CCLE Certified Teacher Spotlight: Brittany Newton Wilber

Brittany Newton Wilber’s formation as a Lutheran school teacher began at home. Her parents, Tom and Jeannie, modeled and encouraged regular corporate worship, Scripture memory, and daily devotions. Her uncle, Rev. Ken Krause, introduced her to New Testament Greek during her elementary years. Her grandpa, Rev. E. George Krause, inculcated a love of language and literature. Her grandma, Irma Newton, repeatedly told her of the blessings to be found in the Lutheran school teacher’s vocation. 

While in high school, Wilber took courses at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. Dr. Penelope Blake, a professor of humanities at the school, significantly influenced her and is the woman to whom Wilber credits her passion for the subject. The next step in Wilber’s education brought her to Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from this institution, majoring in Theology and Elementary Education. More valuable than a diploma, she also received the gift of hearing and studying the Word of God daily and the occasion to meet many Christians who emboldened her to continue growing in faith. 

The most recent step in Wilber’s formal education occurred at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, where she earned her Master of Humanities degree with a concentration in Classical Education. Here, she was inspired, shaped, and challenged by wonderful professors, especially Dr. Matthew Post and Dr. Susan Hanssen. 

In addition to serving at Faith Lutheran School since 2016, Wilber has served at Messiah Lutheran Classical Academy in Keller, Texas and Valley Lutheran School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She delights in assisting parents as they teach their children the Christian faith. Her responsibilities at FLS include teaching 5th Grade Homeroom and 4th Grade Latin. 

1. What brought you into classical Lutheran education? I was raised in the Lutheran church in a home where many aspects of classical education were present. When a friend shared with me about the CCLE, I was interested in learning more. I’ve now attended CCLE conferences, taught at two CCLE accredited schools, and earned the CCLE certification for educators. Being around those who share my confession of faith and understanding of education is a blessing to me.

2. Classical Lutheran education is important because children are raised in the Christian faith. They are deeply rooted in the Word of God, in the hymnody of the church, and are prepared to confess Christian doctrine. In addition, children are taught those things that prepare them to serve the Church and the world. 

3. Share a story that demonstrates the value of classical Lutheran education. One year, we were studying parts of the liturgy and had arrived at “Kyrie.” We read the text from Mark’s Gospel, and I told the students how Christians pray, “Lord, have mercy!” I said that this prayer has been prayed throughout the history of the Church. Many Christians have prayed this when they are going through something difficult, and they realize that their trust must be in the Lord; they cannot rely on themselves. At the time, one of the families in our class, we’ll say ‘Jane’s family,’ was dealing with a cancer diagnosis. A student, who was not a regular church-goer and was new to much Christian doctrine, said, “So this would be a good prayer for Jane’s family.” That moment stands out to me as one that shows why we teach the liturgy and its value, even to young children.