Meet the Staff

Meet our staff.

Take some time to get to know us!

Jacob Biebert - Principal

Mr. Jacob Biebert

Jacob Biebert graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a minor in mathematics. He was called to teach grades 5-6th at St. Paul’s in Beverly Hills, Florida from 2014-2017. During his time in Beverly Hills, Florida he participated in a principal training program that our synod, The WELS, offers. In the Spring of 2017, he was called by St. Matthew to serve as principal and teach grades 5-8. Jacob has a passion for helping his children grow both spiritually and academically.

Outside of school, Mr. Biebert loves to watch and play sports of all varieties. He also loves the outdoors and is an avid hunter, fisherman, and camper/hiker. Mr. Biebert married his wife Kayla in 2013 and has been blessed with two young daughters 2017 and 2019 that he enjoys watching grow and learn all sorts of new things. Together, he loves to share in outdoor adventures with his girls.

David Zabel - Grades 7-8

Mr. David Zabel

My name is David Zabel and I am the 7th and 8th grade teacher here at St. Matthew Lutheran School. I grew up in a rural community in Delano, MN. I have three sisters, one of whom is my twin. My father is still living in Delano and my mother passed away in 2018. I worked on the family farm not far from my parent’s home. I would help milk cows, clean barns, bale hay, pick corn, plow fields, and disc them too. We had the usual chores at home too – mow the lawn, weed the garden, and keep our rooms clean.
I attended Mt. Olive Lutheran grade school and Delano Public High School. After graduation I wanted to be a farmer but the Lord took me in a different direction.
I decided to enter the teaching ministry after working with the principal of my grade school. This was after I had been out of High school for four years. I began my studies at Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in the fall 1985 and graduated in May of 1989.
I have been in many places during my teaching career. I was assigned to be the Director of Christian Education for St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN and to teach grade seven at St. Paul’s Lutheran School. Later on, we departmentalized and I taught Language and Art to 5th through 8th grade. I continued to teach 7th grade math, science, and social studies. I was at St. Paul’s from 07/89 to 06/97.
I accepted a call to St. John’s Lutheran School in Nodine, MN as principal and the 7th and 8th grade teacher. I was there for three years, 07/97 to 06/99. From there I took a call to Siloah Lutheran School in Milwaukee, WI to teach grades three and four. It didn’t take long and I was moved to grades 5 & 6 and then to 7 & 8. I was there from 07/99 to 06/02.
I took a position as a Youth Worker Supervisor at Calvary Academy Ministries in South Milwaukee, WI. This led to a call to teach students in grades 5-12. This was a school for at-risk kids – those kids that had troubles at home, school, problems with drugs and alcohol, and other mental health issues. I was there from 9/02 to 12/10.
After Calvary I took a position in a public-school program called Manatee Glens in the Bradenton, FL area. This was also a school for at-risk kids. Once again, I started out as an aide and then moved into a teaching position. Here again, I taught kids from 5th through 12th grade. I was with this program from 01/11 to 06/14. It was then I received a one-year emergency principal and 7 & 8th grade call to the congregation we were members of, Ascension Lutheran Church and School in Sarasota, FL. It was for a year because they wanted a principal that could speak Spanish as a second language. I was there from 07/14 to 06/15.
After that year, I received a call to Manitowoc Lutheran High school to teach English to Sophomores and Seniors. This was also a one-year emergency call. I was there from 07/15 to 06/16.
While in Manitowoc I received the call to be Principal and the 6th through 8th grade teacher in Lake City, MN. It is a little town of 5000 on the shores of Lake Pepin which is part of the Mississippi River. I was there from 07/16 to 06/24. While there I received the call to teach grades 7 and 8 here at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Spokane, WA. As you have read, I have been to many places and have learned a lot from each of those places.
I am married. My wife, Sue, and I got married on July 7, 1990. We have now been married for 34 years. We met at college, DMLC - Dr. Martin Luther College at the time and which is now called MLC – Martin Luther College. We have been blessed with four boys. Our oldest, Nathanael (Nate) is a game programmer for High Five Industries. He recently moved back to the Midwest; he now resides in Rochester, MN to be closer to family. Our second son, Athony (Tony), lives in Brooklyn Park, MN. He works in the manufacturing industry making access panels. Our third son, Daniel (Dan) is a teacher. He was assigned to teach 7th and 8th grade in Caledonia, MN for this coming school year. It is a one-year call and we pray that the Lord will grant him a permanent call in the Spring of 2025. Our last son, Douglas (Doug) is preparing to be a pastor and is attending Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He will begin his second year this fall. He is married and they recently had a baby boy, Isaiah. This is our very first grandchild. His wife also teaches at Atonement Lutheran school in Milwaukee, WI.
I look forward to beginning my ministry here at St. Matthew and serving the families of the church and community. I do have to get used to the dry heat, very little rain and a large city. God is good.

