“I wanted to give back to the school that made such a difference in me,” said Andrew Reimer, Father Patrick’s long-term sub as a religion teacher. 

Although he is Michigan-born, Reimer’s family moved to DePere when he was around four years old. He attended Abbot Pennings High School, making him a Notre Dame alumnus.

“I graduated from St. Norbert College in 1989 with an undergrad in history and a minor in German,” Reimer explained. His family is of German descent, which interested him in the subject.

Reimer received his Department of Public Instruction (DPI) certificate in college but has been in the business management industry for the last 30 years. 

“I’m in between jobs in business management and thought I should put my teaching degree to use,” Reimer said. 

This is Reimer’s first time teaching professionally, but he has taught before. “I used to be a catechist at my local parish,” he explained. 

He taught Church History at Holy Spirit Parish down in Appleton for a few years. 

Reimer is currently filling in for Fr. Patrick, taking over his freshman and junior classes.

The thing that has impressed Reimer the most at NDA is receiving “next-level, extra-thoughtful responses from my students.” 

In his free time, Reimer enjoys many outdoor activities.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming archery season,” he said. 

Reimer is also a part of the fishing and hiking culture of Wisconsin. 

“I also have a pretty substantial garden at home, including peaches, which I brought for lunch today.”  

Then he added, “I also have a few saltwater fish if you count those as pets.” 

Reimer makes the journey all the way up from Appleton to teach every day. 

“It’s been okay so far. A few days there have been slowdowns, but I leave early enough now to miss them,” he explained.