Meet Our Teachers
Mr. Benjamin Priebe
Mr. Benjamin Priebe, New Hope Lutheran Academy’s principal and fifth through eighth
grade teacher, has more than seven years experience in elementary education and administration
and holds a bachelors of science in education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm,
Minnesota.
Mr. Priebe is a native Bay City, Michigan, where he attended a WELS elementary school,
much like New Hope Lutheran Academy. After completing eighth grade, he continued in his
Christian education at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, located in Saginaw, Michigan. During his
time at MLS, Mr. Priebe played four years of football and basketball and served one year on
the student council. In May of 1999, he graduated high school and decided to serve the Lord by
becoming a Christian school teacher.
That August, Mr. Priebe moved to New Ulm, Minnesota, to study education at Martin
Luther College. He completed his course of study in December of 2003 and
was assigned to serve the Lord at Trinity Lutheran School in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He
served as the sixth through eighth grade teacher as well as the basketball and softball coach. In
May of 2005 the Lord directed him and his wife Natalie to serve at Luther Preparatory School in
Watertown, Wisconsin. At Luther Prep, he served as a dormitory supervisor, math teacher, and
girls’ basketball and soccer coach.
In May of 2007 Mr. Priebe was called to serve at Bethel Lutheran Church and School in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as principal and fourth through eighth grade teacher. In South Dakota
he and his wife welcomed thier first child.
In his third year of teaching in Sioux Falls, Mr. Priebe received a call to serve as
principal, minister of Christian education, and to teach grades fifth through eighth at New Hope
Lutheran Academy. He serves as substitute pastor when New Hope’s full-time pastor is away on
meetings or visiting his children in the midwest.
Mr. Priebe truly enjoys serving the Lord at New Hope Lutheran Academy and prays that
the Holy Spirit will continue to nourish and feed the souls of the students, parents, teachers, staff
members, and volunteers who make our Christian school a great educational experience. The
desire to share the truths of the Bible with young children is what makes him so passionate about
teaching at NHLA. The fact that God wants all people to come to the truth is what continues to
motivate him.
Miss Amanda Nitz
Miss Amanda Nitz, New Hope Lutheran Academy’s second, third, and fourth grade
teacher, earned a bachelors of science in elementary education with an emphasis in social studies
from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. She holds state teaching licenses in Florida
and Minnesota.
Miss Nitz grew up in Slades Corners, Wisconsin, where her father is a pastor. She has
a sincere love for children and teaching. She attended Lutheran schools much like New Hope
Lutheran Academy her entire life. Miss Nitz attended St. John’s Lutheran Grade School in
Burlington, Wisconsin, from kindergarten to eighth grade. She then went to Shoreland Lutheran
High School located in Somers, Wisconsin. Throughout high school she had aspired to be a
teacher, so upon graduating, she attended Martin Luther College in New
Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated in May 2009.
Before coming to New Home Lutheran Academy, Miss Nitz did some substitute teaching
at various Lutheran grade schools in Wisconsin and Illinois, while working as an administrative
assistant in a local business. She took an online education class focusing on classroom
management. In May of 2010, Miss Nitz was called to serve as the kindergarten through fourth
grade teacher at New Hope. Since then, she has been given the responsibility of teaching grades
2-4.
Mr. Weston
Mr. Don Weston is our K-1 teacher. Mr. Weston has been involved in Christian education for the past eight years. He has served as a principal in southern California, has taught grades K-9th at various Christian schools, served as a missionary for two years in the Czech Republic, served as an athletic director for a middle school and high school in Florida, and is also currently working as a staff minister for an ELS congregation in Vero Beach. Mr. Weston feels blessed to be a part of the education team at New Hope.