Teachers are the most significant variable in student learning, not the latest program or educational trend.
Randy Peck
Principal, Grade 7-8
Born and raised in Madison, Randy attended Our Redeemer Lutheran School and Lakeside Lutheran High School. He met his wife, Jessica, at Martin Luther College. After college, Randy taught eighth grade and served as technology coordinator and assistant principal at Faith Lutheran School in Antioch, IL. Randy has served as principal and 7-8 grade teacher at ORLS since 2013. Randy earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Concordia University, Wisconsin in 2017. He holds a regular education and Social Studies teaching license, a Principal License, a Director of Instruction License, and is a Google Certified Educator Level 2. His personal interests include mountain biking, playing the guitar, photography, hiking, home improvement projects, and anything thing that involves learning and being active. In 2020, the Pecks were blessed to welcome their son, Jackson, through adoption.
Romans 5:8- “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Rev. Caleb Bassett
Pastor
Rev. Caleb Bassett serves as a pastor at Our Redeemer. From Texas originally, he grew up in the St. Louis area before entering ministry at a congregation in San Diego County, California. Pastor Bassett and his wife Audra have four children, Lily, Eva, Clara, and Theo. They enjoy camping, hiking, cooking, and enjoying life in Madison.
Rev. Philip Moldenhauer
Pastor
Philip Moldenhauer serves as pastor at Our Redeemer. He was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Phil, his wife Stephanie, and his children Isaiah, Micah, and Evalina, love life in Madison! They especially enjoy Madison's food scene and abundant outdoor recreation.
Revelation 2:10- "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Katherine Larsen
Grade 7-8
Katherine was born in Arizona but grew up in Holland, Michigan, where her dad was a pastor at the ELS church. The family moved to Mankato, MN, when she was twelve. She attended Bethany Lutheran College, where she earned her degree in Elementary Education. At Bethany, she met her husband, Kris, and they moved to Madison after they got married in 2011. Katherine's first call was to Holy Cross Lutheran School in Madison. She took some time off when their daughter, Finley, was born. She joined the staff at Our Redeemer as a half-time teacher in 7th and 8th grade in 2020. When she's not teaching, Katherine enjoys spending cozy days at home with her family, writing, knitting, cooking, and enjoying the amazing food that Madison has to offer!
John 3:16- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Stephanie Moldenhauer
Grade 5-8
Coming soon!
Russell Klatt
Grade 5-6, Athletic Director
Russell Klatt was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He grew up on a dairy farm just west of town and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School from Kindergarten through eighth grade. He attended Martin Luther Preparatory School during his high school years. He graduated in the spring of 1987 and that fall attended college at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN. He obtained his teaching degree in 1991. That same year he received a divine call to teach 5-6 grade at Our Redeemer Lutheran School. He continues to teach 5-6 grade, coach and serves as the school’s athletic director. In 2022, he earned his Master of Science in Educational Technology degree from Martin Luther College.
Philippians 2:10-11 – “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jennifer Kreutz
Grade 3-4
Jennifer was born in Madison but grew up in New Glarus, WI. Her mother, Laurel, was a teacher at Our Redeemer Lutheran School, where she attended ORLS for grades K-8. Jennifer attended New Glarus High School and, from there, went on to earn a degree in Social Work from UW La Crosse. She worked in Madison for three years as a Social Worker with adults with developmental disabilities. In 1999, she attended UW Madison to begin coursework toward her degree in Elementary Education. In 2001, she began a ten-year teaching career in Oregon, WI. During that time, she also earned a Master’s degree in Education from UW Madison. In June of 2011, Jennifer received a divine call to teach 3-4 grade at ORLS.
Proverbs 3:5-6– “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Jessica Peck
Grades 3-4/Piano
Jessica serves the families of ORL part-time as a Grades 3–4 Math Teacher and Piano Instructor. She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2006 with a degree in education and an emphasis in music and has since enjoyed a variety of roles in education and ministry, including classroom teaching, substitute teaching, after school care, choir directing, worship planning, private music instruction, and plenty of volunteering along the way. She enjoys bringing her musical background into the classroom and currently teaches both group and private piano lessons to students in kindergarten through first grade. Jessica has a heart for helping students grow in confidence and curiosity through thoughtful, engaging lessons.
Jessica and her husband Randy moved to Madison in 2013 and welcomed their son, Jackson, in 2020. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Madison, singing, hiking, traveling, and relaxing with family and friends.
1 Samuel 12:24 — “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
David Wendland
Grade 1-2
David was born in the small town of Clare, Michigan, but his father soon received a missionary call to Malawi, Africa, and his family relocated there when he was just three years old. David and his three siblings were raised in “The Warm Heart of Africa” for twelve adventurous years before the family returned to the States. David graduated from Luther Preparatory School in Watertown before attending Martin Luther College in New Ulm, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education in 2011. David married his beautiful wife, Leah, in 2014, and they have been blessed with four wonderful children. Since his graduation from MLC, David has served as a preschool teacher in the Dominican Republic, a Lead Preschool Teacher at the MLC Early Childhood Learning Center, a Kindergarten teacher, and a K-1 teacher. David was teaching Kindergarten at Sleepy Eye Public Elementary school in Minnesota when he received the call to serve as 1-2 grade teacher at Our Redeemer. David enjoys spending time with family, gardening, singing, playing violin and piano, reading mystery novels, and creating artwork.
