Freshman Emma Fiala hopes to one day teach math in a Lutheran School

Prior to coming to Concordia University, Nebraska freshman Emma Fiala lived in Herculaneum, Missouri, for 11 years, but she calls Brezno, Slovakia, home. She is majoring in secondary education with an endorsement in mathematics, minoring in physics and earning a Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD). She is the university’s Luke Scholars honors program, Cantamus women’s choir, Mixed Chorus and does technical crew lighting for the university’s theater program. 

“I am primarily interested in the church work programs,” she said “My parents, David ‘99 and Radka ‘05,  graduated from Concordia and my older brother Vaclav is sophomore here currently. I chose Concordia because I was looking for faith-based community where I could further my education from a Christian worldview and become better acquainted with my Creator in studying his creation. 

She said she appreciates the university’s Christ-centered focus. 

“We find our identity and our value not in ourselves but in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Everything we do then—worship, studies, arts, sports, music—we do by His grace and to His praise, honoring the vocations He has given us and Him whose image we are created in,” she said. “Recognizing God as the Creator of the universe, studying mathematics becomes more than merely seeking to understand the laws that govern the world around us: it gives us a glimpse into the precise, orderly mind of our God as displayed in his Creation. We can see evidence of His desire to know us and for us to know Him in that He has created us with cognitive functions and creativity required to pursue and comprehend mathematics.” 

Since Fiala’s parents are university alumni, she has always heard a lot about the university from them, she said. 

“[My parents] have always spoken very highly of their experiences here,” she said. “Many of my high school teachers were also alumni. I was very strongly encouraged to attend the historic ‘teacher's college’ to earn my LTD,” she said.  

She said her first months at the university have been filled with beautiful worship services, building meaningful friendships, wonderful music rehearsals and much more. 

“I have made some incredible friendships in the past nine weeks. I love attending chapel every day. Hearing the doxology in four-part harmony never gets old!” she said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed rehearsing and performing with both Cantamus and Mixed Chorus. I have also come to understand my vocation as a student through my Luke Scholars course, which has confirmed my conviction that I am exactly where I need to be right now.” 

She said her professors have demonstrated Christian leadership in her classrooms, too. 

“I would like to show my students what their Creator reveals about himself in mathematics, not merely teach them how to manipulate equations and solve for variables. Don't get me wrong—solving equations is great for many things including cognitive development and learning logical thinking skills. But as Christians we have blessing of knowing that we do not pursue disciplines purely for the sake of the discipline.”

“Since I want to be a Lutheran school teacher, I appreciate having their example to follow,” she said. “I look back on all the relationships I've developed with my teachers in the past and the relationships I’m developing with my professors now, and I think to myself that by God's grace and guidance, I want to be this kind of encouraging, influential person for young people in the future.” 

She said she is grateful for the faith formation that she is receiving in all aspects of her university experience. 

“I'm incredibly grateful to start my adult life in an environment where I am surrounded by Christians and daily reminded of my identity as a baptized and forgiven child of God through theology classes, chapel or one-on-one conversations with friends or professors,” she said. “I've heard really great things about the education program. I look forward to continuing to study math from a distinctly Christian perspective and to share this perspective with my own students someday.” 

She said she also appreciated the ample opportunities for Bible study and fellowship on campus. 

“Every night I ask my friends if we have any plans, and nearly every night, they say we're going to this Bible study or that Bible study. I love having the opportunity to spend so much time in the Word,” she said. “I'm learning tons. Many of my professors also incorporate faith into the curriculum, some in greater ways than others. Everywhere I turn on campus, I'm met with an opportunity to get to know my God a little better. I began taking ownership of my faith in high school, and I'm so blessed to be in a community that encourages me to continue to do so.” 

Fiala’s father holds both the indoor and outdoor high jump records for the Concordia Bulldogs.  He now serves as a mission advocate for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 

“Both my older brother and I were born overseas when our family served as missionaries in Slovakia,” said Fiala. “My big brother Vaclav is currently a student at Concordia. He is majoring in art education and minoring in English. I also have two siblings: eleven-year-old twins Helen and Jonathan.” 

When she’s not in class, you’ll find Fiala reading, baking, crocheting, sewing, playing guitar or ukelele, learning languages, hiking or spending time with family. 

Following graduation, Fiala would like to teach math at a Lutheran school. 

“I would like to show my students what their Creator reveals about himself in mathematics, not merely teach them how to manipulate equations and solve for variables,” she said. “Don't get me wrong—solving equations is great for many things including cognitive development and learning logical thinking skills. But as Christians we have blessing of knowing that we do not pursue disciplines purely for the sake of the discipline.” 

To celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week, throughout the month of January, Concordia Nebraska will highlight stories of faculty, staff, alumni and students who have been impacted by or serve in Lutheran education. National Lutheran Schools Week provides more than 1,800 preschools, elementary schools and high schools with the public opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work among us in schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.