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Zion Christian School Byron Center MI
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Zion Christian School Byron Center MI

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.

Christian school in west michigan

Interested in Joining Our Team?

Check our current job openings.

Join Our TEam
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
  • Secondary
  • Administration
  • Enrichment
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
  • Secondary
  • Administration
  • Enrichment

Early Childhood

Faculty & Staff

000370

Jennifer Vos

Preschool

Credentials: A.A. Child Development, Kuyper College

Experience: Teaching since 2007

Church: Dutton URC

000239

Angie Proudfit

Junior Kindergarten

Credentials: B.A. General Business, Davenport University; A.A. Child Development, Kuyper College/GRCC

Experience: Teaching since 1991

Church: Caledonia CRC

000113

Emily Hutt

 Junior Kindergarten Aide

Credentials: Formerly Licensed Foster Parent; Pediatric Medical Assistant Certificate; Studies at Community College

Experience: Pediatric Medical Assistant, Long-term volunteer at Zion

Church: Dutton URC

000378

Mandie Wierenga

Kindergarten

Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed., GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 2004

Church: Dutton URC

Elementary

Faculty & Staff

000015

Elizabeth Bazen

Grade: 1

Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed., Cornerstone University

Experience: Teaching since 2008

Church: Walker URC

000202

Pam Maartense

Grade: 2

Credentials: B.S. History, GVSU; M.A. Reading in Education, Western Michigan University

Experience: Teaching since 1995

Church: Heritage Reformed

000229

Chelsea Otten

Grade: 3

Credentials: B.A. English, Hope College; M.A. Curriculum, Cornerstone University

Experience: Teaching since 2010

Church: LaGrave Ave CRC

000237

Kristie Post

Grade: 3

Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed., CSU: Chico

Experience: Teaching since 2019

Church: Little Farms Chapel

000099

Julie Groenhof

Grade 4, Assistant Principal 

Credentials: B.S. Science, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 1995

Church: Unity PRC

000031

Elizabeth Botsko

Grade: 5

Credentials: B.A. Education, Calvin University

Experience: Teaching since 1999

Church: Grace Community

000260

Emma Sietsema

Grade 5 

Credentials: B.A. Education, Hope College

Experience: Teaching since 2024

Church: Hudsonville Reformed PCA

000349

Lexie VanSolkema

Grade: 6

Credentials: B.A. Communications and Psychology, Western Michigan University

Experience: Teaching since 2022

Church: Community Reformed

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

000218

Barb Moorman

Class: Choir

Credentials: Church choir director

Experience: Teaching since 2004

Church: Cornerstone URC

Amy Prins

Class: Art

Credentials: Practicing artist

Experience: Teaching since 2018

Church: Bethel URC

Junior High & High School

Faculty & Staff

000002

Dan Admiraal

Industrial Technology

Credentials: B.A. Education, Calvin College; M.A. Education and Technology, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 2007

Church: First Byron CRC

000008

Kari Alsum

Choir Accompanist, Chapel Praise Teams

Credentials: Associates Degree Medical Assisting, Davenport University; Church & School Choir Accompanist and Piano Teacher

Experience: With Zion since 2010

Church: Cornerstone URC

000029

Randy Bosma

Information Technology, Computers, Personal  Finance

Credentials: B.A. German and History, Calvin College

Experience: Teaching since 1997

Church: Christ Church PCA

000069

Grace Edouard

Literature, Speech, Composition, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal 

Credentials: B.A. English/Dutch, Windesheim College

Experience: Teaching since 1991

Church: First Byron CRC

000100

Afton Hanenburg

Spanish

Credentials: B.A. Spanish & Sociology, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 2014

Church: Lamont CRC

Henry Hoekstra

Bible

Credentials: B.S. Theology, Kuyper College; pursuing M.Div & MABC, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Experience: Preaching since 2021

Church: Harvest OPC

Carrie Knol

Art

Credentials: B.S. Social Studies, Minor Elementary Ed, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 2000

