Erin Norman

Teacher

Erin Norman was born and raised in Castle Rock, Colorado. She has been a para and middle school special education teacher in Gillette, WY and a middle school special education teacher in Laramie, WY. Erin, her husband Scott and two boys, Marshall and Garrett moved to the Rapid City area in February 2021. Erin has been a stay at home mom since 2019 and recently, worked at the Montessori school her sons attended. She will serve as the teacher of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Classical Academy. She loves watching kids grow and learn as well as figure out who they are in this world; who God has called them to be. Erin enjoys watching kids learn in the classroom as well as outside the classroom through everyday experiences. Erin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education & Communications as well as a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Wyoming and holds a teaching license in the state of Wyoming.

  • 605-787-6438
  • 7308 Wedgewood Dr. Black Hawk, SD 57718
team

Dennis Mercer

Headmaster and Pastor

Reverend Dennis Mercer was born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana. He served in the United States Army for 22 years as a trombonist in the Army Bands. Upon retirement from the Army, he taught extensively in the Baltimore-Washington area, to include as the Band Director at Baltimore Lutheran School (now Concordia Preparatory School) in Towson Maryland. He and his wife Joni, also a retired Army musician, moved to Rapid City in July 2019. He began his seminary studies in 2020 through Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He was ordained in January 2023 and serves as the Associate Pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, alongside Pastor Sturzenbecher. Pastor Mercer teaches adult Bible studies, 7th grade confirmation class, and weekly chapel services for Divine Shepherd’s Early Childhood Center. He will serve as the Headmaster of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Classical Academy. He loves watching kids grow and learn as they are strengthened in their faith and is very excited about the school start-up this fall. Pastor Mercer was an instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, prior to his retirement. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Towson University and has completed the course of study for the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) through Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

  • 605-787-6438
  • dslcpmercer@divineshep.org
  • 7308 Wedgewood Dr. Black Hawk, SD 57718
team

Randy Sturzenbecher

Pastor

Pastor Randy Sturzenbecher has been at Divine Shepherd for 18 years. He loves teaching and preaching the hope and promises we have in Jesus. Pastor Sturzenbecher has a passion for teaching the “littles” about our great and mighty God who loves us and promises to be with us always. He and his wife Vonda have two adult children.

  • 605-787-6438
  • dslcpsturz@divineshep.org
  • 7308 Wedgewood Dr. Black Hawk, SD 57718
team

Katie Bierschbach

Secretary

Katie grew up in Northeast Iowa and moved to South Dakota where she attended the University of South Dakota and earned her master's degree in music history. She met her husband, Derek, at USD and moved to Rapid City after graduation. Katie was raised by a Lutheran Pastor and a Lutheran teacher and continues to grow in her faith every day. She is excited to be a part of the Divine Shepherd Classical Lutheran Academy team.

  • 605-787-6438
  • dslcsecretary@divineshep.org
  • 7308 Wedgewood Dr Black Hawk, SD 57718
team