Support Services
We are passionate about teaching children about the love of Jesus.
That means all children, including those who have unique gifts and needs.
Pella Christian designs instruction around the idea that each child is created in the image of God. We want to be a school that provides a place for each student in the general education classroom and delivers the support students’ need to grow academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our Support Services program is an important part of Pella Christian. Not only do those receiving support benefit from a high quality, Christ-centered education, but it also provides peers with an opportunity to practice living out their faith with and from students who God has uniquely gifted.
We offer assistance to students where unique levels of needs are demonstrated. Each student has a plan tailored to meet their individual needs. Our goal is that students spend much of their day with their peers and classroom teachers, while receiving support both in the class and through additional scheduled time for individualized lessons as needed.
Our support services continue to grow as we partner with All Belong in the ongoing design of our program. While we are passionate about meeting the needs of learners, we also recognize that we may not be able to accommodate all children with special needs. Every effort will be made to provide an honest assessment of their learning needs and identify ways in which we can (or cannot) serve children as we strive to nurture and support the whole child to serve in God’s kingdom.
If you have a child with varied abilities, we would love to talk with you about how he or she could see and live God’s Story with us at Pella Christian Schools. Complete our inquiry form so we can schedule a visit to get to know you and your family.
Pella Christian’s Support Services Staff
Mrs. Brittany Dieleman
HS Paraeducator – Support Services
Mrs. Brittany Dieleman
HS Paraeducator – Support Services
Brittany Dieleman is an assistant in Student Support Services. She is married to Greg and has three children: Nile (12), Wilhelmina (9), and Vivienne (6). In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, going to Iowa Hawkeye sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Belkys Gil de Oleo
HS Teacher – Spanish Immersion History & GS SI Support Services
Mrs. Belkys Gil de Oleo
HS Teacher – Spanish Immersion History & GS SI Support Services
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 Teacher at Pella Christian High School, specializing in Bilingualism in the Workplace, Life Skills, Health, Geography, and History. She is also a K–4 Learning Resource SI Teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Belkys shares her life with her husband, Damaso Ureña, whose encouragement and partnership have been a constant source of joy and strength in her journey.
Mrs. Tammie Andersen
HS Teacher – Support Services
Mrs. Tammie Andersen
HS Teacher – Support Services
Storyline: Trusting God. Acknowledging Him. Allowing Him to direct our paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
My Deep Hope is that students will allow God to awaken the strengths that He has created within them that students may glorify Him with their lives.
I am beginning my 12th year of teaching, 9th as a certified teacher. Mike and I met in Bible college and have been married for 39 years. We have 3 children, two daughters by marriage to our sons, and nine grandchildren. We are so thankful for God’s leading us to a life in Christ as teenagers! We love serving in our Oskaloosa church with children, teens, and as helpers with Celebrate Recovery! We are abundantly blessed!
Ms. Kelly Noe
HS Teacher – Study Skills
Ms. Kelly Noe
HS Teacher – Study Skills
Storyline: Pathways to Wisdom
My deep hope is that students will discover the transformative power of God’s wisdom by trusting in Him with all of their hearts, experience academic and spiritual growth, and demonstrate how biblical principles guide and improve their educational journey.
Entering my 11th year of teaching. I have a B.A. from William Penn in Business Management and a B.A. in education from Buena Vista University. Graduated from Albia High School in 1983. Enjoy shopping, ministry, and fishing.
Mrs. Lisa Schelhaas
GS Teacher – Math & Reading Support
Mrs. Lisa Schelhaas
GS Teacher – Math & Reading Support
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
Mrs. Dana Sims
GS Teacher – Support Services
Mrs. Dana Sims
GS Teacher – Support Services
You are a child of God.
My deep hope is that we know we are all children of God and try to remember that we are His children.
“I have a passion to help students be confident in their image of being a child of God. I enjoy digging into God’s word and learning more about my heavenly Father. I also love spending time with my family, being active and outside, yet I like a good book too!”
Mrs. Sara Runner
GS Teacher – K-2 Support Services
Mrs. Sara Runner
GS Teacher – K-2 Support Services
Loved by God
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 sixth year in this position and twelfth year Christian education.
Sara enjoys spending time with her husband Steve and 4 children, Devan, Brynn, Kyla and Sydney.
Mr. Craig Juffer
Director of Learning
Mr. Craig Juffer
Director of Learning
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 with his children wife, Amy.
Mrs. Amanda Johnston
MS Teacher – Support Services
Mrs. Amanda Johnston
MS Teacher – Support Services
Storyline: Brave-Kind-Love
My deep hope is that we will be… brave as we meet challenges, kind as we recognize brokenness, and love God, ourselves, and others as we seek to understand the world around us.
“This is my 9th year at PC and my 24th year of teaching. I am a wife and mother of eight adult children (3 of whom are married) and three grandchildren with #4 on the way! We spend a lot of time with our family and host a lot of get-togethers. We live on an acreage where we manage a native prairie and stocked pond. I moved here from Missouri and am an avid Mizzou Tigers, KC Chiefs, and Cardinal’s fan. I love fall, puzzles, movies, swimming, biking, and my newest adventure…sourdough baking. My motto is that most of the time, most of the people are doing the best they can. My favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as Christ forgave you.”
Mrs. Jodi De Reus
GS Teacher – 3-5 Support Services
Mrs. Jodi De Reus
GS Teacher – 3-5 Support Services
I am God’s Masterpiece
Together, we will see ourselves as God’s masterpiece, designed to love God and love others.
Jodi De Reus serves as the 3rd-5th grade Learning Resource Teacher at Pella Christian Grade School. This is Jodi’s 5th year at PCGS . 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.
Mrs. Karem Carballo
EE Teacher – 4s/5s Spanish Immersion & SI Support Services
Mrs. Karem Carballo
EE Teacher – 4s/5s Spanish Immersion & SI Support Services
God is in Control (Reading & Math Support)
I Am a Special Creation (Preschool)
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. (Reading & Math Support)
My deepest hope is that preschoolers recognize that they are God’s special creation, made to be transformed by His love. (Preschool)
I have always wanted to be a teacher. God led me to Pella Christian a year before the Spanish Immersion started, and I became a volunteer as a teacher assistant. I had a call to complete the requirement to become a teacher. I have a dream job where I can show God’s love and mercy to my students. Music and movement are always part of my teaching style.