Concordia alumnus honored as LEA’s Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator

Concordia University, Nebraska alumnus Mark Klitzing was selected to receive Lutheran Education Association’s 2022 Distinguished Lutheran Secondary Educator Award.  

A 42-year veteran in Lutheran education, Mark teaches and coaches at Orange Lutheran High School. He has also served at schools in Wynot, Nebraska, and Costa Mesa, California. Mark earned a B.S. in education (secondary) from Concordia University, Nebraska and an M.A. in education from Concordia University, Irvine. Among previous honors, he was a finalist in the Pacific Southwest District for Teacher of the Year. The school’s yearbook was dedicated to him, and he is in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  

Mark said, “One of my greatest joys as I work with students is to watch them gain back their confidence (or get their swagger back) that they have lost, see math as a tool for their future and actually enjoy (a little bit) working equations and solving problems. Another joy is watching them grow and mature in their relationship with Jesus and with each other by being kind, caring, and helpful to others.”  

He also says that “my greatest challenge … is to motivate my students to work hard, make my subject matter relevant, while helping them mature to be great, productive Christian citizens who love their Lord and care about the people around them.”

Supporting Mark’s nomination, his administrator said, “While Mark’s students advance to the next level in their math skills, many learn just as much about life skills in Mark’s classes.”  

One parent commented, “Mr. Klitzing has made a lasting impression on both my daughters who still talk about and admire him today. I am most likely not doing him justice as to the wide breadth of unique activities, class discussions, skill building exercises, spiritual development initiatives and personal reflection efforts that Mr. Klitzing implements into his teaching….”

Mark’s personal mission statement is “to serve the Lord with the gifts He has given me, love my family and equip my students for lives of service.”