Welcome To Good Shepherd Lutheran School

- Accredited by Cognia, NCA CASI, NWAC AND SACS CASI

Let your child's light shine as they walk the path of faith and education

Through research-based curriculum, we provide a distinguished education in a Christ-centered environment.

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Building Our Community in Christ

Welcome to Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Our premier academic and religious education school will serve your child in so many wonderful ways.

Learn By Doing

Good Shepherd Lutheran School is dedicated to providing a premier academic and religious education for all children. Our distinguished educational environment will inspire children to become passionate life-long learners. 

Location: 202 TX-71W, Bastrop, TX 78602

Telephone: 512-988-1778

Email: headofschool@goodshepherdbastrop.org

Research based, brain smart curriculum

MISSION: Through a research-based curriculum, Good Shepherd Lutheran School provides a distinguished education in a Christ-centered environment.  

VISION: Good Shepherd Lutheran School is dedicated to providing a premier academic and religious education for all children. Our distinguished educational environment will inspire children to become passionate life-long learners.  

Academic Excellence in a Christ-Centered Environment

Good Shepherd Lutheran School serves our children in so many wonderful ways. In addition to our bible based faith formation, we provide 100% TEK (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) aligned coursework. A professional staff of certified Christian educators and parental involvement make it possible to carry out our school’s mission. We have partnered with research based publishers, to provide core subject materials in English, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. GSLS supplements our coursework with technology components, by providing our children 1:1 Chromebooks with personalized subscriptions to standards aligned online learning platforms such a IXL, and BrainPOPJr.

When our students aren’t in class, they are attending, Chapel, Positive Action (Character Development), Physical education, Music, Art, or MAST (Math & Science Technology) classes that are built into their weekly schedule. These academic components ensure our children receive a well-rounded education that reinforces spirituality, character development, gross motor development and Fine Arts. Research proves students exposed to these programs have a greater sense of self, and report higher academic performance.

We welcome you to Good Shepherd Lutheran School.

Learn about our membership and our accreditation with Cognia–the world’s largest and most recognized performance based accrediting agency.

Good Shepherd Bastrop, Little Sheep Learning Center & Good Shepherd Lutheran School are Proud Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association.

Our School

Classrooms

Our classroom stands apart for many reasons. We implement a low ratio in each classroom of 1:15 children at each grade level. Our curriculum is always brain smart and research based, with our instruction and assessments aligned with state standards. We use current technology in our classrooms, including Chromebooks. We also follow STREAM programming (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts & Mathmatics). We frequently monitor learning and teaching strategies that align with TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) to bring the very best to our students. Our supportive learning environment, high levels of collaboration and communication as well as our high standards and expectations for all students make our classroom the best, Christ-centered option for your child in Bastrop!

campus safety plan

Security

At Good Shepherd Lutheran School we understand safety & security is of the utmost importance and that prevention goes a long way. This is one of the many reasons we invested in a locked keypad entry and 24 hour surveillance camera system. Research has proven that onsite safety measures provide the following:

-deterrent to unwanted offenses

– Our motion-sensored technology allows us to monitor activity at any given time on our campus and keep eye on the entire campus in real-time.

– keep our students and faculty safe; Surveillance systems help to monitor students, and keep an eye on problematic situations. They can also be helpful in monitoring campus visitors and preventing unauthorized access to the campus.

– Video surveillance systems allow for us to assess the situation more accurately if a situation does occur. Better information leads to faster evacuations and more efficiently securing school grounds. Preventing access, reacting to problems, and improving the reaction time of the authorities adds up to safer schools and happier parents

– Peace of Mind; we want our Parents to feel confident that their children are as safe as possible at school. Teachers, faculty, and students want to feel comfortable and safe when they are on our campus.

By adding video surveillance and keypad entries to our campus safety plan, we want families to know we are providing our campus school with the kind of comprehensive security that makes all of these good things possible.

A Word

From Our Head of School

Dear Prospective Family,

Thank you for your interest in Good Shepherd Lutheran School.  I am thrilled you are exploring our school community as an educational option. Through distinguished academics and a Christ-centered environment our team of dedicated educators stands ready to serve your child spiritually and academically. 

Culture is one word you will hear a lot around our school community. A community comprised of parents, students, church members, founding families, and community leaders working endlessly to provide an educational option that thrives for our community. We are called into this work by God to be stewards and caretakers of our gifts to continue to spread his love.  

