Featured Alumnus - December 2020

It seems like just yesterday that I was walking down the hallways of Chicago Christian High School interacting with my friends and classmates: being known as "Midge," acting on stage, attending sporting events, and enjoying all the fun, offsite gym activities like bowling and ice hockey.  The memories I have from high school will last a lifetime, and I am thankful for the family atmosphere that I experienced and the many life-long friends that I developed from my time there.

 

After graduating from CCHS in 2006, I worked at the school as a yearbook advisor and janitor while attending college.  After receiving my undergraduate degree from Trinity Christian College in 2009 in Business Education, I went on to Crown Point Christian School in St. John, IN. I taught preschool through eighth-grade computers, implemented a 1:1 laptop program for middle school students, coached basketball, and helped coordinate the curriculum mapping for the school. While teaching, I continued my education, receiving a graduate degree from Saint Xavier University in Education Administration, and a certificate from Trinity Christian College in Special Education.

 

At the age of 27 years old, I accepted my first Principal position at Immanuel Christian Academy in Hillside, IL, in July of 2014.  It was the beginning of my journey as the "crazy cool Principal" that out dresses his students in spirit days and plays basketball and football with the students at recess.  During my time there, I was able to make positive changes to the school culture and curriculum implementations such as technology, art, Spanish, and STEM programs. I received the Timothy Award for being an innovative educator within the Northern Illinois Lutheran District, which I have served as a member of the school accreditation teams and have planned committees for professional development.

 

Today, I am thankful to be in my fourth year serving as principal at St. John Lutheran School in Country Club Hills, IL, which is also part of the Northern Illinois Lutheran District and has many students that attend CCHS for high school. I'm glad that I am in a position where I can encourage students to attend CCHS as I want them to have the same Christ-like experience that many alumni and I have had!  I wouldn't be where I am today in my career if it wasn't for some amazing teachers and administrators that inspired me.  Each one of them played a special part in shaping me, and I have great memories from all the teachers!  Thank you to the likes of Mrs. Potter, Mr. Kreykes, and Mr. Altena for inspiring me to go into teaching, Mr. Bult and Mr. Douma for making it look "cool" to be a school administrator, Dr. Kuipers for being a mentor to me during my college years, and Janitor Scott for being a pal.

 

Chicago Christian provided me with a strong faith foundation that I'm able to share with my school community as a Christian leader.  My students are encouraged to love and understand one another without judging and to give back to others in time of need.  God gives them the strength to accomplish what they put in their heart and mind. In this crazy year of 2020, I am thankful to be a Christian school leader equipping my students to grow in their walk with God and be Christian leaders of their own one day!