Elementary (Pre-K-5)
Tessa Ellsworth, BA, M.ED -- Pre-K & Kindergarten Teacher
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 123
Career: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI; Masters of Education in Reading from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI; ACSI Lifetime Certificate. I've been teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten at ACS since 1995.
Comments: I have been blessed so much by the ministry at Algoma. I absolutely love being a part of a school where I can share Christ on a moment-to-moment basis. It is so wonderful! I consider the children I teach and have taught my extended family. The students mean so much to me. I believe children are “…a heritage of the Lord,” which is a priceless treasure. It is of utmost priority that the students know that the Lord loves them, that their teachers desire that they come to know and love Him, and that they prepare themselves to be loving servants of our Heavenly Father. I love serving God by teaching His children in a wonderful school. The children that enter my classroom are special and dear to me, and my life is better because of them. I am a firm believer in the home and school being one unit, bonded together in love.
Career: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI; Masters of Education in Reading from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI; ACSI Lifetime Certificate. I've been teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten at ACS since 1995.
Comments: I have been blessed so much by the ministry at Algoma. I absolutely love being a part of a school where I can share Christ on a moment-to-moment basis. It is so wonderful! I consider the children I teach and have taught my extended family. The students mean so much to me. I believe children are “…a heritage of the Lord,” which is a priceless treasure. It is of utmost priority that the students know that the Lord loves them, that their teachers desire that they come to know and love Him, and that they prepare themselves to be loving servants of our Heavenly Father. I love serving God by teaching His children in a wonderful school. The children that enter my classroom are special and dear to me, and my life is better because of them. I am a firm believer in the home and school being one unit, bonded together in love.
Judy Bandstra -- Kindergarten Aide
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 123
Career: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. I was a kindergarten teacher for one year for Wyoming Public Schools and worked at Christian Schools International for 38 years. I started volunteering at Algoma in 2008 and became a teacher-aide in 2011.
Comments: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV). I've witnessed this in my life many times, but two times stand out . When I was a kindergarten teacher in the Wyoming Public School system and all of the first-year teachers were laid off, God led me to a position in the Curriculum Department at CSI--a position I considered my calling until our department was disbanded in 2007. God then led me to begin volunteering at ACS, and I eventually become a staff member. I can see that this is now God's plan for me. It is a blessing and a privilege to work with so many dedicated Christians and be able to share God's love with His children. Every day I receive so much more than I can possibly give!
Career: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. I was a kindergarten teacher for one year for Wyoming Public Schools and worked at Christian Schools International for 38 years. I started volunteering at Algoma in 2008 and became a teacher-aide in 2011.
Comments: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV). I've witnessed this in my life many times, but two times stand out . When I was a kindergarten teacher in the Wyoming Public School system and all of the first-year teachers were laid off, God led me to a position in the Curriculum Department at CSI--a position I considered my calling until our department was disbanded in 2007. God then led me to begin volunteering at ACS, and I eventually become a staff member. I can see that this is now God's plan for me. It is a blessing and a privilege to work with so many dedicated Christians and be able to share God's love with His children. Every day I receive so much more than I can possibly give!
Kim Baehre -- Pre-K & Kindergarten Aide
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 123
Career: I graduated from Kent City High School. SInce then I have been helping on my family's apple orchard on the ridge in Kent City. I have also worked in sales.
Comments: My family has been a part of Algoma Christian School since 2002. I started volunteering when my oldest started Pre-K for recess duty and helping in the Pre-K class once a week. In 2012, I was asked to join the staff as a teacher aide for kindergarten. I have worked as a volunteer or classroom aide in Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 5th grade as well as helped in the library and with recess. It is so rewarding to watch the kids grow in their learning and especially grow stronger in their faith as Christians throughout the school year. My own children have grown so much in their personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. My husband and I are truly blessed to have our children be a part of the Algoma Christian School experience.
Career: I graduated from Kent City High School. SInce then I have been helping on my family's apple orchard on the ridge in Kent City. I have also worked in sales.
Comments: My family has been a part of Algoma Christian School since 2002. I started volunteering when my oldest started Pre-K for recess duty and helping in the Pre-K class once a week. In 2012, I was asked to join the staff as a teacher aide for kindergarten. I have worked as a volunteer or classroom aide in Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 5th grade as well as helped in the library and with recess. It is so rewarding to watch the kids grow in their learning and especially grow stronger in their faith as Christians throughout the school year. My own children have grown so much in their personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. My husband and I are truly blessed to have our children be a part of the Algoma Christian School experience.
Pam Kebless, BRE, BA, M.Ed.--First Grade
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 113
Career: BRE from Cornerstone; BA from Calvin College; Diploma in Christian Education from Moody Bible Institute; MA from Grand Valley University; ACSI Lifetime Certificate.
Comment: I have taught kindergarten, 2nd grade, 6th grade and the Learning Resource Center at ACS since the fall of 1989. I am excited to teach first grade this year. My desire is to encourage not only academic growth, but spiritual growth in my first graders. I am married to my husband Alan and have two grown daughters, Sonja and Joanna. Both of them attended ACS and consider a Bible-based curriculum as essential to their early years as well as their continued growth as Christians.
