Mr. Jeff Jurss Teacher Of The Year!
Congratulations to Mr. Jeff Jurss, who the LCMS South Wisconsin District recently chose as the 2025 High School Teacher of the Year!
Mr. Jurss is in his 30th year of teaching at Sheboygan Lutheran High, currently teaching all sessions of Christian Leadership and Geography. If you’re looking for Mr. Jurss outside the classroom, you can find him running around campus. He has been the head coach for the boys’ and girls’ cross country team for 30 years, with many successes, including four state championships and induction into the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has been coaching the track and field team for 29 years, taking one season off to obtain his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University Wisconsin.
Mr. Jurss also has a passion for basketball. In 2007, he began the Slamma Jamma Basketball Camp for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. In its 17th year (summer 2024), Slamma Jamma had over 190 participants from the community! Mr. Jurss is a faithful follower of Crusader basketball, cheering on his students and conducting post-game interviews with the players. During his time at LHS, he coached the Crusader varsity girls for three years and the junior varsity boys for seven years.
In addition to teaching and coaching, Mr. Jurss is the head of the Crusader Scholarship Committee and coordinator of biweekly chapel presenters and monthly Dress Down Days which raise funds for various non-profit organizations.
Mr. Jurss is a Crusader through and through, as a proud alumnus of the class of 1985. He and his wife, Julie (also an LHS alumnae, class of 1986), have sent their four children to LHS: Jordyn (2012), Jake (2015), Jared (2018) and Jonah (2021). They’re now enjoying their newest role: grandparents to 1-year-old grandson, Jettson.
When he learned of this recognition, Mr. Jurss chuckled and said, “I’m not sure why I received this. I’m maybe the 15th best teacher on this staff.” (That’s a staff of 15 teachers!) On a more serious note, he added, “This is a humbling award, especially because I’m part of an awesome team of coworkers that make me better. I really can’t imagine doing anything else. Every day is a joy.”
As Mr. Jurss reflected on his 30 years at Sheboygan Lutheran, he shared, “One of my favorite parts of being in this ministry for so long is the people. I am now teaching the children of several alumni that I taught when I first started here. It’s awesome to see the Crusader nation continue to grow and strengthen as the years go by.”
Matthew Tschudy, Executive Director of Sheboygan Lutheran, commented, “Congratulations to Jeff on this well-deserved nomination. His humble spirit, ability to connect with students, and passion for Christ-centered education are true blessings to our school family. We are thankful for his faithful ministry here and throughout God’s kingdom."