Concordia Nebraska faculty members present at Oklahoma District Lutheran Educators’ Conference

Three members of Concordia University, Nebraska’s faculty presented at the Oklahoma District Lutheran Educators’ Conference on September 18 in Moore, Oklahoma.  

Dr. David Rindt, assistant professor of education, gave the keynote address. Jerrita Staehr, assistant professor of education and Dr. Marcus Gubanyi, assistant professor of computer science, led sectionals for conference attendees. 

“Attendees were happy to have knowledgeable speakers with interesting topics to explore,” said Oklahoma District Education Executive Sara Cage. “It is a joy to have presenters from Concordia Nebraska willing to enhance our annual fall conference.” 

The conference is intended to bring Lutheran educators together for fellowship and learning. The Oklahoma District is made up of 17 schools and early childhood centers located in the state. Seven of those programs are National Lutheran School Association accredited. 

“It is always a blessing to have an opportunity to gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ at these Lutheran educators’ conferences. We are often dealing with similar challenges in various classrooms, and having an opportunity to gather, reflect and share with one another is incredibly valuable – all with Christ at the center of what we do in our classrooms.”

“Strengthening skills for the classroom help us to be as prepared as possible in the ever-changing situation of education. The fellowship and devotion opportunities help to remind all involved of the team that is spread throughout the state with our common goal of high academic standards infused with the love of Jesus,” said Cage. 

Cage and Rindt had been coordinating together since 2025 to try and make this event possible. Once details were confirmed, Rindt shared the professional opportunity with faculty members in education and other departments to generate the most applicable presentation topics for the event. 

He then shared the information about the conference with various other Concordia faculty members, and Staehr and Gubanyi both expressed their interest in working with him to present to this group of educators.  

Rindt’s keynote address was entitled “Unpacking The Anxious Generation.” The presentation is a summary review of New York Times Best Selling author Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation.” Rindt invited listeners to consider specific insights within Haidt’s work for parents, teachers and administrators in a Christian school setting. He highlighted a number of Biblical principles that help affirmatively guide Lutheran educators toward work that is currently being done in Lutheran schools, as well as recommending attention to other items for future action. 

“It is always a blessing to have an opportunity to gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ at these Lutheran Educators’ Conferences,” said Rindt. “We are often dealing with similar challenges in various classrooms, and having an opportunity to gather, reflect and share with one another is incredibly valuable – all with Christ at the center of what we do in our classrooms.” 

Staehr led a workshop on how Norman Webb’s Depth of Knowledge relates to instructional planning, student motivation and faith integration.  

“Through classroom examples and collaboration, the educators discussed and analyzed the complexity of instructional tasks and determined the depth of knowledge of the question or activity,” she said. 

Workshop participants also brainstormed ways to integrate the four levels of Webb’s framework into their existing lessons and instructional practices, and how to integrate faith to enrich learning in strategic and extended thinking. 

“Oklahoma District Lutheran Educators were encouraged that they were applying many of these concepts well and found new approaches to integrating Webb’s framework to improve teaching and learning in the future,” said Staehr. 

Gubanyi led a sectional looking through a Christian lens at how to be good stewards of the resources available in artificial intelligence. 

Approximately 90 educators and administrators attended this event. Attendees came from St. Mark’s Early Childhood Center and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Edmond, Oklahoma; St. John’s Lutheran Church in Moore, Oklahoma; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Enid, Oklahoma; First Lutheran Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma; Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Miami, Oklahoma; and Messiah Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

“As educators we are called to be salt and light as Jesus describes in Matthew 5:13-14,” said Cage. “Dr. Rindt, Mrs. Staehr and Dr. Gubanyi helped to provide unique ways to fulfill that calling in this day and age of teaching. Education may have ever changing trends and practices, but our call to make disciples of all nations has always been and will always be the same.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s education program prepares teachers to lead, teach and serve from a foundation of faith that asserts the value of every individual. Education majors will sharpen their God-given gifts as they learn to minister to future students, families, churches and communities.