MRS. MICHELLE CAROTHERS, PRINCIPAL

Michelle Carothers joined Salem in 2022 as an administrative consultant, after serving 10 years as a Lutheran schools’ principal. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from California Lutheran University, and taught middle school mathematics, prior to becoming an administrator. In discernment with Mrs. Pamela Perry and Pastor Amie Odahl, Mrs. Carothers accepted the call to continue serving Salem’s school ministry as Co-Principal in 2024, and Lead Principal in 2026. She is the mother of two exceptional adult children and two rescued Great Pyrenees. Mrs. Carothers joins in the mission of Salem, where we believe there is no person or created thing that is outside the active love and grace of God, which is so wonderfully made known to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Pamela Perry, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Perry was born into the Salem congregation and is a lifetime member of Salem Lutheran Church. She began her career at Salem Lutheran School in 1963 when she entered first grade in the very classroom she teaches in now. A calling to teach God’s children led Mrs. Perry to major in Child Development at Cal State Northridge. While in college she worked at Salem as a classroom aid, and day care worker, and then as the Day Care Director. She also taught Spanish, and Remedial Reading, at Salem before joining the full-time teaching staff in 1998. For the past twenty-seven years Mrs. Perry has been enjoying teaching the first graders at Salem. In 2017 she stepped into the role of Teaching-Principal, and continued to lead Salem in its mission for seven years. After several years of serving together as co-principals, Mrs. Perry is now serving in the role of Associate Principal and first grade teacher. 

REV. AMIE BARSCH ODAHL, LEAD PASTOR

Pastor Amie Barsch Odahl has served as the Lead Pastor at Salem since 2019. She leads weekly school chapel, has taught Middle School Faith Formation, and regularly interacts with all classrooms. Being an active part of the school is a highlight of her call at Salem!

Pastor Amie grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from Luther College, Decorah, IA with a BA in Political Science and Spanish. Pastor Amie received her Master’s of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. She has served congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She is married to Scott, and together they have three children.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, knitting, playing with her dogs, exercising, and spending time with her family. She is an avid sports fan – her favorite teams include: the Twins, Dodgers, Packers & Badgers!

REV. ELIZABETH “LIBBY” DENTON, ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Pastor Libby Denton has served as the Associate Pastor at Salem since 2024. She teaches Middle School Faith Formation and loves getting to see all the students in the classroom and on the playground.

Pastor Libby grew up in Glendale, and graduated from California Lutheran University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Youth Ministry. She attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary where she led the Green Seminary program and received her Masters of Divinity.

She is passionate about helping young people understand their relationship to God and God’s Creation. When she isn’t working or spending time with her husband, Tom, and daughter, Eloise, she enjoys reading and playing video games.