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
Junior Kindergarten Director
Credentials: B.A. General Business, Davenport University; A.A. Child Development, Kuyper College/GRCC
Experience: Teaching since 1991
Church: Caledonia CRC
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 United Reformed
Mandie Wierenga
Kindergarten
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2004
Church: Dutton URC
Elementary
Faculty & Staff
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
Kristie Post
Grade: 3
Credentials: B.A. Elementary Ed, CSU: Chico
Experience: Teaching since 2019
Church: Little Farms Chapel
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, Assistant Principal
Credentials: B.S. Science, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 1995
Church: Unity PRC
Emma Sietsema
Grade 5
Credentials: B.A. Education, Hope College
Experience: Teaching since 2024
Church: Hudsonville Reformed PCA
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
Dan Admiraal
Industrial Technology
Credentials: B.A. Education, Calvin College; M.A. Education and Technology, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2007
Church: First Byron CRC
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
Credentials: B.A. German and History, Calvin College
Experience: Teaching since 1997
Church: Christ Church PCA
Grace Edouard
Literature, Speech, Composition, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal
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
Henry Hoekstra
Bible
Credentials: B.S. Theology, Kuyper College; pursuing M.Div & MABC, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Experience: Preaching since 2022
Church: Harvest OPC
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: RidgePoint Community
Kaitlyn Moelker
Band, Choir, Music Theory
Credentials: Bachelor of Music Education, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 2017
Church: Bethany URC
Dr. 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
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
Tim Tjpakes
History, Science
Credentials: B.A. English, Cornerstone University; Paramedic Certification from Great Lakes EMS
Experience: Teaching since 2002
Church: Christ Church PCA
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, Curriculum Coordinator, JH Bible
Credentials: B.A. English & M. Education, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 1993
Church: Walker URC
Kellie Vander Kooi
JH Science
Credentials: B.A. Physical Education and English, Western Michigan University
Experience: Various teaching and administrative roles since 2010
Church: Messiah’s Independent Reformed
Nicholas Vos
Math, Accounting, Registrar
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
Head of School
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
Carolyn Kotman
Office Assistant
Credentials: B.A. Language Arts, Calvin College; M.A. Reading, GVSU
Experience: Teaching since 1996
Church: Fellowship Reformed
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
Bill McQuade
Facilities Director
Experience: Over 30 years experience maintenance and skilled trades
Church: Free Reformed
Erica Nijenhuis
Hot Lunch Coordinator, LES
Credentials: Servsafe Certification
Experience: Support staff in a group home for fifteen years
Church: Covenant URC
Learning Enrichment Services
Faculty & Staff
Mary DeBoer
Learning Enrichment Services, Student Life Coordinator
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