I am committed daily to serve, protect and advance the Good Shepherd mission. My desire for our students is to deliver them out into the world with a solid education and the ability to perform backed with faith and good morals. 

I encourage you to come and experience Good Shepherd. My husband and I have four children enrolled in Good Shepherd programs, and I know are receiving an unparalleled religious and academic education. 

As you continue to discern this option for your family, please let us know if you have any questions.

Blessings,

 

 

– Alysa K. Johnson

Faculty

As parents ourselves, we know that you want warm, caring teachers who you can reach easily. Our certified teachers have total fidelity towards curriculum implementation, Christ centered environments and faith development. Each person on our staff is a Christian thinker who shares our vision and will carry on the mission of Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Learn more about our teachers and our staff below.

Alysa K. Johnson

Alysa K. Johnson

Head of School

“Children are our most important investment. Providing a loving, Christ-centered, and academically accelerated educational option are the principles that Good Shepherd Lutheran School was founded on. We welcome you to Good Shepherd Lutheran School.”

Alysa K. Johnson’s quest for high quality education started when her oldest child turned 6 weeks old. She took a job as a 3 year old teacher at the highest rated quality early childhood education school she could find for her first born. As her family grew, so did her desire to raise her children in her beloved hometown of Bastrop. With this aspiration came the vision for premier, Christian education in a private school setting. Alysa began her leadership in private education in 2006. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in Sociology with a minor in Business Administration/Pre-Law. She holds several private education certifications for educational management. Alysa has led programs of over 200 children, managed over 20 faculty, won numerous enrollment and quality control awards, curriculum director, and recognized several times as top performing principal within her district. She developed and operated the company’s very first and only Private Elementary School and led HR and Recruiting efforts for 21 campuses and 300 teachers. Her passion, qualifications and experience are a true asset for our expanding program. Moving her experience and career path to Good Shepherd Lutheran School has allowed her to cultivate her lifelong passion for education. Pursuing the growth of a very successful preschool program, and expanding this into formal years of education, is yet another educational dream coming true. Being able to provide a premier, Christian educational opportunity for the children in her native home town, is the icing on the cake.

Kay Reid

Kay Reid

Lead Educator / 2nd Grade Teacher

As an educator for fifty years, this year marks her third year with GSLS.  Kay Reid has extensive teaching experience in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. “All I ever wanted to do was teach.” Kay earned her Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education at University of Texas at Austin, and is a Certified Special Education EC-12th grade, and a Dyslexia Reading practitioner. Her experience includes teaching reading and writing as a Title I teacher. Her last public school teaching assignment was teaching students with dyslexia to read, spell, write and comprehend for the past fourteen years at the middle school and high school level.
Myra Paul

Myra Paul

3rd Grade

Mrs. Paul has been an educator for 30+ years.  She began her career at Lamar Consolidated ISD (her alma mater) in Rosenberg, Tx. After eight years, she moved to Giddings, Texas and taught 18 years in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Mrs. Paul is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is Texas Teacher certified EC-8.

This is her third year here at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. The first two years were spent in Kindergarten, and this year in third grade.

Linda Wilson

Linda Wilson

First Grade

Linda obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas in May 2003. Ms. Wilson is certified in Kansas to teach grades K-9th. Ms. Wilson taught 5th grade there for two years before returning to Texas. She is certified to teach grades EC-4th in Texas. Linda obtained her master’s degree in Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio in December of 2012. Linda taught 2nd-4th grades in San Antonio. This is Ms. Wilson’s fourth year teaching 1st grade at Good Shepherd.
Alicia Ziegler

Alicia Ziegler

4th/5th Grade Teacher

With a passion for education from a young age, Alicia has been working with children for over a decade. Ms. Ziegler received her bachelor’s in English Studies from Illinois State University and is nearly finished obtaining her 4-8th grade certification through Texas Teachers of Tomorrow.  This will be her fourth year with Good Shepherd Bastrop and her third in the elementary classroom. Ms. Ziegler is our Gifted and Talented Coordinator and is so excited to bring new and innovative learning opportunities to her students.
Diane Turner

