The St. Paul Faculty models joyful learning and exemplifies love for God, His word, and His world; there is nothing more true, good, or beautiful than learning about our Savior. We are truly blessed to be able to share Christ with the St. Paul Lutheran scholars each and every day!

Rev. Benjamin Ball

Pastor Ball teaches catechism to all grades in our school. He has served as Senior Pastor of the St. Paul Lutheran congregation since 2012. He previously served St. Paul Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Illinois, which also operates a Classical Lutheran School, and St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Dedham, Massachusetts. Pastor Ball is a graduate of Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He lives in the parsonage with his wife, Serena, and their five children.

Rev. William Weedon

The Rev. William C. Weedon was installed as Assistant Pastor and Catechist of our congregation in September, 2019. He was our Senior Pastor from 1992 until 2012 when he began his service as Director of Worship and Chaplain of the International Center of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He also served as Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Burlington, North Carolina from 1986-1992. Pastor Weedon is a 1982 graduate of Concordia College, Bronxville, New York and received the M.Div (1986) and S.T.M (1998) degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. His published writings include Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey: Recovering the Joys of Piety, Celebrating the Saints, See My Savior’s Hands, and We Praise You, O God: The Te Deum Laudamus. Pastor is the host The Word of the Lord Endures Forever, a daily podcast of Lutheran Public Radio. He and his wife Cindi have been blessed with three children and their spouses and 15 grandchildren.

Rev. René Castillero

Reverend René G. Castillero was raised in McHenry County, IL with his two siblings. After completing his bachelor’s degree from Concordia University Chicago in 2013, he attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 2017, Rev. Castillero was called to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY and served as Associate Pastor. He was also their full-time Lead Teacher from 2017-2022 and served as Headmaster from 2022-2024 at Martin Luther Grammar School and Immanuel Academy. While in Wyoming, Rev. Castillero also attended to the Wyoming District as the Youth and Outdoor Ministry Coordinator. Apart from his duties, Rev. Castillero loves to cook, read, ride his motorcycle, learn from people, and has dabbled in continued education including a doctoral program that is “put on hold.” Rev. Castillero is married to Martha. They have two children: Lukas and David.

Deaconess Sarah Gaffney

Deaconess Gaffney is the happy mother of five children, and the oldest two are now married to make that seven! She earned her deaconess training and certification came through Concordia River Forest and her elementary education degree from Grand Canyon University. She served in two parish positions before staying home to raise her children. She learned about classical education at St. Paul, Brookfield, IL, where she taught 3-5th grades. Her most recent teaching experience was in a non-public residential school for students with behavioral problems that prevented their attendance in a regular school setting. She is very happy to be back in a Lutheran setting teaching 3-5th grades once again. The verse that has been her mainstay through life has been Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Ms. Katherine Rutowicz

Miss Rutowicz is very blessed to join the mission of St. Paul Lutheran School by teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. She grew up in Niles, MI about a half hour from beautiful Lake Michigan. After attending Central Michigan University to pursue a degree in secondary education for two years, she transferred to Concordia University Wisconsin. In 2023, she graduated with a BA in Classical Studies. God willing, she hopes to pursue an M.A. in a field related to classical study. In her spare time, she enjoys researching, swimming, figure skating, and traveling.

Deaconess Elizabeth Koester

Deaconess Koester teaches Kindergarten at St. Paul. She was raised just outside of Red Bud, Illinois on a small family dairy farm. She attended Concordia University Chicago and graduated with a degree in Theology. Her first call as a deaconess was to Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas. During her time there, she taught in their preschool and then later directed the preschool for 2 years. In her free time, Deaconess Koester enjoys singing, playing the piano, playing volleyball, and swing dancing.

Mrs. Crystal Wagner

Mrs. Wagner teaches Pre-Kindergarten. She graduated from SIUE with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an English minor after being honorably discharged from the Army. She received her colloquy from Concordia University-Chicago, IL in May, 2018 . She has been teaching for 23 years. She taught pre-school at Zion, Bunker Hill for 16 years prior the joining the SPLS staff. Mrs. Wagner is married to her husband, Scott, and they have two children and two grandchildren.

Kantor Janet Muth

Kantor Muth teaches all of the arts, including violin, choir, and fine arts. She began her service as our Kantor in the Summer of 2017. She has previously served Memorial Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Concordia Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University, Portland, Oregon and a Master of Arts degree in Organ Performance and Church Music from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She has served on the Synod's Commission on Worship as well as a sub-committee for the Lutheran Service Book.

Mrs. Rebekah Curtis

Rebekah Curtis teaches part time in the upper grades at St. Paul and serves as athletic director. She holds a B.S.Ed. from Concordia University Nebraska and an MA from Concordia Seminary. She attends Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden, where her husband has been pastor since 2005. Five of their children are SPLS alumni, and the other three are working on it. In her free time, she does odd jobs for publishers and drives the van for the Metro East Lutheran High Scholastic Bowl team.

Mrs. Amanda Lindsey

Biography coming soon!

Mrs. Joanie Mertz

Mrs. Mertz is a lifelong member of our congregation and has served as our school secretary since 1993. She and her husband, Tom, are the parents of two and grandparents of four.

Faculty and Staff