Our School Staff:
Britney Ritz - School Administrator
Britney.ritz@tlc-conklin.org
Britney Ritz joined the Trinity staff as School Administrator in June 2022. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and has spent the last 8 years as a stay-at-home mom. During that time she has been a children's leader at Bible Study Fellowship as well as different leadership roles with children, women's ministry, and newlyweds at her home church of 13 years. She is a wife of a second-generation hog farmer and mom to 3 Trinity students. You will not find her on the farm but will find her rooting for her alma mater the Michigan Wolverines, playing games with her kids, decorating, or crafting. She is excited for this next adventure with Trinity Lutheran and looks forward to working alongside the parents, students, and staff.
Deb Cheyne - Church Office Manager
office@tlc-conklin.org
Deb Cheyne took over as Office Manager in June 2023. Deb was in church ministry for over 20 years. She enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 adult daughters, and 3 grandchildren. Deb also enjoys sewing, crafting and reading. Deb attends Grace Lutheran in Coopersville and is active in Sunday School ministry and the LWML Girls of Grace group. Deb is on the LWML Lakeshore Zone board as a member of the Christian Growth team.
Jackie Rasch - Preschool Director/Teacher
jackie.rasch@tlc-conklin.org
Jackie Rasch (Miss Jackie) joined the teaching staff at Trinity Lutheran School as the Preschool Teacher & Director in the fall of 2016. She holds a BA in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. Miss Jackie is an experienced teacher, having taught preschool for 16 years in addition to her elementary teaching experience. Prior to joining the teaching team at Trinity, Miss Jackie grew up, and still lives, on the family apple farm in Conklin. It is on the farm among her 13 siblings that Jackie’s larger than life dad, Bill Rasch (1924-2004), and quiet, kind-hearted mom, Rosemary, fostered her love for young children. Although Jackie never married, nor gave birth to children of her own, she regards each of her students as 'one of her own', as she loves and nurtures them. She looks forward to many years of "building faith and serving people" at Trinity!
Jessica Zahm - Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Teacher
Miss Jessica Zahm joined the teaching team at Trinity in the fall of 2022. Jessica graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Jessica completed her year-long student teaching in the Kentwood school district and Trinity’s K/1 classroom is Jessica’s first teaching position. Jessica’s favorite part about being a teacher is the relationships that she gets to share with her students. She is a lifelong member of Trinity and attended school here from preschool through 5th grade. Jessica lives just a short drive away in Marne on her family’s beef and cash crop farm. Outside of school, Jessica enjoys working at a local flower farm, spending time with her family, caring for her livestock, and cheering on the Spartans. Jessica is very excited to have the opportunity to teach at the school she attended and enjoys sharing her love of learning and the Lord with her students.
Allie Geiger - 2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
Allie.geiger@tlc-conklin.org
In November 2018 we welcomed Miss Allie Eckebarger to the teaching staff at Trinity. Allie is a Ferris State University graduate, and Trinity’s 2-3 classroom is her first teaching position. She completed student teaching experiences both at Ridgeview Elementary in Sparta, as well as in
Wendi Lepley 4th/5th Lead Teacher
Wendi.lepley@tlc-conklin.org
Wendi Lepley received her Elementary teaching degree from Grand Valley State University in 2003 and her Lutheran Colloquy from Concordia Chicago in 2010. She is originally from Greenville, Michigan. She has spent 15 years teaching in the state of Indiana, five in public schools and the other ten in Lutheran grade schools. Her husband is a called LCMS pastor serving as a District Vice President for both the SELC and English District. Wendi and her husband Dan have four children ages fourteen to twenty-one. Wendi is excited to be teaching fourth and fifth grade here at Trinity Lutheran. When she is not busy with students and teaching, she loves to travel, read, cook, kayak, snow ski, hunt, fish, and hike. She also loves taking care of her chickens, goats, and ducks. Her favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 40:31: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
