Principal: Mr. Paul Gnan (Math, Religion)
Email: pgnan@cwlhs.com
A bit about Mr. Gnan:
Paul was baptized, attended and was confirmed at St John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska, Minnesota. He attended high school at Mayer Lutheran before earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Concordia University Wisconsin.
Paul’s career began at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville, Illinois, and continued at Milwaukee Lutheran High School, serving along the way as teacher, coach, athletic director, FROSH mentor advisor, admissions director, alumni relations and dean of students.
In 2014, Paul received a Call from Sheboygan Lutheran High School to be their executive director. During his tenure there, he oversaw a $10 million expansion that included a worship fine arts center, science wing makeover, addition of robotics/ technology classroom, state of the art music room and art gallery meeting space. In 2023, a Call was extended from Concordia University Nebraska, taking him and his family to Seward, Nebraska, where he served faithfully as an advancement officer before accepting the Call to Central Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Needless to say, Paul is well-versed in the nuts and bolts of Lutheran education and brings a wealth of experience to his role as Principal and teacher at CWLHS.
Paul has been married for 36 years to his wife and ministry partner, Kerri. Also a Lutheran school teacher, Kerri taught for several years before resigning to focus on caring for their three children, Katherine, Emily and Jacob. Today, their family has grown to include two sons-in-law, Tim and Cam, and their precious granddaughter, Sadie.
Paul is passionate about sowing the seeds of faith in students during their most formative years, helping them reach their full potential academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Tammy Koch
Email: office@cwlhs.com
A bit about Mrs. Koch...
I was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids, graduating from Lincoln High School. For the majority of my career, I have worked in churches as administrative or financial assistant. I am a member of Lakes Area Christian Fellowship in Nekoosa, WI. Whenever I have felt the pull to work in the corporate world, God has always brought me back to church work. I'm thrilled to join the crew at CWLHS!
I am an avid geo-cacher, love to camp with my family and friends, travel, and hang out at home with my family. I live in Wisconsin Rapids with my husband Todd and son, Devyn. Devyn will soon be purchasing our house, as we build a new home.
I look forward to meeting all of our families and students here at CWLHS!
Teacher: Mrs. Nicole Reese (Social Studies, P.E.)
Email: nreese@cwlhs.com
A bit about Mrs. Reese:
I grew up in Clintonville, WI, and graduated from Clintonville High School in 2005. Growing
up, my family attended St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Everything in my life has been about God’s plan and how His plans are so much better than my own. Since graduating from Carroll College in 2010, I have dedicated my career to student wellness and physical literacy across the Adams-Friendship, Neenah, and Wautoma school districts, primarily at the 7th- and 8th-grade levels. I spent 11 years in the Army National Guard, serving with the 1157 Transportation Company in Oshkosh and at the Wisconsin Military Academy.
I live with my husband, Joe, and our two children, August and Violet. We are members at St. Paul in Stevens Point. When I'm off the clock, I’m usually found in my garden with my roses and dahlias. I am so excited for the school year to begin!
Teacher: Mrs. Delaine Shiestel (Science, RLA, Art)
Email: dschiestel@cwlhs.com
A bit about Mrs. Shiestel:
I can’t remember not wanting to be a teacher. It’s always been a part of who I am and who God called me to be. I graduated from Concordia University, Chicago in 1988, with a degree in secondary education, majoring in biology. I intended to teach high school after graduation, but God had other plans. He called me to teach middle school instead.
Throughout my teaching career, I mostly taught science and Language Arts, but I also have experience with Spanish, music/choir, drama, and art electives. I earned a masters in Teaching and Learning from Concordia, Wisconsin in 2016. After teaching for 27 years in the Chicago suburbs, I moved to the administration side of education as principal, serving in Palatine, IL and Huntsville, AL.
After 10 years, I retired from administration to move to Wisconsin to be closer to family. My favorite parts of teaching are those “aha” moments when understanding clicks, inspiring students to be their best, and sharing the wonder of God’s amazing creation. I am excited to be working with CWLHS and serving our students and their families.