Career: BRE from Cornerstone; BA from Calvin College; Diploma in Christian Education from Moody Bible Institute; MA from Grand Valley University; ACSI Lifetime Certificate.
Comment: I have taught kindergarten, 2nd grade, 6th grade and the Learning Resource Center at ACS since the fall of 1989. I am excited to teach first grade this year. My desire is to encourage not only academic growth, but spiritual growth in my first graders. I am married to my husband Alan and have two grown daughters, Sonja and Joanna. Both of them attended ACS and consider a Bible-based curriculum as essential to their early years as well as their continued growth as Christians.
Dawn Snell, BA -- Second Grade Teacher
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 120
Career: Bachelor of Arts in English/Language Arts and Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI; ACSI Certificate.
Comments: I have been teaching at Algoma since 2014, and I am loving it! It is a blessing to share the love of Christ and to encourage students to walk with Him and shine His light wherever they go. It is fun to see the energy and excitement that second graders have for learning. I enjoy watching them grow spiritually and academically.
Career: Bachelor of Arts in English/Language Arts and Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI; ACSI Certificate.
Comments: I have been teaching at Algoma since 2014, and I am loving it! It is a blessing to share the love of Christ and to encourage students to walk with Him and shine His light wherever they go. It is fun to see the energy and excitement that second graders have for learning. I enjoy watching them grow spiritually and academically.
Jennifer Dykstra, BA, M.ED -- Third Grade Teacher
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 125
Career: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI; Masters of Education in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI; ACSI Lifetime Certificate.
Comments: I've been teaching 3rd grade at ACS since 2004. I am honored that God has given me the wonderful opportunity to teach and help families make disciples at ACS. I thoroughly enjoy working with and learning from third graders; I love being able to share and grow in the Lord on a daily basis. I am married to my husband, Scott, and we have two daughters who attend Algoma. We are so thankful for the wonderful Christian education our children are receiving at ACS.
Career: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI; Masters of Education in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI; ACSI Lifetime Certificate.
Comments: I've been teaching 3rd grade at ACS since 2004. I am honored that God has given me the wonderful opportunity to teach and help families make disciples at ACS. I thoroughly enjoy working with and learning from third graders; I love being able to share and grow in the Lord on a daily basis. I am married to my husband, Scott, and we have two daughters who attend Algoma. We are so thankful for the wonderful Christian education our children are receiving at ACS.
Kim Wheeler, BS -- Fourth Grade Teacher
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 118
Career: Bachelor of Science in Science from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI; Science Endorsement and minor in Elementary Education from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI; ACSI Certificate.
Comments: I have been teaching 4th Grade at ACS since 1999. I am so excited to be a part of God’s work at Algoma Christian School each day. I enjoy teaching and sharing my life with children. I pray each day that students would see Christ through me. My greatest joy is to see children come to know Jesus as their personal Savior and grow more like Him each day. I am married to my wonderful husband, Dean, and we have one daughter, who attends ACS. She has been a student at ACS since she was four. God is so good and faithful!
Career: Bachelor of Science in Science from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI; Science Endorsement and minor in Elementary Education from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI; ACSI Certificate.
Comments: I have been teaching 4th Grade at ACS since 1999. I am so excited to be a part of God’s work at Algoma Christian School each day. I enjoy teaching and sharing my life with children. I pray each day that students would see Christ through me. My greatest joy is to see children come to know Jesus as their personal Savior and grow more like Him each day. I am married to my wonderful husband, Dean, and we have one daughter, who attends ACS. She has been a student at ACS since she was four. God is so good and faithful!
Suzanne Tiesma, BS, M.ED -- Fifth Grade Teacher
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 138
Career: Bachelor of Science in Communications from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI; Masters of Education in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI. ACSI Certificate. My first year at ACS, I taught English and History in 6th, 7th and 8th Grades. Since 2002, I have been teaching 5th Grade.
Comments: I have been teaching at Algoma Christian School since 2001. It is and has been a blessing to instruct and instill Godly principles to a great group of kids. As a Christian teacher, I believe that I am a partner with parents in education. No matter what grade a student is in, I believe as teachers we have an incredible opportunity to speak into their lives and show them the love of God. I cherish seeing God's hand on the hearts and lives of students at Algoma Christian School.
Career: Bachelor of Science in Communications from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI; Masters of Education in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI. ACSI Certificate. My first year at ACS, I taught English and History in 6th, 7th and 8th Grades. Since 2002, I have been teaching 5th Grade.
Comments: I have been teaching at Algoma Christian School since 2001. It is and has been a blessing to instruct and instill Godly principles to a great group of kids. As a Christian teacher, I believe that I am a partner with parents in education. No matter what grade a student is in, I believe as teachers we have an incredible opportunity to speak into their lives and show them the love of God. I cherish seeing God's hand on the hearts and lives of students at Algoma Christian School.
Lindsey smith, BA -- sixth GRADE TEACHER
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 111
Career: Bachelor of Arts, from Cornerstone University. In process of completing additional graduate classes at Marygrove College; ACSI Certificate. I have taught at ACS since 2011.
