Walk through the halls of Our Redeemer Lutheran School and you’ll likely spot Dr. Kara Tobaben greeting students by name, chatting with parents, or ducking into a classroom to see what’s unfolding that day. She’s warm, approachable, and passionate about faith-based education—and she’s just getting started as the school’s new Head of School.

Kara has spent the past 29 years in Lutheran education, teaching everyone from elementary students to high schoolers—and even future teachers at the university level. But no matter the grade, her heart has always stayed in the same place: focused on nurturing kids not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally too.

“My favorite part of this work has always been the people,” she says. “The students, the families, the community—it’s an incredible gift to walk alongside them as they grow.”

Raised in the Lutheran faith, Kara is no stranger to the value of Christ-centered education. Her own children—now grown—attended Lutheran schools from Kindergarten through high school. Her leadership style reflects that deep sense of purpose. “I try to lead like Jesus—through service, compassion, and real connection,” she says. “I want every student to feel seen, known, and loved.”

Outside of school, Kara’s happiest spending time with her husband, Jim, and their adult children, Will and Elizabeth. She’s a fan of road trips, cruises, and any hike that leads to a waterfall. Around Dallas, you might spot her strolling through the Preston Hollow neighborhood, popping into Trader Joe’s for fresh flowers, or shopping at her favorite local resale spots like Clothes Circuit or Clotheshorse Anonymous.

Kara didn’t just take a job at Our Redeemer—she joined a community she truly believes in. “There’s something so special here,” she says. “It’s a place where kids grow not just smarter, but kinder. More confident. More curious about the world and their place in it.”

Whether in the classroom or out in the community, Kara brings an energy that’s both grounding and uplifting—exactly the kind of presence that makes a school feel like home.