Glenn Metzger - Grades 5-6, Physical Education

Mr. Glenn Metzger

Glenn Metzger has been teaching in WELS schools since he graduated from Martin Luther College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He has served as a teacher in two-grade classrooms (St. Paul’s, East Troy, WI and St. John, Redwood Falls, MN) single-grade classrooms (St. John, Redwood Falls, MN) and in a departmentalized setting (Saint Lucas, Milwaukee, WI). Mr. Metzger began his career teaching 3rd and 4th grades and has since had experience in every grade from 3rd to 8th.

When he isn’t in the classroom, Mr. Metzger enjoys spending time with his wife (Fiona) and their children. He likes to play and watch sports, spend time outside with his family and two dogs, read books, watch movies, play board games and video games, and work on small projects around the house. The part of teaching Mr. Metzger enjoys the most is getting to share God’s Word with the children in his classroom.

Michelle Most - Grade 4, Spanish

Mrs. Michelle Most

Michelle is originally from Yakima, WA and is excited that she gets to serve the Lord back in her home state! After graduating from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN in June of 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in science, she was called to teach 3rd-5th grades at Immanuel Lutheran in Ft. Worth, TX from 2000-2004. Michelle was then called to serve Christ the Lord in Houston, Tx. There she taught PreK (1 year) and grades 2-4 (7 years). While in Houston, she met her husband Derrick and got married in 2007. In 2011,they moved to Crete, IL. While there Michelle began her Masters studies in Special Education with a focus on Reading and Math learning disabilities and graduated with her degree in May of 2019 from Martin Luther College. Also, while in Crete, they were blessed with a son in 2013. In the spring of 2017 Michelle was called to St. Martins in Watertown, SD to teach 2nd grade. Then in the spring of 2020 she accepted the call to teach 2nd-4th grades at St. Matthew here in Spokane, WA. Michelle has a passion for teaching and having children become lifelong readers and learners of God’s Word.

Outside of the classroom, Michelle enjoys playing the piano, flute, and organ for fun and for the Lord at church. She is also an avid reader herself and enjoys a good book when she isn’t painting, crafting, or going on adventures with her husband and son.

Avery Broyles - Grade 3, Physical Education

Miss Avery Broyles

Avery Broyles is a native of Idaho and is excited to return to the Pacific Northwest. Avery graduated from Martin Luther College in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a minor in physical education. Upon graduation, Avery accepted a position at Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Madison, WI, serving as both a Student Aide for grades K5 and 3/4. Avery also ran Our Redeemer’s After School Care program. In May 2023, she was called to teach 3rd grade here at St. Matthew.

Outside of the classroom, Avery enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching and playing sports, and traveling to new places. She is thrilled to be serving at St. Matthew and looks forward to being part of the Spokane community.

Erika Rosenbaum - Grade 2, Athletic Director, Technology

Miss Erika Rosenbaum

Erika Rosenbaum grew up in St. Joseph, MI. Her family is one of the biggest blessings in her life as she has 4 brothers and 3 sisters. She graduated in May 2021 from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in coaching. In May 2021, she was assigned to teach grades 1-2 and serve as the athletic director here at St. Matthew.

Outside of the classroom, Erika enjoys playing basically any game whether it be board games, card games, or outdoor games. She enjoys watching and playing almost all sports. Lastly, she enjoys being crafty and going on new adventures.

