Storyline: Praise Skillfully, Serve Confidently

Deep Hope: That all students become competent, literate, and well-rounded musicians in order to praise God skillfully and serve confidently in His kingdom.

Aaron Fitzgerald currently serves as the middle school and high school vocal music director and high school Worship Team supervisor. This is Aaron’s twelfth year of teaching vocal music; having directed mixed choirs, uni-gender choirs, show choirs, jazz choirs, musicals, speech events, as well as teaching courses in Music Appreciation, Theatre, and Music Theory. When he is not teaching, Mr. Fitzgerald loves spending time with his wife Christa and two sons, Thorin and Daxton. He enjoys watching the Discovery channel, playing tennis, being outdoors, and watching college football.

Storyline: Engage, Persevere, Create

Deep Hope: My deep hope for you, my Brilliant students, is that you will each
|Boldly step into the complexity, order, and beauty of math that reflects our perfect Creator. [Ps 19:1-2, Rom 1:20]
|Persevere through trials and believe you can do difficult things. [Phil 4:13]
|Help others to see God’s design and creative genius displayed in math and in your story.[2 Cor 5:20]

Abbie Smith teaches Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 at Pella Christian High School. She graduated from Dordt University and was hired at PC as her first teaching job in 2020. She lives in Pella and has been married to her husband, Levi, since January 2020. In her free time, Abbie enjoys teaching swing dancing with her husband.

Storyline: Love covers

My Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will be covered in the peace and love of Christ and cover others in that same love.

Allison Ter Louw serves as the lead four year old preschool teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Allison’s first year at Pella Christian, and her 9th year in education. She has previously taught Pre-K, first grade, and K-3 STEM. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, laughing with friends, and enjoying great food!

Storyline: Bendecidos para ser de bendicion. (Blessed to be a blessing)

Deep Hope: Mi anhelo profundo es que mis alumnos y yo podamos desarrollemos y utilicemos los dones y talentos que Dios nos dio paara servir a otros. (My deep hope is that students can use their gifts and talents that God gives us to serve others.)

Alma Mendez serves as Spanish Immersion 5th grade teacher. She has been a teacher for about 20 years. She is from Mexico.

Storyline: Brave-Kind-Love

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will be… brave as we meet challenges, kind as we recognize brokenness, and love audaciously like Jesus, as we seek to understand God, others and the world around us.

Amanda Johnston is the Middle School Learning Support Teacher at PCGS. This is her 23rd year of teaching. Previously, Amanda has served as a middle school language arts teacher, Pre-K teacher, and as a learning specialist with students ranging from 2nd through 12th grades. Amanda and her husband Dan are the parents/step-parents to 8 adult children ages 18-28, 1 daughter-in-law, and grandparents to 2 little ones! Spending time with those people is what they enjoy the most. Outside of school, Amanda enjoys movies, traveling, cooking, puzzles, and home improvement projects.

Storyline: Seen, Know and Loved = Significant, Accepted and Loved

My Deep Hope: My deep hope is that each child is seen and known. That they are shown God’s love, acceptance and mercy so that they too may walk in the way of the Lord forever! (…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;-Colossians 1:10)

Amy Roorda is serving her 2nd year as a one-on-one aide for Pella Christian Grade School. She has enjoyed being able to stay home with her children for 15 years, while also being active in church with children’s ministry. Amy enjoys time in her flower gardens, loving on her children Greta (15) Titus (10) and Isaac (6) and learning how to better show grace and reflect God’s light.

Storyline: Aprendiendo a ser Luz (Learning to be a light)

Deep Hope: Que aprendamos, valoremos y seamos luz en todas las culturas. (That we learn about, value and be a light in all cultures.)

Ana Martinez serves as a third grade Spanish Immersion teacher. She is in her 21st year of teaching – having worked in Paraguay and The US. She has two kids: Maximiliano (9) and Anna Victoria (5). Out of the school she enjoys cooking, watching movies and being surrounded by family and friends.

Storyline: Ver, reconocer y ser fiel al regalo. (See, recognize, and be faithful to the gift.)

Deep Hope: Mi anhelo profundo es que los alumnos vean el milagro de Dios a travez del aprendizaje de idiomas y que lo reconozcan como un regalo divino a lo cual deben ser fieles. (That students see the miracle of God through the learning of the languages ​​and recognize it as a divine gift to which they have to be faithful.)

Andriz Melenciano serves as Spanish Immersion Middle School teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Andriz’s thirteenth year in education and prior to her current role, she served as a teacher in the Dominican Republic in classrooms ranging from Kinder through middle school, as well as teacher for adults. She is married to Isaias Del Jesus and has three beautiful girls, Adrielix (12 years old), Isandriz (4 years old) and her miracle baby, Faith (1 year old) .

Ann Forrester is a teaching assistant with Creation Station’s Three School. This is Ann’s 15th year teaching preschoolers. Ann loves playing pickle ball, reading, spending time with her family, and playing board games.

Storyline: Learning to imitate Jesus!

Deep Hope: We will live abundantly in God’s grace, learning to imitate Jesus in all we think, say, and do.

Anna Dykstra serves as a 2nd grade teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her thirteenth year in 2nd grade at PCGS. While she was raising her four children, she worked as a substitute teacher. She enjoys walking, reading, biking, spending time with family, and volunteer activities. She and her husband, Mike, enjoy visiting their kids and grandkids in Minnesota and Colorado.

Storyline: Catch a Glimpse

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we catch a glimpse of how intricate and beautiful God's creation is, and that we discover how to use math to serve God in His world.

