Mr. Benjamin Rank
Principal
brank@eastsidelutheran.org
I have a beautiful wife, Tracy. We are blessed to have four amazing daughters. We like to play games, spend time with our dog, Mason, go for walks, going to county or state parks, and just being outdoors.
I am an avid sports fan. I am a die-hard Wisconsin Badger, Minnesota Viking, and Milwaukee Brewer fan. I am a licensed WIAA basketball and volleyball official. I enjoy working high school basketball games especially at the varsity level. In addition to sports, I enjoy reading and learning family history.
I am excited to be at Eastside and use the gifts God has given me to lead the school into the years ahead.
Mrs. Brittni Carran
Early Childhood Director & Teacher (3K & 4K)
bcarran@eastsidelutheran.org
I am Ms. Brittni and I grew up in a family of teachers and throughout the midwest.
I graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2011 with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am currently pursuing her graduate degree in Administration as an Early Childhood Director. I have taught various grades from 3k-3rd grade in Wisconsin, Florida, and Tennessee.
I enjoy spending time with my husband Patrick, my two kids Oliver and Lyla, and our various 4 legged kids. I enjoy volunteering at local animal shelters, gardening, and movie trivia.
I am excited to get to know the Eastside families and share Jesus with the preschoolers!
Mrs. Alyssa Scharrer
Teacher (3K & 4K)
ascharrer@eastsidelutheran.
As a young child my sister and I would often play school together. When I was in the second grade I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had the privilege of attending High School at Luther Preparatory School and then graduated from Martin Luther College where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
I love spending time at the lake, cooking, gardening, and going on bike rides. The thing I enjoy the most is spending time with my family. My husband, Marty, and I have been married for thirteen amazing years. Our life together has been full of blessings, which includes our two awesome boys, Blake and Eli. Their curiosity and energy always keeps us busy!
I have been teaching since 2000 and received a called to be the preschool teacher here at Eastside Lutheran in 2014. Watching the three and four-year-olds hear a bible story for the first time and share the good news with others is one of the most rewarding parts of my ministry at Eastside. I am excited to serve another year at Eastside and grow in my ministry.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Ms. Marie Laich
Teacher (Kindergarten)
mlaich@eastsidelutheran.org
I graduated in 1990 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. My love of learning led me to complete my Master’s Degree in Education in 2012.
My first call was to teach kindergarten-2nd at Immanuel in North Richland Hills, Texas. In 1996 the school expanded and called another full time teacher and I taught 3rd -5th grades until accepting the call to Divine Grace in 2000. At Divine Grace I had the opportunity to teach several different grades from Kindergarten through 5th but has focused mainly on Kindergarten through 2nd grade for 12 years and 1st – 4th grades the last two years. I have been directing the hand bell choirs for the 5th – 8th grade students for 17 years.
I also led the adult hand bell choir, participated in choir, and have served on the circuit LWMS board. I am an avid runner and enjoy entering area races. I also like to cook and read.
I am excited to share my love of learning with the Kindergartners at Eastside.
Mrs. Emily Everhart
Teacher (1st Grade)
eeverhart@eastsidelutheran.org
I grew up in Milwaukee and attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Being a Math tutor in High School led me to love teaching. I began my years at Martin Luther College with the desire to be a High School Math Teacher. From various teaching experiences the Lord led me to love teaching primary grade students. I especially love teaching Reading, Math, and Art.
I graduated from MLC in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching. I was assigned to teach Kindergarten and First Grade at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Cannon Falls, MN. During my years there I added teaching 2nd Grade to my classroom and also taught K-8th Grade Art and Spanish. I served there nine years before being called to teach First Grade at Eastside.
I married my husband, Stuart, in 2012. Together we love to cheer on the Packers and hike with our dog, Rambo. I also love to draw and watch movies. Brain development and how it applies to learning has become an area I enjoy learning about.
I am blessed each day to help children know that they are uniquely created by our loving LORD and have the ability to learn academically, socially, and spiritually.
Mrs. Tracy Rank
Teacher (2nd Grade)
trank@eastsidelutheran.org
My name is Tracy Rank and I teach the second grade students at Eastside Lutheran School in Madison. I graduated from Martin Luther College in May of 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I have continued my education through Wisconsin Lutheran College by taking various education courses. I began my teaching ministry in 2001 at Trinity Lutheran in Kiel, WI where I taught kindergarten, first, and second grade. In 2013 my family moved to Eastside Lutheran in Madison where I currently teach second grade. I have been blessed to be married to Benjamin and we are blessed with four daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading, and playing and watching sports.
I believe that each child is a treasure from God that has been created with unique learning styles. It is my personal goal to help each child develop to his/her fullest academic potential through actively engaging lessons and exploration and lead the children to let their love for their Savior shine as we learn to serve others. This can only be achieved in a classroom that is full of love and motivation, encouragement, and joy in learning.
