Faculty and Staff

Principal - David Waterman

Mr. Waterman has served in Lutheran schools for the  past 35 years.  As a 1974 graduate of Concordia-Nebraska, he taught history and coached cross country, track, and basketball prior to being called as principal in 1982.  In 1989, Mr. Waterman accepted a call to serve as principal at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri.  In 1998, Waterman accepted a call to serve as the Missouri District Director of Lutheran Schools. Prior to accepting the call to serve as Principal of the Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls, Waterman was Headmaster at Lutheran High North in Houston for three years.

The Waterman family has a strong commitment to Lutheran education.  David's wife, Sherry, taught kindergarten for 10 years in Minneapolis and St. Louis.  The Waterman daughters have also served as Lutheran high school teachers - Kari Johnson as the art teacher and guidance counselor at the Lutheran High School of San Antonio for eight years and Kelly Phelps as English teacher and coach at the North Eastern Wisconisn Lutheran High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Each member of the Waterman family is an alumni of Concordia University - Nebraska.  David has his Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Minnesota and Kari has her Master of Arts in School Guidance and Counseling from the University of Texas in San Antonio.

Dr. Nicholle Schuelke

 Dr. Nicholle Schuelke is a career educator.  She has taught all grade levels:  from kindergarten students to graduate learners in the fields of music, physical education, language arts, English, and education.  Earning a Bachelor of Arts at Concordia University, River Forest in Secondary Education in English and Physical Education, she served in Lutheran education for a number of years,  teaching and coaching at Milwaukee Lutheran High School (WI);  St. John Lutheran School, Ocala, FL; and Trinity Lutheran School, Waconia, MN.  She earned a Master's of Science in Educational Administration from St. Cloud State University and served as Dean of Students for a number of years in Lutheran schools.  Her doctoral work is in literacy education, earning a Doctorate in Education from Hamline University (MN).  She has worked at the University of Sioux Falls as Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Humanities since 2004 where she serves as the English Education Specialist.
In her free time, Dr. Schuelke enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family.  Her husband, Jason Kurtz, is a high school English teacher; her children--Nate, Bria, Ethan, and Ellie--all attend Sioux Falls Lutheran School.  She and her family worship at Resurrection Lutheran Church, where she serves as SFLS Board Representative and musician.

Marli Ockander

Marli Ockander is a graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska with a B.S. in Secondary Education and a B.A. in Biology.  For 8 years “Miss O.” has taught in Lutheran schools.  As a Nebraska native, she passionately follows Husker football. She also enjoys experiencing other places and cultures through traveling. 

"I believe in Jesus as my LORD and Savior and strive to teach students (and all!) that having this belief is what is most important in this world. I love teaching at Lutheran schools because I get to share this most wonderful message every day. "