Ashli Van Donselaar serves as the 7th and 8th Middle School Math Teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. She began teaching at Pella Christian Grade School in 2019. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on long walks, trying new foods, and playing games.

Storyline: Reverse the curse

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will know God as the good creator and recognize the order, beauty, and chaos in creation and join Christ in creating shalom.

Audra Faber serves as the Life Science Teacher at Pella Christian High School. She began her teaching career in 1989 and at PCHS in 1999. She is passionate about pointing students to God using examples from the natural world. Audra enjoys going for nature walks, gardening, and spending time with her children Sydney and Sarah, son-in-law Troy and grandson, Mason.

Storyline: No Chains

Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is that we will be free to explore, share, and glorify God to the best of our abilities. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Austin King serves as a middle school Math and Science teacher at PCGS. He previously taught in Minnesota for a number of years having earned his M.Ed. and undergraduate degrees from Northwestern College. In his free time, he enjoys reading to his kids, playing strategic board games, anything C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien, disc golf, and photography. He and his wife, Hannah, have two children: Lauren and Leo.

Storyline: Reflect Christ/ Reflejar a Cristo

Deep Hope: Recognize and reflect God’s nature and the fact that he created us in his likeness.

Belkys Gil serves as a Spanish Immersion as Teacher of Bilingualism Workplace and Life Skills at Pella Christian High School and also supports teaching Kindergarten at Pella Christian Grade School. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s in Educational Management. She lives in Pella and has been married to her husband, Damaso Urena, since January 2016. Before her current role, she served as a teacher on several subjects from third to twelfth grade.

Storyline: Seen, Known and Loved

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that the people with Pella Christian are seen, known and loved, thus free to flourish in their identity as beautiful, gifted and purposed children of the King living out their diverse roles in God’s Story.

Ben Dirksen serves as the PK-8 Principal at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Ben’s third year at Pella Christian Grade School after spending 12 years teaching and coaching at Denver Christian School in Denver, Colorado. Ben is passionate about people and seeing them live out of their identities as beautiful, gifted, and purposed children of the King.

This is Bobbette’s first year working at Pella Christian in the Food Service Department.

Storyline: Made To Worship

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that students would use their God-given musical abilities to serve the Lord, fellowship with one another, and worship God through music for a lifetime!

Bradley Westervelt serves as the 5th-12th Grade Band Director at Pella Christian Schools. This is Bradley’s first year in this position after completing his undergraduate music education degree at the State University of New York at Fredonia. When not teaching, he enjoys playing pickleball and ping-pong, watching movies and tv shows, and spending time with his lovely wife, Hannah!

Storyline: Rooted in God

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that God will make a home in my students’ hearts and that they grow and become deeply rooted in who they are as they share God’s love with others. Ephesians 3:17-18

Brenda is in her 30th year of teaching and is currently the lead 5s teacher, On Site Supervisor for Early Education, and Director of Extended Care. Prior to her current role she taught Kindergarten Prep at Yellow Iron Academy. Outside of school she enjoys traveling with her family, spending time with friends, and having plenty of books to read.

Brian serves as a substitute teacher and bus driver at PCGS.

Storyline: Discover, Grow, Share

Deep Hope: As we discover who God is, we can grow in our love for Him, and share His love with others through prayer, worship, and service.

Brittany Bowers is a first grade teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Brittany’s first year at PCGS. She has taught 4th grade, 2nd grade, and served as a literacy specialist for K-2. She enjoys cooking, baking, exercising, reading, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Storyline: Construyendo nuestra armadura/ Building our armor.

Deep Hope: My anhelo profundo es que mis estudiantes identifiquen sus habilidades y desarollen sus personalidades para convertise en soldados de Dios. / My deep hope is that my students identify their skills and develop their personalities to become a God’s soldier.

Maestra Galdamez serves as 1st Grade Spanish immersion teacher. Maestra Galdamez is from Chiapas, Mexico and holds a BA from Unoversidad Autonoma de Chiapas. She has taught English as a second language in middle school, as well as teaching Kindergarten in a bilingual school. She enjoys traveling, music and coffee.

Storyline: Love God. Love Others

Deep Hope: Love GOD and others as we learn to serve Him in all we do. Matthew 22:38-40

Carrie Veenstra teaches kindergarten. Carrie served at Pella Christian for 6 years after graduating from Dordt University, then stayed home with her two girls and got back into the classroom when they were both students at PCGS. She loves to be outside, play games, read and spend time with her grandchildren!

Chris Fynaardt serves as the Transportation Director at Pella Christian Schools. This is his sixth year in the position, having previously worked as the Maintenance Manager at a trucking company for 16 years. He also serves as the head baseball coach at P.C.H.S., enjoys watching the K.C. Royals and Chiefs and spending time with his wife, Angelisa, and their two sons, Drew (19) and Luke (17).

Storyline: Go Discover More

Deep Hope: We are a community of scientists desiring to go out and discover more about the Kingdom of God by asking questions, investigating problems, and creating solutions in hopes of bringing shalom to our chaos.

Courtney Huebner is in her 12th year of teaching and is currently serving as the 7th grade science and STEM Design and Modeling teacher and middle school lead teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. Prior to her current role she taught 7th and 8th grade science at Berg Middle School in Newton, Iowa. Outside of school she enjoys being at home with her son Henry (3) and daughter (August 2023) as well enjoys running, biking, being outdoors, coaching, and spending time with friends and family.

