Author Archives: Bernard Tonjes

About Bernard Tonjes

Dr. Bernard Tonjes joined the Concordia faculty in the Summer of 2006. His teaching career includes 30-plus years in Lutheran elementary and secondary schools in California and Missouri. From 1982 to 2006, Tonjes served at Lutheran High School of St. Charles County in St. Peters, Mo., as director of guidance, registrar and psychology teacher. He currently serves as an associate professor of education and is the Director of Field Experiences. Education Ph.D. St. Louis University M.A.Ed, California State University, Los Angeles B.S.Ed., LTD, Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Neb. Courses taught Educational Psychology, Child Development & Psychology Other During his 24 years at Lutheran High School of St.Charles County, Tonjes was with the school as it grew from 17 students to student body of over 350 students. During this time he taught in all academic departments and served variously as athletic director, student council advisor, yearbook advisor, registrar, counselor, coach, and spent two years as acting principal. During his time in California, Tonjes taught junior high science and PE, and religion and biology at the high school level. At the same time he also served at director of youth for his congregation. He views this wide variety of experience as training for the position he now holds at Concordia.

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If you are a church worker, we want to thank you for your service to the church!

But, if you are a church worker, we also have something for you to think about … what is your succession plan?

When you leave the teaching ministry, who will be there to step into your shoes?  Have you been encouraging the next generation of church workers … children, youth, and young adults to take your place? Have you told a junior high student who helps with VBS that he or she would make a great teacher? Or mentioned to a high school student on a servant event that they could be a DCE? You get the idea.

One of the most popular reasons students go into church work is because someone important to them said, “You would be good at this!”

Have YOU told anyone?

We hope this website can be helpful in that process – with ideas on how to share and what to share with others in helping them consider going on to the teaching ministry.  God bless you as you seek to show others the joys in the ministry of education!