School Faculty

school teacher Sioux Falls principal

Ryan Obry

Principal/Administration
admin@gswels.org

  • Bachelors of Science from Martin Luther College - majoring in Elementary Education and Secondary Math Education with a minor in English Language Arts

  • Grades 3-8 teacher and principal at Trinity Lutheran School in Hoskins, NE (2011-2018)

    Grades 6-8 teacher and principal at Samuel Lutheran School in Marshall, MN (2018-2023)

    Principal at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Sioux Falls, SD (2023-present)

  • I was born in Fond du Lac, WI and lived my whole childhood in a small town out in the country. I went to a Lutheran Grade School similar to Good Shepherd, then attended Winnebago Lutheran Academy in Fond du Lac for high school, and spent my college years at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN.

    My wife, Chelsie, is currently staying at home, but has worked as a Lab Tech and in accounting in the past. We have 3 children and enjoy watching them learn and grow.

    I am thankful to be serving at Good Shepherd and pray that God uses my talents to help out the wonderful ministry being done here in southeast Sioux Falls.

  • I have always enjoyed playing sports and continue to get out and play today. I have also always enjoyed a good book and have a soft heart for a good mystery novel. I have been playing piano since I was in 2nd grade and have also been playing organ since I was in college.

preschool teacher Sioux Falls 4K 3K

Sharon Dahlberg

Preschool Director & Teacher - 4-year-olds sdahlberg@gswels.org

  • Bachelor of Science from Martin Luther College (2000) Majoring in Elementary Education, Minoring in Social Studies

  • Kindergarten-2nd grade teacher, St. Peter, Fort Collins, CO (2000-2002)

    1st-4th grade teacher, St. Peter, Fort Collins, CO (2002-2004)

    Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator, Abiding Love Lutheran, Loveland, CO (2017-2019)

    Early Childhood Ministry Coordinator, Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, SD (2021-2023)

    Preschool Teacher, Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, SD (2023-present)

  • I spent my younger years growing up on a farm outside Wood Lake, MN. After attending a small Lutheran grade school I spent my high school years at Martin Luther Prep School in Prairie Du Chien, WI. Wanting to become a teacher from a young age, I attended Martin Luther College to pursue an education degree. Following graduation, I began teaching in Fort Collins, CO. While in Fort Collins I met my husband, Tom. After becoming a mom, I decided to stay home to raise our four children. Colorado was a beautiful place to raise our family, but the time came for us to move closer to home. We moved back to the Midwest in 2019. 

  • Now that my children have gotten older I find that I have more time for leisure activities such as reading and watching movies. I would love to learn to crochet, but unfortunately, I have not followed through on any projects. I enjoy being out in nature and love to take walks around the neighborhood or hike in the local parks. I am passionate about bargain hunting and during the summer months, you can find me searching for deals at garage sales.

Anna Rixe

Grades 4 & 5
arixe@gswels.org

  • Graduated from Martin Luther College in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

  • I have taught grades 1-4 in Door County, WI; 1-2 in Cincinnati, OH; and 2nd grade in Milwaukee, WI.

  • I was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin where my dad was the Athletic Director at Shoreland Lutheran High School and my mom taught Spanish. Right before high school, my parents both accepted calls in California. I graduated from California Lutheran High School. I went to Martin Luther College where I met my husband, Colin, during my sophomore year. I took an emergency call right before my senior year of college to teach grades 1-4 at Zion in Door County. After I graduated from MLC, Colin and I got married. We spent our first year of marriage in Cincinnati, Ohio as Colin was serving his vicar year and I taught grades 1-2. Last year, I taught 2nd grade at Christ-St. Peter in Milwaukee as Colin finished up his time at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He is a pastor at Bethel in Sioux Falls. We look forward to getting to know the Sioux Falls area and spreading God's Word! 

  • My favorite free time activity is playing volleyball. When I am not playing volleyball, you can find me hanging out with friends and family, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, crocheting, finding different ways to move my body, or reading. 

grade school teacher elementary

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College (2007)

  • Preschool Teacher - Atonement Lutheran (2007-2008)


    3rd and 4th Grade Teacher - Good Shepherd Lutheran (2022-present)

  • I grew up in Brookings SD where my father served as pastor at Our Savior Lutheran for ten years. I started my high school years attending Great Plains Lutheran in Watertown, SD, but ended up graduating from West Lutheran in MN, after my father accepted a call to Delano, MN. My senior year at MLC I started to date my now husband, Michael Johnson, who was attending the seminary at the time to become a pastor. We married after I graduated from MLC in 2007.