Storyline: Deeper

Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is that people will be more fully formed to embody God’s collective and individual call for their lives.

Craig Juffer serves as the Director of Learning for Pella Christian Schools. Prior to his current role he served as the Head of Teaching and Learning at Pella Christian Grade School, as a teacher in classrooms ranging from second grade through middle school for fifteen years and as a principal for four years. Outside of his schoolwork, Craig enjoys spending time attending his three children’s music, sports, and other activities with his wife, Amy.

Storyline: Growing Together, Serving Others

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we are rooted in God’s infallible Word, grow strong in our relationships with others and branch out boldly in the world around us.

Crystal Schreur serves as a fifth grade teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her 18th year at PCGS and her 20th year in education, previously serving as a preschool teacher in Sioux Falls, SD, a second grade teacher and a Kindergarten teacher at PCGS. Crystal enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with her husband, Dan, and their two boys, Rob (16) and Luke (13).

Storyline: Take Flight!

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that students become transformative servants by living God’s story through the discipline of athletics

Dan Branderhorst is the Activities Director at Pella Christian Schools. He has worked in education since 2011 and has served as the AD since 2016. He and his wife, Amy, have been married since 2003 and have two children, Deacon and Lexi. Dan enjoys coaching basketball at PC. He also enjoys golf, pickleball, and the Iowa State Cyclones.

Storyline: Seeing God’s story in History

My Deep Hope: I hope my students will desire to have their story be part of God’s Story

I am a graduate of PCGS & PCHS. I returned to teach at PC in 2002 and have enjoyed over 20 years of working at PCHS. I am husband to Tricia and we have 4 children. I enjoy working with young people and watching them grow and mature in their relationship with God. I am passionate about pursing the mission of PCHS to educate and nurture students for service in God’s Kingdom

Storyline: Serving Where Called

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that Pella Christian Schools would be known as a place of excellence, love, and Godliness, and that students would leave each day equipped to serve their Heavenly Father wherever He calls them.

Dan Zylstra serves as the Head of Schools at Pella Christian Schools. He holds a degree in Music Education from Dordt University and graduate degrees Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois, and Indiana University. He serves as a board member for the Iowa Association of Christian Schools.

Prior to moving to Pella in 2022, he served as a music teacher, principal, and superintendent in Northwest Indiana. He lives in Pella with his wife, Lisa, and their four children. They attend Cornerstone Church and are actively involved in area music ministry.

Storyline: See you how God sees you

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will know we are loved and created in God’s image, see ourselves as part of God’s wonderful creation, and try to see others through God’s eyes.

Dana Sims serves as a special education teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. While teaching she also completed K-12 Instructional Strategist II:ID endorsement and likes taking classes to keep gaining knowledge and ideas. She enjoys fishing, camping, gardening, biking, reading and spending time with her husband and three kids, Will, Riley, and Kasey .

Darcy Ehlers serves as an Educational Aide. This is Darcy’s first year in her role at PCGS. She enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and their twin daughters: Hannah and Abigail.

Dennis Roozeboom is a bus driver for Pella Christian Schools. This is his fourteenth year in that role and, prior to that, he worked in farming, as custodian at Pella Christian Grade School and also worked at Vermeer. He and his wife Tena enjoy spending time with their four children, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Deep Hope: My deep hope, as a staff member in the food service program, is that the Pella Christian family will be fed both physical and spiritual nourishment and as willing servants we will strive to display God’s love as we live out His story in our lives through our actions of gratitude and service to Him.

Donna De Vries is in her fourth year as a Point-of-Sale person working part-time in the Pella Christian Grade School cafeteria. She and her husband Harlan have been blessed with five children; Brian (& Jean), Mark (& Sandi), Lisa (& Dan), Krista (& Eric), Derek (& Kate) and 17 grandchildren. Donna enjoys baking and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Storyline: Steal Our Show

Deep Hope: As we listen to our Good Shepherd’s voice, we will redeem our thinking, speaking, reading, and writing for Jesus Christ. We will surrender the spotlight, and purposefully play the supporting roles we’ve been given in God’s epic Story.

Elizabeth Bos serves as a seventh and eighth grade language arts teacher and middle school theatre troupe director at Pella Christian Middle School. This is her twenty-sixth year in education, and her twelfth at Pella Christian. Prior to her current position, she served in various Christian schools in Michigan, earning a Master’s degree in curricular design from Calvin University. Beyond her calling as a teacher and director, Elizabeth enjoys writing poetry and plays, and spending time with her children.

Storyline: Learn, Love, Live God’s Story

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we are devoted to learn God’s story, joyfully love God and others, and together live out His story.

Elly Van Zee has served as a third grader teacher over 30 years at PCGS. Prior to her current role, she taught in classrooms ranging from kindergarten to third grade for 4 years at Newton Christian School. Elly and her husband, Doug, enjoy spending family time with their son and his wife, daughters and their husbands, and 5 grandchildren. Elly enjoys serving in her church, reading, gardening, traveling, camping, and fishing.

Storyline: Cultivando la tierra. (Cultivating the Land.)

My Deep Hope: Mi anhelo profundo es ayudarte a descubrir y cultivar tus hermosos dones, para que podamos ser testigos de las maravillas de Dios en tu vida. (My deep hope is to help you discover and cultivate your beautiful gifts, so that we can witness the wonders of God’s work in your life.)

