our staff
We have a great group of people who are committed to serving the students at GCS. Learn a little more about them here.
Holly Hedges
Administrative Assistant
I started working at GCS in the preschool program. Last year, I was the Preschool director and enjoyed that time with our youngest students. This is my first year working admissions in the front office and I love it!
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It is a joy to watch kids grow and learn. Children that I worked with in Preschool are now heading into fourth grade and it is neat to see how they grow and mature!
Katie Kray
Administrative Assistant
I am a Bethel Graduate with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice and Liberal Arts with American Sign Language. I started at GCS as the admissions secretary working alongside my big sister! Yes, Mrs. Olesen is my sister. I am now the Financial Aide Choice Scholarship point person.
prek team
Jacklyn
Earl
Prekindergarten Teacher
I grew up in NY state where I attended Corning Community College and Houghton College. I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, hiking, and biking. I have been with GCS Preschool since 2016.
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In the classroom, I love to share great books and create fun projects about the stories we read. One of my favorite parts of the day is singing songs together that help us learn God's word and remind us how much he loves us.
Flor
Acevedo
Prekindergarten Teacher
Born and raised in El Salvador, my native language is Spanish or "Castellano"I moved to California in 1999. I am a wife, and a mother of two girls and I'm passionate about working with preschool age children. I have an Associate's degree in Business, a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), and finishing my Associates in Early Childhood Education.
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My favorite subjects are Social Studies and Creative Movement.
Coming Soon
Prekindergarten Aide
Bio Coming...
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elementary team
Angela
Vega
First Grade Teacher
I teach first grade at GCS. I have been teaching 19 years (4 here at GCS) and have taught Kindergarten and first grade. I live with my husband, Daniel, and our 2 daughters attend GCS.
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I love teaching kids and building relationships with my students. Watching first graders grow as readers is so exciting! I enjoy teaching our character clubs unit and doing STEM challenges with students.
Debbie Stevens
Second Grade Teacher
I have taught in both public and Christian schools for 17 years and have a B.A. in education from Anderson University. I recently moved to the Granger/Mishawaka area from Wheaton, Illinois. Watching children reach their God-given potential and seeing the sense of awe and “A-ha” moments are what I enjoy most about teaching. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter as well as our two dachshunds.
April
Geibe
Stephanie
OlesEn
Emily Stump
Third Grade Teacher
I am in my 20th year of teaching. My focus was in lower elementary (mainly kindergarten) before transitioning up to 3rd grade in the fall of 2019.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, participating in BSF, playing games, and spending time with my husband Josh.
Fourth Grade Teacher
I have a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University. I taught second grade through fifth grade over the span of seven years before becoming a stay at home mom. I started working at GCS in 2015 as a secretary in the front office.
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Fifth Grade Teacher
Bio Coming...
April also serves as a teacher representative on the GCS school board.
Secondary team
Audrey
Meert
Secondary History/Science
I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary History Education, and I have been teaching in Christian schools ever since! I joined the team here at GCS in 2018 as the Middle School History teacher, but my role has expanded since then to include teaching some high school classes, coaching volleyball, and directing drama.
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One of the reasons that I became a teacher was to help students see the world outside of themselves. I love seeing the light in their eyes as they realize the beauty found in the variety of God's creation both in nature and the people He created.
Jena Stevenson
Secondary Math/Science & Yearbook
I have taught secondary mathematics and yearbook at GCS for four years. I graduated from Grace College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. Granger Christian School has always been home for me, as I attended school at GCS for 12 years, graduating in 2013. My sister, Rachel, also graduate from GCS in 2017.
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I enjoy teaching middle and high school students and building their confidence in mathematics, as well as helping students creatively capture the school year in our yearbook. A favorite project of mine is creating origami dodecahedrons with my Geometry classes!
Keri Aldridge
Secondary Math
I have a B.S. in Business Education, an M.B.A. and the required credits in mathematics coursework to be licensed to teach secondary math. This is my fifth year teaching Mathematics at GCS.
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I enjoy challenging students to use various problem-solving strategies and to tackle hard problems.
Julie
Abbott
Secondary Math
I have a B.S. in Mathematics from Wheaton College and a M.S. in Biostatistics from The School of Public Health at The University of Michigan. This is my 7th year teaching Math at GCS. My husband and I have 5 children, two are GCS grads and two are current students.
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I love teaching all math, but I especially like teaching AP Calculus. It is a type of math that most students have never seen before, and I like seeing their sense of accomplishment when they understand.
adam
Willis
Secondary Bible Teacher
I Graduated with a B.S. in Youth Ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2003. This is my 3d year teaching Bible at GCS. I worked as a Youth/ Student Ministry Pastor for 14 years in the local church in the Grand Rapids & Mishawaka areas before coming on board as the Bible teacher here at Granger Christian School.
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I have always had a heart for students to know, understand and grow in their knowledge and understanding of God's word. I want them to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and develop a faith that is their own so that when they graduate from High School they not only have a personal relationship with Christ but desire to grown and impact the world for sake of the Gospel where ever they go. I also absolutely love to plan and run trips and retreat for students and especially look forward to the High school trips we go on each year.
Rhonda Cheney
Secondary English
I am so excited to be joining the Granger Christian School faculty! I bring with me years of education, service, and a love for children. My degree in Education is from Indiana University South Bend, and I have also completed some graduate work with Ball State. Previously, I worked for several area school systems as both a paraprofessional and a classroom teacher. I also have experience with homeschooling, teaching Sunday School, and leading Youth Group. Loving God and loving people is at the heart of everything I do.
My husband, Craig, and I have two girls, ages 7 and 9. We live on a farm with lots of chickens, ducks, and geese. We also have two dogs, a lab (Maggie Jane) and a service dog (Liberty) for our oldest daughter who is autistic.
Kristi
Littrell
Physical Education/Athletic Director
I graduated from Defiance College with Bachelor of Arts in Wellness and Athletic Training. From there I received my Masters in Art in Organizational Leadership. For the last three years I served as the Hot Lunch Administrator. Last year I took over teaching Elementary PE. This year begins my first year as a full time teacher teaching PK-9th grade PE and K-5th grade Computers.
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I love to see kids get excited about a new skill they learn in gym. Last year I had a parent tell me that their Kindergartner was teaching her family to do push ups and told them how they were doing them wrong.
My passion is my family and I feel very blessed to have a wonderful husband and kids.
Mary Fairchild
Paraprofessional
I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education with five years of experience teaching first and second grade. I have been a paraprofessional here at GCS for two years.
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I love to see students get excited when they understand something that was hard for them at first.
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Eunice Thomas
Paraprofessional
I graduated from Bob Jones University with my degree in Early Childhood Education. God has blessed me with 25+ years of multifaceted experience in the field of education - from preschool, pre- kindergarten, building substitute, to special education. I am truly blessed to be in my third year here at GCS!
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My all-time favorite thing is when that "light bulb" goes off in a student's head - that "I finally got it" moment. This never grows old! My heart's desire is to bring out God's very best in every student that He brings my way.