    I taught for one year at Atonement Lutheran in Milwaukee, until my husband received his vicar call to Middleton, WI. Once my oldest was born, I decided to stay home.

    My husband has served in churches in Appleton, WI, Beloit, WI, and now Good Shepherd in Sioux Falls.

    We have three children, (Hannah,Luke, and Ben) who attend Good Shepherd Lutheran. I love being a part of the GSL faculty! To be able to share God's Word to little children on a daily basis is the best job in the world!

  • If it's summer, you will find me outside! I love reading! I also love to hang out and just be silly with my family. We have two hamsters, two bearded dragons, a leopard gecko, and six hissing cockroaches-(with 60 babies) as pets. Our house is a zoo! Thankfully, one of the bearded dragons and the hissing cockroaches hang out in my classroom as class pets.

Sara Johnson

Kindergarten & Grade 1
sjohnson@gswels.org

Megan Cornelius

Preschool Teacher - 3-year-olds
mcornelius@gswels.org

  • Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southeast Technical Institute (2014)

  • Education Assistant, Sioux Falls School District (2014-2018)

    Preschool / Infant Room Teacher / Administrative Assistant, Good Shepherd Lutheran (2018-2025)

    3K Teacher, Good Shepherd Lutheran (2026-Present)

  • I was born and raised in Sioux Falls. I met my husband Austin in 2011, we married in 2014. We currently live in Sioux Falls with our 3 children and our dog Leonard (Leo).

  • I enjoy being creative whether hand embroidery, making things or just spending time doing random crafts. I love reading and find myself listening to a lot of audio books vs. digging deep in a hardcover book (too difficult with young children). In the summertime you can catch me biking the bike trails, hiking, or fishing with my family.

Grace Little

Grades 2 & 3
glittle@gswels.org

  • Graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education in Winter of 2025

  • 2026 - Kindergarten - Salem Lutheran School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

  • I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am the youngest of six children, and I have five siblings, five siblings-in-law, three nieces, one nephew, and another niece or nephew on the way! Growing up in a large family helped shape my love for sports, games, and spending time with others. I graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 2021 and continued both my education and athletic career at Wisconsin Lutheran College. There, I earned my bachelor's degree and teaching license in the winter of 2025. At the beginning of August 2026, I got married to my husband who is serving at Sure Foundation in Brandon as a vicar. We are very new to the area and are excited to make it our home.

  • I love to play sports but when I am not playing sports I love exploring new places, spending quality time with family and friends, watching a good movie and gathering around a board game.

Christ centered school teacher middle school

Alex Hunt

Grades 6-8
ahunt@gswels.org

  • Bachelor of Science from Martin Luther College (Majoring in Elementary Education, Minoring in Physical Education)

  • Grades 4-5 – Lafayette Charter School, Lafayette, MN (2011-2012)

    Grades 5-6 – Good Shepherd Lutheran, Sioux Falls, SD (2012-Present)

  • The child of two Called Workers, I have grown up moving around. While I was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I spent my years growing up in small town Brillion, Wisconsin. I spent my college years learning at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. My first year of teaching was at Lafayette Charter School in Lafayette, MN. Since 2012, I have been teaching at Good Shepherd Lutheran, a place I am proud to call home!

    Currently, my family and I live in Northeast Sioux Falls. We recently purchased a home and have been discovering both the work and the joy that comes with owning a home. While I departmentalize some Math, I am the main teacher of grades 5-6 at Good Shepherd. I am also the Director of Athletics and our Junior Choir.

    I continue to be blessed in my years at Good Shepherd! It is a privilege to work with a faculty that constantly shows genuine love and care for its students as well as mutual respect towards each other. Above all, I appreciate the opportunity that God gives me daily to share his saving message with his precious lambs.

  • I have a deep passion for music and reading. I also enjoy reading professional development books about Reading and Writing. I really enjoy following many different sports in person and online. Above all, I enjoy spending time with my family.