For thirty-nine years Lutheran North students have seen art teacher, Mr. Gary Faszholz throw footballs, throw batting practice, throw clay during art class, and they’ve also been blessed to hear him throw out the phrase, “Hubba! Hubba! It’s a great day to be young, alive, and a Mustang!” 

After teaching at three different Lutheran high schools for a total of forty-four years, Mr. Faszholz is retiring at the close of the 2019-2020 school year. 

After graduating from Concordia College Seward, Nebraska, Mr. Faszholz’s first call was to Lutheran High School in New Orleans, Louisiana where for two years he taught art and physical education and helped coach football and baseball. He then moved to Michigan and began part one of his teaching and coaching ministry at Lutheran North. After eighteen years at Lutheran North, Mr. Faszholz headed south to start a Lutheran high school in San Antonio, Texas where he served as the assistant principal, taught theology, world history, physical education, art and coached basketball and baseball. After three years in San Antonio, he returned to the Mustang corral for part two of his ministry at Lutheran North.  

God has blessed Mr. Faszholz and his wife, Mary with 45 years of marriage, and three children: Elizabeth (LHN ‘00), Mark (LHN ‘02), and Rachel (LHN ‘05). God has also blessed Gary and Mary with three grandchildren.  

Mr. Faszholz’s excellence in the classroom and on the athletic field has been noticed by more than his colleagues, students, athletes, and parents. In 1984 the Michigan District awarded him with the Michigan Secondary Lutheran Teacher of the Year award and in 2009 Concordia University Wisconsin honored him with the Master Educator Award in Secondary Education. He was also honored by the Metro Conference as he was named Football Coach of the Year during one of his two Metro Conference football championships. 

So what drew Mr. Faszholz into teaching art and coaching? Family. He credits his father’s passion for teaching and coaching as a primary influence.

“My dad’s teaching career included grade school and high school. He was also my high school basketball and baseball coach. He was at every game as either my coach or my parent and often both. I gained an inside perspective on the joy of coaching by watching my dad. And because I liked playing sports, I knew I’d like coaching them,” stated Faszholz. 

Mr. Faszholz’s three uncles were also teachers and coaches, so it’s clear that teaching and coaching have been a part of the Faszholz family tree. A younger branch of the Faszholz teaching tree can also be found in his son, Mark who teaches fifth grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Utica, Michigan. 

When Mr. Faszholz’s eighth-grade teacher submitted some of his artwork to the Nebraska State Art Show and he was awarded two blue ribbons, his interest in art began.  While in high school, he continued to pursue that interest by taking two college classes at what was then called Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska. 

In addition to the relationships he’s developed with teachers and students, he also cherishes great memories.  When he began teaching at Lutheran North, teachers drove busses to pick up and drop off students before and after school. While there is an art to teaching, there is also an art to driving a bus safely. Former LHSA Superintendent and then Lutheran North assistant principal, Mr. Steve Meseke organized a bus rodeo to practice driving skills and promote safety.  One event challenged teachers to drive in reverse while weaving in and out of cones.  Mr. Faszholz’s creatively-artistic driving skills dominated the competition as he was named Mustang Bus Rodeo Champion for two consecutive years. 

As he looks to the future, Mr. Faszholz plans to enjoy a cup of coffee on his deck, travel with his wife, fish, and spend more time on personal art projects. He will continue to be an ambassador for Lutheran education by speaking to grade school students, sharing with them the blessing of pursuing a high school education grounded in Christ. 

With his desire to continue sharing the importance of an education grounded in Christ even during retirement, it’s not surprising that John 16:33 has been a great source of encouragement throughout his teaching ministry.  “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  

Thank you, Mr. Faszholz for your life-long commitment and compassion to all the students, families, athletes, and colleagues.  You are absolutely correct. With Christ our Redeemer at the center of our lives, every day is a great day to be young, alive, and a Mustang!  

To God be the Glory. 

We will be honoring Mr. Faszholz on Friday, May 29th at 6:30 PM with a car parade at Lutheran North. All are invited!

Click here to learn how you can be a part of the celebration!