Faculty and Staff
All of our teachers are state-certified and participate in professional development on an ongoing basis.
Melissa Brower
Principal
Education: B.S. from
Teaching Experience: 11 years of teaching high school. GCS Principal since 2003.
Church Affiliation: Trinity Christian Reformed
Favorite Bible Verse: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom”. Isaiah 40:28
Lacy Perkins
Secretary / Volleyball and Basketball Coach
Coaching Practice: “I love sports. I like to interact with kids and I want to teach them not just about the sport, but how to be a good person as well.
Church Affiliation:
Favorite Bible Verse: “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” Proverbs 4: 13
Brenda Wells
Preschool Teacher
Education: CDA in Early Childhood Education. Additional classes in Early Childhood and Administration.
Teaching Experience: 10 years of teaching, at GCS since 2003
About Teaching: “I enjoy teaching this age group because they are always eager to learn. It is exciting to see their faces light up when they accomplish a task. I love teaching them about God and the wonderful world that he created for us. We sing songs, listen to stories, get acquainted with letters and numbers. We also foster the emergence of social skills while having free play or working on craft projects.”
Church Affiliation:
Favorite Bible Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
Sherri Vander Meulen
Kindergarten Teacher
Education: B. A. from
Teaching Experience: Teacher training at
About Teaching: “I enjoy teaching students new information and watching them as they apply it and succeed. In Spanish class I teach students speaking, listening, reading and writing while concentrating on different topics such as animals, places, people. We also read and learn Bible verses in Spanish. In Computer class, in addition to typing skills students become familiar with the most widely used software applications. As a soccer coach I want players to have fun, learn some new skills, give their best effort, and work as a team.
Church Affiliation: Grant Reformed Church
Favorite Bible Verse: “Value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2: 4-5
Cathy Wagner
1st and 2nd Grade Teacher
Education: B. S. from
Teaching Experience: 19 years of teaching, at GCS since 1991, has taught all four elementary grades, Title One at risk students and Migrant students
About Teaching: “I enjoy helping children to discover God’s vast domain. We do this through hands-on activities, such as raising silk worms, spinning wool, building longhouses and castles, and learning the science and history behind these activities. Children also become part of our community of developing readers and writers, and begin thinking and communicating mathematically along with graphing, calendar skills and geometry concepts.”
Church Affiliation: Trinity Christian Reformed
Favorite Bible Verse: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
Jennifer Borgman
3rd and 4th Grade Teacher / Softball and Volleyball Coach
Education: B. A. from
Teaching Experience: 13years of teaching, at GCS since 2003
About Teaching: “I enjoy teaching kids learn about God’s creation. We work on language arts and science projects and experiments. I love it when a student who has been struggling catches on and gets it; it is great to watch their excitement. I also enjoy joining my students playing soccer in recess. As a coach, I love interacting with the kids outside of school and watching them grow in their abilities throughout the years.
Church Affiliation:
Favorite Bible Verse: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans” 8: 37-39
Joel Bont
Physical Education Teacher
Education: Bachelor’s degree from
Teaching Experience: Teacher training at
About Teaching: “I enjoy the students; they make the teaching profession a great profession. I want my students to develop the fundamental skills in sports: throwing, kicking, striking, and other basic skills. I also want to help them learn fair play and teamwork when we get into the actual game.
Church Affiliation: United Reformed Church
Favorite Bible Verse: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 37-39
