Pastor Martin Dressler grew up in the mountains of NC. He attended Concordia College, NY and Concordia Seminary, MO. For four years he served as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Milford, MI before accepting the call to Salem in 2017. Currently, he’s working on a PhD in systematic theology. Pastor and his wife, Justine, have been blessed with four sons, Titus, Jude, Grey and Teddy.

Mr. Burkee is our principal. Mr. Burkee graduated from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois in 1981. He did masters work at Concordia University Wisconsin in Educational Technology. Mr. Burkee has been in Lutheran ministry for 43 years. Thirty six of those forty-two years were spent a a principal and six years as a teacher. It is interesting to note that the six years spent as a teacher were spent at St. John Lutheran in south St. Louis. Mr. Burkee states that it is almost like coming home by coming back to St. Louis.

Mr. Burkee is married to Cathy Burkee and they have been blessed with six children and five grandchildren. All of their children are married.

This is Cathy’s first year as a full-time teacher at Salem. Cathy has substituted in the past but now she enters the role as full-time pre 3’s teacher. Cathy has her early childhood certification and has worked at two other Lutheran schools during her time of ministry.

Cathy is married to Jeff Burkee, the principal and they have been blessed with six children who are all married and five grandchildren. They have been married for 43 years this September.

Cathy is also a health coach and loves to bake and crochet. Cathy is prayer director for Salem. She does this as part of the Visioning Team. If she is not spending time at Salem she is off visiting her grandchildren.

Ainge has been in the child development field for 8 years. She was an aide/assistant at Coroline Mission Daycare and Learning center for approximately 2 years. This is her 8th year teaching the Pre-K 4 students at Salem. She is certified in Early Childhood Education from Penn Foster and St. Louis Community College. She loves teaching at Salem and plans to continue for many years. Her goal is to be a positive guide for these children, instilling in them love for others, love for themselves, and most importantly love for Jesus.

I started teaching in 2009 at a local Daycare in the neighborhood. This will be my 4th year at Salem Lutheran as the kindergarten Teacher! I love being at Salem and working with kindergartners they are truly a blessing I never knew I needed! Having five kids of my own and and adding my Salem Family I have been blessed and God has shown me so much Grace and mercy! I look forward to all the challenges ahead!

Tonja is a 2000 graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin with a degree in Elementary Education and minor in Environmental Science. She has been in education for 20 years, and 15 of those years have been right here at Salem. She has had the opportunity to teach 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade. She really enjoys second grade because she can learn as much from them as they do from her. She feels very blessed to have the opportunity to be here at Salem.

Courtney Harper has been married for 9 years. She has a beautiful daughter named Hailee Harper, who is in fourth grade here at Salem. She is excited to be the third grade teacher! She has been a Children’s Church teacher for 11 years, teaching 7-10 year olds. She considers it an honor to be able to not only teach, but to share the love of God with students every day!

I graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High and from there I went on to Tennessee State University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. I also attended Grand Canyon University where I earned a Master of Education with a focus on Elementary Education. My experience focuses on elementary education.

Rachel Pena graduated from University of Missouri at St. Louis with a degree in Elementary Education in 2005. This is her 16th year of teaching. She taught 5 years at Hope Lutheran St. Ann, grades 1-3. She then joined Salem in 2012 to teach 7th grade and middle school Science. In 2016, Ms. Pena taught 6th grade Science in the St. Louis City School district. Ms. Pena was happy to return to Salem in 2017 to teach 3rd grade. In 2018 she returned to middle school to teach Science and 6th grade. Her favorite subjects to teach are Science and Math.  She recently became the new Athletic Director for the 5-8 sports program. She has been a life-long Lutheran and attended Hope Lutheran in the city, where both of her parents were teachers, and graduated from Lutheran High School South. She has a daughter, Kaitlyn, and a son, Jonathon, who have graduated from Salem Affton and Lutheran High School South. She also has two stepsons that are 30 and 32, and two grandchildren, Axel (4) and Zepplynn (2). Not only does Ms. Pena understand the importance of sharing Christ with others, but she loves the family atmosphere of the Lutheran community.

Jessica Potter 8th Grade Homeroom – Math, Literature, English, and PE

Mrs. Potter earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Missouri-St Louis and has her Master’s Degree in School Guidance Counseling from Lindenwood University. She has been in the Education field for 23 years. Mrs. Potter also holds a position teaching in the math department at St. Louis Community College in the evenings and on weekends. Mrs. Potter is looking forward to an amazing school year and feels blessed to be a part of the family here at Salem Lutheran School.

Susan Scherer has worked at Salem Lutheran School for 27 years.  She has served as a classroom aide, ECP staff, kitchen staff, and currently as the Administrative Assistant.  She has been in her current position for the last 4 years.  Mrs. Scherer is married and has two adult children. Both of her children are alumni of Salem.   God has truly blessed her.  She considers it a true joy to serve her Lord here at Salem.