Esmirna Rodriguez serves as 4th grade teacher in the Spanish Inmersion program. Before working at Pella Christian she was a teacher in her home country, Dominican Republic, where she taught for 15 years grades from Pre- K to High School, College and at a Sport’s complex. In her free time she loves to spend family time and visit new places.

This is Francine’s first year working at Pella Christian in the Food Service Department.

Frank Vanden Bosch has been the Technology Coordinator at PCHS since February 2012. He and his wife, Mindi, have three children, Madeline, William and Sophia, and have lived in Pella since 2008. When he’s not running updates, he’s praying for more snow and trying to get his Jeep dirty. And, despite bad information spread by his friends, his internet connection at home is excellent.

Garth Godwin is in his third year as a bus driver at Pella Christian Schools. Garth was previously a business owner of a Manufacturers Representative Firm for 28 years. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and visiting as many National Parks as possible.

Deep Hope: For me and my students – that we live the love of God, see ourselves as his disciples and serve others.

Giandra Gutierrez serves as the Second grade Spanish Inmersion teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her second second year teaching at PCGS and 8th year as a teacher. Giandra enjoys spending time with her husband and family mostly, reading and getting to know new places.

Grace is a teaching assistant with Creation Station’s Three School. This is Grace’s first year teaching preschoolers. She has enjoyed living in Pella for the last 16 years. Grace loves spending time with her 4 kids and husband Jesse riding horses, camping, hiking and enjoying Gods great creation of nature.

Storyline: He Holds All Things Together

My deep hope is that students will recognize the order and beauty of God’s Creation and use their knowledge to bring shalom to this world.

Greg Beekhuizen serves as the Physics and Chemistry teacher at PCHS. He is also the Winterim class coordinator. This is his 11th year at PCHS and his 26th year of teaching. He and his wife Katie have 5 children, Graham, Aliza, Amelia, Callan, and Griffin. They enjoy attending sporting events and traveling.

Hillary Storm serves as an assistant teacher for four-year-old preschool at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her first year teaching preschoolers and previously served as a nurse in a variety of settings. Hillary enjoys going on adventures with her husband Joel and their three kids.

Storyline: Serving Others

My Deep Hope: To empower and encourage students to find their passion in Agriculture and their calling to serve in a global Christian World.

Jacob Baker serves as the high school Agriculture teacher/FFA Advisor at PCHS. He graduated Iowa State University in Animal Science and Agriculture Education. In his free time he likes to run, and attend livestock shows.

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that people belong.

JD Boer is entering his fourth year at Pella Christian High School. Along with serving as the Study Skills teacher, he is also the Head Boys Basketball Coach. Prior to Pella Christian, he had stops at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, AZ, and Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA, serving in teaching and coaching roles. JD and his wife, Erica, have three kids – AJ, Nazareth, and Izaiah.

Jeanetta Nieuwsma serves as the Guidance Counselor at Pella Christian Grade School. Prior to her current role, she was a full time therapist at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Pella working with children, adolescents and families. Jeanetta enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and four children.

Storyline: Explore God’s Creation

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we develop a love of creation in all its goodness, intricate workings and beauty, are transformed by the renewing of our minds, and anchor everything we do in the word of God.

Joanna Settles serves as the teacher for 8th grade science, LEGO League and Automation and Robotics. She is in her fifth year at Pella Christian Grade School, and earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Iowa. Joanna and her husband, Jess, have three daughters and enjoy traveling.

Storyline: I am God’s Masterpiece

Deep Hope: Together, we will see ourselves as God’s masterpiece, designed to love God and love others.

Jodi De Reus serves as the 3-5 Learning Resource Teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Jodi’s third year at PCGS having taught previously with PCM Schools. Jodi enjoys spending time with her family, reading a good book, and having lunch with friends. Jodi is married to her husband, Kevin and have raised 5 children and are now enjoying the grandparent stage.

Jodi Vander Hart is the Administrative Assistant. She has served with six administrators during her eighteen years at Pella Christian Grade School. Jodi and her husband, Randy have three children who have graduated from PCGS.

Storyline: Bridge the Gap

My deep hope is that we pursue the heart of God for the nations through building our Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge.

Joni Van Der Pol teaches Spanish 1, English As A Second Language and the academic support study hall for international students. She also is the Yearbook Advisor. She has served in education since 1988 and is in her 12th year at PCHS. Her passion is to nurture students while connecting with them through the classroom, student travel abroad trips and extracurricular activities. When not working, Joni enjoys quality time with family, travel, antiques, thrifting, reading, flowers and her role as a pastor’s wife. She and her family have hosted three international daughters from Brazil, Japan and China.

Storyline: Uncover God’s Story

My Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we would uncover God’s story throughout history so that we can identify his authority and plan for our lives.

Jordan Van Maanen serves as the 6th and 7th grade Language Arts and History teacher. Prior to this she taught 4th grade at Van Allen Elementary in Chariton, Iowa. Outside of school Jordan enjoys spending time with her family, being outside, and reading.

Story Line:
SI Reading Support: Dios esta en control (God is in control)
SI Preschool: Imagina y crea / Imagine & Create

Deep Hope:
SI Reading Support: Mi anhelo profundo es que los estudiantes confíen en que Dios esta en control de sus vidas y aprendizaje porque ellos forman parte esencial de la Hostoria de Dios. / My deep hope is for students to trust that God is in control of their lives and learning because they are an essential part of God’s story.
SI Preschool: Mi anhelo Profundo es que los estudiantes usen su imaginación para reflejar la Creación de Dios / My deep hope is that students will use their imagination to reflect God’s perfect creation.

