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| Ed Noot |
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| Principal (both campuses) | Ed has been the principal at Unity Christian School since 2006. He was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, hence his hopeless loyalty to (former) Edmonton sports dynasties. He has a BA in Philosophy from Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from UBC. Ed is passionate about Christian education as an expression of God's sovereignty over all of life. He also loves the biblical concept of "Shalom". He loves spending time with his family and plays golf whenever (& with whomever) he can. In his spare time he referees hockey.
"Nothing matters but the Kingdom! Because of the Kingdom, everything matters!" - Gordon Spykman |
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| Jeanette Berkenbosch |
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| Vice Principal Elementary | Jeanette was born and raised in Edmonton and moved to the Lower Mainland in 1993. She received her BA in Social Sciences from The King’s College in 1991 and a BEd in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta in 1993. Her career began at Abbotsford Christian School and she held a number of different positions there over 14 years. Ed Noot (principal of UCS) “stole” her away from Abby Christian to begin work at UCS in September 2007. She is kept busy with her different roles at Unity, where she is excited about working with the students and staff and watching them grow and learn in a Christian school where we recognize God in all we do. She admits that she’s a sucker for a skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks! She loves to read, watch movies, go for walks, travel and spend time with friends.
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living." Hebrews 11:1 (The Message) |
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| Diane Bruinsma |
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| Office Administration (both campuses) |
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| Erin Martens |
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| Secretary | Erin has worked at UCS for 6 ½ years, and thinks it is the best job ever! In her spare time she loves camping, riding motorbike with her husband and spending time with her children and 4 grandchildren. |
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| Annette Wiebe |
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| Little Blessings Preschool Director / Teacher |
Annette has been teaching the preschool classes at Unity Christian since 2006. Prior to coming to Unity, Annette worked in Surrey and Abbotsford in daycares for 4 years. Annette attended Columbia Bible Columbia and received her Diploma in Early Childhood Education. In January 2010, Annette returned to CBC to complete her Special Needs Diploma. Going to Starbucks is a favorite past time.
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| Jessica Thiessen |
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| Kindergarten Teacher, Grade 3 Teacher (T/Th) | Jessica has been teaching at Unity Christian since 2006. Prior to coming to Unity, Jessica taught English in Korea for a year and half. That was a fantastic learning experience. Jessica attended the University of the Fraser Valley for part of her undergrad and then went to UBC where she graduated with her BEd. |
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| Alyssa Bouwman |
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| Grade 1 Teacher |
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| Keri Hoeppner |
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| Grade 2 Teacher |
| Keri has been teaching Gr. 2 at Unity since 2005, starting her teaching career in Alberta a few years earlier. Keri has her Bachelor of Education from TWU but also holds a Bachelor of Religious Education. She worked in Church Ministries as well as the travel and finance industries for several years before becoming a teacher. She loves her family, outdoor activities, travelling and seeing God work all over the world! |
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| Irene Geleynse |
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| Grade 3 Teacher (M/W/F) | Irene grew up in Ontario and received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has taught at the primary level and has also done some learning assistance. After 14 years as a stay-at-home mom to her four children, she returned to the classroom first as an EA, then as a learning assistance teacher, and then as a classroom teacher. Her first year back to teaching full-time was spent at an American Christian School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, teaching Grade 5. Irene taught Grade 5 for six years at UCES, and this year is excited to be teaching Grade 3 with Jessica Thiessen. She loves being part of the UCES staff and has a passion for Christian education. |
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| Kate Wouda |
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| Grade 4/5 Teacher | Kate is in her third year of teaching at Unity Christian School. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Trinity Western University. She is looking forward to teaching grade 4/5 this year and always enjoys seeing each student’s love of learning and love of God grow. Kate loves outdoor activities, reading, playing sports and spending lots of time with her husband, Jonathan, and one year old son, Jacob.
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| Brad Klok |
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| Grade 5/6 Teacher | This is Brad Klok’s fourth year of teaching grade six at Unity Christian School. Brad completed his Bachelor of Arts in English in 2002 and his Bachelor of Education in 2005, both from the King’s University College in Alberta. Brad has been a passionate Edmonton Oilers fan since the age of 5, despite some current setbacks in our quest for the Stanley Cup. |
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| Patti VanderKwaak |
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| Music | Patti Vanderkwaak feels truly blessed to teach music at Unity Christian Elementary. She received her BA in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education at Dordt College. Music has been a part of her life for over 35 years and still continues to learn. Patti loves coffee ice cream and being at the ocean with her family.
