Meet the International Student Program Team

I have been a part of the International Student Program team at Grand Rapids Christian High School since the fall of 2014.  I help support our international students academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually as they successfully adjust to life and studies in the United States. I also help support host families as they care for students in their homes. 

I earned my undergraduate degree in German and Asian Studies from the University of Montana. I then completed my Masters degree in Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University in South Carolina.  I have lived in China and in Germany and have traveled to many other countries.   

My husband, Roman, is a consultant who uses photography and sociology to help organizations and communities bridge divides. I have 6 children, 3 biological and 3 GRCHS international students (ages between 16-23). When not busy supporting my children in their academic, music, sports, and life pursuits I enjoy running, reading, gardening, and time in the kitchen cooking and baking.

I am originally from Owosso, Michigan, but made my way to the west side of the state after high school to attend Calvin College.  My husband, Rob, and I have two boys, Aidan and Seth.  As a family, we love to travel, having recently traded our backpacks for a pop-up camper.  

As an English Language Arts teacher, I teach both a skill and an art.  My goal is not only to make students more effective communicators but to encourage joy of language and literature. As the International Student Coordinator, I assist our school's forty international students with their adjustment to living and studying in the U.S.  I received my BA Calvin College in Secondary English Education and my MA Michigan State University with an emphasis on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.