Our Staff
Kevin Bouwers
Principal
I am Kevin Bouwers and I have had the privilege of leading at this school for 13 years. My favourite thing about PCS is the wonderful community. In my 20 years in education I have seen the positive result of a good partnership between the home and school. PCS is a place where our passions for faith, for children and for education truly entwine.
Christine Janzen
Office Administrator
Lindsey teBrake
Office Assistant
My name is Lindsey and I the office assistant! The opportunity to join the PCS team came at the perfect time, when my youngest child has started JK. With all of my children now enrolled, you'll find me in the office Monday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons. I have really enjoyed digging deeper into this community and feel blessed to be a part of it. When not at school you’ll find me hiking, playing soccer, and enjoying time with family & friends.
Michelle Reinecke
Financial Adminstrator
My name is Michelle Reinecke and I count it such a privilege to be able to work at Providence Christian School. I have a great passion for the growth and success of the Christian Schools sector and I look forward to bringing my experience in finance, from both South Africa and Canada, to my role here at PCS. My husband and I, together with our 3 children, moved from South Africa in 2020 and feel so blessed to be able to call this beautiful country our home.
Mary Jane Tigchelaar
Junior Kindergarten
I am the JK teacher here at Providence and presently I am in my 20th year! I work part time and love each and every day - really! When I am not teaching, I am usually caring for a little baby as my husband and I foster babies for the Children's Aid Society. I enjoy working out, and love to play sports.
Megan Joosse
Senior Kindergarten
My name is Megan Joosse and this is my first year of teaching full time. I am so excited to be teaching SK at Providence! I have a passion for teaching little learners and hope to bring my love for outdoor education into our SK classroom this year. Outside of the classroom, I am a pretty big health nut and am passionate about matcha, hiking, volleyball, and spikeball.
Chloe McLay
Grade 1
My name is Chloe McLay and this is my first year teaching at PCS. I'm from Edinburgh, Scotland and moved to Ontario in 2022. Last year I taught Grade 5&6 at Brantford Christian School and before that I taught in a seaside town called Musselburgh in Scotland after graduating from Glasgow and Dundee Universities. I love creating a welcoming inclusive classroom that fosters a growth mindset and encourages children to explore and learn in a variety of ways. Art, outdoor learning, and math are my teaching passions! I love exploring these with the students as we create and learn about God's wonderful creation together. In my free time I enjoy creating art, board games, hiking, and playing drums. I am delighted to be a part of the Providence team this year and hope to see the grade 1 students grow in their faith and learning as we explore our class theme 'hand in hand with Jesus!'
Jennifer Murphy-Yip
Grade 1
My name is Jennifer Murphy, but students call me Mrs. Yip after my husband’s name. This is the first year I am working with PCS! I have over 25 years of teaching experience, mostly at the International Christian School in Hong Kong. I am excited to be a part of this crew and watch as the grade 1 students grow in knowledge, wisdom and faith. It is my deep hope that they all desire to be a light that shines Jesus in all that they do.
Julie Vos
Grade 2
My name is Julie Vos and this is my sixth year serving as a teacher at PCS. I love sharing together around the circle and I love storytelling. I really enjoy teaching all subjects, but I am especially passionate about reading and writing and finding creative and engaging ways to do both. I love each of my students dearly and I am passionate about creating a classroom that feels like home for my students with Jesus at the centre! We are a class family and each child is a valued, important, and special member of our family!
Lauryn Zorn
Grade 2
Hello! My name is Lauryn Zorn and I am so excited and thankful to be teaching at Providence. My husband Ryan and I live in Greensville and have 3 children. During my years of post-secondary education at Brock University, I worked with children and youth with developmental and mental health needs. My teaching career began at Trinity Christian School in Burlington in 2014 as both a classroom teacher and an Educational Assistant. I love building relationships with students and watching them grow in their love of learning. It’s such a blessing to now be able to teach in my own community, surrounded by neighbours and friends who also value Christ-centred education. I look forward to meeting you!
Teresa Bouwers
Grade 2
I have been involved with PCS over the last thirteen years as a supply teacher, as a mom, and on the Fundraising Committee, especially Springfest. So being able to work here is an amazing opportunity. I have spent time at Calvin Christian School, Hamilton where I worked as an EA throughout various grades. I attended Redeemer University many, many years ago and graduated with a Bachelors of Christian Education. My deep hope for my students is for them to feel safe, wholly loved by God and have mountain top experiences while we work alongside each other. We will find joy in our relationship with God, His creation and His created order as we explore and develop their God given gifts.
