Don Duensing - Executive Director, Principal

   Mr. Duensing graduated in 1991 from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with endorsements in History and Theology. He continues his graduate work in Educational Administration through Concordia University, Wisconsin.
   Prior to coming to Christ Our Rock, Mr. Duensing began his teaching career at Springfield (Illinois) Lutheran High School in 1992, and served there until 2011. In his nineteen years of service he taught a variety of classes, coached several sports, and served as Freshman Counselor and Special Needs Coordinator. He was appointed principal in 2007 and served at that post until he accepted the call to Christ Our Rock.
   Mr. Duensing and his wife live in Hoffman with their three children. They are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 

Julie Cole - Director Student Services, Teacher

   Miss Cole earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Eastern Illinois University. She is also certified in Social Studies, and has an English/Language Arts endorsement. 
   Prior to coming to Christ Our Rock, she taught at Centralia Junior High School and substituted at various local schools.
   Miss Cole resides in rural Centralia. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman where she teaches Sunday school.
   Her overall goal is to help the students achieve a positive relationship with Christ, encourage them to think critically and to lead them on the right career path.

Chad Knolhoff - Director of Advancement, Coach

   As Director of Advancement, Mr. Knolhoff’s primary responsibilities include promoting and raising funds for Christ Our Rock and the CORLHS Foundation. He has the opportunity of connecting the generous support of donors to the Christ Our Rock ministry, directly  impacting the lives of students.
   He enjoys mentoring students through coaching basketball and track. Students have described his coaching style as challenging and disciplined, yet rewarding and fun.
   Knolhoff graduated from Centralia's Trinity Lutheran School and Centralia High School. He holds the distinction of being the first player to score a 3-point shot for the Centralia Orphans.
   He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance and Human Resources, from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.  He came to CORLHS in 2009, excited to be a part of educating today’s youth and fulfilling Christ's ministry.  
   Mr. Knolhoff lives in Irvington with his wife Tricia and their daughter, Quincy, currently a senior at CORLHS.

Marsha Edler - School Secretary

   Mrs. Edler's smiling face is the first thing most people see when they enter Christ Our Rock, and her voice is the first one heard when calling the school.  
   She has been a part of the Christ Our Rock team for nearly 6 years, and has been an active member of the Auction committee during that time.  Prior to working at CORLHS Mrs. Edler  worked as school secretary at Sandoval Grade School.   She was a stay-at-home mom for 8 years before that.
   "I have seen the school enrollment grow from 32 to 80 and can’t wait to see what next year brings!" says Mrs Edler.  "It’s great having a very nice office to work in and nice people to work with."
   Mrs. Edler and her husband Dwayne live near Hoffman with their daughters Amber and Shannon. Her daughter Amber graduated from CORLHS in 2009, and daughter Shannon is currently a freshman there. Their oldest daughter, Mallory, is married and expecting her first child. The Edlers are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman.

Patti Heard - Teacher

  Mrs. Heard teaches all of the English classes at Christ Our Rock, and has taught here since the year the school opened. She serves as faculty advisor to the CORLHS Yearbook, and is the coach of the girls' volleyball team. 
  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from McKendree University, and a Master of Arts in English from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. 
   Before coming to teach at Christ Our Rock, Mrs. Heard worked as a professional Technical Writer in St. Louis.  She also was an Adjunct English Instructor at Kaskaskia College.
   Mrs. Heard is known affectionately to her students for her calm, professional teaching style.  She is also known for her vast collection of photos of Christ Our Rock students and activities.  
  She lives in Centralia with her husband, Lyndon, and her two children, Adam and Nolan.

   Mr. Pennington holds a Bachelor of Art degree in History and Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Southern Illinois University, and a Master of Arts in Education degree from Greenville College. He completed the LCMS Colloquy program and became a rostered Lutheran educator in February, 2010.
   Mr. Pennington is noted for turning his classroom into an extraordinary "museum" of historical realia. His ability to make history come alive makes his classes unique.
   Prior to education, he spent over 15 years working for the Morning Sentinel daily newspaper.  In addition to serving as a news photographer, he wrote feature articles.
   Mr. Pennington resides in Centralia with his wife Michelle and daughter, Trecie. They are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia.

Ben Kasten - Teacher, Coach

   Mr. Kasten is known to students as Mr. Kasten FT, to distinguish himself from his father, Steve, who teaches part-time (PT) at CORLHS.  He teaches a wide assortment of classes to students in all four years of high school.
  He is a graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, in 2004, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education, with a minor in Math and Biology, and his Lutheran Teaching Diploma (LTD).
   Mr. Kasten is respected by his students for maintaining high expectations in each of his classes.  In addition to his teaching duties he assists the students and administration with numerous daily activities.
  He lives in Hoffman with his wife, Francee, a teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Centralia. They are the proud parents of a newborn daughter, Elena Ferris.

Craig Freels - Teacher

   Mr. Freels teaches Physical Education and Driver's Education at Christ Our Rock.  But he is equally known for the many special meals he cooks for the special events at Christ Our Rock and elsewhere in the Centralia area.
  He has a Bachelor's degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University, with a major in Physical Education and minor in Driver's Education. He taught at Centralia Grade School for 3 years, and 29 years at Centralia High School.
  Mr. Freels is widely known for his accomplishments as a college tennis player and for many years as tennis coach on both the high school and Junior College levels.  In 2002 he was elected to the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008 to the Kaskaskia College Sports Hall of Fame. 
  He and his wife Nancy, a CHS teacher, reside in Centralia and are members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Centralia.  They are the parents of Blake and Lindsey, graduates of Centralia High School.

