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Position: Board Member
Contact Information:
Background: Julie is a mom of eight, grandmother to thirteen. She has been homeschooling for about twenty-two years. She has been serving on the GRACE Home School Association board for more than ten years. She enjoys keeping an eye on studetns in her study hall/monitoring duties. She is blessed by the student interaction and mainly encouraged by the fruit of their hard-working, dedicated parents' labors.
Position: Teacher - Marvelous Michigan, American Literature, Journalism
Contact Information: annika.breimayer@gmail.com
Background: Annika was homeschooled from preschool to 12th grade. She recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's of Art degree in English and a minor in Spanish. She currently works at Bekins in Grand Haven and teaches Marvelous Michigan, Journalism/Creative Writing/Yearbook, and World Literature. She also publishes the FACTS Newsletter.
Position: Teacher - Keyboarding, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel; Bookkeeper; Webmaster; Board Member
Contact Information: cunnitam@comcast.net
Background: Tammy is married and has 3 daughters and a Jack Russell Terrier. She homeschooled her daughters for a total of 17 years. All three girls are now graduated, two of which are now married (Annika Breimayer is her oldest daughter - see above). Tammy has two grandsons, Shane and Emmett, and a granddaughter, Angelle.
Tammy currently works for Stericycle one day a week (previously Enserv Midwest where she worked full time). Being brought down to one day a week allowed her to be able to teach computer for GRACE. She was the previous Administrative Assistant for GRACE from 1994-2008. She continued doing bookkeeping and maintaining the GRACE website for GRACE since leaving in 2008. She also does the bookkeeping for Seventh Reformed Church where she attends.
Position: Teacher - Drawing, Botanical Notebook, Oil Painting, and Water Color
Contact Information:
Background: Lorrie started teaching for GRACE in 1995, just one year after GRACE began. She has taught art for children as well as adults not only for GRACE, but also for Zion Christian and HSAP (Home School Ancillary Program). Her hobbies include botanical studies and America's Early History for re-enacting. Bible Study Fellowship is an ongoing passion and outreach throughout the year. So if "Anything Art" is your interest, there is room in her class!
Position: Administrative Assistant
Contact Information: office@gracehsaonline.org - 616-204-4920
Background: Waverly has been married for 33 years and has 5 children, 4 boys and one girl, and one grandchild. Her children have been home schooled K-12th grade. Two of her children have traveled to third world countries to do mission work several times. Her 26 year old daughter just graduated from Douglas J. Aveda Hair Institute and her 23 year old son will be graduating from GRCC with a Radiology Tech. Associates degree in April, 2011. Her oldest son is married and has a beautiful three year old daughter. Waverly's children range in age from 28 down to almost 18, the youngest graduating from high school with GRACE Home School Association this June, 2011.
Waverly's husband has supported his family well by working at the Post Office for almost 36 years as a letter carrier and is a godly man, seeking to lead his family in the truth of God's Word.
Her other interests include flower gardening, selling things on EBay, watching her grandchild, remodeling their old farmhouse, cooking, and getting to know her kid's friends. Playing Scrabble is also something she likes to do...in her spare time, which is a precious commodity. Her favorite thing to do on vacation is go to the beach...the ocean, that is, to walk, swim, relax, and be with her family. She likes to draw. Her favorite book, besides the Bible, is entitled, SAFELY HOME by Randy Alcorn, a must-read!
She loves the job she has been given, working as the GRACE Administrative Assistant!!
Position: Administrator & Board Member
Contact Information: 8151 Homerich SW, Byron Center, MI 49315, 616-862-6377, charitygrassmid@yahoo.com
Background: Education began for me at home, way back in 1978, the veritable "Dark Ages" of home education in Michigan. My parents showed all nine of us children, by word and deed, the imperative need for believers to raise each child in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We realized on the benefits of being taught, day in and day out, by a diligent godly mother, who was disciplined enough personally, to teach by not only, "Do what I say", but also, and more importantly, "Do as I do."