Karem Carballo serves as SI reading support teacher and preschool teacher. This is Karem’s 11th year as a SI Reading Support teacher and 9th year as SI preschool teacher. Prior to her current role, she has served as a preschool assistant and FLES teacher in PC. She is married to José and they have two children, Andrea (24) and Moises (23). She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

My Deep Hope: To help our students discover their unshakeable joy through exploring God’s creation and sharing God’s love.

Miss Kate is on her 2nd year of serving as an Assistant Teacher in Early Education. She lives in Knoxville, IA with her husband Kevin. They have five children; Mindy, Katie, Mary, Megan, and Jordan – who are all grown and married with families of their own. God has gifted them 13 beautiful grandchildren, but they keep them busy.

Storyline: Be a Light

Deep Hope: That the PC family would show the world the love of Jesus through our actions and kindness.

Katie Dolejsi is a PC alumni that is just beginning her journey as an administrative assistant. She is married to Mike, and they have two children – Johanna (8) and Jameson (5). She enjoys spending time outside, crafting and cooking, and finding adventures with her family.

Storyline: Walk by faith, not by sight

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we walk by faith in our daily living and learning together. II Corinthians 5:7

Katie Verhoef teaches fourth grade. Before moving to Pella, she taught for twelve years at Redlands Christian School in Redlands, California. This is her twenty-first year teaching. Outside of school, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband Joel, their three children, and animals: two cats and many chickens.

Storyline: Live Like No One Else, So Later I Can Live Like No One Else

My deep hope is to help students develop their ability to apply the knowledge they gain through business classes to make personal and professional decisions that help them carry out the Great Commission.

Keith Anderson serves as the Business teacher at PCHS. This is his 13th year at PCHS and 14th year overall in education. He also serves as the head boys and girls track coach. He and his wife Jill have been married for 24 years and have two daughters, Karlie and Jessa. The family are huge Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fans and cheer on the Hawkeyes in all sports!

Storyline: Growing Together, Serving Others

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will be rooted in God’s Word, grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Creation, and branch out to joyfully serve in His Kingdom.

Kelly Nikkel teaches fifth grade at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her seventh year teaching at PCGS. She also has experience as a fourth grade teacher at Oskaloosa Christian for two years and as a substitute teacher for preschool through 8th grade. Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband Micah and attending the activities of their four children, Erica, Luke, Chloe, and Ava.

Ken Tukker is a bus driver for Pella Christian Schools. This is his tenth year in that role and prior to that worked in accounting. He and his wife, Helene, enjoy spending time with their family and traveling.

Storyline: Serving in God’s World

Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is for Pella Christian to be a place where the people develop one another to live each day as servants in God’s World.

Kevin Herdegen has served as the principal of PCHS since 2021. Prior to being principal, he taught mathematics for 16 years, of which 11 years were at PCHS. He enjoys DIY projects around the house as well as spending time with his wife Amy and three kids. His favorite family activities include a variety of indoor and outdoor games, camping, fishing, and biking.

Kevin Stursma currently serves as a substitute bus driver. He previously served as the PCGS Janitor for 13 years. He and his wife Brenda have 3 kids and 4 grand kids. They like to travel and see live music.

Kristi Kamerick serves as a cook at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her ninth year in this position. Prior to working at the school she was a stay at home mom. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her family, husband Dan and children Kolten, Karsen and Kyra, baking and being outside.

Storyline: Ama a Dios y a los demás (Love God and others)

Deep Hope: Mi anhelo profund es que, mientras aprendemos y sabemos que somos hijos amados de Dios, a cambio mostraremos nuestro amor por él y por los demás en todo lo que hagamos. //My deep hope is that, while we learn and know that we are beloved children of God, we in return will show our love for him and for others in all that we do.

Kristin Bierma serves as the Spanish Immersion Kindergarten teacher. This is her 9th year with Pella Christian and her 16th year in education, which includes Spanish Immersion and English preschool, FLES, high school and college Spanish classes. Kristin received her degree in Spanish and Education from Dordt College. She loves spending time with her husband, Brad, and their 3 kids, catching up with friends, kayaking, traveling, reading, and working (slowly) on quilting projects.

Storyline: Very Good! What Good?

My Deep Hope: For my students to appreciate mathematics as a language of Creation and to use mathematics for good.

Larry Hessing teaches Pre-Algebra and Pre-Calculus as a part-time instructor. Larry has 44 years of teaching and coaching experience, 27 of those years at Pella Christian High School. Larry is married to Betty and has two daughters and three grandchildren. Larry enjoys playing golf and pickleball and watching most any sporting event.

Lauren serves as the Spanish Immersion Assistant Preschool Teacher and the Spanish Immersion Onboarding Specialist. This is Lauren’s first year in her new roles at Pella Christian. Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and their two boys, baking, and cooking.

Storyline: Love God. Love Others.

Deep Hope: Love GOD and others as we learn to serve Him in all we do. Matthew 22:38-40

Lauren Kahl serves as a kindergarten teacher at PCGS. This is Lauren’s 8th year of teaching, having previously taught kindergarten, first, and second grade. Outside of school, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband Tim, daughter Linnley, and dog Lacey. She also enjoys running, reading, baking, gardening, and craft projects.

Lindsay De Vries serves as a part-time receptionist, job-sharing the position with Melissa Zula. This is Lindsay’s 6th year in this role. In her free time, she loves to go for walks, read, and spend time playing games with her family. She is married to Zach, and they have four children Holden, Emerson, Breckyn & Taityn.

