Sam Moore '20 serves as Lutheran school teacher, prepared to return to Concordia Nebraska as student in university's master's program
Seward, NE (07/24/2025) — Sam Moore '20 found his way to Concordia University, Nebraska through the encouragement of others. Many of his teachers and the church workers in his life encouraged him to consider becoming a Lutheran school teacher. Because of their encouragement and support, he decided to pursue an education degree at Concordia Nebraska.
Moore has a bachelor's degree in middle level education with emphasis in math and science as well as Lutheran Teaching Diploma. He said one of the best parts about his time on campus was the opportunity to make life-long connections with both peers and professors.
"During my time at Concordia Nebraska, my professors dialed in on worldview knowing who we are, how we got here and what God's plan is for us. Through this, I really found that God was calling me to be a teacher who not only has high academic standards and rigor, but also one who would be connect with students and families," he explained. "The scenarios that we would go through in the classroom and through the real hands-on experience that we got in all the partner schools really helped prepare me for the classroom. Along with that, all the connections that I made with faculty and students helped prepare a firm foundation of support moving forward after graduation."
During his freshman year, his older brother AJ was diagnosed with cancer, and he lost that battle in summer 2017 after Moore's freshman year.
"Throughout that whole time the Concordia community surrounded me and my family with prayer and presence," he said. "Along with that they encouraged me in my walk with Christ, encouraging me to lean on Him more and more."
After student teaching in 2020 during COVID, Moore was called to serve at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Concordia, Missouri. He has served as sixth grade homeroom teacher, sixth through eighth grade math teacher, sixth grade religion teacher and athletic director since graduation. In July 2025, he will begin classes toward a master's degree in athletic administration from Concordia Nebraska.
Moore's father David serves as the senior pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran in St. Joseph, Missouri, where Moore grew up. His mom Michelle owns a clothing store boutique. His oldest brother Patrick lives and works in St. Joe as does his twin sister Zoe. When he's not teaching, you'll find Moore playing golf, watching sporting events or serving as a high school volleyball official, something he's enjoyed doing for the last five years.
"My day to day is a lot of teaching, grading and preparing, but also a lot of interacting with my students and building positive relationships. Along with that I do a lot of communication with families and coaches about sporting events, and planning for those events as well," he said. "Some days can be really difficult, because in teaching, progress at times is really hard to see. With that said, at the end of every school year taking time to look back with my colleagues on how far our students have come is so rewarding. Seeing the goofy kid sixth grade kid who is disorganized and relies on mom and dad to do everything for them grow up into a graduating eighth grader who is academically independent and ready to flourish when they go to high school is something that every year reminds me of the reason why I do what I do."
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
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