One of my favorite things to do as a child was exploring God’s creation, whether it was in the woods behind our house or in the dunes near Lake Michigan. I graduated from Wheaton College with a BS in Biology and Secondary Education. I am forever grateful for my Wheaton experience and how it challenged me to grow deeper in my faith, and also led me to my husband, Matt! After graduating, I had the opportunity to teach in a variety of educational settings. I began my career teaching in Illinois and Florida, where I taught primarily middle school science in the public schools. I then took a break to stay at home with our growing family, and had the privilege of homeschooling my own four children for four years. I am thrilled to be at SCHS teaching science where I can pour into the students and share my love for God’s creation with them.

After graduating from Calvin College in 2003, I taught chemistry in Florida for 13 years to many different levels of students. I then moved to China where I lived for nine years. There, I met and married my wife, who is Chinese, and we now have two lovely sons together. In China I instructed students primarily in colleges and universities. Some of the courses I taught were IELTS English to science majors and education theory to education majors. During my last year in China, I also taught at an international school where I instructed middle school students in world history and high school students in chemistry. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family and being outdoors in God’s wonderful creation.

The more I know God, the more my passion for art and people grows. After graduating from Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at U of M, God led me to South Christian. I love working with high school students because of their curiosity and ability to push their skills to new levels. I’ve taught classes for youth and adults, and spend much of my time making work to exhibit and sell. Beyond the studio, my hobbies include trail running and pickleball, which I claim to be mediocre at both. Adventure is in my blood and I’ve been tempted by road trips across the country, backpacking the Alps, living in Alaska for a summer, and other wild things. You might find me dancing in the hallway or wearing lots of patterns and it’s because living is a joy.

I was born and raised in West Michigan and I attended Plainwell High School where I spent most of my senior year in woodshop class. This is when my passion for the craft of woodworking started. Since graduation from high school, I have spent my lifetime learning different trades: construction, concrete finishing, Ready-mix driver, and handyman. For the last 26 years, I have been working for the City of Otsego’s Department of Public Works. I have always desired to share my gift in woodworking with others; God has recently laid it on my heart to teach trades to high school students in an environment with a firm foundation in the Christian faith. I look forward to working with South Christian High School and am very excited to use my gifts and talents for God’s children and inspiring them to further His kingdom.

My wife Jill and I have been married for 34 years and have been blessed with five children (three girls and two boys). We were blessed to be able to put our children through Christian schooling and are passionate about the impact Christian role models and friends can have on young adults.

In my free time, I enjoy working in my barn where I have built my own woodshop. I always keep busy with miscellaneous projects whether it be around my home or elsewhere, but one of my most fun projects was restoring a Ford Model A.

I graduated from Michigan State University with my degree in Biological Sciences and Secondary Education, and a minor in Chemistry Education. I completed my student teaching internship at Innovation Central High School and Grand Rapids University Preparatory High School. Outside of work, I enjoy running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.