Our Faculty

School Principal

Scott was born in Pigeon, Michigan and attended high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary and graduated in 2000. While there he enjoyed competing in football, basketball and track.

Scott then attended Martin Luther College where he met his wife to be and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

He was assigned to St. Paul’s in Algoma, WI and served there for 11 years. He was then called to St. Lucas, Kewaskum in 2015 where he served as Athletic Director and 5th and 6th grade teacher.

Scott moved to sunny Arizona in 2018, where he was 5th and 6th grade teacher and Athletic Director. Now, he serves as Principal at Pilgrim and teaches Science for grades 6-8, Math for grades 7-8, along with a number of phy-ed classes. '

Scott and his wife, Ellen, were married in 2005. They have two wonderful boys, Blake and Carson. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports with his boys, golfing, hunting, and fishing.

Stop by to meet Mr. Stevenson any time!

Preschool

Hi! My name is Becky Thoma. I love spending time with my wonderful husband, Gary, and my five, beautiful children; Brenna, Sam, Elena, Ben and Jon. I enjoy reading, baking, singing, playing piano and organ and getting outdoors to explore God's beautiful creation.

It is my prayer that I serve the Lord humbly and faithfully in all He gives me to do. One of my favorite Bible passages is Colossians 3:23 which states, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Jesus is my all in all. I seek to do His will and love others. I am only a stranger here on earth. Heaven is my true home.

I love the opportunity to share Christ and His love with all I come into contact with. Currently, I get to do that with all our 3, 4, and 5 year old’s on a regular basis! It is a true joy and privilege to be a minister of the Gospel. Sharing the love of Jesus with His precious lambs and sheep is a gift I treasure every day. Yet, there are times I fail miserably. Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus to wash those sins away. I am a forgiven child of God. I can live victoriously through Christ ALONE! On the last day, I look forward to seeing my Savior face to face. I cannot wait to embrace Him and genuinely thank Him for all He has done for me.

Until that day, I will give my best to grow His kingdom. To God alone be the glory.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Kim is a Southwestern girl with Midwestern roots! She was born in Harbor Beach, MI but raised in Las Cruces, NM. Kim has spent most of her life in the desert southwest, but did live in Germany for 4 years where she was able to spend a lot of time traveling throughout Europe.

2002 was a busy year for Kim as she graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and married Steven Drexler. They moved to Mesa, AZ were she began her call teaching at Pilgrim. She and Steven have been blessed with four wonderful children, Gabe, Emma, Elizabeth (Elie) plus daughter-in-law, Sammie!

Kim loves teaching kindergarten and 1st grade and she hopes that when you (and your child) walk into her room you can feel it! She strives to provide a positive atmosphere where children can be themselves and grow academically, emotionally and most importantly, spiritually, as we spend time in God’s Word throughout the year. She places a high priority on academic standards and doing "your personal best." All the kids in her class know that they work had because "that's what good students do!"

2nd and 3rd Grade

Gina is from New Berlin, Wisconsin. After graduating in 2001 with Bachelors in Education from Martin Luther College, she received her Divine Call to serve as one of our teachers at Pilgrim. Mrs. Roach enjoys teaching God's wonderful message to her children. She also enjoys watching the children learn and grow academically.

Mrs. Roach serves as our second and third grade teacher, and she serves as our Girls' Volleyball Coach and assistant Athletic Director.

Mrs. Roach and her husband, Michael, have 6 children; Shane, Riley, Isabella (who's in Heaven), Connor, Ryan, and Maddox. When Mrs. Roach finds time to relax, she loves exploring different recipes in her kitchen.

4th and 5th Grade

Ellen was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She attended Lutheran schools all her life, including Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI for high school, and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN for her teaching degree.

Ellen taught at St. John's in Montello, Wisconsin and then married Scott Stevenson. She then taught at St. Peter's in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin until she became a full-time mom. Scott and Ellen have been blessed with two boys, Blake and Carson.

Mrs. Stevenson is our 4th and 5th grade homeroom teacher, and also teaches reading and history for grades 6-8.

Music has been a big part of Ellen's life since as long as she can remember. In Kindergarten, she would come home from church and play the hymns from that day's worship service. She has not only taken years of piano and organ lessons, but also been part of many different choirs. Ellen is a major part of our music program at Pilgrim! She enjoys using her musical gifts to the best of her ability in service to the LORD.

6th - 8th Grade

Gary is a Wisconsin native who has served in numerous places and roles since graduating from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. He has served in Chicago, IL at St. Andrew’s Lutheran for 12 years; in Appleton, WI at Riverview Lutheran for 11 years; and in Sturgeon Bay, WI at St. Peter’s Lutheran for 17 years before beginning his ministry here at Pilgrim. The Lord has blessed him with a loving wife, Rebekah, and five beautiful children: Brenna, Sam, Elena, Ben, and Jon.

Mr. Thoma is our homeroom teacher for grades 6-8 and Athletic Director at Pilgrim. He currently participates in departmentalized instruction in grades 4-8.

In his free time, Gary enjoys time with his wife and family and is an avid fan of Wisconsin sports: the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and Bucks. He strives to be a guide and mentor for our young people in Christian faith life and desires to help them all reach the potential God has planned for them. He intends to encourage them daily with Scripture such as Psalm 73:26, “ My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Business Manager

Katie grew up in West Milford, NJ and moved to Prescott, AZ in 2010 where she received her Accounting degree in 2014 from Old Dominion University.  2014 was an exciting year! After graduating she married her husband Will and moved to Mukilteo, WA.

Since then, they have lived in Tehachapi, CA and San Antonio, TX before coming back to Mesa, AZ in 2022. Along the way, Will and Katie were blessed with their two delightful children, Gabe and Sophie! While living all over the country, Katie practiced corporate and small business tax & bookkeeping. Katie joined the Pilgrim ministry in the beginning of 2024 in the business office.

Outside of serving the ministry, you are likely to find Katie out camping, scrambling up some rocks, rafting, or kayaking all over the state with her beautiful family enjoying God’s magnificent creation!

Preschool Aide

Stacie grew up in Littleton, CO and received her Nursing License in 2006. After moving all over Colorado she and her 2 boys found home and moved to Mesa, AZ in 2018!

She has been our Preschool Aide since 2022 and our Before & After Care supervisor since 2021. The close community and the family-like atmosphere of Pilgrim is what Stacie cherishes most.

Being able to assist and watch the Preschooler’s develop and grow is a true blessing to be a part of!

School Pastor

Pastor Pete has been here at Pilgrim since April of 2024. Pete has earned a Bachelor of Arts from Martin Luther College and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. 

Prior to living and serving here in the East Valley, Pete, his wife Melissa, and their family lived in Suamico, WI for 5 years. Pastor Z. served as the pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and Mel worked full-time at home as they raised their 7 kids and German wirehaired pointer, Max. 

For 7 years prior to Suamico, Pete and Mel lived and served in Laramie, Wyoming. Pete was a mission explorer who had the privilege of planting a new church, and Mel worked as a home visiting nurse. 

At Pilgrim Lutheran School, Pastor Z. teaches the basics of Christian doctrine to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. 

Pastor Z. and his family are excited to live and serve among us! They look forward to continuing to explore Arizona in their 12 passenger van. Pastor Pete looks forward to meeting you soon!