Christa (Groeling) Bauer ‘18 named 2026 Lutheran Education Association 2026 Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher

The Lutheran Education Association (LEA) recently announced that Christa (Groeling) Bauer '18 has been named the organization’s 2026 Outstanding New Lutheran Middle School Teacher. 

Bauer is currently in her second year of teaching and in her first year at Lutheran North Middle and High School in St. Louis, Missouri. She teaches social studies for 7th and 8th grade as well as an American Sign Language elective. She also leads a chapel group that serves 6th through 8th graders. They sit with her in chapel every day and have a small group Bible Study once a week.  

Bauer has a bachelor of science in secondary education from Concordia University, Nebraska with emphasis in English and History as well as a minor in American Sign Language. 

“Mrs. Bauer is excellent in the classroom. She designs engaging, interactive lessons and makes learning fun without sacrificing structure. She has developed positive relationships with both students and co-workers. Christa has a caring heart and clearly wants every student to succeed.”

When asked about her greatest joys in ministry, she said, “Working with middle school students is unique. They are at a point in their lives where they are figuring out who they are, what they believe, how to interact with others and how to be a good human. Some of my greatest joys as a teacher are seeing them grow in these areas. Whether it be a student telling me how they helped a neighbor or achieved the grade they wanted on a test, seeing them grow brings me joy. Watching them have that ‘ah-ha!’ moment when they understand a concept cannot be beat.” 

Many parents supported Bauer’s nomination for this award, saying, “Mrs. Bauer is highly involved with the students in and outside of class time, and her energy and care for her students is so apparent in each interaction I’ve had with her. I appreciate that from day one she created a classroom culture where she expected and required students to treat each other in line with the truth that they are made in the image of God, as well as nurturing their faith within the classroom where it integrated well.” 

Speaking on behalf of Christa’s nomination, Head of School and Principal Dr. Timothy Brackman noted, “Mrs. Bauer is excellent in the classroom. She designs engaging, interactive lessons and makes learning fun without sacrificing structure. She has developed positive relationships with both students and co-workers. Christa has a caring heart and clearly wants every student to succeed. She routinely arrives early and stays late to assist her students. She is organized and intelligent, which shows in her lesson planning as well as in her instruction. Christa is also receptive to suggestions and collaborates well with others to improve her work and the impact it has on young minds.” 

Bauer’s personal mission statement is “Remember everyone is created in the image of God. That means my students are created in the image of God, my coworkers, my family and I am created in the image of God. Knowing this, I strive to be the best representation of Christ I can be. God loves everyone and I am called to show his love and live for him. Treat everyone like the image-bearer they are. Do my best, work my hardest and love as Christ loves, doing everything for him and not for my own glory.”  

About the Lutheran Education Association: Founded in 1942, the Lutheran Education Association is a professional organization committed to linking, equipping, and affirming educators and workers in ministry for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.  

About Concordia University, Nebraska: Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 2,500 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world.