Mr. Joel DeVries

Fifth Grade Teacher

(616) 878-3347  ext. 275

devries@bccs.org

B.A. Calvin College

M.A. Western Michigan University

I grew up in Upstate New York and came to the West Michigan area to go to Calvin University. My family’s roots are from the Grand Rapids area which helped to lead me to Calvin University. In my years there, I knew that God called me into teaching and after graduating, He led me to BCCS. I began teaching fifth grade at BCCS in 1994. I teach science, social studies and Bible.  I love teaching fifth graders because they are at a terrific age to learn more about God’s world, themselves, and ultimately, God. I also love seeing students catch on to new concepts and giving them help to be able to grow in confidence. One of my favorite things is to see them grow in their faith in God and knowledge of His word.  Through my years at BCCS, I have seen countless ways how God has been faithful to our school and the families and staff here.  My wife Lisa and I have four children and we are grateful that all of them have attended BCCS. I enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, playing games, reading, and working on projects around my home.

Favorite verse: "For it is by grace that you have been saved- through faith, and this not from yourselves. It is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-9

My Deep Hope is that we will delight in God and His creation, grow in our love for God and others, and go and build God’s kingdom in this fallen world. 


Mrs. Amanda Luyk

Fifth Grade Teacher

(616) 878-3347  ext. 277

luyk@bccs.org

I am so grateful to God for his calling to be a teacher. Growing up, my teachers shared Christ’s love with me and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to do the same with my students. 

I grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan, and attended Hudsonville Christian Elementary and Middle School and Unity Christian High School. My teachers there were instrumental in my Christian walk. I went on to go to college at Taylor University where I have a bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a minor in music. While there, God molded me to appreciate great Christian community while also being expertly educated in best teaching practices. I did my student teaching at Los Angeles Christian School which was my first experience teaching in a Christian school after attending one for all my life. I loved pouring into my students there. After graduating, I taught 4th and 5th grade at The Potter’s House where I continued in my love for Christian education.  

I attend Peace Church, where I am involved in young adult ministry and serve in high school ministry. I have a heart for learning more about theology and God’s word, which is stewarded well by the preaching there. 

I married my husband, Quinn, in 2024. We love to play pickleball, hike, and host game nights with our friends.

My favorite chapter of the Bible is Philippians 2 as it encourages me to show the same humility as Christ. He is the perfect example that I long to follow after.