Church: Grace URC

000214

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: Ridge Point Community

000215

Kaitlyn Moelker

Band, Choir, Music Theory

Credentials: Bachelor of Music Education, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 2017

Church: Bethany URC

000232

Dr. Randall Pederson

Bible

Credentials: B.S, Kuyper College; M.T.S. and Th.M., Calvin Seminary; Ph.D., Leiden University

Experience: Teaching since 2010

Church: Harvest OPC

000154

Caryn Simon

History

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 Tjapkes

Composition, English

Experience: Over 25 years teaching experience

Church: New City Fellowship

000304

Tim Tjapkes

History, Science

Credentials: B.A. English, Cornerstone University; Paramedic Certification from Great Lakes EMS

Experience: Teaching since 2002

Church: Christ Church PCA

000328

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

000336

Kathy Vander Jagt

Social Studies, Computer, Yearbook, Bible, Curriculum Coordinator

Credentials: B.A. English & M. Education, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 1993

Church: Walker URC

000339

Kellie Vander Kooi

Science

Credentials: B.A. Physical Education and English, Western Michigan University

Experience: Various teaching and administrative roles since 2010

Church: Messiah’s Independent Reformed

000371

Nicholas Vos

Math, Accounting, Registrar

Credentials: B.S. Social Studies and Math, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 2018

Church: Bethany URC

000388

Suzanne Winter

English, Literature

Credentials: B.A. English & Theatre, Calvin College

Experience: Teaching since 2021

Church: Harvest OPC 

Administration & Support

Faculty & Staff

000018

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

000043

Bob DeRuiter

Head of School, Leadership

Credentials: B.A. Business Ed, Trinity Christian College

Experience: Teaching since 1998, Principal since 2007

Church: Dutton URC

000096

Gabrielle Gritters

Facilities Assistant

Experience: Personal Home Cleaner, Airbnb Cleaner

Church: Bethany URC

000104

Kelly Heim

Marketing and Communications Specialist

Credentials:  B.S. Marketing and Innovation, Minor Business Management, Cornerstone University

Experience: Various marketing support roles since 2022

Church: Walker URC

000108

Michelle Hilton

Office Assistant

Credentials: Excel Academies of Cosmetology

Experience: Various administrative support roles since 1998

Church: Redeemer OPC

000178

Carolyn Kotman

Office Assistant 

Credentials:  B.A. Language Arts, Calvin College; M.A. Reading, GVSU

Experience: Teaching since 1996

Church: Fellowship Reformed

000207

Bill McQuade

Maintenance

Experience: Over 30 years experience maintenance and skilled trades

Church: Free Reformed

000222

Erica Nijenhuis

Hot Lunch Coordinator, LES

Credentials: Servsafe Certification

Experience: Support staff in a group home for fifteen years

Church: Covenant URC

Screenshot 2024-12-19 090807

Todd Pettit

Facilities Assistant

Experience: Various commercial cleaning jobs since 1990

Church: Cornerstone URC

Screenshot 2024-12-19 090756

Eric Wierenga

Director of Development & Facilities 

Experience: Various sales & management roles since 2000

Church: Dutton URC

Learning Enrichment Services

Faculty & Staff

000040

Mary DeBoer

Learning Enrichment Services, Student Life Coordinator, Community Building

Credentials: General Studies Associates Degree, GRCC

Experience: Teaching since 2016

Church: First CRC

000050

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

000295

Rebecca tenHaaf

Early Intervention Reading Specialist, Librarian

Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed., Calvin College

Experience: Teaching since 2010

Church: American Reformed

000324

Amy VanBeek

Learning Enrichment Services Aide

Credentials: Studies at Community College

Experience: With Zion since 2011

Church: Cornerstone URC

000350

Lisa Van Solkema

Learning Enrichment Services

Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed., Calvin College

Experience: Teaching since 1988

Church: First Byron CRC

Christian school in west michigan

Learning & Living for the Glory of God

Help develop young minds to learn and live based on their relationship with Jesus Christ.

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7555 Byron Center Ave.
Byron Center, MI 49315

616-878-9472

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