I enjoy teaching the children about their Savior and his love for us. I also enjoy teaching reading and science. I am a member of the International Literacy Association.
Mrs. Jenni Berg
Teacher (3rd Grade) – School Music Coordinator
jberg@eastsidelutheran.org
My name is Jenni Berg, and I teach 3rd grade here at Eastside. I grew up in Saukville, WI and attended grade school at Our Savior Lutheran in Grafton, WI. I played basketball and sang in choir from 3-8 grade. I attended Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI and played basketball and sang in choir all four years. (Are you sensing some of my “likes” here?) I then went on to Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN and sang in the choir (but only played basketball for fun) all four years. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2000 and then spent a few years at different schools teaching grades 1-4. I married Nathan Berg in July of 2001 and we moved 4 times in the following 3 years. Nathan was a Seminary student at the time. We finally settled into the Cataract/Black River Falls area of Wisconsin in 2004 when Nathan received his first call to Faith Lutheran Church. During the next 10 years I stayed at home raising our 4 wonderful children while also being the “go-to” music person at our church. I organized and played music for church, choir, and Sunday School. I also did in-home daycare and subbed at our nearby Lutheran elementary school. I worked as Mission Director at a Christian childcare run by St. John’s Lutheran Church in Barre Mills, WI until we moved to Madison in 2015. I now wear many hats each day being the 3rd grade teacher by day and Mom by night (with often overlapping hours). I enjoy going to my children’s sporting games and musical events, camping with my family, watching the Packers play, and painting rocks. May He keep us all in His care and bless our work together at Eastside!
Mr. Eric Duve
Teacher (4th Grade)
eduve@eastsidelutheran.
Eric Duve was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and attended public school K-12. After high school, he decided to attend Martin Luther College to obtain a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating in 2013, Mr. Duve taught grades 3 and 4 in Caledonia, Minnesota, and then in Bangor, Wisconsin. He married Kimberly (Schmill) in 2017, and together they have a daughter, Emma, and a son, Henry. When he is not in the classroom, Mr. Duve enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and watching sports. He is excited to be a part of the church and school family at Eastside!
Mrs. Kass
Teacher (5th Grade)
rstruck@eastsidelutheran.org
Rachel was born and raised in Oakley, Michigan. She attended school at Christ Lutheran School for grade school years, Michigan Lutheran Seminary for high school, and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota for college. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in December 2010, she received her call to serve at Eastside Lutheran Church and School in May 2011 as the Kindergarten Teacher. In 2017, she took on a new role as the 5th grade teacher. Rachel received her Master’s of Education in Professional Development from UW La Crosse in May 2019. Over the years at Eastside, she has had many roles from Early Childhood Director to teaching Technology to Grades Kindergarten through 8th.
In her free time she enjoys traveling and exploring places with her husband and their 3 children, and spending time with family and friends whenever possible.
Mrs. Anne Heller
Teacher (6th Grade) – Deaconess
aheller@eastsidelutheran.org
Let me introduce myself, I‘m Mrs. Heller the sixth grade teacher. I’ll tell you a little of my background. I was born to an English Mom and an American Father. During my growing up years I lived in Milwaukee where I attended Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Grade School and Wisconsin Lutheran High School. I graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm , Minnesota which is our training school for the teaching ministry. Upon graduation I served at St. John-St. James in Reedsville, Wisconsin, then at St. John’s in Newtonburg, Wisconsin, and presently here at Eastside Lutheran. In addition to my teaching call, I also serve as Deaconess where I minister to congregation members in a variety of facets. My family consists of my husband Allen, my two children, and my son-in-law. I am a lover of animals of which I have six and I also sport a motorcycle which I love driving. May the Lord bless and keep you.
Mr. Kip Wilson
Teacher (7th & 8th Grades, K-8 PE) – Athletic Director
kwilson@eastsidelutheran.org
In 1997, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. Currently, I have a Minnesota state teaching license (2025), a Colorado state teaching license (2027), and a Master’s of Science in Education degree with an emphasis in leadership from Martin Luther College (2012). I love learning about new educational philosophies, teaching strategies, and current educational trends. Continual professional development is very important to me. Mental toughness or mental training is my current favorite topic to read about or give presentations about to other groups. I also love working with new teachers in the WELS, therefore, I am a Lead Mentor for the Western Wisconsin District.
When I am not involved in school activities, I love to spend time with all of my kids. We enjoy playing outdoor games or spending time outdoors. My family likes to go biking on trails. Most sports are recreational for me, especially those with exercise. I love to cook and try new foods. I also enjoy officiating basketball for 30 years (college or high school) and soccer for 20 years.
I love participating with my school’s activities with students/players and giving my life to my Lord in any way possible to say thank you to Him.