It is my joy to serve Concordia University both professionally and personally. At the bottom of this page you will find my Service Records (downloadable and printable), which are divided into four different columns: Outreach, In-reach, Academic and Scholarship. In each of these areas I have, and will continue to serve Concordia University.
The activities I do are not out of any desire for recognition, rather they are a response to the gifts, talents and abilities God has given me. God has, perhaps foremost, given me a desire to be a helper, and I regularly seek opportunities to help others in whatever way I am able. Many of the activities listed below are a reflection of that desire, but none of them is singularly my own effort, rather the Holy Spirit working through me. My biggest desire in service to others is simply to get out of God’s way, and let Him use the talents He’s given me for His purposes. Sometimes I’m successful in getting out of His way, and sometimes I fail miserably, but as a forgiven and redeemed Child of God, I trust that even when I fail, God will use the broken pieces for good.
Outreach
- I visit many Lutheran, Christian and Public schools for Dual Credit supervision, and as an ambassador for Concordia University. I engage in regular communication with administrators and teachers in Lutheran, Christian and Public schools.
- I was the leader in development, organization, implementation, and hosting the inaugural Great Plains Lutheran Educators Conference, and am already planning for its triennial return in the Fall of 2026.
- I developed and implemented the Concordia Academy for Concordia Dual Credit. Membership in the Concordia Academy is awarded to high school students who have completed at least 9 credit hours of Concordia University Dual Credit. Membership serves to create a stronger relationship with high school students, and provides benefits specific to those who choose to attend Concordia on-campus, after high school graduation.
- I regularly attend and participate in the Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools conference, working to grow the profession of secondary education and being an ambassador for Concordia University.
- I have attended and presented at the Lutheran Education Association National Convocation, providing professional development to fellow educators, and being an ambassador for Concordia University..
- I have attended and presented at the Best Practices in Ministry Conference, providing professional development to fellow professional and lay church leaders, and being an ambassador for Concordia University..
- I serve as an ambassador for Concordia, and develop and host (when at CUNE), the Heartland Summit ALSS conference as a professional development experience for secondary administrators and educators.
- I serve the Lutheran school community as an accreditation team member for National Lutheran School Accreditation. (NLSA Certificate of Training)
- I serve the Nebraska Department of Education as an advisor for reviewing education programs for Nebraska universities in accreditation years (Folio Reviewer)
- I’m a member of the Saint Paul Lutheran High School (Concordia, MO) Board of Trustees, where I regularly promote Concordia University programs, and our graduates.
- I recruit and offer reference checks for new teacher candidates seeking jobs in schools across the nation, serving Concordia by promoting our quality programs and graduates to those schools.
- I serve on the Church Work Recruitment committee for Concordia University, actively looking for ways we can encourage more young people to enter careers in full-time service to the church.
- I served a leading role in the development, and continue to lead the implementation, of the Sending Service to recognize our professional church work graduates during our Graduation weekend at Concordia.
In-reach
- I regularly attend Concordia University student activities, including music, theater and athletic activities. My attendance furthers the mission of Concordia to provide the Promises of a Lutheran Education as a faculty member investing in the talent-showcasing of our students.
- I regularly organize faculty and staff social gatherings, which helps to promote connection and relationship among the faculty and staff, to further build the Concordia University community, serving all those who are touched by this community.
- I regularly organize meals for Concordia University athletes over breaks, including hosting meals in my home.
- I have served on the Assessment Committee for Concordia University.
- I am actively involved in ongoing development of new dual credit partnership locations, which serves Concordia in promoting our “brand”, our programs, and our graduates, as excellent young teachers.
- I regularly connect with our Admissions Department to promote recruitment from the base of our Concordia Dual Credit high school student population, specifically the Concordia Academy members.
- I serve as a Faculty Deputy Marshal for our commencement services each year. I work primarily to help graduates be properly robed, hooded and lined up, as well as helping to lead both procession and recession lines, and answer the multitude of questions asked each year.
- I have served as a Concordia University Football statistician for more than 20 years.
Academic
- I serve Concordia by leading and growing the Dual Credit Program through our high school partners, including: partnering with mission-fit high schools; hiring qualified instructors to deliver collegiate content; program development and evaluation; and alignment with requirements and recommendations given by the accrediting agencies Higher Learning Commission and the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.
- I have served Concordia, during my time in the Education Department, by teaching and developing my courses, including: Ed 364: Middle Level Subject Area Methods; Ed 211: Middle Level Philosophy, Theory and Practice; Ed 434: Middle Level Seminar; and Ed 351: Service in Public Schools.
- I served Concordia for many years as Director of Middle Level Education, performing program development for Middle Level Education, including reworking of the Middle Level program to align with Nebraska Department of Education and INTASC requirements.
- I am in regular attendance and participation at district conferences of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, working to grow the profession of education and providing professional development to fellow church workers and lay leaders.
- I serve the Lutheran school community as an accreditation team member for National Lutheran School Accreditation. (NLSA Certificate of Training)
- I attend and present at the Lutheran Education Association National Convocation, providing professional development to fellow educators.
- I attend and present at the Best Practices in Ministry Conference, providing professional development to fellow professional and lay church leaders.
- I serve as an ambassador for Concordia, and develop and host (when at CUNE), the Heartland Summit ALSS conference as a professional development experience for secondary administrators and educators.
- I serve the Nebraska Department of Education as an advisor for reviewing education programs for Nebraska universities in accreditation years (Folio Reviewer)
- I serve Concordia by recruiting and training new schools and instructors for our Dual Credit program.
Scholarship
- I serve Concordia as a member of LEA (Lutheran Education Association), including being a presenter at multiple Convocations.
- I represent Concordia through attendance and participation at bi-annual ALSS – Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools – conferences, including presenting sectionals. My service to Concordia continues as I assist in development and hosting of the Heartland Summit ALSS conference, held in Seward every fourth year in the Fall.
- I am in regular attendance and participation at district conferences of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, working to grow the profession of education and providing professional development to fellow church workers and lay leaders.
- I attend and present at the Lutheran Education Association National Convocation, providing professional development to fellow educators.
- I attend and present at the Best Practices in Ministry Conference, providing professional development to fellow professional and lay church leaders.
Service Record for Dr. Beth Pester 2023-2024
Service Record for Dr. Beth Pester 2022-2023
Service Record for Dr. Beth Pester 2021-2022
Service Record for Dr. Beth Pester 2020-2021
Service Record for Dr. Beth Pester 2019-2020
