Alumnus Joleen Baack Krueger: “Concordia helped prepare me for my service in early childhood ministry”

For Joleen (Baack) Krueger ’87, attending Concordia University, Nebraska just made sense. Her parents – Larry Baack ’62 and Marilyn Bettmann Baack ‘62 – also attended the university, and Joleen wanted to be a Lutheran school teacher. She liked the idea of a small, Christian campus, and suspected Concordia Nebraska would be the right fit for her. 

“From the very first day, I loved the Christian atmosphere and the people that I met,” she said. “My faith and confidence were strengthened through the professors and fellow students that I met. I felt like I was coming home every time I returned to campus. Graduation was an exciting yet bittersweet day.” 

Kruger has a degree in early childhood education from the university. She said all of her professors were extremely encouraging and very knowledgeable. She cited Dr. Leah Serck’s love for children and education as a special influence during her time at the university. 

“Concordia helped prepare me very well for my years of service in early childhood ministry,” she said. “I was given many hours of practical experience in classrooms throughout my time there, although nothing can ever fully prepare you for the realities of an early childhood classroom!” 

In addition to providing her with preparation to serve in a classroom, Krueger said her time at the university also strengthened her faith.  

“I grew up in a Christian home and have always been a believer. Being at Concordia and seeing how open and comfortable my peers were with their faith helped me explore and strengthen my own,” she said. “I became involved Christian organizations on campus. I enjoyed attending the chapel services in Weller each week and at St. John Lutheran on Sundays.” 

Krueger has been teaching in Lutheran schools for 36 years. In the spring of her senior year, she was extended a call to teach first grade at Redeemer Lutheran School in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

“All of my interviews were over the phone, so I was never there before I accepted the call and moved. I knew God was leading me,” she said. “It was a great fit for me, and I met so many wonderful people and families. I thoroughly enjoyed learning to ski and hike in the mountains.”  

After eight years in Salt Lake City, she accepted a call to teach first grade at Trinity Lutheran in Elkhart, Indiana.  

“I was wanting to earn my master’s degree in language education from Indiana University,” she said. “I took courses and taught first grade for two years there, then moved back home to Columbus, Indiana where I quit teaching for one year and worked three part time jobs while commuting to Bloomington, Indiana to complete my degree.” 

At that time, her elementary alma mater, St. Peter's Lutheran in Columbus, Indiana, was seeking a first grade teacher to fill an opening on their staff.  

“When asked, I initially turned them down as I was planning to return back out west,” she said. “With a short timeline between completing my final class and a new school year beginning, I decided to accept the position for one year. 25 years later, I am still here!” 

She taught first grade at St. Peter’s for seven years, then worked as a resource teacher for five years while her children were young. When they began Kindergarten, Krueger did, too. 

“While my children have graduated, I am still in Kindergarten!” she laughed. “I recently received a local award for excellence in teaching, which was unexpected and validating.” 

Krueger grew up in Columbus, Indiana, with her parents and three younger brothers. Her brother Randy also attended Concordia Nebraska and now serves as a trainer at the university. Krueger and her husband Scott – a speech therapist – met on a blind date in 2001. They were married on year later and adopted twin daughters Chloe Mei and Sophie Lin from China in 2005. 

“We returned to China in 2009 to adopt our son, Liam Kai. He was four and a half at the time, which was the same age as our daughters,” she said. “They went through school being known as the ‘Krueger triplets.’ All three graduated from high school in 2023 and are currently enrolled in three separate colleges in Indiana (Depauw, Marian and Wabash). My husband and I are 'older' parents and look forward to retirement once our children have graduated from college.” 

Krueger likes to read, take walks, travel and spend time with family. She and her husband have a bucket list of places they would like to travel to as schedules allow. Although she speaks fondly of someday retiring, it is clear the Krueger loves what she does in the classroom each day at St. Peter’s. 

“Curriculum and technology have advanced over the years, but our message of Jesus' love and salvation remains the same,” she said. “While every teacher loves their weekends and holiday breaks, I do love coming to work every day. Young children are usually very enthusiastic learners. They are easily motivated, have a wonderful trusting faith and give great ‘knee-hugs!’ I absolutely love to see the first-hand academic and spiritual progress they make each year. It is a fulfilling and rewarding calling. I know I am where God wants me to be. This is my purpose.” 

Are you interested in learning more about early childhood education offerings at Concordia University, Nebraska? Discover more here.