Meet the Staff

Each one of our staff members has received at least one teaching degree, regularly attends continuing education seminars and classes, and meets regularly with other teachers in the area to improve teaching. We are a licensed facility and are constantly working to focus on the learning of each individual child. Each staff member would be willing and happy to go the extra mile to make sure that your student is a successful learner.

  • Sharon Presser, Middle Grades Teacher and principal

    Mrs. Presser teaches the middle grades and is in her 36th year of teaching. She has experience in teaching grades 1-8. Mrs. Presser holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.  She is also a facilitator for the Parenting with Love and Logic curriculum. She is married and has 3 grown children. She enjoys every aspect of teaching, especially the uniqueness of each of God's children. In her spare time, she enjoys CU football and her Leadville cabin.

  • livia backhaus, Preschool Teacher/Director

    Mrs. Backhaus is the preschool director and teacher at Shepherd of the Valley. She recently graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education. She is entering her first year of the teaching ministry. She recently got married in June to Duke Backhaus, a vicar at Zion Lutheran Church, Denver, CO. She enjoys music, theater, the outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite part of teaching is being able to share the love of Jesus with young children and tell them about their Savior.

  • Karen Luehring, Lower Grades Teacher

    Miss Luehring serves as the lower grade teacher at Shepherd of the Valley. She graduated from Martin Luther College with her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and is entering her 11th year of teaching. She loves seeing her students grow in their love for learning and Jesus. Along with seeing family and friends, she enjoys exploring Colorado through hiking, running, and backpacking.

  • samantha paul, Upper Grades teacher

    Miss Paul just graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. This will be her first year teaching. She was born and raised in the Twin Cities in Minnesota and attended Lutheran Schools from preschool through high school. She is very excited to start her teaching journey as the 6th -8th grade teacher here at SVL. She enjoys being outside and going on adventures and loves playing and watching sports, especially volleyball and basketball. 

  • Phil Kieselhorst, Pastor

    Pastor Kieselhorst has a Masters Degree in Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He has been a pastor for over 20 years and has served congregations in Europe, Oklahoma, and now Westminster, CO. Pastor has been serving SVL since 2008. He is married and has 2 children. He enjoys basketball, baseball, and soccer.

  • Cari Ranger, Church & School Secretary

    Mrs. Ranger has been working at SVL for over 23 years. She is the glue that holds the school and church together! She has an AA degree in Business from Cerritos Community College and a BS in Accounting from CA State University in Long Beach. She is an invaluable part of the school, assisting all teachers as needed. She has been married to husband Len for 27 years and their two children are graduates of SVL and RMLHS. She loves all the kiddos at Shepherd!