Storyline: Play Your Part in God’s Story

Deep Hope: My deep hope is to be the peculiar person God calls you to be and to Play Your Part in God’s story.

Lisa Schelhaas serves as the K-5 Title 1 Reading/Math Support at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her 18th year here at PCGS and her 33rd year in Christian education. She has a Masters in Educational Leadership. She is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Lisa and her husband, Jay, enjoy their walks, biking, hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with their family and friends

Lois Uitermarkt is a bus driver for Pella Christian Schools. This is her 18th year in that role and prior to that was a teacher for 33 years at various Christian schools. In her free time, she enjoys camping, kayaking and biking – basically anything outdoors.

Lorenzo serves as our High School Spanish Immersion teacher. He moved to Pella from Yucatan, Mexico, where he graduated with a degree in Language Teaching.

Storyline: Crecer, florecer, y reflejar la cultura para ser de bendición a la comunidad / Growth, Bloom and Reflect the culture and be a blessing to our community

Mi anhelo profundo es ayudar a desarrollar el idioma español y las personas puedan nutrir su aprendizaje y conocimiento, sirviendo a Dios con nuestros dones y compartir la cultura latina a nuestra comunidad. / My deep hope is to help the Spanish language flourish and the people can nurture their learning and knowledge, serving God with all our gifts and sharing our Latin culture with our community.

Lucila Prado serves as a Point Person in the Spanish Immersion Program in Pella Christian Schools, she was also our SI 4th grade teacher. Prior to her role, she taught English and Spanish as a second language for sixteen years in Monterrey, México ranging from Elementary through College. She also worked as principal in Middle School, High School and as a College administrator in México. She likes to spend time with her husband Héctor Reyes and travel around USA, visiting different places and taking photos.

Maria Fynaardt serves as the School Counselor at Pella Christian High School.

Storyline: Bring Shalom to Chaos

My deep hope is that through the study of literature we are able to see how we can bring God’s Shalom to a broken world of Chaos

Marlo Van Peursem teaches American Lit and Speech at PCHS and also directs the school musical, the spring play, and the Speech one-act . He has taught for 41 years, the last 18 years at Pella Christian, and was Michigan’s 2002 Theatre Teacher of the Year. He enjoys swimming, boating, and skiing, attending professional theatre shows, researching family genealogy, and traveling–both in the States and abroad. He and his wife Sue have three daughters and 8 grandchildren.

Mrs. Fopma has served the last several years as a music instructor for PCGS.

Mary Van Zee has been serving as a special education teaching assistant at Pella Christian Grade School since the fall of 1999. Prior to this, she taught in several kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms in Christian schools in Iowa and New Mexico. Mary and her husband, Roland, enjoy teaching 1st grade Sunday school together in their church as well as spending time with their married children and their spouses, grandchildren, and foster grandchildren.

Maryan De Haan is assistant media specialist in the library for 1st and 2nd graders on Thursdays and Fridays. This will be her 4th year in the library. She enjoys reading, gardening, socializing with many friends, attending grandchildren’s athletic games and babysitting her great granddaughter. She is married to her husband Guy, has raised 3 children and now enjoys 10 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Storyline: Read, Remember, and Apply

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that students will read, develop an understanding, and apply God’s word daily.

Megan Ho serves as the 8th Grade History and MS Writing teacher. This will be her sixteenth-year in education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends.

Mel serves as the Preschool FLES instructor. She’s worked as an SI substitute aide for preschool and SI kindergarten. Mel enjoys biking around town with her family, traveling to places near or far, and seeing the beautiful ways that God encounters people.

Storyline: Hope ~ Healing ~ Harmony

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that our music will help us find deeper hope in God, heal hurts in ourselves and others, and inspire new ways to bring harmony into His world.

Melanie Meinders serves as PCGS’s K-6 Music teacher. She has also taught 5th grade at PCGS, K-5 Music in Churchill, Montana, and 1st grade in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and spent time at home with her children when they were young. In her free time she loves to read, spend time in the sun, play cards and board games, and enjoy time with her husband Brad and their 5 children, Braden (22), Morgan (20), Brock (17), Maisy (15), and Beckett (11).

Melissa Zula serves as a part-time receptionist, job sharing with Lindsay De Vries. This is Melissa’s eighth year serving in this role. She enjoys traveling, reading historical fiction, anything outside and spending time with her family.

Michele Van Donselaar is a bus driver for Pella Christian Schools. She is in her 17th year in that role. She and her her husband Keith have been married for 27 years and have two daughters, Brianna and Emma.

Storyline: Purpose in the Process

My Deep Hope: That because we know the end of The Story, we’ll treat each step along the way with purpose and care.

This will be Nolan’s 10th year in education. He has taught middle school math, been an elementary school principal, and now teaches Industrial Arts. In addition to his job at PCHS, he is also the Director of Youth Ministries at Faith CRC in Pella. His and his wife, Katie, have three children who all attend Pella Christian Grade School. Some of his hobbies include watching and playing sports, spending time with family, and doing projects around the house.

Storyline: Choose Wisely

My deep hope is for us to understand that throughout our daily lives we will have opportunities to make many choices. Take time to prayerfully ask for God’s guidance and choose wisely.