Stacie Hagen
Grade 3
Hello! I'm Stacie Hagen. This is my 17th year at Providence, and I am so blessed to be teaching here! I love PCS! My first year of teaching, in 2002, was in Georgetown Christian School. In 2003 I moved to DCCS and began teaching a 5/6 split. After I had our second son, I took 5 years off to work as a stay-at-home mom. In 2015, I returned to PCS to teach grade 2 part time. I have been teaching grade 2 ever since and love it! My favourite parts of teaching are sharing God's love with my students and exploring God's ordered creation!
Alex Paul
Grade 4
Hi, my name is Alex Paul and this is my 5th year teaching at Providence. After completing my Bachelor's Degree at Wilfrid Laurier in Waterloo I moved to Fairview, Alberta to work for 2 years. Before making the decision to return to Ontario and pursue my teacher career, I attended Tauernhof Bible School in Schladming, Austria. I am passionate about sports (especially basketball) and enjoy playing the guitar. My passion in teaching is seeing students grow as they hone their gifts and learn how to use them for serving the Lord.
Jacqueline Brouwer
Grade 5
My name is Jacqueline Brouwer. I am in my 13th year teaching at PCS. I have been a teacher for the past 17 years and have taught in all the grades, from SK to Grade 8. I am so excited to be returning to teach Grade 5 this year. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, playing pickleball, acting as a taxi driver to my teenage children, and spending time with my family. I feel so blessed and grateful to be working in such a positive, Christ-centered school community who seeks to develop the gifts that God has given to each and every one of our students at Providence Christian School.
Erin deHaan
Grade 5/6 & French
Hi! My name is Erin deHaan. After graduating from Redeemer University College, I was blessed to begin my teaching career at Providence. This year I continue my 9th year of teaching French. I love sports and enjoy coaching some of the girls’ teams at Providence. I take joy in teaching art and exploring creative projects - such as the Bathroom Beautification at the school this year as part of our Winter Enrichment programs. I also have a passion for language and culture - particularly French! I try my best to share my passions and develop Christ’s love for the stranger and appreciation of different people and places of the world in my students.
Maria VanBenthem
Grade 5/6
My name is Maria VanBenthem and I am excited to be part of the Providence community. After graduating from Redeemer, I taught in South Korea and Prince Edward Island in various grades. I spent a number of years at home raising my five children before dipping my toes back in the classroom as a supply teacher and educational assistant. It has been a joy to be teaching grade 5/6 this year. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outside, hiking, playing soccer and reading a wide variety of literature.
Justin Versteeg
Grade 6, Vice-Principal
Hi! I’m Justin Versteeg. I’m the grade 6 teacher and one of the vice principals here at school. I’m the guy you see before and after school helping the students get off and on the bus safely. After teacher’s college, I taught for a year in Charlottetown and then taught for four years in Bowmanville before I began teaching here. I’ve been teaching at Providence for 14 years. I enjoy playing guitar and helping to lead our school’s praise team. I love sharing with students what their role as image reflectors means to the daily walk with the Lord.
Carla Alblas
Grade 7
Hello! My name is Carla Alblas, and this is my 8th year teaching at PCS. I began teaching grade 5 in Jarvis over 20 years ago, and after staying at home for several years to raise my 4 children and working for 2 years at the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools , I am thrilled to be back in the classroom again! I enjoy creating classroom spaces that are comfortable and flexible for students, and I am passionate about making learning meaningful for everyone. I am grateful to be able to help students discover and embrace their gifts for a life of service beyond their time at PCS!
Daniel Hagen
Grade 7/8
My name is Daniel Hagen. I have spent my entire 20 year teaching career here at Providence Christian School. The majority of my 20 years have been in grade 8 helping prepare PCS graduates for the next stage in their education journey. I enjoy teaching students a love for God's Word and for sports. I have a heart for coaching and take pride in the athletic program here at PCS. Go Panthers!
Ivan Stam
Grade 8
I get the opportunity to work with the oldest group of learners this year, and so I’m excited to share the year together. I have been a teacher since the TV show Glee premiered, and I still feel this work is such a blessing. My hope is that I can return a portion of that blessing to the students and to the staff. Before becoming a teacher, I spent a number of years helping to build and renovate houses. Now, I enjoy spending my down-time working with wood, but, to be clear, I have never built, nor do I own, a charcuterie board.
