Welcome Joshua Swartz!

The Missouri District is pleased to announce that Joshua Swartz has accepted the call to serve as Assistant to the President for Lutheran Schools.  Joshua currently serves as Principal of St. Lorenz Lutheran School in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  Previously, he has served schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama.  He is a graduate of Concordia University, Ann Arbor and has earned a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College in 2005 and completed course work toward a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Indiana University-Purdue University, Ft. Wayne in 2010.  He and his wife, Dawn, are blessed with daughters Kiera and Kaitlynn.

In his previous service, he has served on the Southern District Church Extension Fund board and as program chair for the Southern District Teachers Conference.  He also serves as one of the instructors in the Principal 360 program sponsored by Chicagoland Lutheran Education Foundation.  He teaches the course “Leading Toward Academic Excellence” in the training program for Lutheran school administrators.  President Lee Hagan said, “Joshua Swartz has a proven track record of experience as a Lutheran school administrator in small and large communities and school sizes.  The search committee was impressed by his understanding of how the position can support principals and teachers in creative models for education while remaining Christ-centered in our instruction.  He brings great gifts to support the Missouri District schools, administrators, and teachers.  We look forward to him joining the team!”

Joshua and his family will transition to the St. Louis area this summer.  The focus of his work is to “build a culture that empowers educators to foster curiosity, compassion and understanding, strive for academic excellence and build leadership aspirations focused on developing courageous servant leaders grounded in Christ.  I am excited and humbled to begin a new adventure partnering with our Lutheran schools across the Missouri District.”