Pamela Vande Voort teaches Family and Consumer Sciences courses (Child Development, Creative Living I and II, Health, Housing and Interior Design, and Nutritional Health). She enjoys walking (5Ks), reading, working outside, sewing, cooking, golfing, bicycling, and traveling. She participates in various church activities and serves as a member of community and professional organizations. During the summer months she is a 4-H judge at county fairs and the Iowa State Fair. She is married to Lee who works at Vermeer.

Storyline: Discovering, Developing and Sharing

My Deep Hope: A growing community that glorifies the Lord as students discover, develop, and share their God given gifts.

Pete Lyon serves as one of the 6th grade Literature and English teachers. In addition, he is the advisor to the Eagle Junior Newspaper exploratory. He is in his 39th year of teaching having worked in education in Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, and Iowa. He is married to Sheryl Lyon, has three children, and 8 grand children.

My storyline is Micah 6:8: Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

My Deep Hope: To use language and stories as a way to express, explore, and engage in God’s story.

Rachel has been teaching for 21 years, 15 of which have been at PC. She teaches Introduction to Literature and College Composition. She and husband Scott have three boys. Rachel enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family, and walking among the trees.

Rebecca Disselkoen is a Kindergarten and Preschool Extended Care Aide at Pella Christian Grade School. She and her husband Matt have three sons who attend PCGS. She enjoys painting, reading, walking with her dog, and camping trips to Michigan with her family.

Storyline: Compare, Create, and Communicate

My Deep Hope: That students recognize God’s design in language and in culture to better understand Him and His children.

Rebekah Cashen serves as a World Language teacher at PCHS, currently teaching Spanish II, III, and IV. She is originally from Washington State and graduated from Central College in the spring of 2023. Outside of school, Rebekah enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing the fiddle, thrifting, flowers, crochet, and traveling.

Ron Swank is a bus driver for Pella Christian Schools. This is his 14th year in that role and prior to that was a truck driver for 47 years. Ron and his wife, Nancy, enjoy spending time with their three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Storyline: Loving God Through Learning

Deep Hope: My deep hope for my students is that they will love God by doing the hard work of learning so they are equipped to serve God anywhere He calls them.

Sandy Van Veldhuizen serves as the Geometry teacher at Pella Christian High School. She graduated from Iowa State University and after homeschooling their five children Sandy went back to school to get her teaching endorsement. Sandy has taught at Pekin and Oskaloosa. Sandy and her husband Scott have five children, three daughters-in-law, and one grandchild, Martin. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, flower gardening, reading, and crocheting.

Storyline: Loved by God

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will know we are loved by God and will respond by loving Him and loving others.

Sara Runner serves as the K-2 learning resource teacher. This is her fourth year in this position having served as an assistant librarian for 2 years at PCGS and also previously taught for 4 years at Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst, Illinois. Sara enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband Steve and 4 children, Devan, Brynn, Kyla and Sydney.

Storyline: Beholding His Joy

My deep hope is that together we will become more fully alive by encountering and beholding Jesus in the pages of scripture and stories, as we will discover He’s where the joy is!

Sarah Vryhof teaches 6th-8th grade Bible. This is her 3rd year at PCGS. Prior to coming to Pella, she taught for 14 years in the Dominican Republic as well as 2 years in Indiana. She loves sharing a big cup of coffee with friends, traveling to different countries, as well as being with her husband and two boys Hendrik (8) and Malachi (4).

Storyline: From Isaiah 6 – Here I am Lord, send Me.

My Deep Hope: That we know we are image bearers formed with purpose to be part of The Story, experiencing the transforming love of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, using our unique gifts to reflect Christ and make Him known.

Teach Bible classes, Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Doctrine, and Senior Seminar. This is Scott’s 2nd year at PCHS. He and his wife, Diane, love the outdoors and looking for places to hike and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. They have three children, of which two are married. Jordan, age 30, and his wife Megan (have their one granddaughter Addison), Jenna age 28 and her husband Treye, and their youngest is Caleb, age 24.

Shari Fox serves as a part time cook in the kitchen at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Shari’s fifth year of service. Shari is married to Jeff and they have a son, Jarett (10). They enjoy family time together, being outdoors on the farm and playing games.

Storyline: Explore, Play, Grow

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that my students will explore God and his world, see how they play a unique part in his world, and then respond to Him with love, worship and service.

Sonya Natelborg serves as a first grade teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. Prior to her current role, she served as a teacher in classrooms ranging from second through fourth grade at other Christian schools, and she subitute taught for 14 years while staying home with her children. Sonya enjoys hiking, biking, reading and spending time with her three children, Brett (23), Kayla (21), and Ryan (18) and her husband of 28 years, Tim.

Storyline: Delight, Encourage, Live

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will DELIGHT in who God created us to be; ENCOURAGE one another; and LIVE in health and joy for Christ’s kingdom.

Steph Vander Molen teaches physical education to kindergarten through 5th grade students. Prior to teaching physical education, she taught first grade at both Pella Christian and Heritage Christian in North Liberty; she also served on staff at Third Church. Steph loves to walk, hike and enjoy creation with her husband Troy and their three children: Kade (23); Ty (19) and Claire (18).

Sue Brouwer serves in the Finance Office as Treasurer at the Grade School. She has worked in bookkeeping at different businesses in Pella for the last 15 years. Sue and her husband John have four children and they enjoy visiting their children and family. This is Sue’s first year and she is excited to be in the school environment and learn about the behind the scenes workings of a school system.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” NKJV – We will learn to Trust God with all of our heart. We will practice acknowledging Him in all of our ways. We will allow Him to direct our paths.

My Deep Hope is that we allow God to awaken within us all the strengths that He has created in us so that we may glorify Him.

