Our Team
The mission of Zion Lutheran School is to guide students toward academic excellence and to prepare them to be Christian Leaders.
Meet Mrs. Pamela Kleckner
Mrs. Pamela Kleckner has been serving young learners with grace, patience, and excellence since earning her degree from Concordia University, River Forest in 1995. With nearly three decades of teaching experience—including time at Timothy Lutheran School in Chicago and over 20 years at Zion Lutheran School—Pam has become a trusted and beloved leader in early childhood education.
As Zion’s Early Childhood Director, Pam is known for her ability to foster a warm, structured, and faith-filled environment where children are nurtured academically and spiritually from their very first school experiences. Her classroom is filled with music, joy, creativity, and a deep respect for each child’s development.
Pam is also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she serves in the Handbell Choir and volunteers as a Vacation Bible School teacher. Her dual commitment to church and school life reflects her dedication to helping children grow in faith and flourish in community.
Families regularly share how Pam’s steady leadership and compassionate teaching style give them confidence that their children are safe, loved, and thriving each day at Zion. One parent put it best:
“It is a nice feeling to know that when you watch your children walk into the school, they are in a safe environment. Most everyone on the staff knows your children’s name and always takes great care of them. I can be at work knowing they are having fun, meeting new friends, and making memories at the daycare.”
Meet Mrs. Rachel Mosser
Mrs. Rachel Mosser has been a faithful and passionate educator at Zion Lutheran School since 2007. A graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Rachel brings deep experience, creativity, and a servant’s heart to her classroom. After many successful years leading students in grades 1-4, she is excited to transition into the role of Kindergarten teacher for the upcoming school year.
Rachel is known for her incredible patience, joyful energy, and unwavering dedication to both her students and Zion’s mission. Whether guiding classroom instruction or coaching on the court, she gives her whole heart to the Zion Family. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she actively participates in the life of the church through handbells and service on the Parish Education Board and Sunday School leadership.
Her teaching is grounded in faith, empathy, and high expectations—equipping students to grow academically and spiritually. Parents and staff alike describe her as steady, loving, and deeply committed. As one parent shared:
“Rachel is dedicated to our mission and to each of her students and families. She is an amazingly patient teacher with a servant’s heart.”
Mrs. Mosser’s transition into Kindergarten is a gift for Zion’s youngest learners and a testament to her flexibility and love for all stages of child development.
Meet Mrs. Rachel Seelbach
Mrs. Rachel Seelbach brings years of experience and creative energy to her role as Zion’s 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher. A graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Rachel has served at Zion Lutheran School across two decades—first from 1997 to 2003 and again from 2014 to the present.
She currently teaches 1st grade in the morning and combines 1st and 2nd grade instruction in the afternoon. Her calm and structured classroom environment helps young learners thrive as they grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Rachel is known for making learning fun through creative lessons, imaginative activities, and a nurturing teaching style that reflects Christ’s love.
Rachel is also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church where she participates in the Handbell Choir and helps with Vacation Bible School. Her faithful involvement in both church and school life reflects her commitment to building a strong, Christ-centered community.
Her colleagues admire her creativity, reliability, and collaborative spirit. One fellow staff member shared:
“Rachel Seelbach is always finding creative and fun ways to teach. She’s dependable and kind.”
Another noted:
“Rachel is always willing to share her knowledge and collaborate with others. She is a blessing to have on staff.”
Mrs. Seelbach is a steady and joyful presence in our lower elementary program—committed to helping every child flourish.
Meet Mrs. Michelle King
Mrs. Michelle King brings both experience and intentionality to Zion Lutheran School, where she teaches combined 3rd and 4th grade. With a background in teaching multi-grade classrooms, Mrs. King skillfully differentiates instruction to meet a wide range of student needs while fostering a cohesive, Christ-centered classroom community.
She earned her teaching degree from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana and has a strong foundation in both curriculum planning and faith integration. Her approach to teaching balances academic excellence with spiritual guidance, helping students grow as learners and as young Christian leaders.
At Zion, Mrs. King plans her Reading and Math instruction to be grade-specific, while integrating Religion, Science, English, and Social Studies on a two-year rotating cycle. This thoughtful model ensures both depth and continuity across both grade levels, maximizing student engagement and success.
