Trinity prepares for 2023-2024

Principal Wade Stockman is looking forward to ringing in his sixteenth year at the Trinity Lutheran School when classes start August 30. The school, which offers classes for students in preschool through eighth grade, is associated with Janesville’s Trinity Lutheran Church. Because of that link, Stockman said Trinity teaches from a “Biblical worldview.”

As the 2023-24 school year begins, 109 students are enrolled at Trinity for Grades K-8, as well as 18 preschoolers. Stockman’s wife Eugenia is Trinity’s preschool teacher. The couple, who live in Janesville a few blocks from the school, have four children together as well as four grandchildren.

While Stockman reported no policy changes for the 2023-24 school year, two new people have joined the staff: sixth-grade teacher Linda Kemp and preschool assistant Marlis Olson.

With the school year approaching, Stockman said he is excited for the opportunity to work with the staff, students, and families again.  He added that, in addition to helping advance students’ academic skills, he hopes to share his faith and teach them about God.

“The mission of our church and school is making disciples for Jesus Christ,” said Stockman. “We want students to grow their faith and understand their place in the world."

"We want them to know God created them special and has plans for them.”

To fulfill Trinity’s mission of providing a Christian education, Stockman says each school day begins with a morning prayer; the curriculum for all students includes daily religion classes. In addition, Stockman said that students and staff participate in service projects at the Trinity Lutheran Church and around the Janesville community. ”Our faith isn’t just what we say, it's what we do,” said Stockman.

Trinity’s sports offerings include fall volleyball and co-ed soccer, as well as four different basketball teams in the winter. 

In addition to his duties as principal, Stockman teaches religion and algebra classes at Trinity and has taught physical education in the past. He earned his bachelor and master degrees in education at Concordia University, St. Paul. Prior to becoming Trinity’s principal, Stockman taught at various Lutheran schools in North Carolina for 22 years. 

Stockman said that some of the challenges he faces as principal are keeping up with continual changes in education, as well as trying to keep Trinity’s tuition rate affordable for families as inflation continues to affect the economy. To help families send their children to the school, Trinity Lutheran Church provides tuition assistance for those in need. 

Stockman said that his main goal this year is to help facilitate improvement in all aspects of Trinity’s teaching to better prepare students to succeed. “When students finish eighth grade, we hope they have a solid background that will serve them well into high school,” he said. “We hope that students grow in their faith and a closer relationship with their savior. We want them to remember the fun things they did and have good memories of their time at Trinity.” 

Trinity Lutheran School is open for enrollment for the upcoming school year and will still take new students once it starts. “We welcome all students to our school,” said Stockman.