Psalm 67:1- “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.”
Beth Klatt
Kindergarten 5
Beth was born in Clintonville, WI but spent most of her childhood in Watertown, WI. After graduating from Watertown High School, she spent a year studying voice at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee. While there, she went through adult instruction in God’s Word at Salem Lutheran Church and became a Christian. The following year she transferred to Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. In 1985, she graduated from DMLC with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. That year she was called to teach 3-5 grades at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Benton Harbor, MI. Ten years later she left for Japan to teach the children of the Lutheran missionaries serving there. The following year she was called to teach 4th and 5th grades at Our Redeemer. Two years later she left teaching to begin a family with her husband, Russell. She returned to the classroom to teach Kindergarten in the Fall of 2012.
John 11:25-26- ”I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
David Moyer
Student Aide, BSC
David has degrees in Elementary Education (BA) and Curriculum & Instruction (MA). With 33 years of experience teaching mostly kindergarten, he is happy to now retire and re-career, joining the Our Redeemer family. David has been married to his wife, Diane, for 19 years. His family has been a part of Our Redeemer for fifteen years. All three of their children were baptized here. He serves as an Assistant Teacher in the 1-2 grade classroom and Before School Care teacher.
Romans 8:28- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Bonnie Swanciger
Student Aide 3-4 Grade
Bonnie was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and at age 8 moved to Delaware, Ohio. She graduated from Rutherford B. Hayes High School and attended The Ohio State University, focusing on Patient Care and Health Care Administration. Her work has spanned caring for dementia patients, adults with spinal cord injuries, and children with brain injuries—serving others has always been her calling.
She met her husband, Jonathan, in 2003 before his deployment to Iraq, and they married during his two-week leave in 2004. After four years in Chicago managing a medical equipment company, they returned to Wisconsin in 2009 following the birth of their daughter, Ava. Settling in Madison, Bonnie paused her career to focus on family before later shifting to childcare. She was grateful to join ORLS, where Ava attended 7th and 8th grade, volunteering when she could. Now she serves as a teacher’s aide in the 3-4 grade classroom.
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Rachel Fregien
Director of Parish Music
Rachel serves Our Redeemer as Director of Parish Music. She conducts the school choir and works with the pastors and Worship Team to choose music and schedule musicians for worship. She regularly accompanies services on organ and piano.
Rachel was born and raised in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. She graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota.
Rachel and her husband, Brad, have been members of Our Redeemer since 1997. Their two children, Olivia and Simon, graduated from ORLS.
Tiffany Fritz
Piano Instructor
Tiffany was born in Madison and raised in Verona, WI. She earned her BBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Wisconsin Madison. While attending UW-Madison, she also studied piano as a non-music major. She worked in the insurance industry for 11 years and then took time off to raise her 3 children. During that time, she started teaching piano lessons and discovered the blessings of a music career and has been teaching ever since, with over 15 years of experience.
Tiffany and her husband, Brian, have 3 children- Andrew, Ashley, and Aaron- who are all graduates of Lakeside Lutheran Highschool. She enjoys gardening and flowers, baking, traveling/hiking with her family, shelling on Sanibel Island, and playing the piano and saxophone.
Psalm 118:24-"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Amy Hansel
Piano Instructor
Amy Hansel has been helping students find their passion for piano for the past 29 years. She has served as a local music teacher association President, as well as helped to organize the Achievement in Music Exams in Fort Wayne and Rockford. Since living in the area, she has become involved in the Madison Area Music Teachers Association (MAME) and has entered students into its District Auditions and Badger State Auditions. As a MAME member, Amy can offer these events and more to any of my students who would like to participate. Beyond musicianship skills, Amy's goals are to help students achieve the ability to express their thoughts and feelings using the gift of music, spread joy and positivity in the world, and gain a sense of confidence in their God-given abilities.
Her love of music and piano/organ playing was influenced not only by her parents but also by her service to the church. Amy has been a church musician for 40+ years, taught Sunday school singing, directed choir, and served on the Psalmody Committee for Christian Worship. Amy's husband Tom works as a microwave engineer and also likes to play alto saxophone. The Hansels have two grown children who are both into sports, so their free time is spent cheering them on or playing board games.
Matthew Schaser
Administrative Assistant
Matt Schaser brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as Principal Administrative Assistant at Our Redeemer Lutheran School. Hailing from Greendale, Wisconsin, Matt is a proud graduate of Greendale High School and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. With over 45 years of experience in advertising and marketing, Matt's expertise is complemented by his passion for education. He has previously shared his talents with the Madison Public School system, teaching art classes, and is a certified Young Rembrants art instructor. Matt is eager to contribute to the ORLS community.
Matt is married with four children. Matt and his wife Karen enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and riding bicycles. They have called Fitchburg home for over three decades.