Dr. Anne Thies serves as the Director of the Center for Christian Education and as the Undergraduate Elementary Education Program Leader at Concordia University Chicago.

In these leadership roles, she is committed to fostering academic excellence and preparing Christ-centered educators to serve communities across the nation. Over the past year, Dr. Thies has played a pivotal role in curriculum redesign, faculty collaboration and national accreditation efforts—all aligned with Concordia’s strategic goals of academic innovation and mission-driven engagement. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate education courses with a focus on classroom management, assessment and instructional leadership. Her recent appointment as Director of the Center for Christian Education reflects a significant milestone, expanding her ability to lead and support faith-based educational initiatives.

Degrees

  • EdD - Educational Leadership, University of St. Francis; Joliet, IL 
  • MS - Educational Leadership, University of St. Francis; Joliet, IL 
  • BS - Business Administration, Ball State University; Muncie, IL

Additional Qualifications:

  • General Administrative Endorsement, University of St. Francis (2011)
  • Professional Educator License, Northwestern University (2003)

Research:

  • Mathematics Instructional Best Practices
  • Pre-service and In-service Teacher Professional Development

 

Publications:

  • Thies, A. (2020). Dear new teacher. Lutheran Education Journal, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A., & Thies, C. (2019). Why I became a Lutheran school educator. Lutheran Education Journal, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2019).  Math Centers: You Can Do It!  River Forest, IL: Lutheran Education Journal.

Presentations:

  • Thies, A. (2025). Beginning a new calendar year: Looking back and moving forward [Facilitated presentation]. Center for Christian Education New Teacher Institute, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2025). Completing the year: Paperwork, relationships, and closing a classroom [Facilitated roundtable discussion]. Center for Christian Education New Teacher Institute, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2025). Engaging students in curriculum: Focus on content through active engagement [Facilitated presentation]. Center for Christian Education New Teacher Institute, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2024). Beginning the school year successfully: Creating a community of learners in the classroom [Presentation]. Center for Christian Education New Teacher Institute, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2024). Maintaining balance: Teaching and keeping the students interested [Presentation]. Center for Christian Education New Teacher Institute, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2023, April). Courage for the calling [Presentation]. Concordia Lutheran High School, Fort Wayne, IN.

  • Thies, A., & Stiek, J. (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022). Curriculum mapping across the elementary and middle grades classroom [Presentation]. Northern Illinois District Schools, River Forest, IL.

  • Thies, A., Stradtmann, A., & Stiek, J. (2022). Curriculum mapping across the elementary and middle grades classroom [Presentation]. St. Paul Lutheran School, Aurora, IL.

  • Thies, A. (2022). Courage for the calling [Panel discussion]. Women's Leadership Institute, Lisle, IL.

  • Stiek, J., Stradtmann, A., & Thies, A. (2020). Un-conference: How to teach and lead in a pandemic [Virtual conference sessions]. Lutheran Schools Support Series.