"How good it is to sing praises to our God" ~ Psalms 147:1 |
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| Jo Blaak |
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| Violin Teacher | Jo Blaak has been teaching our Fiddle Club at the Elementary campus of UCS since September 2009. Jo has studied music at McGill University, has a degree from Capilano College in Paralegal Studies and is currently working on completing her Bachelor of Arts. She has played with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Fraser Valley Symphony, Abbotsford Symphony and she is currently performing as the lead violinist with the Central Fraser Valley Fiddle Society, Branch 4. Jo is also a highly active member of the music team at Calvin Presbyterian Church. Above all, Jo seeks to make music a positive experience for her students. Mastering an instrument is hard work, but “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. We don’t make music because we have to, but because we love to. |
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| Reina Anema |
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| Special Ed. Coordinator (both campuses) | Reina has been working in the field of Special Education and Learning Assistance for the past 16 years. Prior to that, she taught at the primary grade level for 7 years, all of them being at Chilliwack Christian/Unity Christian School. Reina has been privileged to work with a great variety of teachers and students at both campuses of UCS over the years. Reina received her training at Dordt College in Sioux Centre, Iowa. |
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| Lisa Hamper |
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| Educational Assistant | This is Lisa’s 5th year at Unity. She spent 2 years in Grade 7 and 8 at the middle/high school before coming to the elementary campus. Before that, she worked one-on-one with Autistic children for six years. She really likes figure skating, photography and reading a good book. |
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| Angela King |
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| Educational Assistant | Angela has been working as an EA in a variety of capacities at Unity since February 2005 Currently, she is working as a Learning Assistant in all grades. Angela was born and raised in England, moving to Canada in 1998 with her husband and three daughters. She graduated from Middlesex University in 1979 with a UK teaching qualification (Cert. Ed.) and taught for 8 years in England. She loves living in BC and enjoys reading and travelling. |
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| Beth Kuemper |
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| Educational Assistant |
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| Dorothy Kuperis |
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| Educational Assistant | Dorothy has been at Unity Christian since January 2009. She has a diploma in Rehabilitation Services from Mount Royal College in Calgary. She is currently doing course work through Douglas College, towards becoming an intervener for deaf & blind students. Dorothy loves to spend a good portion of her summers camping with her family. One of her favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” |
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| Corinne Tancock |
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| Educational Assistant | Corinne Tancock has been with Unity Christian School since September 2001. She currently works as an Educational Assistant with several students at the Elementary campus, but has also worked at the Middle/High campus for 4 years. She has her Early Childhood Education certificate. Corinne has taken several workshops that pertain to Special Education that help her in assisting the students she works with. She enjoys working with the students and interacting with the wonderful staff at both campuses. Her interests range from quilting, teddy bear making, going to Curves, walking and spending lots of time in the sun, ie: Cancun. |
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| Christian Tuininga |
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| Educational Assistant | Christian Joy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Dordt College. After a few years as a stay-at-home mom, she began volunteering in the Unity fiddle program and in the library with her Aunt Jane. This year, she happily joined the Unity staff, working with students in grades 1 & 5. In her spare time, Christian Joy loves playing violin in The Chilliwack Symphony and at church. |
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| Jane VanEerden |
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| Librarian | Jane joined the staff at the elementary campus in 1995 and joined the mid/high campus somewhere around 2005. She works two days in the elementary library and one day a week at the mid/high library. Before moving to Abbotsford and joining the Unity staff, she worked for 10 years at the Edmonton Public Library. When not working, she enjoys playing and reading with her grandson, photography, taking pottery lessons, reading, volunteering at the local thrift store, and being involved at church. A favorite food ...does chocolate count? One of the places she likes to visit the most is probably the Oregon Coast. But, just being by the water anywhere is very relaxing and a great place to sit and read.
"And my God will meet all your [my] needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) |
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| Karen Kelbert |
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| Computer Technician (both campuses) |
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