Jenni Vanderson

I grew up in Grand Rapids and attended South Christian. I graduated from Grand Valley State University and worked as a Certified Recreational Therapist for nearly 10 years. Most of my experience as a Recreational Therapist was at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and Pine Rest. Almost 4 years ago, I decided to be a stay at home mom with my young boys. It has been very rewarding to be able to do this and I’ve valued this time. I have been married to my husband, Kevin, for 13 years and we have 2 boys. We are a very active family. We enjoy spending time outside, traveling, sports, and we are involved in our church. I look forward to using my previous work skills and experiences to support the students at South Christian.

Abby Wieringa

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a teacher (I have a book I wrote in second grade to prove it!). After graduating from SCHS in 2022, I attended Hope College where I was able to find amazing Christian community while getting involved with residential life, art club, and the Nykerk Cup Competition. After student teaching in Saugatuck, I graduated with certifications in Art and English Education. I look forward to returning to a small school community and the opportunities it presents. I have also spent four years working at Camp Geneva in various capacities. The time spent at camp taught me how important servant leadership is to impactful learning and relationship building, something I plan to bring into my teaching at South.

Betsy Veldman

I grew up in Byron Center and am excited to be teaching in my hometown. After graduating from Byron Center High School, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from Ferris State University. Before entering education, I served as the Head of Marketing for a large farm equipment dealership. During that time, I began teaching Sunday school at my church. It was through that experience that I felt God calling me into the classroom. I accepted a teaching position at South Olive Christian School while earning my teaching certification through Taylor University. My years in the corporate world gave me valuable experiences that I now have the privilege of bringing into the classroom each day.

Luke VanderZee

I grew up on the lakeshore, where I attended Holland Christian High School. At Calvin University, I found a love for asking questions, exploring new places, and teaching. I graduated from Calvin with my BA in Social Studies Education with a focus in History and Geography. Church communities are a foundational part of my walk with Jesus. I am grateful for a community like South Christian where I can share my love for people across time and places.

Emily Reidsma

From a young age, I have been passionate about helping others, which led me to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Spring Arbor University. After several years as a Special Education teacher, I felt the Lord calling me to serve others in a new way, so I returned to Spring Arbor to earn my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. This journey has given me the opportunity to serve both as a clinical therapist and as a school counselor, allowing me to support individuals in a variety of settings and stages of life. Through the experiences God has allowed me to walk through—both personally and professionally—I have witnessed His faithfulness, provision, grace, and healing. These experiences have strengthened my compassion for others and continue to shape my desire to walk alongside students with empathy, hope, and the confidence that God is at work in every person’s story.

Greg Madendorp

I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2015 with a major in Mathematics and Secondary Education, and a minor in Physics. I lived in Colorado until 2025, teaching all levels of high school math and coaching cross country/track.

John Kim

I graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Science and a minor in Biology Education. Having lived abroad and traveled all my life, including attending an international high school, I’ve grown to value meeting people from all different backgrounds and adapting to new environments. I completed my student teaching at Zeeland East High School, where I loved guiding students through hands-on, inquiry-based science and helping them discover their potential in the lab.

Rachel Jansen

I graduated from Hope College with a double major in Psychology and Business Management, with an emphasis in Human Resources and Marketing. I started my HR career in 2006 as a Human Resources Assistant for a building supplies distribution company. The majority of my HR career was spent in Human Resources and Payroll at Grand Rapids Community College. My most recent experience is working as a Compensation Analyst for Pine Rest Christian Mental Services. And for the last two years, I’ve also been involved in all the HR work for the business my husband and I own, Dutton Auto Body Shop.

Leanne Hendrikse

I grew up in Sarnia, Ontario, and came to Calvin for my BA in International Relations. After graduating, my husband, John, and I moved to Arizona, where I worked in Admissions and Marketing at The Orme School, an international boarding school. In 2014, we moved back to Grand Rapids when John began teaching History here at South Christian. For the past few years, I have been the Administrative Assistant and Marketing Lead at Legacy Christian School. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving and supporting this community through my work in athletics at South.

Morgan Haagsma

Growing up, I always felt drawn to the outdoors and found joy and peace in exploring God’s creation. That lifelong curiosity naturally led me to pursue biology, continuing a family tradition of attending Calvin College (now Calvin University), where I graduated in 2020 with a degree in Biology. Starting my teaching career during the height of COVID was challenging, but it gave me a deep appreciation for the relationships built in the classroom and the value of hands-on, inquiry-based learning. After spending time substitute teaching in the Grand Rapids area, my husband, Luke, and I moved to Florida while he attended graduate school and I began my teaching career. We are grateful to be back in West Michigan, closer to family, and excited to raise our children in a community that shares our Christian values.