joy. See Dave's favorite things here.

Dave Ingwersen- Middle School Science
David Ingwersen (Mr. I) grew up on a farm in Iowa and attended Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport. He attended and graduated from St. Paul Lutheran High School and Jr. College in Concordia, MO, and then enrolled and graduated from Concordia College in St. Paul, MN. While at college, he married Kim (nee Johansen) and through the years, they were blessed with 4 children and 11 grandchildren who live in various places in the U.S. Dave has served in Lutheran ministry in eleven different church/school settings as a teacher, administrator, and D.C.E., and during that time earned a dual M.S. in Educational Administration and Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University - Wisconsin. In 2017, Kim was diagnosed with ALS and he served as her caretaker until her passing in 2021. In 2023, he met and married Judy Heath, and they live in Overland Park. See Dave’s favorite things here.

Ann Arndt - Pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry
Ann was born and raised in Ainsworth, Nebraska. She attended Concordia University in Seward, NE, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music and Math. She has her Master’s Degree in School Leadership from Baker University. She began her teaching career at St. John, Seward, NE. She also taught for 30 years at Messiah Lutheran School in Independence, MO; 15 years as math and science teacher for middle school, and 15 years as full time principal. Recently she has served as interim principal at Calvary Lutheran and Martin Luther Academy, two years in each location. She and her husband, John, enjoy spending time with their seven grandsons, and are avid dog lovers. See Ann's favorite things here. 

Lauren Kirsch - 6th Grade Math/ Pre-Algebra II
Lauren grew up in Springfield, IL where she attended Trinity Lutheran School and Springfield Lutheran High School. She went on to Concordia University Nebraska to earn her teaching degree and then to Concordia University Wisconsin to complete her Master’s Degree in Reading Education.  She has enjoyed getting to know the Bethany family as the 6th grade math teacher this past year. Lauren and her husband, Adam, and their three kids love playing games and sports together, and visiting National Parks. Lauren enjoys reading, sports of all kinds, and spending time outside. See Lauren’s favorite things here.

Megan Darby- 7th Grade Math/Testing/Student Support
Megan grew up in the Wichita area. She graduated from Concordia University in Nebraska with a BS in Elementary Education and a BA in Mathematics, along with a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma. She previously taught K, 2nd, and 4th grades here at Bethany for 16 years. Now that she's a mom, she aides, tutors, and subs part time. Megan and her husband Josh have a young daughter Kayla. As a family they enjoy hiking/biking, spending time w/extended family, and going out to get ice cream. See Megan’s favorite things here.

Beth MacLeod - Choir and Band
Beth grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Music Education. At Bethany, Beth directs the adult handbell choir, as well as plays strings. When not at Bethany, she teaches violin and viola, plays viola in the Westwood Ensemble, plays gigs with her string trio, and arranges music. Previously, she taught middle and elementary orchestra in the Hickman Mills School District. Beth, and her husband, Jason, have four kids, Derick, Alex, Anna, and Jack. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, gardening, cooking, camping, watching the Huskers, and volunteering. See Beth’s favorite things here.

Anna Johnson - Art/PE
Anna was born in St. Charles MO, and moved to Seward, NE when her dad took a call as a middle school teacher at the Lutheran school there. She played sports throughout middle school and high school and still loves watching her school's teams play. Anna graduated with a B.S. in K-12 Art education and her Lutheran Teaching Diploma in May of 2024. That month Anna also married Luke (a Kansas City native). Anna is very excited to explore Kansas City and teach at Bethany! See Anna’s favorite things here.

Lynn Rasmussen - Donor Development
Lynn grew up in Sutton, Nebraska. She attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, where she graduated with a BA in Journalism/Public Relations. She and her husband, Eric, have two wonderful children, Abby and Eli. In addition to teaching PE, Lynn also works as a Preschool teacher at Bethany’s Preschool program. Lynn enjoys hanging out with her family, playing volleyball, reading, and watching the Wildcats, Chiefs and Royals. See Lynn’s favorite things here. 

Morgan Early- Library/Student Support/Extended Care
Morgan grew up going to Lutheran school at St. Paul Lutheran in St. Joseph, MO. She went to Liberty University for Elementary Education and is certified through Orton Gillingham to work with struggling readers. Before coming to Bethany, she taught preschool at St. Paul Lutheran. Her favorite thing about her job is helping students gain confidence in their reading. Morgan’s son, Harper, attends Bethany. When she’s not at work, Morgan likes to spend time reading, gardening, and relaxing at home with Harper, her dog, and her cats! See Morgan’s favorite things here.