Diane Turner

Athletic Director / PE Coach

Diane is a hands-on educator who believes all children can and will learn. When faced with challenges, she encourages children to find strength given to them by Christ (Phillipians 4:13). Coach Turner has been involved in education for 20 years, coaching elite sports camps of all ages, including Fellowship for Christian Athletes leadership camps. She has extensive experience in working with high school athletes, as well as experience working with athletes of all ages. During Diane’s 14 years as a head coach, she won ten conference titles, went undefeated four consecutive years, and was named coach of the year in three different sports. Through the years, coaching has provided her infinite blessings from the challenges of competition, to the opportunity to mentor, advocate and love her players. The memories and the relationships with not only her students, but the parents and the staff, will be treasured for a lifetime by Coach Turner.
Steve Carlton

Steve Carlton

Music Teacher

Steve received his B.A. in music, with a focus on jazz and classical piano, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2011. After graduating, he worked as an accompanist for the Central Coast Youth Chorus, San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, and several regional high schools. In 2014, Steve moved to Austin to pursue additional opportunities in music. He currently works with The Honor Choir in Bastrop, the Austin, Bastrop, and Del Valle school districts, and is the assistant musical director at KidsActing Studios in Austin. He is also the pianist for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where you can find him in Sunday’s services. When not musically involved, Steve pursues his passions for cooking, bbq’ing, skiing, and painting.
Janelle Roberts

Janelle Roberts

4th/5th Grade Assistant

Janelle was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and moved to Bastrop, Texas in May 2020. Janelle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. Throughout her career of working in Education, she has served as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, after school teacher and worked with Summer programs.  She is currently taking classes in pursuit of her teacher certification.  She enjoys watching children learn and grow and feels privileged to be a part of their early years of education. Janelle really enjoys being a part of the Good Shepherd family.
Jada Soules

Jada Soules

Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Soules is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University.  She has lived
here in Bastrop and been a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for 24 years. 
Jada has been a teacher for 33 years teaching everything from Deaf Ed, Special Ed, Early Childhood, Kindergarten, and first grade.  Her last 18 years in public education were spent in kindergarten. Retiring in  May of 2021 to be a grandma, Jada missed the classroom so in August of 2022 came to teach at Good Shepherd.  Jada has expressed that she really loves teaching in this Christian environment.
Ginger W. Craddock

Ginger W. Craddock

M.A.S.T. Teacher

As a successful business owner and educator with twenty-five years of experience, curiosity fuels her passion for life and education. When Ginger hears a need she immediately begins to think, “What are the solutions?”

When you combine curiosity with a solutions oriented mind set and a love for students you find the intersection of Ginger’s heart for education. Her goal is to foster a love for life long learning, exploration, and innovation into the heart and mind of each student she serves

Makayla Mills

Makayla Mills

STEM Teacher

Makayla knows the importance of making the classroom engaging and interactive. Her heart is to foster a love for lifelong learning in each of her students. When teaching, she engages with the children individually and ensures that each student understands the lesson. Makayla brings tactile projects into the curriculum for an organic, hands-on learning experience. She believes that every student should be curious and confident about learning and encourages the children to seek out answers. This is her second year of teaching at GSLS and she is excited to see what this school year brings.

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What Our Families are Saying

“Almost every aspect of the program has exceeded our expectations. Specifically, our religous education (she comes home ‘on fire’ for the Lord). She loves to retell the stories that she hears in religous education each day and we love that.” -LW

“Also, the level of core content instruction has been phenomenal. She is learning so much and receiving the one-on-one instruction that is crucial at this age. She loves to learn and that mentality is being fostered because of her amazing teachers.” -LW

“GSLS is wonderful. It provides Christian values in a small, relaxed setting, yet still values academics! Children are given the support they need through individualized learning in a small group setting.” -JM

“GSLS is a true blessing to our family. The teachers and staff are incredible and focus on God’s love and teaching faith in alignment with academics. The children are valued and loved, not just taught.
The academics are stellar and taught through a Christ centered perspective.
My son brings home Bible verses every week and they attend Chapel led by Pastor Travis. He really connects with the children and they love him. GSLS is our second home and we are treated like family.”-BG

We Look Forward to Meeting You!

Get In Touch

Location: 202 TX-71W, Bastrop, TX 78602

Telephone: 512-988-1778

Email: Headofschool@goodshepherdbastrop.org