Mrs. King and her family are members of Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill, where they are actively involved in their congregation. She is known for her warm communication style, collaborative spirit, and commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all families. Her passion for Christian education and her ability to create a loving, structured classroom make her a true asset to the Zion staff.
Meet Mrs. Mary Ann Mitteis
Mrs. Mary Ann Mitteis brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to Christian education to her role as the 5th and 6th Grade Teacher at Zion Lutheran School. With a teaching career that spans several decades, Mary Ann has dedicated herself to nurturing young minds both academically and spiritually.
Mary Ann holds a degree in education and has taught in various Lutheran schools before joining Zion Lutheran School. Her approach to teaching is characterized by a structured and engaging classroom environment where students are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and grow in their faith.
Her colleagues describe her as a dedicated educator who consistently goes above and beyond to support her students and fellow staff members.
Mary Ann’s passion for teaching and her unwavering faith make her an invaluable asset to Zion Lutheran School, where she continues to inspire and guide her students every day.
Meet Pastor Philip Girardin
Rev. Philip Girardin is the Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Staunton. Rev. Girardin, more frequently known as “Pastor Phil”, has served Zion since January of 2023. Prior to this he has served congregations in Arkansas and Iowa since his ordination in 2017.
Officially, Pastor Phil oversees all religious learning at Zion Lutheran School, and personally teaches the religion/Confirmation class for the 7th and 8th grade students. He strives to have a challenging classroom that is open to questions and to the inquiries of faith, no matter what the Christian walk of the student.
Pastor Phil is engaged with all aspects of the life of faith at both the church and school and seeks to bring the totality of his skills into the service of the students in his care – whether it be from an old story in past jobs, or to a direct application of Scripture, Pastor Phil strives to bring Jesus to each and every student, to help them feel cared for, and to uplift and support the staff.
Meet Mrs. Cheryl Best
Mrs. Best has been blessed with many years of experience in education and is thankful for the opportunity to serve students in a Christ-centered environment at Zion Lutheran School.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and her Master of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading. Mrs. Best taught for 28 years at Bunker Hill School in Bunker Hill, Illinois (1994–2018), where she shared her love of learning with generations of students.
Although not a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mrs. Best faithfully serves on the Education Board at Woodburn Bible Church. She is also a member of the Teaching With Primary Sources Network, a professional organization that supports educators in using historical documents to enrich classroom learning.
Mrs. Best holds a K–9 Illinois Teaching Certificate, which is set to renew this year. She currently teaches 7th and 8th Grade History and English Language Arts and also serves as the Student Council Advisor. Mrs. Best is grateful for the opportunity to help students grow both academically and spiritually, encouraging them to use their gifts to honor God and serve others.
Meet Mr. David Manning
Mr. Manning has been blessed to serve in a variety of ministry roles over the past two decades. He is grateful for the opportunity to own a business rooted in Christian values while also teaching in a Christ-centered environment at Zion Lutheran School.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University Texas, where he studied Religion, Biblical Languages, and History. After a brief time at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, he felt called to teach in Lutheran schools. Returning to Texas, he began a Master’s program in Educational Curriculum and Instruction and accepted a position as a 7th and 8th grade teacher at a Lutheran school in Temple, Texas. At the encouragement of his school board, he later transitioned his studies to Educational Administration, earning his Master’s degree in that field.
Mr. Manning has nearly twenty years of experience in Lutheran education, including a decade serving as principal at Zion Lutheran School. As both an educator and a parent, he has witnessed firsthand—through his own children—the powerful impact of Christ-centered education and the strength of Zion’s academic and spiritual programs.
In addition to his teaching role, Mr. Manning is active in the community and church. His current roles include:
- Full-Time Financial Services Business Owner
- Staunton City Alderman for Ward 1
- Member of Zion’s Stewardship Committee
- Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator for three annual drives in Staunton
- Member of the Staunton Chamber of Commerce
- Advisory Committee Member for the Southern Illinois District – LCMS (Lutheran Schools)
Mr. Manning and his wife, Shelly, are blessed with two children, Lilly and Daniel. He gives thanks to God for the many opportunities to serve and strives to approach each role with faithfulness and excellence. He is thankful to be part of the Zion Lutheran School family and to continue serving in a place where Christ is at the center of all things.