>

Faculty, Staff, and Board

MEET OUR FACULTY AND STAFF

Mr. Dan Snyder

Headmaster of
Concordia Academy – Wichita

Aristotle tells us that everything we do together is political. This sounds strange until we understand that the Greek understanding of that term is synonymous with social, and in realizing that we would say “of course”. What is hidden behind that transformation of our normal way of thinking about ‘politics’ is that we have lost something valuable in what Aristotle was driving at. The social characteristic of humanity is an extension of friendship. Maybe the highest good in life is friendship, friendship with God and friendship with neighbor, and in this distinctly Christian realization and admonition we can extend our friendship across the ages to Aristotle.

This is why, as the headmaster of Concordia Academy-Wichita I am so happy to attend to our society of scholars that bridges time – classical. We are a group of friends intent on becoming more useful to each other, and closer to God. Coming from New York to Wichita to teach in the exciting field of high school classical Christian education, my wife Tracee and I felt many separate threads of our lives coalescing in this mission. When cities are at their best, they seem to be the same: a society of friends. When they are at their worst, they are battlefields of warring self-interests, characterized by difference that is dissonance. Man finds discontent in himself and spreads it to his neighbor. I have experienced how a good school, a centered community, can radiate the opposite of strife. But, how does man overcome his inner and outer state of war?

It is marvelous that man can find his center in Christ, the great mediator, and that we can be citizens both of the earthly friendship and the heavenly kingdom, finding and spreading peace in our communities with a fearless devotion to the knowledge and wisdom found in the school of wisdom and virtue that is the society of our Lord. We rise to the times in which we are born, and this is a time that calls out for a reaffirmation of what calls us higher, the restoration of holy friendship.

Faculty

Amber Wittig

Preschool, Kindergarten and
1st Grade Teacher

Amy Haist

1-3rd Grade Teacher

Ian Snyder

4th-7th Grade Teacher, Instructor of Art

Kena Alderson

High School

Jennifer Montgomery

Instructor of Composition and Rhetoric

Fr. Michael C. Brockman

Chaplain of Concordia Academy

Pr. Mark Lovett

Instructor of History of Old and
New Testament

Kristina Lovett

Instructor of Music Theory

Administrative Staff

Amanda Carter

Business and Development Manager

Ella Filipek

Primary School Administrative Assistant

Steven Prewitt

Athletic and Activities Director

Board Members

  • Rev. Aaron Filipek (Trinity Lutheran, Wichita), President
  • Rev. Tim Meyer (Trinity Lutheran, Wichita), Vice President
  • Richard Lewallen (Trinity Lutheran, Wichita), Treasurer
  • Rev. Mark Lovett (Immanuel Lutheran, Wichita), Secretary and Pastor loci
  • Rev. Dr. Geoff Boyle (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana)
  • Harley Alderson (Immanuel Lutheran, Wichita)
  • Troy Nordman (Holy Cross, Wichita)
  • Julia Voss (Faith Lutheran, Derby)
  • Katie Hollander (Trinity Lutheran, Wichita)
  • Rev. Anthony Masinelli (St. Paul’s Lutheran, Cheney) 

Amber Wittig

Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher

About:

Amber is a Connecticut native; she relocated to Kansas in December of 2023 to marry her husband, Christopher. Christopher is a veteran who served twenty- two years in the United States Army. He retired in 2021 following his last deployment to Jordan and now works for Boeing. Christopher encourages Amber to engage in this teaching ministry with enthusiasm, he is her steadfast supporter, an iron- sharpening – iron kind of man, who is constantly reminding her of who she is in Christ. They are residents of Derby, spending their time rummaging through antiques, debating how they will arrange their garden, planning their next trip, and endlessly throwing the ball for their bulldog Gizmo.

Amber launched her career in an educational transition program supporting high school students with intellectual and developmental differences. In this role, she worked with students who were preparing for graduation and their entry into the workforce through structured day programs. Through her direct experience guiding these young adults, Amber developed a passion for understanding how children learn and process information. Committed to continuous education, she proactively sought out professional development opportunities, attending trainings and seminars on her own time to enhance her knowledge and ability to effectively support her students.

This foundational experience ignited her ongoing dedication to inclusive education, and in 2016 she began working in an elementary special education program in the very school system she had once attended. This full-circle moment deepened her commitment and desire to support students with diverse needs. She was mentored by inspiring women, seasoned teachers and specialists, who recognized her enthusiasm, welcomed her into their circle and generously imparted their specialized knowledge in areas, such as speech and language development, motor function, the neurological impact trauma and substances leave on little minds, how children absorb and retain knowledge, and compassionate behavioral strategies that help a child thrive today, while planting seeds for hope, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Amber was originally employed by Faith Lutheran School. When they closed their doors, she stayed committed to primary education, joining CAW’s pioneer effort to open their own primary school in Derby. Her introduction to classical education challenged her to teach from fresh angles, allowing her to preserve the empathy she built in special education while embracing the depth and structure of a classicist view.

