Answering God’s Call in the Classroom

How one teacher transitioned to Christ-centered education

Brandie Bischel’s journey to Lutheran education was not one she initially expected, but through prayer and reflection, she found that God was leading her toward a new calling—one where she could integrate her Christian beliefs with her love for teaching.

After more than two decades in public education, Brandie Bischel found herself at a crossroads. The job she once loved—teaching English in a public middle school had become overshadowed by administrative demands and ideological conflicts.

Now teaching at Lutheran West in Cleveland, Ohio, Bischel has found a renewed sense of purpose in an environment where faith and education go hand in hand. Moving from the public school system to a Christ-centered classroom has allowed her to reconnect with what she loves most—guiding students in both academic and spiritual growth.

Bischel grew up Lutheran, attending church in suburban Cleveland, where youth group and activities shaped her childhood.

Despite her upbringing, working in a Lutheran school was never on her radar. After 21 years in public education, shifting priorities in the classroom left her frustrated. “The job became less about teaching kids and more about meetings, standardized test scores and agendas that didn’t align with my morals,” she explained.

The final push came during the COVID-19 pandemic when she enrolled her own children in a Christian school. “They thrived,” she said. “At the same time, I was feeling very disconnected in my own profession.” She began exploring options, consulting both her husband and financial advisor on how she could transition out of public education without jeopardizing her retirement.

A job opening at Lutheran West felt like an answer to her prayers, and a timely email to Principal Mike Waugh led to an unexpected job offer.

Coming from a large district, the transition has been eye-opening. “I didn’t really feel seen as a teacher,” she said. “But here, I feel like I’ve been here my whole career.”

For Bischel, one of the greatest blessings of Lutheran education has been the ability to openly share her faith. “To be able to pray at work is just something I never realized I was missing,” she said. “To be able to pray with my students and talk to them about baptism and Christ—it really brings two things that I love very much together.”

Bischel also supports Lutheran education through Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) investments. “I wasn’t even aware of LCEF until I started working here,” she said. She opened Young Investors (Y.I.) StewardAccounts for each of her children after starting at Lutheran West. “Investing in LCEF is important because without that, schools like mine wouldn’t be able to expand in this way,” she said, noting her school’s ongoing expansion, which includes a new middle school facility.

From questioning her path to embracing a new calling, Bischel has found renewed purpose at Lutheran West. “God led me here,” she said. “And I truly believe this is where I’m supposed to be.”