I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BS in Accounting and worked at a Public Accounting firm before coming to South Christian in 2003. I love the busyness of working in the office, helping parents and students, and the variety of jobs that I get to perform. I am married to Jason, a South Christian graduate, and we have two children. Cameron attends Ferris State, majoring in nursing and playing football. Madison is a junior here at SCHS. Our family enjoys golfing together when we aren’t watching the kids play sports.
Rachel Westra
When I was younger and adults suggested teaching for a possible career, I strongly resisted the idea. Because both my parents were educators, I wanted to do something unique. However, while student teaching in college, I learned for myself why teaching is so rewarding. Since then, I’ve been challenged and fulfilled by this engaging profession that allows me to unite my passions for people and language arts. In 1997, I graduated from Calvin College with a B.A. in English and Communications. I received my M.A. in Theatre from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. For the first five years of my career, I taught at Kalamazoo Christian High School. At SCHS, I currently I teach AP English Lit., Comp 9, and World Literature. My husband Mark and I have two sons: Sam recently graduated from Wheaton College, and Eli goes to Calvin University. As a family, we enjoy camping, biking, and traveling. I’ve also been a book club member for the last fifteen years.
Susie Wesseldyke
I graduated from Calvin College with a Mathematics Major and Sociology Minor for secondary education and later returned for my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I have always loved school and felt God’s call for me to work inside of a school growing in me since I was a young adult. I remember my excitement when I was able to confidently say, “God made me to be a teacher.”
Outside of school I am kept busy having fun with my husband (Travis), our young daughters (Kate and Kiersten), and our black lab (Ruby). We frequently find ourselves scootering around our neighborhood, attempting home-improvement projects, cooking, and spending time with our small group from church.
Kent Walstra
I graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics with secondary education certification. After teaching one year of middle school math and science, I started teaching Physics and Physical Science at South Christian High School. I also have a Master’s degree in Educational Technology with an emphasis on teaching Physics. Outside of school, I enjoy running (including an occasional marathon) and spending time with my family. My wife, Vanessa, is a manager of collection development at Herrick Public Library in Holland Michigan. I have two adult children. My oldest is a Physical Therapist and my youngest is pursuing a career in Public Health.
Julie Versluys
I received my B.A. from Calvin College and my MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) at the School for International Training in Vermont. I began my teaching career in Montana where I taught Spanish, Bible, and history for six years. I then moved to the Dominican Republic to direct the English program at the Evangelical University in Santiago. From there, I did teaching internships in Vermont and New York City while completing my MAT. After teaching for a year in the Spanish department at Calvin College, I realized that my calling was, and is, to teach high school. I began teaching at SCHS in 2003 and have enjoyed each year. It is a privilege to spend time with my students and see how God is working in their lives. I am married to Fred Knapp and we have been blessed with a son, Jaden. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy traveling, gardening, photography and anything that has to do with being outside.
Roberta VanHaitsma
Teaching art to young people, to me, is a marvelous way to fill a day. Students enrich my life incredibly! How amazing is it that God placed me on this path in the late months of my sophomore year at Calvin College. There, an exceptional art professor instilled in us a love for creating with a spirit of grace and vigor. Because of the influence of this dynamic person, I graduated from Calvin College with a degree in Art Education in 1987. After teaching in Pennsylvania for three years, getting married, and moving back to Michigan, I was offered a position to teach at South Christian in 1991. In those early years, I earned my Master’s degree in Curriculum Studies, and since then I have taken various art classes including a handful at Ox-Bow, an extension of the Art Institute of Chicago. Every experience of learning has been an opportunity to grow in my knowledge of how to take the best care of my students. My dearest hope is to teach art in such a way that they can visualize how they have personally been endowed with God-given creativity. That creativity is a gift to cultivate, whether it is to make beautiful pieces of art or to solve problems in a complex world. May we bring glory to God in that endeavor!
Josh Klomp
I graduated from Unity Christian High School in 2010. After high school I worked for my family’s business for 2 years. I never would have thought that I would become a teacher, but after having my life changed by my shop teacher (Rich Hunefeld) throughout high school and the impact he had on me, I really felt that God called me to do the same thing for other students. I am currently enrolled at Western Michigan University in their Industrial & Technology program. I only have a few classes left until I am finished.
Rachel Kuipers
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education from Calvin College in 2003 and began teaching math at South Christian that fall. I later received my Master’s degree in Math education from Western Michigan University. I married Kyle in 2004 and we have been blessed with three children: Caleb, Joselyn and Kendall. We now spend most of our time away from work together as a family playing outdoors, reading books, and keeping up with the kids’ school activities and sports games and practices. I also enjoy running or biking for occasional moments of quiet, outdoor activity.
Jeff Meengs
I graduated from Calvin College with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Religion. After graduating from Calvin, I taught for five years in St. Louis, Missouri where I earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Maryville University. I have been teaching math courses and coaching basketball since moving back to Grand Rapids in 1999. I have been married to my wife Laura since 1995. Together we have three children – Jake, Sam, and Josie. We love hanging out together and being active/exercising, water-skiing, playing/watching sports. We also enjoy lots of reading.
Deb Postma
I graduated from Calvin College in 1991 with a Bachelors in Mathematics and a minor in Biology. I earned my Masters in Education from Grand Valley State University in 2000. I taught in Salt Lake City, Utah for three years before returning to West Michigan. My husband Arden is an engineer with the City of Grand Rapids. We have 2 adult kids who both graduated from SCHS. Jillian is married and is a NICU nurse and Isaac volunteers in the shop here at South. I enjoy running, biking, baking, and spending time with my family.