Throughout her thirteen- plus years in education she has cultivated an adaptable approach, meeting each child on their unique journey and nurturing a love for learning while equipping them with skills to live out what God has planned for them. Amber is excited to continue supporting diverse learners while layering in the love, discipline and depth that classical education so beautifully offers.

Amy Haist

2-6th Grade Teacher

About:

Amy Haist has been in education for 41 years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Education from St. John’s College, formerly in Winfield, KS, and her Masters of Education from Friends University. Amy served as a rostered teacher in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for 25 years. Her experience includes 21 years of teaching KDG, 1 st , 2 nd grades, and the remaining years teaching grades 4, 5, and middle school (grades 6, 7, 8) English and Literature, as well as teaching dyslexic learners and working with English Language Learners. Amy has a certified Kansas teaching license for grades KDG-9 th , with an endorsement in ESOL.

Orton-Gillingham multisensory trainings opened new doors of insight and highly effective teaching strategies for Amy. She has worked with dyslexic learners, including private tutoring, for the past twelve years, as well as student enrichment tutoring. Amy has a passion for early diagnosis and intervention for children with learning differences such as dyslexia.

In addition to the classroom, Amy has twenty-one years of experience leading children’s choirs in Lutheran parochial schools, and two years of directing children’s community-performance choirs. She served four years as director and teacher of a ministry to adults with developmental disabilities.

Amy has a passion for kids of all ages, building relationships with and among her students, and nurturing their faith in our omnipotent, omniscient, all-loving Creator and Savior. The God who ordained their days, and knew each one before all-time, created them with gifts and purpose. Amy delights in the uniqueness of each child and believes that teachers help their students learn best by living His love, mercy, and grace to them. She has a strong sense of humor and strives to create a learning atmosphere of belonging and laughter with loving boundaries and expectations.

Amy has one 28-year-old son, Bryan, who graduated from Collegiate Upper School in 2016 and Kansas State University in 2020 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduating from K State, Bryan has been working at Pantex Nuclear Plant in Amarillo, Texas, initially as a mechanical engineer and within the past year as a program manager. He is her most precious gift from God.

When asked, “Looking back, what would you do differently in your teaching career?” Amy has one reply. “I’d write down the multitude of humorous classroom stories through the years, like my mother told me to do 40 years ago.” Oh, the smiles they would bring.

Ian Snyder

Instructor of Art and Mathematics

About:

Mr. Ian Snyder, our art instructor, holds a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Hunter College in New York. He is a Marine veteran, whose work has been displayed at Mark Arts in Wichita, where he also serves as an instructor in Renaissance methods.

“At Concordia Academy, we practice drawing and painting from life because nature is the best teacher of artistic technique and intuition.”
– Ian Snyder

Jennifer Montgomery

Instructor of Composition and Rhetoric

About:

Jennifer Montgomery has taught English and history for 31 years to students ranging from grade 6 through college, most recently as an associate professor of English instructing students in essay composition, argumentation, rhetoric, literature, developmental English, and study skills. Earlier in her career, she taught high school English and history, and coached forensics, debate, and drama. 

Her teaching is informed by two assumptions. The first is that a good teacher helps students realize God created each one of them on purpose, for a purpose, so our personal and relational integrity matters in our daily choices as we live out that purpose. The second assumption is that Christ is the logos – the Word that unifies all knowledge giving scholarly pursuits their ultimate meaning. Her educational philosophy prioritizes learning that instructs the mind about what is true and shapes the heart to align thoughts and actions accordingly. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in History Education and a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric from Kansas State University. She lives in Lincolnville, KS with her husband and has two grown sons. She has been a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincolnville, for over 30 years and looks forward to continuing to serve Christ’s church at Concordia Academy Wichita.

Fr. Michael C. Brockman

Chaplain of Concordia Academy

About:

Michael Carl Brockman, son of Virtus and Ruth (Matter) Brockman, was born March 11, 1956, in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was baptized April 8, 1956, and confirmed March 22, 1970, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshalltown by the Rev. Ernest Runge.

After graduating from West Marshall High School at State Center, Iowa in May of 1974, he attended Iowa State University in Ames where he was awarded the Baccalaureate of Science degree in agricultural journalism. He entered Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana in June of 1980. His year-long vicarage was served under the Rev. Alwin Reimnitz at Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck, North Dakota. There he met, and married on July 30, 1983, Theresa Louise Bauer (b. Feb. 7, 1961), daughter of Elmer and Mabel (Sack) Bauer, of New Salem, North Dakota.

