I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended both Legacy Christian and Grand Rapids Christian. I received my teaching degree from Western Michigan University in 2024 and have worked as a paraprofessional and first grade teacher. My passion for teaching came from helping my mom in her classroom, nannying, and volunteering in the kid’s program at my church. I have a deep love for the Lord, and I look forward to sharing that with the BCCS community. I am so grateful for the opportunity to partner with you and your kiddos in their education and faith journeys.
When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, taking walks with my dog Kiwi, and spending time with my family, friends, and fiancé Tyler!
I graduated from Calvin University in 2003 and am entering my 24th year as an educator. My wife Lori teaches at Legacy Christian, and we have 5 kids ranging from 6th grade to college. I enjoy reading, house projects, and anything sports related, and I run every day.
My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28 - “For we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, according to his purpose.” It’s been a consistent reminder to me that I can trust in him no matter what comes our way.
My deep hope is that together we can grapple as we explore God’s world and Word so that we can live intentionally.
My Deep Hope is that we will deeply know that we are created in love and belong to our Creator, and that we will will use math to grow as perseverant thinkers and kingdom problem solvers.
I am very excited to be a part of the transformative work that God is doing and will do at Byron Center Christian! I grew up in Indiana and moved to Michigan to attend Hope College. During my time at Hope, God grew in me a passion to see middle schoolers come alive through personal, transformative relationships with Christ. It is my joy to teach Social Studies and English Language Arts as a means of developing students into critical engagers of Scripture, literature, and the world around them.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy being outdoors, exploring coffee shops, and working on creative projects. In the summers, I find joy in serving Christ through camp ministry.
My deep hope is that we will be transformed by abundant life in Christ (John 10:10), leading us to participate in His redemptive story with humility, discernment, and wonder (Isaiah 61).
I was born and raised on a farm south of Holland, Michigan. After graduating from Holland Christian High School in 1987, I didn’t know where God was leading me. I began working in a local factory where after a couple years, I felt God had other plans in store for me. With God’s lead I went to Calvin College and graduated in the spring of 1994. Later I went on to receive a Master's Degree from Western Michigan University. Byron Center is my home where I reside with my wife, Jaci (a professor of nursing at Calvin College), my daughter Maggie, and my son, Christian, both whom attended BCCS. My interests include hunting (especially deer), motorcycling, and restoring older motorcycles and snowmobiles (mostly Yamahas).
My favorite Bible passage is Psalm 23. God doesn't ever promise to make our path straight, smooth, or even easy; in fact He tells us we will "walk through the valley of the shadow of death," but He will always be with us, and our cup will run over.
My Deep Hope for science is that in everything we do we see the Story of God in Creation; His creation of the universe, our fall, our redemption, and His restoration, and we use that story to become His agents of restoration in our fallen world.
I am so excited and grateful to be joining the Byron Center Christian School community! I grew up in Plainwell, Michigan, and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Michigan and my secondary teaching degree in English and Communication from Western Michigan University. After I graduated, God led me down a different path, and for the past 11 years, I have worked in corporate marketing. This opportunity allowed me to use writing, communication, creativity, and storytelling in a variety of ways.
After more than a decade in the corporate world, I am incredibly thankful for the way God has been working behind the scenes and paving the way for me to return to the classroom. I am excited to be back in a place where I can share my love of reading and writing while building meaningful relationships with middle school students.
One of my favorite verses is Matthew 17:20: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” I have seen this verse come alive in my own life as God has opened doors and made a way where I could not have imagined one. It reminds me that God is faithful, that He is always at work, and that even the smallest amount of faith can be used by Him for something much bigger than we can see.
I am excited to partner with students and families at BCCS and to help students discover how their words can be used for something meaningful. My Deep Hope is that we may grow as thoughtful readers who seek truth and understanding, and as courageous writers and speakers who use our voices to reflect Christ’s love and bring hope, goodness, and positive change to God’s world.
Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we may grow as thoughtful readers who seek truth and understanding, and as courageous writers and speakers who use our voices to reflect Christ’s love and bring hope, goodness, and positive change to God’s world.
I grew up in Hudsonville, MI where I attended Hudsonville Christian and Unity Christian High School. I graduated from Dordt University in 2012 with a major in Elementary Education and endorsements in Middle School math and science. Following college I taught math, science, and Bible for 7 years at Fremont Christian School. After our time in Fremont, my wife, Meghan, and I moved to Byron Center where I spent the past 5 years teaching 5th and 6th grade math at Ada Christian School. I love teaching in Christian Schools where I have the opportunity each day to share with my students how much God loves them. I have also cherished the times throughout the years of telling my students the story of God’s timing of events in my life and how I have seen him at work over and over again.
Meghan and I have been blessed with two daughters.. We love spending time as a family going to parks, riding bikes, and anything that involves being outside!
I am very excited to be a part of the Byron Center Christian School family and look forward to working together to help prepare students for lifelong service in God’s Kingdom.
Our Deep Hope is that we see God’s LOVE through his order, EMBRACE who he made us to be, and SHARE his love with others.
I am very grateful to be a part of the Christ centered work at BCCS. I grew up in Kalamazoo and attended Kalamazoo Christian school. I attended Calvin University where my passion for the importance of science education grew. As a science teacher, I love encouraging students to be curious, ask questions, think deeply, and discover the world God created.
Outside of teaching, I love health and fitness and spending time with friends. My favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 4:8, “Therefore love one another deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.” This is something I try to live by wholeheartedly and translate into teaching science and building relationships with students.
My deep hope for my students is that they grow to know Jesus, reflect his character and love others as he did.