Kelly West - Grade 1, Spanish

Mrs. Kelly West

Kelly (Bertoni) West graduated from Martin Luther College in Minnesota in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. She then went to China and taught English at a middle school, along with her husband Aaron (a.k.a. Pastor West) for a school year. In October 2006, their first daughter was born, so Kelly started staying home to take care of her children and also babysat other children.
In 2014 the West family moved to Hong Kong for Aaron’s job. There, Kelly home-schooled her three children. In 2018 the West family moved to Spokane and had one more child.
In 2019-2020 Kelly taught Spanish at St. Matthew for Fancy Fridays. In 2022 Kelly worked as a preschool aide for Ms. Lindsay at St. Matthew.
She is very happy to teach your children this year and get to know your families as well.
Aside from her family, church, and school life, Kelly enjoys walking her dogs, cooking, and listening to podcasts.

Rachel Taasaas - Kindergarten, K-8 Art

Miss Rachel Taasaas

Rachel is originally from Bremerton, WA, and is excited to make her way back to the Northwest. After graduating in December 2009 from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, she received a Call to serve as the Early Childhood Director in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2010 she was called to teach Kindergarten and 1st grade at St. Matthew.

Along with her Early Childhood Degree she also has an Associate in Arts and Science degree from Olympic Community College in Bremerton and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Seattle University.

When Rachel's not in her classroom she is training for a half marathon and is cheering for the Nebraska Huskers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Donna Driesbach - Preschool Director and Teacher

Mrs. Donna Driesbach

Donna Driesbach graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. She planted her roots in Spokane in 1996 and became the Preschool Director and Teacher at St. Matthew in 2004. She has more than a total of 20 years of experience teaching three and four year old children.

Donna and Chris were married on June 18, 2022. Chris is a Christian musician and Donna enjoys traveling with him on weekends and during the summer months. She enjoys spending time with her four daughters (Erinn, Megan, Shannon and Colleen) and loves being a grandmom. She is so blessed that all of her children reside in the Northwest. During Donna’s free time, she enjoys babysitting, watching soccer games, cheering for the Zags, doing yard work and playing the piano.

Aaron West - Associate Pastor, St. Matthew, 7-8 Catechism

Pastor Aaron West

Pastor Aaron West joined St. Matthew in April 2018. He serves as the pastor at our Spokane site. He and his wife Kelly have four children: Laura, Leah, Mark, and Paul.

Aaron grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee. After a year at the College of Charleston, SC, he decided to pursue full-time ministry and transferred to Martin Luther College where he was soon engaged to his wife Kelly. In 2005 they graduated, were married, and moved to Ningxia, China, for a year where they taught English. After that, Aaron enrolled in seminary in Mequon, WI and graduated in 2010, having spent his vicar year in Covington, Georgia. With two daughters born, the family moved to Madison, WI, where Aaron studied for an MA degree in Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin.

In 2012, he received a divine call to Asia Lutheran Seminary in Hong Kong where he taught Hebrew and Old Testament until accepting the call to St. Matthew.

Kevin Schultz - Associate pastor, The Vine CDA, Idaho

Pastor Kevin Schultz

Pastor Schultz grew up in Wisconsin and went to high school at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While there, he began his pastoral studies. After graduating he attended Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, where he studied Greek & Hebrew along with theology and Biblical history and received a bachelor’s degree in Biblical languages. From there he went on to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, and received a Master of Divinity degree in theology. While studying at the seminary, he served an internship for one year at St John’s Lutheran Church in Burlington, WI.

Upon graduating from the Seminary, he married his wife Miriam Westendorf and served as pastor of Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for 20 years, and also president of WELS-Canada. In 2007 he moved to San Diego, California, and served Reformation Lutheran Church for 6 years, before moving to Spokane and then to Coeur d’Alene in 2016 to serve as pastor at The Vine.

Michelle Benson - 5-6 Classroom Aide

Jordan Roth - K Classroom Aide

Peggy Thorpe - Piano

Kayla Biebert - Administrative Assistant

Holly Roberg - Piano Director

Connie Carlson - Piano

Marianne Von Bracht - Violin