I am entering my eighth year of teaching, eleventh if I include my six college semesters of preschool teaching. Mike and I have been married for thirty eight years as of June 15th. We have three children, Tiffany Peiffer (Ben) in Oskaloosa, Michael in Pella, and John (Allison) in Geneva, Minnesota. We have one granddaughter, seven grandsons, a grandson on the way (September 5th), and two bonus granddaughters. We are abundantly blessed!

Storyline: Infinitely loved, intentionally placed

Deep Hope: My deep hope for my students is to experience the love of God and to advance the Kingdom wherever God leads with the unique gifts He has given.

Tammy Veenstra teaches 3rd – 6th Grade Art, 3rd – 5th Grade ESS, and SPARK. This is Tammy’s second year at Pella Christian and twenty-first year in Christian education. Before this role, Tammy served as an elementary teacher, a middle school math teacher, and curriculum director in other Christian schools. Tammy enjoys walking, kayaking, golfing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Storyline: Learning to imitate Jesus

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we will imitate the love of Jesus by our thoughts, words, and actions.

Tara Fransman serves as a second grade teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. Prior to her current role, she taught Kindergarten for two years at a parochial school in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and was most recently the Lead Media Center Specialist for 7 years at Pella Christian Grade School. She enjoys reading, sports, music, and being outside and spending time with her family which includes her husband Mike and their four children Adrianna (21), E.J. (19), Landon (17), and Levi (13).

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we can set aside our troubles and worries, allowing God to feed and nourish our souls, giving us the strength to fully live our lives for his glory.

Taunya Van Maanen is in her sixth year serving as Food Service Director at Pella Christian Grade School. Previously, she worked 4 years as a cook in the PCGS kitchen. Taunya enjoys spending time home with her family and is married to Wes and has 6 children; Klaeton (& Holly), Paige (& Josiah), Jaed (& Natasha), Trae, Daiva and Kaesy, and 3 grandchildren; Rosemary, Henri & Ivy and one on the way!

Storyline: Grow in God’s Light & Love

Deep Hope: We can be playful learners and joy-filled discoverers growing in our love for Jesus!

Teresa Beyer serves as Director of Pella Christian’s Early Education Program. She is also lead teacher for the 3s Classes and the 4s PM Class. This is Teresa’s 25th year with Preschool at Pella Christian and her thirty-seventh year in education which includes time as a reading specialist and teaching in a multi-age classroom. Teresa is a graduate of Central College with a BA in Early Childhood Elementary Education and holds a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern College. Teresa she loves spending time with her husband, her grown children, and four grandchildren as well as reading, baking, walking, and being with friends.

Storyline: Welcome, Invite and Walk Alongside

My Deep Hope: My deep hope is to welcome, invite and walk alongside families as they discover how God’s Story is unfolding at Pella Christian Schools.

Teresa Ulferts serves as the Admissions Director for Pella Christian Schools. She was born and raised in Christian Education from elementary school through secondary education and enjoys sharing how God is alive and moving at Pella Christian. She enjoys traveling, reading and spending time outdoors with her husband, Kipp, and their boys, Gavin and Isaac.

Storyline: Reflecting God’s Story

Deep Hope: That we create art that reflects God’s Story to the world and displays God’s beauty, goodness and truth.

Tessa Hilgerson serves as the K-2 and 7-12 Art Teacher at Pella Christian Schools. Tessa enjoys, drawing, painting, reading, taking walks and spending time with her husband Sam and family.

Storyline: Be A Blessing

My Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is that on our journey we become a family, a family who takes an active, intentional role to BLESS one another with a servant’s heart.

Tracey Murphy serves as the Middle School Physical Educator. This is her 35th year of teaching and first year at Pella Christian. Her previous teaching experience includes Pella Community Schools, Indianola Community Schools, Central University, Ruidoso Independent Schools (NM), and the University of Northern Iowa. She has both a B.A. in Physical Eduation/Health Education/Coaching and M.A. in Fitness Management from the University of Northern Iowa. Tracey enjoys time with family (husband Jay, son Quinton (Rae) & daughter Jenna (Chase). Her favorite activities include motorcycle tours with her husband, Wartburg football games watching her son coach, pickleball with friends, and water activities.

Tracey Roose serves as the Assistant Director of Extended Care. She loves spending time with family and friends, reading, and being outside whenever possible. She and her husband Lee have 3 children, Sean and his wife Tanya, Grant, and Dani.

Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is to walk alongside students and their families as together we work to discern God’s plan for their future service in God’s World.

Trixanna Wang is the Academic Counselor at Pella Christian High School. Prior to her time at PCHS, she lived and worked in Beijing, China for 10 years. Whether by foot or on a bike, kayak, or horse, Trixanna enjoys spending time in nature with her husband, 2 children, and extended family.

Storyline: Revela el impacto de la historia de Dios. (Uncover the impact of God’s story.)

My Deep Hope: Mi anhelo profundo es que los estudiantes puedan revelar el impacto de la hisotria de Dios a través de la narrativa histórica y que puedan ser luz donde quiera que estén. (My deep hope is that the students uncover the impact of God’s story through history and that they can be a light wherever they are.)

Yanela Cordero is a Spanish Immersion Middle School Teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is her 8th year of teaching, having previously worked as a teacher in the Dominican Republic in classrooms ranging from elementary to high school. In her spare time she likes to listen to music, but what she likes the most is staying at home with her husband, Luis Fermí, and her baby Matthew.