Growing up I attended a South Suburban Christian school and graduated from South Christian. From there I went to Hope College for a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and then to Grand Valley State University for my Master of Social Work degree. I spent much of my career in medical social work and have also provided outpatient therapy. It was a fun twist when God led me back to the South Christian community to provide social work services here. What a blessing to walk with students and families here at South!
Joel VandeKopple
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.
Ashley Hansen
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 husband Geoffrey Hansen.
Danielle VanderTill
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.
Annika Bosma
Though I grew up and went to high school in Seattle, Washington, I’ve always had my fair share of Michigan roots. They drew me back for four years of study in Calvin University’s Education program, and to a wonderful Dutch boy from Hudsonville. My husband and I now live in Wyoming with our cat. I’ve worked and volunteered with students over the better part of my life, experiencing classrooms with students aged four months to 18 years. When I’m at home I love to bake and quilt and try out new crafts. However, when it comes to history I’ve always enjoyed learning more about the world and its story. I believe that the study of history teaches vital critical thinking and reasoning skills. Moreover, it puts students in the shoes of millions of others, offering constant growth opportunities.
Julia Hoekwater
I grew up in a home where both my parents were teachers. I was inspired by them both and after I graduated from SCHS (‘04), I attended Calvin College where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, with a Major in English. I worked in an intervention classroom in the Caledonia School District for 8 years. Working at South Christian has been an absolute joy and an answer to prayers. My husband Abe and I have been married since 2009, and we have three daughters, Addison, Gemma, and Vivian. As a family, we love being outside together, camping, swimming, and hiking. I love to read, and will happily add any book recommendations to my ever-growing list.
Rachel Mefor
I completed a Spanish major from La ULACIT in San José, Costa Rica and then received a B.A. in Spanish, English, and Bilingual Education from Calvin College. Shortly after Calvin, I received an M.A. in International Development with a focus on Education for Women and Girls from Eastern University in Philadelphia. I have had the opportunity to teach in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, and various Spanish-English bilingual schools within the United States. My husband and I have three children. As a family we enjoy traveling, hiking, kayaking, reading, trying new foods, and learning languages.
Heather Escobar
I graduated from Cornerstone University with a Degree in Learning Disabilities, Physical Education, and Elementary Education. I received my Masters in Cognitive Impairments from Grand Valley State University. Prior to coming to South Christian, I was an Inclusion Specialist for students with special needs for five years. I have experience working with students with special needs from newborns to adults. I am recently married to my husband Daniel. In our free time, we enjoy being physically active playing different sports, cooking, and enjoying theater and musicals.
Ryan Kerstetter
After graduating from Hope College I was hired by Belding High School to teach social studies. I spent 14 years in Belding before making the transition to South Christian High School. As a graduate of South Christian (’99), I am truly excited to get back into this community. I am married to Lindsey and we have three amazing children. Lucy, James, and Charlie will be tagging along to many extracurricular events in the coming years! In my spare time, I enjoy DIY projects around my home, reading, fishing, and watching Tigers baseball.
Susann Shultz
My love for languages and cultures began back when I was a student here at South Christian and continued as I studied at Calvin College, where I majored in Spanish K-12 secondary education and minored in bilingual education. I had the opportunity to travel and live in both Spain and Mexico while in college, and enjoy incorporating what I learned from those cultures into my teaching. My teaching career began at Traverse City Christian School, where I taught all four levels of Spanish for one year. From 2004-2018, I taught at Calvin Christian High School in Grandville. I received my Masters of Education from Grand Valley State University in 2010.
My husband, Rob, and I live in Wyoming with our two children, Tyler and Noah. Besides speaking Spanish and learning about other cultures, some of my other hobbies include reading, cooking, cycling, and traveling (in fact, I’ve taken trips with students to both Spain and Peru!) Our family attends South Harbor Church in Byron Center. One of my favorite passages from the Bible is Psalm 19:14; “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”