Melinda Wicklander - Teacher

   Mrs. Wicklander graduated in 2005 from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with a minor in Communications.
   In her art classes she encourages students to express themselves while still developing their technical art skills.   She encourages them to communicate through images and to present their work in a professional manner. 
   CORLHS students have the opportunity to experience a variety of art projects, covering a wide range of topics such as history, advertising, and social Issues.  She provides them with opportunities to participate in area art exhibits.
   Outside of school Mrs. Wicklander is a member of the Clinton County Art Guild, where she takes part in organizing classes, exhibitions and competitions for area artists.  She also works at the Angie Siddell Agency of American Family Insurance.
   Mrs. Wicklander and her husband Carl live in Nashville, where they are members of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Emily Griffin - Teacher

   Mrs. Griffin teaches Freshman Biology, Junior Physics, and Study Periods at Christ Our Rock. 
   She graduated from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville in 2004, with a major in Biology and minor in Chemistry.   Her studies were concentrated in the areas of Environment and Ecology. 
   Prior to coming to Christ Our Rock Mrs. Griffin was employed as an Environmental Scientist for Tetra Tech, Inc. in Collinsville.  
   In 2008, feeling a desire to work with young people, she returned to Southern Illinois University to obtain her teaching certificate .  Her students have expressed excitement at participating in such science projects as her unit on rockets.
   Mrs. Griffin lives in Carlyle with her husband, Cory, and their two young children, Declan and Sully. She attends Salem Lutheran Church.

Bert Griffin - Teacher

   Mr. Griffin teaches all the Spanish and Computer classes.  He also manages the school's technology systems and coordinates technology training for the students and staff.  He has a Bachelor's Degree from McKendree College and Master's Degree from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
   Prior to coming to Christ Our Rock, Griffin taught high school Spanish and History for 29 years in Centralia, Olney, and Wood River.  He taught evening college classes for 15 years at Centralia Correctional Center and 3 years at Olney Central College..  
   For several years he was a business owner and worked with orphanages in Central America.  He currently is owner of Illinois Websites, a web design business.
   Mr. Griffin and his wife Judy, a local realtor, live in Centralia and are members of Trinity Lutheran Church.  He is the father of  8 children and 2 step-children and has 15 grandchildren.     

Steve Kasten - Teacher

   Mr. Kasten, father of fellow CORLHS teacher Ben Kasten, teaches the Agricultural courses and is the faculty advisor to the FFA.  He is also the director of the school's drama productions.  He also teaches 7th and 8th grade science and social studies at Trinity Lutheran, Hoyleton. 
   Kasten graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1973, with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. For nearly 30 years he worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture as a Chemist in the Veterinary Toxicology Department at the Animal Disease Laboratory, located across the road from the Christ Our Rock campus. He was also employed by the Clinton County Extension office in Breese.
   He lives on and operates the family farm near Hoyleton. His wife Marge is a music teacher, and they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

   Mr. Thomack, graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin in 2011, is in his first year of teaching and coaching. At CUW, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Lutheran Secondary Education Mathematics, and participated in Concordia's Men's soccer team all four years.
   This Year at Christ Our Rock, Mr. Thomack teaches math and Physical Education. In addition to Mr. Thomack's classroom responsibilities, He also serves as Christ Our Rock's Athletic Director and assistant soccer coach.
   Mr. Thomack was born and raised in Litchfield, IL and lives in
Centralia with his wife, Katy, a nurse a Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Thomack says this about his first year of teaching, "My wife and
I feel blessed to serve the Lord here at this wonderful school."

   Mr. Hunt teaches Band, Choir, and HSM, which is an extra-curricular performing ensemble that rehearses before school. He also teaches 5-8 band at Trinity Centralia, Trinity Hoffman, and TSJ in Nashville.
   He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.
   Prior to coming to Christ Our Rock, Mr. Hunt was the Assistant Band Director and Choir Director at Granite City High School in Granite City, Illinois.
   He is really excited to be a part of the CORLHS team and looks forward to doing great things with the music department at Christ Our Rock and the area grade schools.
   Mr. Hunt lives in Centralia. 

Mike Shaffer - Coach

   Mr. Shaffer has served as Christ Our Rock's head boys basketball coach for 7 years.  He also coaches boy's baseball, and became golf coach in Fall 2010.
   Mike graduated from Sandoval High School in 1972.  He was a member of the baseball and basketball teams all 4 years.  
   He has coached various baseball and basketball teams for the past 30 years.  In addition, he has been a basketball and baseball official.
   Mr. Shaffer and his wife have been married for over 37 years.  They reside in Sandoval where they are members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.  
   They are the parents of 3 grown children; Jason, Jill, and Julie.  They have 5 grandsons; Jordan, Jacob, Jadon, Tristen, and Ethan.  

Kelly Knolhoff - Coach

   Mrs. Knolhoff graduated from Centralia Junior High School, Centralia High School and Kaskaskia College.  During that time she had seven years of cheerleading experience at all three school levels.
   "I am thrilled to be coaching the very first cheer squad at Christ Our Rock." said Mrs. Knolhoff.
   In 1986 she started a business which she still owns and operates.  Kelly’s for the Occasion, located in Centralia, is an event rental and party planning company.
   When not running her business or working with the cheerleaders she enjoys card making, reading, music and traveling.
   Mrs. Knolhoff and her husband Douglas live in Centralia where they are members of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Dean Dunavan - Coach

Soccer 

   Mr. Dunavan served as Christ Our Rock's assistant soccer coach until becoming head coach this year.  He has coached different soccer programs over the past 10 years, from kinder-soccer through the high school level.
   Dean attended Rend Lake College and served six years in the military.  For the past 20 years he has been employed by Walgreens.
   Mr. Dunavan and his wife Loretta have been married for 23 years.  They have two children, Mariah, a sophomore at CORLHS, and Abigail, a 6th grader at Rome Grade School.

Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31