FACULTY & STAFF

Mr. David Knittel

Principal & Grade 7th – 8th Math Teacher
 
Dave was born and raised in South Haven, MI. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran for elementary school and then moved on to high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, MI. He graduated in 1984 and after stints at Northwestern College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, he graduated from DMLC in December of 1992. Dave was assigned to Bethany, Saginaw, MI, as a teacher in 1993. From there, he accepted a call to St. John-St. James of Reedsville, WI, in 1998 to serve as upper-grades teacher and principal. He accepted another call in 2002 to Beautiful Savior in Grove City, OH, again as upper-grades teacher and principal. Then in 2019, Dave accepted Trinity’s call to serve as principal and departmentalized upper-grades teacher.
 
Dave is married to Deb who is an accountant. They have 3 children, Nikki, Zak, and Luke, who attends Fox Valley Lutheran, and 2 grandchildren, Sophia and Benjamin.
 
Dave enjoys playing disc golf, board and card games, and watching movies. During football season you will find him cheering loudly for the Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines.

Mrs. Erica Eickert

7th & 8th Grade Teacher
 
Erica Eickert has been a long time member of the Trinity family. She was baptized, confirmed, married, and has had her children baptized at Trinity. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2015. She has just recently completed seven years of teaching middle school and high school agriculture education. As she says God sent her a little wink in the beginning of June 2022 and is very excited to start teaching 7th-8th grade!
 
Erica is married to Matt, who works at Horst Distributing in Chilton. Matt, Erica, and their children Payton (3) and Isaiah (1) live just outside of Brillion on a small farm.
 
Erica enjoys fitness, horseback riding, camping, county fairs, and spending time with her family.

Mr. Daryl Johnson

5th & 6th Grade Teacher
 
Mr. Johnson was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. He is a 1995 graduate of Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Michigan and a 2000 graduate of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. His first call was to Lord of Life Lutheran Church & School in Friendswood, Texas from 2000 to 2004. He accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church and School in 2004 and has served here ever since.
 
He is married to Mrs. Amanda Johnson, who teaches in our preschool. They have been blessed with two boys: Nathan and Noah.
 
During his free time, Mr. Johnson enjoys watching and coaching sports, playing cards, playing with his kids, and singing in the choir.

Miss Katie Donaldson

3rd & 4th Grade Teacher
 
Katie grew up in Oakley, Michigan. She is a graduate of Michigan Lutheran Seminary and Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN. She also received her Master in Special Education degree from St. Joseph’s University.  She has a passion for special education and serves on the board for Christian Educators for Special Education.
 
Her first call was to St. Paul’s Ixonia, WI . She taught there for 6 years and then was called to Brillion. She serves Trinity as grade 3&4 teacher. She is thankful to the Lord for giving her the ability to serve in His kingdom.
 
In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, reading, baking, and embroidery.

Mrs. Alissa Kiedrowski

2nd Grade Teacher
 
Alissa Kiedrowski was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2008. She was originally assigned in 2008 to Beautiful Savior in Cincinnati, OH as a pre-school teacher, departmentalized upper grade teacher, and organist. In 2016, she started her ministry at Trinity. She currently serves Trinity as the 2nd grade teacher, 7th and 8th grade music teacher and Contemporary Worship Music Coordinator.
 
Alissa is married to Carl, who works at Country Visions in Brillion, WI. Together they have a eight-year-old son named Thomas and a 3-year-old son named William.
 
Alissa enjoys playing the piano, doing crafts, camping, gardening, the Packers, and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Carolyn Henzi

1st Grade Teacher
 
Carolyn was born in Milwaukee and grew up in the town of Brookfield. She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School and Dr. Martin Luther College. Her first call was to teach the missionaries’ children in Japan for one year. She was then assigned to St. Paul’s First Lutheran in North Hollywood, California. She came to Trinity in 1989.
 
She has held a variety of teaching positions here at Trinity, serving in both the lower and upper grades. She currently serves Trinity as the 1st Grade Teacher and Athletic Director.
 
Carolyn is married to Pastor Henzi. Together they have been blessed with five daughters: Erin, Carol, Kristin, Katie, Emma, and three son-in-laws – Derek, Travis and Devon along with two granddaughters, Avery and Saylor.
 
Carolyn enjoys running, shopping with her daughters, playing with her dog Sophie, and spending time with family.

Mrs. Kelli Baas

Kindergarten Teacher and Early Childhood Director k.baas@trinitybrillion.org
 
Mrs. Baas was born and raised in the gateway to cranberry country – Tomah, Wisconsin! There she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran grade school, followed by Tomah Senior High and then on to college at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
 
Mrs. Baas graduated from MLC in 2002 and was assigned to St. John’s Lutheran School in Dowagiac, Michigan. While there, she served as the Preschool Director, worked hand-in-hand with the Childcare Director and taught 3K, 4K and Kindergarten.
 
In the winter of 2008, Mrs. Baas received (and accepted) a Divine Call from Trinity Lutheran Church in Brillion, WI to serve as full-day Kindergarten Teacher and to plan, implement and oversee an early childhood program. She currently serves Trinity as Kindergarten Teacher and Early Childhood Director. Mrs. Baas, along with the Principal and Board of Lutheran Schools, oversees the early childhood program and the various components entailed.
 