Since those childhood years, I subsequently married a wonderful godly man, and we have been blessed with four daughters and a son. We have recently relocated back to Michigan, from South Carolina, for my husband to take a call at Bethel URC. There is still a fair bit of travel involved and we enjoy that as a family whenever possible.
All five of our children, grades 3-12, have been home educated from the beginning, and 2009-2010 was our first full year at GRACE. We greatly appreciate the dedicated staff, gifted teachers, and delightful families here, and Lord willing, anticipate expanding on those classes to include more of the excellent resources available through this Christ-centered organization.
Position: GRACE Graduation and Iowa Basic Testing Coordinator; Lunch Provider
Contact Information: 616-805-2939 or 616-401-4215 or events@gracehsaonline.org
Background: Irene is the GRACE Graduation and Iowa Basic Testing Coordinator as well as the Lunch Provider. She is the mother of 9 children, ages 26 to 5 years, and grandmother of five. Her five oldest children have been homeschooled at varying levels. Her three teenage boys at the high school level are currently being homeschooled. Irene's husband, Randy, is a Christian Elementary School Administrator, thus the younger kids go to school with their dad. Irene has a B.S. of Psychology from Calvin College.
In her spare time she teaches Sunday School, fulfills her duties on various committees of organizations her children take part in (such as Hornets Basketball, Home School Performing Arts, etc.), takes walks with Randy, and spends time with her grandchildren. Some additional favorite activities Irene enjoys include camping with the family, baking, sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, music, reading, and traveling to California to see her extended family.
Position: Teacher - Constitution/Government, Civil War, Worldviews; Board Member
Contact Information:
Background: I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and called it home until 1950. After a stint in the army - LA, Japan, Korean - from 1950-1952, I attended Hope College and Harding College. It was there I met my wife, Anne. Over a span of 37 years, I taught history, coached Freshman and J.V. football as well as Varsity baseball.
The Lord willing, Anne and I will have been married 56 years on April 15. We have four children, all Christians, and 15 grandchildren.
Soon after my retirement in 1994, I was asked to teach and be on the board of GRACE. I couldn't ask for a better "job" to retire to.
Anne and I are presently attending Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Hudsonville, where I am serving as an elder as well as teaching two adult Bible classes.
Position: Teacher - Grammar, Advanced Writing, Intro to Logic)
Contact Information: (616) 681-9432
Background: Hello! I am Ruth Nobel, teacher at GRACE of Grammar (6-8), Grammar (9-12), Advanced Writing, Logic, and Debate. Because my husband Peter and I started homeschooling already in 1978, we are sometimes called the grandparents of Michigan homeschooling! Blessed indeed, we have nine children and 29 grandchildren, who are very wonderful. Forgive my prejudice! Predictably, all four married daughters and their husbands are teaching their children at home. In addition to birthday celebrations and other family and church related activities, I enjoy reading, traveling, and scrapbooking, singing in Psalm Choir, quilting, knitting/crocheting, and working in our yard. Teaching at GRACE, I have come to love the faculty and admire the students' godly attitude and behavior. Except for Fridays at the Home school Building, I can usually be reached at (616) 681-9432.
Position: Teacher - Art Explorations and Art 2011
Contact Information: 540-0741 or karenplas_art@yahoo.com
Background: My love of art began the moment I could hold a crayon. Entering and winning the "Draw Your Dad" contest at the age of 6 helped me to realize at an early age what I wanted to do with my life. After 4 years of art in high school, I went on to study art and education in college while working and learning from teachers at Wyoming Public Schools. Soon I was able to combine my passion for art and my love for teaching children. I have enjoyed teaching art for a year at Tri-Unity Christian Middle School, privately at the Home School Building for 7 years and GRACE for 2 years.
In addition to teaching and homeschooling my two teenage children, I work as an editor for the Swedish American Heritage Society and produce Christian artwork that is currently held at an art gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and on my website at www.karenaboutart.com.
