Kelly (Waterman) Phelps ’06 loves teaching high school, spending time with family

Kelly (Waterman) Phelps ’06 has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with concentrations in English and social studies from Concordia University, Nebraska. She also has a master’s degree in English from National University. Many of her family members – including her parents, aunts, sister and two cousins – attended the university. She said that as a senior in high school, she explored other college options seeking something different, but as she made a list of what she was looking for in a university and in her education, it was clear that God was leading her to Concordia Nebraska.  

“My favorite thing about my experience at Concordia was running cross-country and track. Finding success as a cross-country team and in the steeplechase event on the track was only a small part of what made that experience great,” she said. “It's the relationships with teammates that truly made the experience special. We all shared a bond over the craziness of running and felt like brothers and sisters.” 

Today, she teaches at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

“Professors such as Dr. Jerry Pfabe and Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke enhanced my love for history and literature. I have taught American Literature for 20 years and give a lot of credit to them for preparing me,” she said. “My Concordia experience prepared me for the world of secondary education. Taking education classes, getting involved in local classrooms, and student teaching in Australia each played a crucial role. Concordia helped me develop my faith through theology classes, worship opportunities and the Christian community on campus.”  

“My Concordia experience prepared me for the world of secondary education. Taking education classes, getting involved in local classrooms, and student teaching in Australia each played a crucial role. Concordia helped me develop my faith through theology classes, worship opportunities and the Christian community on campus.”  

Following graduation, Phelps taught high school English at Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran in Green Bay, Wisconsin from 2006 to 2014. She also coached cross-country and girls basketball there. After eight years in Wisconsin, she took a call to Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has been teaching there since 2014. 

“I have taught high school English - American Literature and AP Literature - at Faith Lutheran for twelve years. In my first six years I coached high school cross-country and middle school track. In more recent years I have served as the English department chair and as a TEC21 facilitator,” she said.  

Phelps’ husband, Ben, teaches high school math at Faith Lutheran. Their oldest daughter, Megan, is in 6th grade. Their youngest daughter, Chloe, is in first grade.  

“We are currently in the chauffeur phase of parenting in which we constantly take our girls to softball, soccer, cross-country, basketball, swim, karate, youth group and music classes,” she laughed. “Outside of work, my family is my world. I love watching my girls learn and grow. For my own enjoyment, I like to run outside in the beautiful southern Nevada, workout in the weight room, sing in the church choir, experiment with cooking and read novels.” 

Phelps is looking forward to attending the Pacific Southwest District's Lutheran Educators Conference November 23-25 in Phoenix. She is especially looking forward to attending sessions that will enhance her craft of teaching high school English.  

“I love helping students analyze literature for techniques, meaning and historical context. We learn a lot about society, ourselves and our faith along the way,” she said.  

With a degree in secondary education from Concordia University, Nebraska, students are equipped to teach grades 7-12, encouraging intellectual and emotional growth at a critical time in the lives of your students. The secondary education program at Concordia Nebraska provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical application needed to be a successful high school teacher.