
Learning
&
Growing
in
Community
The team at Zion Christian School is dedicated to cultivating the skills and abilities of young minds, all in light of our wholehearted commitment to the authoritative Word of God. Meet our experienced and passionate team below.

Early Childhood
Faculty & Staff

Jennifer Vos
Preschool Director
Credentials: A.A. Child Development, Kuyper College
Experience: Teaching since 2007
Church: Dutton URC

Angie Proudfit
Pre-Kindergarten Director
Credentials: B.A. General Business, Davenport University; A.A. Child Development, Kuyper College/GRCC
Experience: Teaching since 1991
Church: Caledonia CRC

Stacy Runner
Pre-Kindergarten Aide
Credentials: Daycare Experience
Experience: Daycare experience, church secretary since 2016
Church: Messiah’s IRC

Mandie Wierenga
Kindergarten
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2004
Church: Dutton URC

Elementary
Faculty & Staff

Julie Warners
Grade: 1
Credentials: B.A. Education, Calvin College; M.A. Early Childhood, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 1992
Church: Friendship CRC

Elizabeth Bazen
Grade: 1
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed, Cornerstone University
Experience: Teaching since 2008
Church: Walker URC

Pam Maartense
Grade: 2
Credentials: B.S. History, GVSU; M.A. Reading in Education, Western Michigan University
Experience: Teaching since 1995
Church: Heritage Reformed

Chelsea Otten
Grade: 3
Credentials: B.A. English, Hope College; M.A. Curriculum, Cornerstone University
Experience: Teaching since 2010
Church: LaGrave Ave CRC

Julie Groenhof
Grade 4
Credentials: B.S. Science, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 1995
Church: Unity PRC

Elizabeth Botsko
Grade: 5
Credentials: B.A. Education, Calvin University
Experience: Teaching since 1999
Church: Grace Community

Lexie VanSolkema
Grade: 6
Credentials: B.A. Communications and Psychology, Western Michigan University
Experience: Teaching since 2022
Church: Community Reformed

Barb Moorman
Class: Choir
Credentials: Church choir director
Experience: Teaching since 2004
Church: Cornerstone URC

Carol Huisjen
Class: Choir Accompanist
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed, Calvin College; M.A. Reading, Western MI University
Experience: Teaching since 1990
Church: Bethany URC

Amy Prins
Class: Art
Credentials: Practicing artist
Experience: Teaching since 2018
Church: Bethel URC

Junior High & High School
Faculty & Staff

Kari Alsum
Choir Accompanist
Credentials: Associates Degree Medical Assisting, Davenport University; Church & School Choir Accompanist and Piano Teacher
Experience: With Zion since 2010
Church: Cornerstone URC

Randy Bosma
Computers, Math
Credentials: B.A. German and History, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 1997
Church: Christ Church PCA

Joel Carlson
Science, Discipline Coordinator
Credentials: B.A. Education, Cornerstone University; B.S. Education, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 1982
Church: Grace Community

Grace Edouard
Literature, Speech, Composition, Guidance Counselor
Credentials: B.A. English/Dutch, Windesheim College
Experience: Teaching since 1991
Church: First Byron CRC

Afton Hanenburg
Spanish
Credentials: B.A. Spanish & Sociology, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2014
Church: Lamont CRC

Carrie Knol
Art
Credentials: B.S. Social Studies, Minor Elementary Ed, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2000
Church: Grace URC

JD Miller
Math, Logic
Credentials: B.A. Physical Education, Minor English, Cornerstone University; M.A. Sports Management, American Public University
Experience: Teaching since 2007
Church: Georgetown Bible

Kaitlyn Moelker
Band, Choir, Music Theory
Credentials: Bachelor of Music Education, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2017
Church: Bethany URC

Randall Pederson
Bible, Journalism
Credentials: B.S, Kuyper College; M.T.S. and Th.M., Calvin Seminary; Ph.D., Leiden University
Experience: Teaching since 2010
Church: Harvest OPC

Caryn Simon
History, Civics
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed, Cornerstone University; B.A. Religious Studies, Grace Chr Univ
Experience: Teaching since 2018
Church: Crossroads Bible

Dr. Peter Tjapkes
Math, Apologetics
Credentials: B.A., Calvin College; M.A.& Ph.D., University of Michigan
Experience: Teaching since 1984
Church: New City Fellowship

Renee Tjpakes
Composition, English
Experience: Over 25 years teaching experience
Church: New City Fellowship

Christina VanBeek
Science
Credentials: B.S. Biology, Calvin College
Experience: Health care giver & trainer since 2005, Member of MSTA & teaching since 2011
Church: American Reformed

Kathy Vander Jagt
Social Studies, Computer, Yearbook
Credentials: B.A. English & M. Education, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 1993
Church: Walker URC

Seth Van Dyke
Bible
Credentials: B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, Covenant College, Minor Education
Experience: Teaching since 2021
Church: Grace Fellowship OPC

Nicholas Vos
Math, Accounting
Credentials: B.S. Social Studies and Math, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2018
Church: Bethany URC

Suzanne Winter
English, Literature
Credentials: B.A. English & Theatre, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 2021
Church: Harvest OPC

Administration & Support
Faculty & Staff

Sarah Bierling
Office Manager
Credentials: B.S. Business Administration, Trinity Christian College
Experience: Credit Management, with Zion since 2002
Church: Harvest OPC

Joel Bont
Athletic Director, Physical Education
Credentials: B.A. Physical Education, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 2006
Church: First Byron CRC

Bob DeRuiter
Principal
Credentials: B.A. Business Ed, Trinity Christian College
Experience: Teaching since 1998, Principal since 2007
Church: Dutton URC

Michelle Hilton
Office Assistant
Credentials: Excel Academies of Cosmetology
Experience: Various administrative support roles
since 1998
Church: Redeemer OPC

Todd Hoekstra
Administrator, Christian Leadership
Credentials: B.A. Interdisciplinary Stud., Calvin College
Experience: Accounting & Office Administration since
2004; With Zion since 2014
Church: Harvest OPC

Bill McQuade
Facilities Director
Experience: Over 30 years experience maintenance and skilled trades
Church: Free Reformed

Nancy Wiersma
Office Assistant
Credentials: Legal Secretary Associate’s Degree, Davenport
Experience: With Zion since 2007
Church: Byron Center Bible

Patt Ybema
Hot Lunch Coordinator
Credentials: Servsafe Manager and Allergen Certification
Experience: Various food service roles since 2015
Church: Dutton URC

Learning Enrichment Services
Faculty & Staff

Mary DeBoer
Learning Enrichment Services
Credentials: General Studies Associates Degree, GRCC
Experience: Teaching since 2021
Church: First CRC

Michelle Deutschmann
Learning Enrichment Services Director
Credentials: B.S. Elementary Ed, Shippensburg Univ.; M. Ed Learning Disabilities, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 2001
Church: Harvest OPC

Rebecca tenHaaf
Early Intervention Reading Specialist, Librarian
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Education, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 2010
Church: American Reformed

Amy VanBeek
Learning Enrichment Services Aide
Credentials: Studies at Community College
Experience: With Zion since 2011
Church: Cornerstone URC

Lisa Van Solkema
Learning Enrichment Services
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Education, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 1988
Church: First Byron CRC