"Preparing Them for Heaven"

Each year we lose and gain wonderful teachers who help us better our future in life. Teachers are here to help us with our education so we can reach our goals. They help us transform from teens to young adults in college and in the world. This year we gained a new theology teacher, Mr. Ron Kuenstler. 

What inspired him to become a Messmer theology teacher was Messmer itself. He said, "I cannot teach theology in the public high school systems, so I am limited to the 13 Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Messmer has a reputation as being a very good Catholic high school in the archdiocese. The students are known to be great, and the high expectations that the school has for its students are very well known, I want to be a part of that success." Of upcoming challenges Mr. Kuenstler said, "There are a few challenges that I feel that I will face over the next school year. One such challenge is learning all the names of my students and other staff members. I have five classes with approx. 26 students in each class. That is over 126 students. I’m doing alright, but I still have a few students that I recognize but don’t know yet by name."

Mr. Kuenstler added, "Another challenge is getting used to the policies and procedures that are present at Messmer. Each school has a different way of doing things, and Messmer is no exception. Lastly, a daily challenge that will continue the entire year is planning and having an interesting class where the students are interested in the subjects and are engaged in their learning." Mr. Kuenstler also said, "My goal is to have my students be excited to come to theology class. I want theology to be experienced and lived; not just learned. I’m not just preparing my students for college, but I feel that I am preparing them for heaven. I want all of my students to make it to heaven when God calls them home, and not have any 'traffic jams' along the way. My long-term goals include finishing the two Master’s degrees that I am currently working on and to eventually get an advance degree in either Theology or Educational Leadership (either another Master’s degree or Doctorate)."

Of his life outside of Messmer Mr. Kuenstler said, "In my spare time I like spending time with my family. Both of my boys are involved in Scouting, so I really enjoy going camping and other outdoor activities. I also enjoy making photographs and videos. Both of those activities allow me to be creative and artistic. My family would describe me as someone who is fun and also someone who is passionate about what I believe in." Mr. Kuenstler became a theology teacher because, "I have always enjoyed talking about my relationship with God. I feel called by God to 'proclaim the Gospel.' It is through teaching that I can bring others to the understanding that God is there for them and that God loves them. Teaching is a wonderful job. However, it isn’t for everybody. You have to have a love of the subject and have a love of teenagers. I would encourage anyone who has the passion of proclaiming the Gospel and have a love of teens to pursue the vocation of teaching theology. It’s more than just praying and reading the Bible, there is a lot of church history and doctrine that a teacher of theology must now and understand."

Welcome Mr. Kuenstler!

--Contributed by junior Sarah Jones