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. Jenn Hackbarth
Fifth Grade Teacher
(616) 878-3347 ext. 207
I can’t express how much of a blessing it is to be a part of the teaching staff here at BCCS. I had never been a part of such a loving and welcoming community until my experience began here at BCCS. I student taught at BCCS in the fall of 2020 during my final semester at Calvin University under the mentorship of former 5th-grade teacher, Katie Klomp. I had such an incredible experience that I was beyond thrilled when a 5th-grade position opened up the fall after I graduated.
I have a strong passion for teaching, and being able to share my love for Jesus with kids is something that really fills me with joy. I consider it nothing short of an honor and privilege to lead students to walk with Jesus and live in the way that God intended for them to.
I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan and graduated from TC Central High School in 2016. Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and after playing basketball and soccer in high school, I went on to play basketball at Calvin. Unfortunately, two knee injuries in a row put me in early retirement, but those same injuries provided me an opportunity to serve Jesus using other gifts of mine. I began working for Youth for Christ, and continued serving alongside them even after graduating college. Serving unchurched youth continues to be my passion outside of teaching, but I am beginning to see more and more how evangelism is a powerful tool even in a Christian school setting.
A verse that has remained a theme over the course of my life has been 2 Corinthians 12:9. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” This verse has always been a truth that I have to remind myself of because of my fear of failure and making mistakes. Because of my need for this verse, it has also been translated into my deep hope for my students, that they too would be able to rest in the fact that God has their weaknesses covered, and therefore they can be confident in who God created them to be.
My Deep Hope is that students’ identity would be so rooted in Christ that they would have the confidence to GO make disciples.