Mrs. Brittni Carran
Early Childhood Director & Teacher (3K & 4K) 
bcarran@eastsidelutheran.org
I am Ms. Brittni and I grew up in a family of teachers and throughout the midwest.
I graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2011 with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am currently pursuing her graduate degree in Administration as an Early Childhood Director. I have taught various grades from 3k-3rd grade in Wisconsin, Florida, and Tennessee.
I enjoy spending time with my husband Patrick, my two kids Oliver and Lyla, and our various 4 legged kids. I enjoy volunteering at local animal shelters, gardening, and movie trivia.
I am excited to get to know the Eastside families and share Jesus with the preschoolers!
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Ms. Marie Laich
Teacher (Kindergarten)
mlaich@eastsidelutheran.org
I graduated in 1990 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. My love of learning led me to complete my Master’s Degree in Education in 2012.
My first call was to teach kindergarten-2nd at Immanuel in North Richland Hills, Texas. In 1996 the school expanded and called another full time teacher and I taught 3rd -5th grades until accepting the call to Divine Grace in 2000. At Divine Grace I had the opportunity to teach several different grades from Kindergarten through 5th but has focused mainly on Kindergarten through 2nd grade for 12 years and 1st – 4th grades the last two years. I have been directing the hand bell choirs for the 5th – 8th grade students for 17 years.
I also led the adult hand bell choir, participated in choir, and have served on the circuit LWMS board. I am an avid runner and enjoy entering area races. I also like to cook and read.
I am excited to share my love of learning with the Kindergartners at Eastside.
Mrs. Jessica Kuchta
Teacher (1st Grade)
My name is Mrs. Kuchta (pronounced Cook-ta), and I have been blessed with the privilege of teaching first grade at Eastside.
This will be my sixteenth year teaching at the primary grade level and it is a position that I truly enjoy. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Martin Luther College in 2003 and I am currently working on finishing up my Master’s Degree with an emphasis in Leadership. As part of this program, I have had the opportunity to serve as a mentor for beginning teachers. I have greatly enjoyed supporting them as they begin their ministerial journey.
I have always been an avid reader and reading is an area of study and teaching that I am especially passionate about. This passion led me to pursue further education in the area of reading, which allowed me to become a licensed reading teacher for grades PK – 12. I love seeing my students discover the joys and excitement of reading, especially when they are reading from their children’s Bibles.
My husband, Tim, and I make our home in Whitewater, WI with our three wonderful children (ages 17, 15, and 13). When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and trying out new recipes
I look forward to serving at Eastside!
Mrs. Alyssa Scharrer
Teacher (2nd Grade)
ascharrer@eastsidelutheran.
As a young child my sister and I would often play school together. When I was in the second grade I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had the privilege of attending Luther Preparatory School for high school and then graduated from Martin Luther College where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
I love spending time outside, cooking, gardening, and going on vacations. My greatest joy is spending time with my family. My husband, Marty, and I have been blessed with two amazing boys, Blake and Eli. They both attend high school at Lakeside Lutheran in Lake Mills.
Sharing the good news with my students is one of the most rewarding parts of my ministry at Eastside. I am excited to serve another year at Eastside and grow in my ministry.
Ms. Mandy Treder
Teacher (3rd Grade) – School Music Coordinator
mtreder@eastsidelutheran.org
I am Mandy Treder, and I teach third grade and serve as the school music coordinator here at Eastside. Michigan is where I grew up with my parents and younger brothers. I graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Music, especially church music, is a passion of mine, so I continued my education, receiving my Masters in Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2012.
It has been a blessing and privilege to serve in congregations and schools in Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, teaching children of all ages- mostly Kindergarten-fourth grade. Teaching children about Jesus, our Savior, and his great love for us is my favorite part of the school day.
I love to play organ and piano, sing, take classes, read, take walks, and tour historic sites and places. It is my prayer that our students know God’s great love for them, grow in their faith, and develop their God-given talents and abilities to serve the Lord and his kingdom. “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:2-3).
Mr. Eric Duve
Teacher (4th Grade)
eduve@eastsidelutheran.
Eric Duve was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and attended public school K-12. After high school, he decided to attend Martin Luther College to obtain a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating in 2013, Mr. Duve taught grades 3 and 4 in Caledonia, Minnesota, and then in Bangor, Wisconsin. He married Kimberly (Schmill) in 2017, and together they have a daughter, Emma, and a son, Henry. When he is not in the classroom, Mr. Duve enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and watching sports. He is excited to be a part of the church and school family at Eastside!
Mrs. Alyssa Schroeder
Teacher (5th Grade)
aschroeder@eastsidelutheran.org
For most of my youth, I lived in the Appleton area. Shortly after graduating from Fox Valley Lutheran High School, my family moved to Reno, Nevada. My dad, Joel, is a pastor at Light of the Valleys Lutheran and my mom, Mary, teaches 4th grade. My younger brothers, Caleb and Connor, are both training to be pastors.
I attended Martin Luther College where I enjoyed playing volleyball and other extracurriculars. After my junior year, I was called to Ascension Lutheran School in Sarasota, Florida where I taught 1st and 2nd grade. I returned to MLC for my senior year and then was assigned as an admissions recruiter for Martin Luther College, so I spent much of the last year traveling to high schools to encourage young men and women to consider full-time ministry.
On June 21, 2024, I married Justin Schroeder, who is serving as a vicar (pastor intern) at Good News Lutheran Church in Mount Horeb. We’re thrilled to discover everything Madison has to offer. I have many interests, including playing sports, watching movies, and spending time with friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to share the good news of Christ’s love in a classroom setting and my goal is that all of my students know they are dearly loved children of God.
Mrs. Anne Heller
Teacher (6th Grade) – Deaconess
aheller@eastsidelutheran.org
Let me introduce myself, I‘m Mrs. Heller the sixth grade teacher. I’ll tell you a little of my background. I was born to an English Mom and an American Father. During my growing up years I lived in Milwaukee where I attended Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Grade School and Wisconsin Lutheran High School. I graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm , Minnesota which is our training school for the teaching ministry. Upon graduation I served at St. John-St. James in Reedsville, Wisconsin, then at St. John’s in Newtonburg, Wisconsin, and presently here at Eastside Lutheran. In addition to my teaching call, I also serve as Deaconess where I minister to congregation members in a variety of facets. My family consists of my husband Allen, two children and their spouses, and a lovely grandson. I am a lover of animals of which I have six and I also sport a motorcycle which I love driving. May the Lord bless and keep you.
Mrs. Rachel Kass
Teacher (7/8th Grade)
rstruck@eastsidelutheran.org
Rachel is originally from Oakley, Michigan. She attended Christ Lutheran School for grade school years, Michigan Lutheran Seminary for high school, and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota for college. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in December 2010, she received her call to serve at Eastside Lutheran Church and School in May 2011, as the Kindergarten Teacher. In 2017, she took on a new role as the 5th grade teacher. Rachel received her Master’s of Education in Professional Development from UW La Crosse in May 2019. Currently, she is working on taking courses for Google Administrator and Chromebook OS Certification.
During her years at Eastside, she has played many roles from being Music Coordinator to Early Childhood Director and currently serves as Technology Coordinator and Teacher.
In her free time she enjoys traveling and exploring places with her husband, Luke, and their 3 children. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends whenever possible.
