After attempting to avoid going into education at the beginning of my college career, God nudged me into Social Studies education during my freshman year at Michigan State University. In the midst of some of the most chaotic years in recent history, I was able to graduate, student teach and find my first job. I graduated from MSU’s James Madison College with a degree in Comparative Cultures and Politics and a Secondary Education certification, then student-taught Government and US history for a year at Holland Public High school. I then taught a life-giving year of 6/7 Reading, Writing, and Social Studies at The Potter’s House in Grand Rapids. The idea of coming back to teach Government and Social Studies at South started to form when God first pushed me toward education, and I am excited and surprised to be able to fulfill that dream so early in my teaching career. 

I’ve spent the last six summers working in various positions at Camp Roger in Rockford, getting to encounter and celebrate God’s love for his children through relationships and experiences in creation. I deeply enjoy being outdoors, experiencing the refreshing and restorative joy of creation. I love to read, embroider, play volleyball, run, and occasionally get lost in the Star Wars Galaxy or the MCU (depending on which is next up on the release schedule).

Staff Favorites

I went to Central Michigan where I played basketball and then graduated in 2001 with a B.S. in Business Administration with a Computer Science emphasis. I worked in agriculture for 15 years and then the printing and promotions industry for three. At each place that I’ve worked, technology has always been a hat that I’ve worn. I’ve been coaching basketball at South since 2011 and really love the people and community support here. My wife Carmen and I are both SC alums (1996). We were high school sweethearts and married in 1998. She works at Moline Christian and we have three awesome kids – Luke, Maria and Isaac. We enjoy spending time with our extended family and friends while going to sporting events and the beach.

Staff Favorites

I grew up in Cutlerville and attended Legacy Christian School (although back then it was Cutlerville Christian). I graduated from South Christian in 1996 and from Hope College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2000. I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. For much of my career, I worked in medical social work at Spectrum Health and also have experience in providing outpatient therapy. I am excited to be back at South Christian and to provide social work services to students here. My husband, Mark, and I have three children- Jenna, Levi, and Mitchell. We live in the Byron Center area and attend Woodhaven Reformed Church.

Staff Favorites

After graduating from Calvin College with a bachelors in History, I taught in Escondido, CA, for two years and then returned to Grand Rapids to teach at South Christian in 2003. I currently serve as Dean of Students and teach 3 sections of Economics.  I also coach Boys’ Varsity Golf because I participated in high school sports as a young man and had such a wonderful experience. I want that experience for all high school athletes. I look forward to many more years of teaching and coaching. My wife and I reside on the southeast side of Grand Rapids and we are doing our best to raise our three children: Aleigha, Anneka, and Kate. With little kids I don’t have much free time, but I do love to camp, play golf, and play more golf if possible.

Staff Favorites

I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. My mom told me that already at 3 years old I was setting up school for my dolls. I chose high school because I liked the higher level thinking ability and tremendous potential of high school students; plus, I just love teenagers. I graduated from Calvin College in 1991 with my B.A.; I received my M.A.T. from Calvin in 1998. I married Scott Wierenga in 1990; our kids are all married and “adulting” quite successfully. Our daughter and her family are here in town; our son and daughter-in-law live in Philadelphia, and our Hong Kong son Eddie, who started as an international student at SC as a junior and has hung around ever since, and his wife live in New Jersey.   In our empty nester life, my husband and I enjoy traveling, camping, reading, and hanging out at our place in Saugatuck. Little known facts: my worst job ever was salting deer hides during my parents’ deer processing business in the fall, which paid for our Christian school tuition; I minored in Latin and am certified to teach it (although it’s been 30+ years since I’ve read any); I collect nutcrackers, and I have way more of them than anyone should have; my favorite book of all times is To Kill a Mockingbird; my favorite movie of all times is The Sound of Music.

Staff Favorites

Nurturing has always been a gift I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. As an oldest child I was often found caring for anything resembling a baby including puppies, kittens, baby birds, rabbits, or guinea pigs. Education was a natural career path for me to follow. I have a B.A. in K-9 education from Calvin University and a M.A. in Reading from Western Michigan University. I’ve taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades and substituted for K-12 for many years. My husband Todd and I have 5 adult children, 4 married and 3 grandchildren. All of our kids as well as myself are South Christian and Calvin University alumni. When I’m not working you can find me teaching piano lessons, assisting with costumes for South Christian’s drama department, playing the keyboard for Brookside CRC’s praise team, creating worship banners, camping, traveling or prepping big family Sunday dinners. One of the blessings of my job as Study Hall Paraprofessional is seeing kids that I taught as littles all grown up into lovely high schoolers!

Staff Favorites

I graduated from Calvin College in 2017 with my BA in Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis. I spent the next two years in Orange City, Iowa at Unity Christian High School where I directed four choirs and one orchestra. After two years, I moved back to Michigan and worked in an Accounts Payable position while looking for teaching jobs in the area. A Byron Center Christian and South Christian alumni, I am excited to be working back at my alma mater and creating choral experiences with my students that I enjoyed during my time in school. I love choral music and singing, and you will often find me at the Calvin College Alumni Choir in rehearsals or helping to lead worship at my church. In my free time, I love to wake surf with my family, spend time with friends, and go to concerts with my fiancé. I am so grateful that my job allows me to join students in worship of our Creator and look forward to sharing music and faith with my choirs.

I graduated from Calvin College in 2006 with a BA in K-12 Physical Education and a minor in Psychology Education. For the last 15 years, I have been a PE teacher and varsity soccer coach at Lansing Christian School in Lansing, MI. I recently earned my Master’s Degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University: Irvine. Athletics have always been a huge passion of mine as I believe they build strong Christian character and teach us to persevere when things get tough. My mother taught at South Christian for over 20 years before her retirement, and my dad was a professor at Calvin College before he passed away. I have two brothers and four amazing nephews and nieces. I enjoy watching soccer, playing golf, and fishing with my brothers.

Staff Favorites

I knew I wanted to be an orchestra teacher since 7th grade, because of the influence of my alma master’s incredible orchestra director. Though I was brought up in the public schools, through God’s hand I found my way to Christian education, and I began the orchestra program at Byron Center Christian School in 2019. I have been privileged to also serve SCHS and Dutton Christian School since 2021. When not in the classroom, I’m a freelance violinist and violist, performing and helping administratively with Hark Up Music, playing wedding ceremonies and church services, performing in pit orchestras in the community theatre scene, and fiddling in my new Irish band called Firish. Outside of orchestral things, I can also be found serving backstage in the theatre, hiking or kayaking, practicing the accordion, and spending time with my equally musical fiancé Geoffrey Hansen.

Staff Favorites

I graduated from Cornerstone University and Kuyper College in 2013 with a double major, Mathematics from Cornerstone and Bible & Theology from Kuyper. After graduation, I took a position at The Potter’s House High School where I taught math for four years. I then got married to my husband, Desmond, and moved to northwest Indiana where I taught math at a public high school alongside coaching varsity girls tennis for two years. I am overjoyed to now be back in my hometown of Middleville and teaching at SCHS. My husband and I attend First Baptist Church in Middleville. We have two daughters, and of course I can’t leave out our attention-loving dog, Gus.

Staff Favorites