The People Behind the Mission
Meet the Staff
Meet the teachers, leaders, and support staff who help students grow in faith, learning, and community each day at West Side Christian School.
Learn More About West Side Christian SchoolOffice & Support Staff
Meet the leaders and support team members who help steward the daily care, communication, technology, operations, and mission of West Side Christian School.
Patrick McNamara
Head of School
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 1, “A tree planted by water...” and
Ephesians 2:8-10
Church
LaGrave CRC
Delia Roberts
Assistance Principal
Favorite Bible Verse
Jeremiah 29:11
Church
LaGrave CRC
Marlene Alvarez
Administrative Assistant and Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Favorite Bible Verse
Proverbs 3:5
Church
First Byron CRC
Pam Mersman
Office Assistance
Favorite Bible Verse
Jeremiah 29:11
Church
East Leonard Christian Reformed Church
Dale Burghgraef
Development Director
Favorite Bible Verse
Jeremiah 29:11
Church
Westview Christian Reformed Church
Nina VanHeulen
Business Manager
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 12:1-2
Church
Westview Christian Reformed Church
Tim Kamps
Network Administrator
Favorite Bible Verse
Jeremiah 29:11
Church
Encounter
Brenden Stephens
Technology Support Technician
Favorite Bible Verse
John 15:4
Church
Remembrance Church
Brandon Klomp
Facilities Manager and Athletic Director
Favorite Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:1
Church
Calvary Church Grand Rapids
Early Childhood
Meet the teachers and classroom aides who create welcoming, Christ-centered learning environments where young students explore, build relationships, and grow.
Kelly Zeck
3s Preschool Teacher / Early Childhood Director
Favorite Bible Verse
Luke 10:27
Church
The Beloved Church
Kristi Elliott
3s and 3s/4s Preschool Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Proverbs 3:5-6
Church
LaGrave Avenue CRC
Melissa Scholten
3/4 Preschool Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Matthew 11:28-30
Church
Mars Hill Bible Church
Amalia Mulder
4s Preschool Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8:38-39
Church
Westend Christian Reformed Church
Rebecca Essenburg
4s Preschool Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Church
Gold Avenue Church
Teresa Kooyer
Nature Preschool Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8:38-39
Church
Walker URC
Jamie Gibson
Nature Preschool Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 15:13
Church
Orchard Hill Christian Reformed Church
Alisha Myers
Young 5s Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8:28
Church
Westend CRC
Leah Fikkert
Young 5s Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
2 Timothy 1:7
Church
Crossroads Bible Church
Meredith VanderHyde
Young 5s Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Church
Remembrance Reformed
Elementary School
Meet the elementary teachers and classroom aides who build strong academic foundations, nurture curiosity, and help students grow within a caring Christ-centered community.
Kayla Birch
Kindergarten Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8:38-39
Church
Bauer Christian Reformed
Hannah Litwiller
Kindergarten Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 15:13
Church
The Beloved Church
Peyton Mars
Kindergarten Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Zephaniah 3:17
Church
The Local Church GR
Lauren Corell
First Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 4:4-7
Church
The Beloved Church
Alison Groenboom
First Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 15:13
Church
Faith Community Christian Reformed Church
Zoe Frisby
First Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Joshua 1:9
Church
Antioch
Hannah Conklin
Second Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
James 1:19
Church
Foundry Church
Katie TeBrake
Third Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Church
The Local Church (TLC)
Lydia Cox
Second Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Isaiah 41:10
Church
Crossroads Bible Church
Jennifer Borgman
Fourth Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8:28-30
Church
Walker United Reformed Church
Deb Mersmen
Third Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 138:8
Church
North End Chapel
Aubrey Bour
Fourth Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
John 13:7
Church
The Local Church
Mallory Hohn
Fifth Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
1 Timothy 4:12
Church
North End Chapel
Jen Kelly
Elementary Classroom Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Ephesians 2:10
Church
Calvary Church
Amira Selvius
Fifth Grade Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Micah 6:8
Church
North End Chapel
Sarah Ronne
Elementary Classroom Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
1 Peter 4:8
Church
LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church
Ruth Hop
Elementary Classroom Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 46:10a
Church
First Byron CRC
Emily Rolls
Elementary Classroom Aide
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 46:10a
Church
Christ Church Anglican
Middle School
Meet the middle school teachers who challenge students to explore ideas, grow in responsibility, strengthen their faith, and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
Robert Dotson
Middle School Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 23, especially verses 1-4
Church
Not provided
Rachel Becher
Middle School Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Joshua 7
Church
Westview CRC
Aaron Elzinga
Middle School Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Proverbs 3:5-6
Church
LaGrave Avenue CRC
Zach Klomp
Middle School Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 4:12
Church
Remembrance
Marilee Marsman
Middle School Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 46:10
Church
Westend Christian Reformed Church
Julie Musch
Middle School Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Colossians 3:23 and Proverbs 16:9
Church
Searchlight Ministries
Educational Support Services
Meet the educators and support professionals who help students grow with confidence, receive meaningful support, and experience belonging as valued image bearers of God.
