School Counselors
Educating the whole child includes our students’ mental and emotional health. We seek to offer students a Christ-centered approach to mental health and healing in the midst of challenge, offering hope and restoration for students needing an extra level of care. Pella Christian Schools partner with Heartland Christian Counseling to offer school counseling.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of our counseling services and schedule time as needed during the day. Our counselors can assist in recommendations for additional counseling services, if needed.
Counselor in the Classroom
Mrs. Jeanetta Nieuwsma visits elementary classes monthly to discuss mental and emotional topics from a Christ-centered perspective. Lessons include organization and time management, value and worth in God’s image, gratitude, feelings, building healthy friendships and technology usage.
Jeanetta Nieuwsma
PCGS School Counselor
Degree: Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa, Bachelor of Arts from Dordt University.
Jeanetta is a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience in the social work field providing psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and families. She is currently serving as a counselor in the Pella Christian Schools supporting students and teachers.
Jeanetta has a heart for walking alongside those experiencing a crisis and has supported individuals and families through working in the hospital setting as a medical social worker. She is certified in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and offers community and business education around the use of PFA for disaster and crisis response.
Maria Fynaardt
PCHS School Counselor
Degree: Licensed Master in Social Work from University of Missouri, Bachelor of Social Work from Dordt University.
Maria’s Deep Hope is to help people find healing in their heart, mind, and spirit through Christ-centered counseling.
Experience – Maria has a variety of volunteer and professional experiences that have been instrumental in her growth as a social worker. Her experience includes working as a Family Safety Risk Permanency (FSRP) provider, a Behavioral Health Intervention Services provider, and Safe Families for Children case manager. After graduating with a Master’s in Social Work, Maria has counseled children, teenagers, adults and families at Pine Rest and Heartland Christian Counseling. She has been the school counselor at Pella Christian High School since August 2022.
Maria’s favorite thing about her job – “I feel so honored that people choose to trust me with the joys and challenges of their life.”
Ways counseling has impacted Maria: “I have walked alongside people in a lot of heart breaking situations. I am always struck by how God’s faithfulness is evident in both joy and sorrow. I have seen how the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when our pain is too deep for words (Romans 8: 26). These reminders of God’s goodness and His glory evident in a sin torn world helps bring me hope in redemption that only comes through Him.”