Professional Biography
I attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI where I graduated with a B.A. in History and a minor in English within the Education Program in 2003. I currently hold a California teaching credential. I have taught at Ontario Christian since 2005. For the first five years, I taught 7th grade English and History, and in 2010 I moved to 6th grade to teach at the elementary level. In 2014, I moved up to high school where I became a member of the Social Studies department. I also have been an assistant coach with the high school boys” basketball team since 2006, and I was the head J.V. baseball coach from 2005-2010. I currently coach middle school flag football in the fall as well.
Personal Biography
I grew up just down the road in Escondido, CA where I attended Calvin Christian School. Both of my parents are teachers, so when I was growing up I always told myself I would never want to be one. However, the Lord works in mysterious ways, and halfway through my time at college, I felt a calling to go into education. I wasn’t sure at first, but the more I got into the program, the more I enjoyed what I was doing. As for the rest of my immediate family, I have three little sisters. The oldest is married and living in Zeeland, MI with her husband and young daughter, where she works as a physical therapist. The middle recently graduated from Calvin College with a degree in elementary education and teaches in Del Mar, CA, and the youngest just graduated from Calvin College this past spring. My personal interests include playing sports such as basketball and baseball, doing things in the outdoors such as surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, camping, golfing and rooting for my favorite sports teams (Padres and Chargers).
Philosophical Biography
One of my goals as a Christian school teacher is to help my students grow spiritually throughout the school year. This is essential to Christian education and something to which I strive to bring focus within my classroom. I pray that I can be a witness to my students as the school year progresses. As a high school teacher, I also believe that it is extremely important to prepare my students for life after high school. Thus, independence and responsibility are fostered in my classroom. Of course, this doesn’t mean we can’t also have a little fun along the way! It is also very important that the students in my classroom feel as if they are a part of a community in which they feel safe. As Christians, we are called to live with one another in community, supporting, encouraging, and loving one another.
