Immanuel Lutheran School They will soar on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31a
Elementary Staff

Bonne Faherty: Principal/Kindergarten Teacher

Biography

a. Education: Bachelor of Science :Early Childhood Education/ Special Education

b. Master of Arts: Emergent Reading Nova Southeastern University

c. Experience: Over 20 years of experience in the field of education with students ranging from age 3-83, including Preschool and VPK, Kindergarten, ESOL, GED, Alternative High School, and Reading. Bonne believes that teaching children to love reading is critical for their future educational success

d. Personal Biography:  Ms. Bonne is originally from Long Island, New York and has lived in Florida for 13 years. She and her husband, Bill, have been married for 34 years and have 4 children. Chelsey is an intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency. Courtney is a Kindergarten teacher. Their third daughter Carley is currently the music teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School and studying to receive her Master's in Music Education and Vocal Performance, and their son Cody is a Riverview High School graduate beginning his college career.  Bonne enjoys spending time with her family and reading, and she likes it best if she can do both on a cruise ship or at Disney World!

e. Favorite Bible Verse:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Deb Henry - Kindergarten Support

Education:  High School Graduate and CDA (Child Development) 

    My role as Kindergarten Support is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to help the children with social and emotional development.  I hope that the children grow in their knowledge of Jesus and how much He loves each of us.

Favorite Verse: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. - Romans 1:16

Desiree Dunphy - 1st grade

Education: Master's Degree- Education-Curriculum and Instruction

   I believe all children can learn when given the chance.  Every child is unique with different abilities and talents which should be used for the glory of God.  It is important to me to create a positive classroom learning environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and appreciated.  As a teacher, I use various teaching strategies to meet everyone’s individual needs and learning styles. 

    Being a good role model is important.  Our children are always watching what we say and do and how we say and do it.  Teaching Christian values as I model them in all interactions will influence students and help them become successful caring individuals. 

     In our classroom we have fun, learn, take chances, make mistakes, laugh, love, use our manners, encourage each other, pray, listen and believe we can do ANYTHING!!!  We CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!  Philippians 4:13

Favorite Bible verse: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

Beverly Ruhle, 1st & 2nd Grade Resource Teacher

Education: Bachelor's in Urban Education

Experience:

  • Illinois - Taught Preschool for 5 years and kindergarten for an additional 5 years.
  • Florida - Taught Kindergarten for almost 28 years, retired in 2013.
  • Joined ILS part-time in 2013.

Notes from Mrs. Ruhle:  Children need to trust you.  I encourage confidence and individual talents.  Smiles and laughter go further than anything else.

Favorite Verse: Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

Betsy Proeschel - 2nd grade

Education: Bachelor's of Arts, University of South Florida

My goal as the 2nd grade teacher is for each student to be on or above their grade level by the end of the school year.  I aslso hope that they will grow in the skills of working with others and building friendships.  In addition, I would like for each child to grow in their faith in God through their knowledge of the word of God.

Favorite Verse: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you whereve you go. -  Joshua 1:9

Ellen Reikowski - 3rd grade

Biography

a. Education: BA, University of South Florida – Journalism, Early Childhood and Elementary Education Florida Southern College

b. Experience: 

  • Preschool teacher 9 years, Children’s Academy & First United Methodist Church of Brandon, Florida
  • 5th grade teacher 12 years, Immanuel Lutheran School, Brandon, Florida
  • Currently in 9th year of teaching 3rd grade, Immanuel Lutheran School, Brandon, Florida

c. Personal Biography: Hobbies include reading, gardening, cooking, and children’s literature.

d. Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Deanna Marquez - 4th grade

Education: B.S. in Elementary Education - Florida State University

   It is my belief that I set the tone, the mood in my classroom.  I have the ability to make my students lives miserable or joyous.  I can heal or humiliate.  I do not take this control lightly.  I remind myself daily that my students are loved.  Someone is counting on me to do my very best, to return their precious children to them in the same or better condition than they were given.

Favorite Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.  - Proverbs 3:5-6

Carley Faherty - 5th Grade & Music & Chorus Director

Education: Bachelor of Music - University of Tampa, Master of Music - Liberty University 

     I would like to inspire my students to love music and singing.  Music is a huge part of praise and worship and I'll know I've done my job when the students have a solid foundation of musical knowledge that they use for the joy of the Lord.

Favorite Verse: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.  - Psalm 136:1