Tracy Tiemeyer
ESS Director
Favorite Bible Verse
Amos 5:24
Church
Unison Christian Church
Jordan Peless
Grades 5-8 Resource Room Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Matthew 6:26
Church
Ada Bible Church
Anna Ray
Grades K-4 Resource Room Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Numbers 6:24-26
Church
Indwelling Community Church
Barb Baumann
ESS Paraprofessional
Favorite Bible Verse
Hebrews 12:2
Church
Haven Christian Reformed Church
Rachel Hendricks
ESS Paraprofessional
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 4:13
Church
Sunshine Community Church
Amanda Lehmann
ESS Paraprofessional
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 25:4-5
Church
Calvary Church
Deb McCourt
ESS Paraprofessional
Favorite Bible Verse
Lamentations 3:22-23
Church
The Beloved
Chase Sutter
Outdoor Education Assistant / ESS
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 23
Church
Cedar Springs Baptist Church
Monica VanWienen
School Counselor
Favorite Bible Verse
Exodus 14:14
Church
Not provided
Eileen VerStrate
ESS Paraprofessional
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 91:3-4
Church
Neland Avenue
Elise Anderson
ESS Paraprofessional
Favorite Bible Verse
Not Provided
Church
Not Provided
Specials & Enrichment
Meet the educators who help students develop their gifts through faith formation, music, art, language, technology, physical education, outdoor learning, and library resources.
Dawn Bouman
Chapel Coordinator
Favorite Bible Verse
Zephaniah 3:17
Church
Faith Community CRC
Carter Deemter
Band & General Music
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 95:1
Church
Faith Community Christian Reformed Church
Karen VandenAkker
Band Assistant
Favorite Bible Verse
Colossians 3:16-17
Church
Christian Reformed
Susan Oatis
Art teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Galatians 6:9 - Do not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Church
Calvary Church
Monica VanHouten
Spanish teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Colossians 3:12-17
Church
Jamestown Baptist Church
Janet Staal
Director of Nature-Based / Outdoor Education
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 40:5
Church
Westview CRC
Wendy Kuzma
Librarian & Media
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 8:28
Church
Remembrance Church
Andrew Vander Wal
Physical Education Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 2:5-11
Church
Crossroads Bible Church
Mary Jo Nanninga
Physical Education, Grades Young 5s-Kindergarten
Favorite Bible Verse
Isaiah 40:31
Church
WestEnd CRC
Ronald Warner
Technology, Grades K-4
Favorite Bible Verse
Proverbs 3:5
Church
Allegan United Methodist Church
Catherine Estes
Orchestra Teacher
Favorite Bible Verse
Revelation 22:5
Church
West Cannon Baptist Church
Little Sprouts
Meet the leader who helps create a nurturing, faith-based environment where children can play, explore, build friendships, and experience the joy of growing together.
Chelsea Spiegel
Little Sprouts Director
Favorite Bible Verse
Joshua 1:9
Church
Crossroads Bible Church
Emily VanWienen
Little Sprouts Assistant Director
Favorite Bible Verse
Not Provided
Church
Not Provided
Food Service
Meet the team members who serve students through West Side Christian School’s hot lunch program and help make lunchtime a welcoming part of each school day.
Kristy Arsulowicz
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 34:4
Church
Westend CRC
Nancy DeBruin
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Proverbs 3:5
Church
Calvary Church
Barb Groenendyk
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 4:6-7
Church
Westend CRC
Toni Houtstra
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 4:13
Church
Westend CRC
Brenda Langeland
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Isaiah 41:10
Church
Westend CRC
Joan Langeland
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Isaiah 41:13
Church
Westend CRC
Jill Verbeek
Hot lunch
Favorite Bible Verse
Ephesians 3:18-19
Church
Westend CRC
Transportation Staff
Meet the transportation team members who help students begin and end their school days with care, consistency, and a welcoming connection to the WSCS community.
Sue Folkerts
Transportation Coordinator
Favorite Bible Verse
Jeremiah 29:11
Church
Cedar OPC, Jenison
Kenneth Folkerts
Bus driver
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 119:105
Church
Cedar Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Matt Gajtka
Bus driver
Favorite Bible Verse
Psalm 23
Church
South Harbor
Sharon McNeely
Bus driver
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 4:8
Church
Not Provided
Monte Bell
Bus driver
Favorite Bible Verse
Romans 1:16
Church
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Connect With WSCS
Learn More About West Side Christian School
Have questions about our staff, programs, or Christ-centered PreK–8 experience? Our team would be glad to help your family learn more about West Side Christian School.