Ingrid Vos
Learning Resource
I have been connected to PCS for almost 32 years. First as a classroom teacher, then a parent, supply teacher, EA, and for the last number of years as the learning resource teacher. I love working in small learning groups and encouraging students to be all that God has made them to be. My husband Ted and I enjoy spending time with our three girls, two son-in-laws, and three grandsons and in my spare time I enjoy making cards.
Karen Wilson
Learning Resource
I am Karen Wilson and I have been a teacher in Christian education since 2007. I joined the PCS crew in 2023 in the resource department. Being able to help children recognize their unique gifts from God and to help them reach their full potential gives me joy! Outside of school, I find joy in spending time with my husband and three children, and spending time outside enjoying God's creation.
Jennifer Cole
Music
Hi, my name is Jennifer Cole and this is my third year with the Providence crew. I get the privilege of teaching music to most of the school, and hopefully spreading all of the joy that comes with it. You will find me here on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings. When I'm not teaching music at Providence you can usually find me involved in some musical endeavor somewhere else. I have had a ton of amazing opportunities throughout my life from singing with Jazz bands, to orchestras, to a campfire not far from your own backyard. Worshiping the King with the gifts He's bestowed is what I hope to instill in all of the children I am gifted with. I have already been blessed by this community, and I look forward to all that the future yet holds!!
Emma DeRaaf
School Counsellor
Hi, I’m Emma! I am the School Counsellor at PCS. PCS has been my community since I started here in my SK year… many, many moons ago. I am loving the opportunity to get to know all the students, while also advocating for mental health and wellness for our students and community! I live in Hamilton with my husband and our children. In my spare time, you can find me reading, playing games or playing outside with my family!
Sarah Shields
Activity Day
My name is Sarah Shields. This is my 5th year at PCS as the Activity Day kindergarten teacher. I really enjoy helping introduce and prepare our new young students for kindergarten. When not at school, you can find me volunteering with youth programs at church, or curled up with a good book or even bent over a puzzle at the dining room table - the more pieces the better! My heart and passions in life are in serving the Lord and our communities.
Annette Schreuders
English Language Support & Resource
My name is Annette Schreuders. I've been at Providence since 1996. I have loved being a primary classroom teacher for all these years. This year I have been given a new role and a new opportunity. It brings me great joy to be able to support the international students a couple of afternoons each week as they grow in their English skills. As well, I am working part-time as a remedial/resource support to small groups. The other part of my new role is supporting all the classroom teachers by stepping into their rooms so they can step out and work on other assignments. I love being able to support my colleagues in this way and I enjoy seeing many of my previous students again in older grades and observing how they have grown in their faith and developed their academic skills in many ways.
Lindsay DeKoning
Educational Assistant
Hi! My name is Lindsay DeKoning and I am excited and grateful to be a part of the PCS team as an Educational Assistant! Throughout the past 13 years, I have worked part time in numerous Christian schools in the area; as a JK teacher, supply teacher and supply EA. My husband Kyle and I have four children and we enjoy watching them play their various activities. I am passionate about leading worship, caring for children and love to play a variety of sports!
Denise Holland
Educational Assistant
Emily Naves
Educational Assistant
My name is Emily Naves and I am excited to be an educational assistant at Providence this year! I graduated from Mohawk College with a diploma in early childhood education and I love getting to work with children and see them learn. I look forward to all the connections I will be able to make with the children as I work with them. In my spare time I love reading and spending time with friends and family.
Lynn Smith
Educational Assistant
Hi my name is Lynn Smith and I am an Educational Assistant at Providence. Prior to working here, I spent many years working in the Catholic School system. I am really enjoying being in this wonderful, caring school setting assisting students and working with this incredible staff. I have my Early Childhood Education Diploma from Sheridan College as well as a B.A. in Social Sciences from McMaster University. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13.
Taylor Woolsey
Educational Assistant
Thea Woudwyk
Educational Assistant
My name is Thea Woudwyk and I am thankful to join PCS as an EA! I grew up in Hamilton and after university moved to the west coast. I worked in public schools in the Vancouver area and Los Angeles. After a lengthy break from the classroom I began to substitute at CCS. I was in awe of the inclusion of Christian values and identity in the curriculum and look forward to seeing more of that at PCS. During the week you may also find me doing street ministry in downtown Hamilton with various groups.
Sydnie Loo Hoo
Sydnie is a therapy dog that has recently been invited to work at PCS. Sydnie has been working in elementary schools since 2019, and even though she hasn’t said it directly, PCS is her favourite place to work. One of Sydnie’s role will be to help students regulate their emotions, but she is also willing to be a main character in any student’s short story. When Sydnie is not working, she loves to find and eat apples from under the apple tree.