Comments: After graduating from Cornerstone in the Spring of 2010, I began looking for a teaching job. Having grown up attending Charlotte Public Schools, I greatly appreciated the Christian atmosphere around Cornerstone. I decided to begin looking and applying at Christian schools. Algoma Christian School came up and they were looking for a PE position. I immediately loved the close-knit staff and the family-like environment of the school. After receiving the job at Algoma, I knew I was where God wanted me to be. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to teach the Word of God everyday to my classes. After my first year at Algoma, I became the Athletic Director for three years. After this, God opened up a full time teaching position this Fall (2015), and I am very excited for the new challenges and rewarding experiences this year will bring. I am overjoyed to invest my time in Christian education and pour God's love into the lives of students at Algoma!
Career: Bachelor of Arts, from Cornerstone University. In process of completing additional graduate classes at Marygrove College; ACSI Certificate. I have taught at ACS since 2011.
Comments: After graduating from Cornerstone in the Spring of 2010, I began looking for a teaching job. Having grown up attending Charlotte Public Schools, I greatly appreciated the Christian atmosphere around Cornerstone. I decided to begin looking and applying at Christian schools. Algoma Christian School came up and they were looking for a PE position. I immediately loved the close-knit staff and the family-like environment of the school. After receiving the job at Algoma, I knew I was where God wanted me to be. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to teach the Word of God everyday to my classes. After my first year at Algoma, I became the Athletic Director for three years. After this, God opened up a full time teaching position this Fall (2015), and I am very excited for the new challenges and rewarding experiences this year will bring. I am overjoyed to invest my time in Christian education and pour God's love into the lives of students at Algoma!
Vanessa Bergman, BA -- Art, computer studies, Yearbook
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Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 139
Career: BA in K-12 Art Education from Grand Valley State University; ACSI Certificate. Comment: I have been the art teacher at ACS since 2013. What a blessing it is to work at a school where God is working and moving in the hearts of students and teachers. I love that I am able to share and teach the love of God through art. I am blessed to be able to teach all ages from kindergarteners all the way to 12th grade. I am looking forward to seeing them grow and develop into the young men and women God created them to be. |
derek delgado, BS -- Physical education, Health
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Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 141
Career: Bachelor of Science in K-12 Physical Education and 6-12 Health Education from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. ACS is my first full time teaching job! I was hired here in the fall of 2015 after completing my degree requirements in December of 2014. I substitute taught and coached high school baseball during the spring of 2015.
Comment: My goal as a teacher has always been to bring a servant's heart into whatever school and school district I have the privilege of working for. I truly believe that students, no matter their backgrounds, will not care what or how much you teach them until they know how much you care. With that in mind, I am here at Algoma with a relational perspective on teaching - getting to know my students and showing interest in them outside of the classroom in hopes of getting through to them in the classroom. Whether through teaching, coaching, or every day interactions in the halls of the school, I strive to be someone that students of all ages can look to as a positive, Christ-like example. My wife Mackenzie and I have been married since January 2nd of 2015. We moved to Grand Rapids in August of the same year upon me being hired here at ACS. On October 12, 2016, our daughter Charlotte entered the world. Currently, we live in the thriving metropolis of Conklin, MI. |
Kaitlyn Moelker, elementary music
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Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 136
Career: Bachelor of Music Education from Grand Valley State University
Comments: I began teaching at Algoma Christian School in 2017. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share God's love with students through music. My goal for each student is to learn to glorify God by developing the skills, concepts, and attitudes for a lifetime enjoyment and appreciation of music. |
neville, gordon, bfa -- band
Phone: 616-678-7480 Ext: 136
Career: I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University with graduate studies at North Florida University and Central Michigan University. I've taught band and music in Florida for 13 years in both public and Christian schools and I have an ACSI Certificate. I moved to Michigan in 1999 and taught in the Grand Rapids Public School system for 14 years. This my second great year at Algoma Christian as its band director and 3rd and 4th grade music teacher.
Comment: My wonderful wife Barbara and I have 6 children and 7 grandchildren and live in the the Cedar Springs area. I also have a military career with the U.S. Army, the 13th Army Band, and the 126 Army Band which I retired from in August of 2012 with a total of 21 years service. I retired from public school teaching in 2013 looking for something part time I could do and still be somewhat retired. The position at Algoma Christian is the best job of my teaching career and the Lord, faculty, and students are the reason why.
Career: I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University with graduate studies at North Florida University and Central Michigan University. I've taught band and music in Florida for 13 years in both public and Christian schools and I have an ACSI Certificate. I moved to Michigan in 1999 and taught in the Grand Rapids Public School system for 14 years. This my second great year at Algoma Christian as its band director and 3rd and 4th grade music teacher.
Comment: My wonderful wife Barbara and I have 6 children and 7 grandchildren and live in the the Cedar Springs area. I also have a military career with the U.S. Army, the 13th Army Band, and the 126 Army Band which I retired from in August of 2012 with a total of 21 years service. I retired from public school teaching in 2013 looking for something part time I could do and still be somewhat retired. The position at Algoma Christian is the best job of my teaching career and the Lord, faculty, and students are the reason why.