Position: Board Member - Treasurer
Contact Information:
Background:
Position: Teacher - Beginning & Intermediate Writing, 7th Grade Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Geometry
Contact Information: jkand3@altelco.net
Background: Kathy Snippe received her B.A. in Education and Masters in teaching from Calvin College. She taught grades 3-5 in a small Christian school in Canada for a few years. This proved to be a great training for home schooling her own children. There was never a dull moment, and she had to learn quickly how to handle several grade levels at one time. When her own children became school aged, she decided that she loved her children and loved teaching so why not teach them at home. All three of her boys were home schooled through the ninth grade before going to a private Christian high school.
Kathy joined the GRACE staff on summer as she was signing her son up for a couple classes. GRACE needed a math teacher, and her son needed an art teacher. After a couple years, she also began teaching writing classes because she loved using the materials from Excellence in Writing and had witnessed a great change in her sons' writing after using the program. Kathy knows that God led her to work with the students and staff at GRACE and has been blessed by their Christ-like attitudes and Christ-centered education.
Position: Teacher - Biology, Dissection, Body Works, Creation Science, Crime Scene Investigations, Health Wise, and Physical Science
Contact Information: 530-1764, 260-6016, or spaanstra2@aol.com, 4445 Penny Lane SW, Wyoming, MI 49418
Background: Bonnie Spaanstra is a Registered Nurse who has taught for GRACE Home School Association since 1995, except for two years when she lived in Northwestern Wisconsin. Classes she has taught for GRACE include Biology, Dissection, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Body Works. She has taught for GRACE since 1995. She also teaches monthly stand-alone dissection labs, not associated with GRACE classes. Additionally, she is an instructor for the American Red Cross several days a week, teaching Babysitting, CPR, and First Aid classes.
Bonnie is married and the mother of 2 graduated homeschooled daughters, both currently college graduates with one in grad school. Her youngest was homeschooled her entire life, while the older daughter was homeschooled all but kindergarten and first grades.
When not teaching, Bonnie enjoys sewing, crafts, and riding her daughter's horse.
Position: Teacher - Introductory Spanish A & B, Spanish I, II, III
Contact Information: (616) 530-2831 or jthomasma822@lycos.com, 2126 Wrenwood St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49519
Background: Joanna has taught/tutored in Spanish (K-12) and Math (6-12) since 1995. She resides in Wyoming with her husband and cat.
Position: Teacher - K-8th Grade Elementary Sciences
Contact Information:
Background: Kim will be teaching the K-8th grade sciences at GRACE this year. Kim is a graduate of Calvin College and has been teaching for 12 years. She is very familiar with multi-grade classrooms because she began her teaching career in a one-room school house in Iowa. She was a 3rd-5th grade teacher at Faith Reformed Christian School for 7 years. She also loves being a wife to Dean and a mother to her 6 children. She attends Dutton United Reformed Church and is eager to share God's creation with your children.
Position: Teacher - Algebra II and Advanced Math
Contact Information:
Background:
Position: Board Member
Contact Information: veurinks@comcast.net; 534-9902
Background: In 1979, I graduated from Calvin College with a degree in elementary education and also married my husband Dennis. We moved to Iowa for one year where I taught grades 3, 4, and 5 combination classroom in a small Christian school. We began homeschooling in 1985 and our children began attending GRACE classes in 1995. I began working for GRACE in 2002. Three of our daughters and four of our sons have graduated with GRACE. In the fall of 2010, we will be homeschooling a son and a daughter. We are also expecting our seventh grandchild. Although the joys and challenges of a large family with 9 children and homeschooling keep me busy, there are other things I enjoy as well such as: M and M Flurries, watching BBC movies, Monk and Andy Griffith, history, politics, worldviews, WORLD Magazine, all four seasons, growing flowers, poetry, literature, art, good church music, and walking at the beach. My best books are the Bible, Valley of Vision, and the Trinity Hymnal.
Position: Teacher - Introduction to Biblical Greek, Latin I & II, Chemistry
Contact Information:
Background: Arjen was born in the Netherlands and studied Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Classical Languages. He has worked as a tutor, a Christian school teacher, and has some experience working with home schooled families. He is currently employed as a Physics instructor at Grand Valley State University.
Comments or Questions?
GRACE Home School Association
10128 Bennett SE, Lowell, MI 49331
(616) 204-4920 or office@gracehsaonline.org
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