The Brockmans moved to Fort Wayne for Michael’s final year of academic work and on May 25, 1984, Michael was graduated with a Master of Divinity degree, was certified for the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and was called to serve as evangelistic missionary to Venezuela. He was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 1, 1984, by past synodical president, Dr. A.L. Barry.

After a seven-month-long Spanish language learning stint in Mexico, the Brockmans arrived in Venezuela in February of 1985. Pastor Brockman served congregations in Caracas and in the eastern part of Venezuela. Oldest son Christian was born in Maturín in 1986. The Brockmans returned to the United States in December 1987 and Pastor Brockman accepted the Call to St. James Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska in January 1988. Born there were Hannah (1989), Manuel (1990) and Maria (1992). Over the past 31 years, Pastor Brockman has served Immanuel-Klinger, Iowa, Christ-Hutchinson, Kansas, Grace-Wichita, and Immanuel-Hoxie & Immanuel-Oakley.

The Brockman children are presently residing in the following places: Christian & Sneha (Laila) live and work in a southern suburb of San Francisco; Hannah & Cody live and work in Wichita; Manuel lives and works in Kansas City; Maria lives and works in Dallas.

Pastor Brockman has been the guest of ISSUES, ETC. several times and has had sermons published in the journals Gottesdienst-The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy and Concordia Pulpit Resources. He contributed religious articles for five years on a quarterly basis to The Hutchinson News. He has been a presenter at the Higher Things youth conferences, at district pastors’ conferences and at the ecumenical Hall of Men gathering in Wichita. He worked as a catechist for 15 years within the Kansas Department of Corrections. He has served on the Evangelism Board of the Wyoming District, as LWML Zone Counselor in the Kansas District and as vacancy pastor in Wyoming, Iowa, and Kansas. His former congregations in Hutchinson and Wichita hosted, for 26 years, a two-day event called the Lutheran Lecture Series. He is a member of the St. Polycarp Society and in 2014 was awarded the Sabre of Boldness from Gottesdienst Journal. From 2014-2016 he did weekly curb-side counseling at the former Tiller Abortion Clinic in Wichita urging young mothers not to have abortions and was elected in June 2023 to serve as President of Lutherans for Life-Kansas. During his time in western Kansas, he served two years on the Oakley Library Board.

Pastor Brockman likes to listen to talk radio, read, swim and practice shoot his .38 Special. Mrs. Brockman likes to bake, volunteer, visit and text. Both are fans of Last Man Standing and Leave It to Beaver.

Pr. Mark Lovett

Instructor of History of Old and New Testament

About:

Pastor Mark Lovett received his Masters of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, in November of 2006. He was sent to Kansas where he has served as sole and senior pastor of three churches, served often as Circuit Visitor, and on various boards and committees of the Kansas District of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Pastor Lovett was installed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wichita on the Confession of St. Peter, 2020.

Kristina Lovett

Instructor of Music Theory

About:

Kristi Lovett is a former CAW board member of five years and the mom of one of our founding families. Her husband, Pr. Mark Lovett, is the senior pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church. You can find Mrs. Lovett in the Immanuel church office, where she serves as parish secretary.

Mrs. Lovett holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Biology from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She jokes that it took her so long to graduate because she much preferred to spend time in the music building than in her science labs. Mrs. Lovett sang second soprano in the A Capella Choir at SHSU for 3 of her years at SHSU and was a member of the

Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity.

As a younger adult, Mrs. Lovett was a member of the Schola Cantorum and the Bach Collegium choirs in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has sung in and directed several community and church choirs, and also served as her church’s organist for many of those years. For the past decade, Mrs. Lovett has been a member of the Sound of the Heartland Women’s Ensemble (a competitive barbershop music choir) as well as performing and competing as Detour Quartet’s tenor. She is currently also singing with the Wichita Symphony Chorus.

Mrs. Lovett is thrilled to be able to share her love of music theory and vocal technique with the students at Concordia.

Amanda S. Carter

Business and Development Manager

About:

Amanda Carter began her journey with Concordia Academy in 2017 as a member of the Board of Directors. She took on the role of Administrative Assistant in the Summer of 2022 and became the Business and Development Manager in 2024.

Amanda grew up in the Lutheran school system, attending Bremen Lutheran School (now known as Good Shepherd Lutheran in Marysville, KS) 1 st through 8 th grade. Amanda is married to Aaron and together they have 3 children. Gideon and Gabriella are with their Lord and Savior and Rosalind attends Christ the Savior Academy.

They are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wichita where Amanda serves on the Church Council and as one of the church organists.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from Kansas State University.

Skip to content