Mrs. Baas is married to Jonathan, who works as a Graphic Artist and Freelance Branding and Marketing Entrepreneur.
 
Mrs. Baas enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling to visit family and reading a good book!

Mrs. Ashley Eickert

4K Aide
 
Ashley has lived in Brillion her entire life. She attended Brillion public school and graduated from NWTC with her degree in nursing. She joined Trinity church in 2017. 
 
Ashley married Jeremy Eickert in May of 2010. They reside in Brillion with their three kids Cullen, Olivia and Drew, who also attend Trinity Lutheran church and school. 
 
Ashley helps Jeremy with their family owned business. In her free time Ashley loves to be outside, go on vacation with her family and be at the beach! She loves the ocean and the warm weather! 

Mrs. Amanda Johnson

Lead 4K Teacher/Resource Coordinator a.johnson@trinitybrillion.org
 
Mrs. Johnson was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia while her father was on active duty for the United States Navy. Upon his retirement, the family moved back home to southeast Iowa where she was raised. Mrs. Johnson is a graduate of Indian Hills Community College and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Mrs. Johnson was hired as the lead 4K teacher in 2006 and added the Resource Coordinator position to her list of duties in the fall of 2008. She completed her early childhood synod certification from Martin Luther College in 2012 and then also completed her synod certification for kindergarten through post secondary education in 2019.
 
Mrs. Johnson is married to Mr. Daryl Johnson who teaches 5th and 6th grade at Trinity. The couple moved to the area in 2004 when Mr. Johnson accepted a call and began his ministry at Trinity. They have two sons Nathan and Noah.
 
In her spare time Mrs. Johnson enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, being active, cooking, and shopping. She also enjoys cheering on the Detroit Lions and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Mrs. Abbey Gipp

3K Lead Teacher
 
Abbey was born and raised in Brillion. She attended Trinity as a child, Kindergarten through 8th grade. She attended Fox Valley Technical College. She was originally hired to be the 3K/4K aide in 2009. In 2010, Trinity started an independent 3K program where she became the lead teacher. She is currently the 3K lead teacher.
 
Abbey is married to Andy, who works at Primary Transportation. Together, they have two children, Elleson and Halleigh.
 
Abbey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her dog Ranger, attending Packer games, and watching college and NFL football.

Mrs. Sherry Derks

3K Aide
 
Sherry grew up in Kimberly, WI and attended Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and School. Sherry graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran and attended UW Fox Valley.
 
She married Mark Derks in 1989 and bought her Grandparents’ Fred and Hilda Boldt’s farmhouse north of Brillion.
 
Mark and Sherry’s son Nathan and their daughter-in-law Javeria live in Madison, WI.
 
Sherry enjoys many outdoor activities including gardening, hiking, biking, kayaking and playing with her dog Sam. She also enjoys the challenge of learning a new instrument, her ukulele.

Mrs. Jani Wagner

Librarian
 
Jani Wagner was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was raised on a Brown County farm between Wayside and Morrison. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Wayside, and was confirmed there in 1960. She graduated from Reedsville High School and the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She has been a library media specialist her whole career.
 
Jani is married to Ken Wagner who retired from the Brillion Iron Works. They have been members of Trinity since January 1982. Their two grown sons, Jon and Kristopher, live out of the area.
 
She is an avid golfer and has always loved reading. She and Ken also enjoy ballroom dancing and playing golf together.

Mrs. Cheryl Brazil

Business Manager
 
Cheryl Brazil was raised in Brillion and attended Trinity as a child, Kindergarten through eighth grade. She completed her formal education at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations and in 2008 with a master’s degree in Sport Administration. During her time at La Crosse, she held a graduate assistantship as the Undergraduate Research Coordinator and assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
 
Prior to Trinity, Cheryl was the Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, for eight years.
 
Cheryl is married to Joseph, who works at Endries International. Together, they have been blessed with two children. Cheryl enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching sporting events, and outdoor activities.

Mrs. Wendy Diel

School Programs/Communications Coordinator
 
Wendy was raised in Reedsville and attended St. John St. James church and school. She has been a member of Trinity since 1998. She is a Reedsville High School graduate and FVTC with a degree in Retail Management. Currently she is the new face in the office dealing mainly with school functions but also communications for both church and school.
 
Wendy is married to Eric who is employed at Endries International. Together, they have two grown children, Joshua and Amanda, along with a son-in-law Michael.
 
Wendy enjoys time on the computer doing graphic design projects, photography, traveling with the family and coordinating fundraiser events.

Mrs. Brande Nicklaus

Lunch Program Coordinator
 
Brande was born and raised in the Stevens Point/Plover area. She went on to graduate from Mid-State Technical College with 2 degrees in the Business Department. This year marks her 5th year working in the school food service department where she previously worked in the Hilbert School District as a Lead Line Cook. She is certified as a Food Safety Manager.
 
Brande is married to Chris, who works for VanErt Electric out of Kaukauna as a Branch Manager. Together they have 4 children; Lauren, Trenton, Jace and Madeline.
 
Brande enjoys spending time with her family and friends along with scrapbooking and many other crafts.