Miss Beverly Scholman | High School French
Beverly Scholman received her Bachelor of Education from Malaspina University College and her Bachelor of Arts with a French Major and Bachelor of Christian Education from Redeemer College in Ancaster, Ontario. She began her teaching career at Nanaimo Christian School, and has since taught French in the public school system as well as grade 5/6 at Beacon Christian School. Bev also teaches for Heritage Christian Online School, giving educational support to home school families. In all of her varied experience, she has found one thing constant: the faithfulness of a loving Friend and Saviour, Jesus. In addition to children, Beverly’s interests include scrapbooking, gardening, cooking, and being outdoors.
Mrs. Kim Kirkbride | Kindergarten
Kim took her teacher training at the University of Victoria. She graduated with honours in 2002 and received her Bachelor of Education degree. In the fall of 2002 Kim began teaching grade one at NCS. Kim returned from maternity leave in Sept. 2010 and is now teaching part time kindergarten. She is thrilled to be able to balance her love of teaching with time at home with her wonderful little girl. Kim is passionate about teaching reading and loves watching her students' skills grow throughout the year. When she is not teaching Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends. She likes to travel and would happily go anywhere there are palm trees! Her most memorable trip was traveling to Belize in spring of 2005 to help build a Christian school. Kim feels very blessed to be a part of the NCS community and loves to explore the joys of God's creation with her students every day
email
Mrs. Elana Nagtegaal | Grade Two
Elana Nagtegaal graduated from Dordt College in 1991. She received her Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education with a minor in Elementary Science from this Christian college. NCS is where she began her teaching career in 1992 and she has enjoyed teaching grade 2 & 2/3. Elana has enjoyed helping her classes learn to love reading and exploring God's marvelous creation. She shares her love of laughter, family, pets, reading, arts & crafts, and most importantly her love of Jesus Christ with these little ones.
email
Mrs. Michelle Whitehead | Grade Three
Michelle Whitehead joined NCS in September of 2005. She received her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts in English(with honours) from Malaspina University College. She has a passion for challenging young students to learn about our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, and is excited to have the opportunity to do so in our school setting. She loves sharing her excitement for reading, writing and art with her students and seeing their skills develop and grow throughout the year. When she is not busy teaching, she loves spending time with her husband and dog, scrapbooking, painting and wedding planning. *Currently on Maternity leave.
email
Mr. Chris Verveda | Grade Four
Chris Verveda or Mr. V. to his grade 4 students also coaches the Junior Girls Volleyball team at NCS. He went to King's University College in Edmonton AB where he received his Christian education. He has a BA in History as well as his B Ed degree. It was at Kings that he played and coached volleyball as well. Chris taught 2 years in Terrace BC as well as one year in Abbotsford and one year abroad in Korea. If you're in the neighborhood, come by his classroom and say hi.
Mrs. Kim Tarby | Grade 6
Kim graduated from Malaspina in December 2006 with a BA and B ED. Kim began working at NCS in March of 2007, splitting her time between learning assistance in elementary and as an education aide in the high school. Both she and her husband are involved in leadership in their church and are active within their church community. She is excited to be a part of the middle school team at NCS and is looking forward to what God has in store for them. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as walking, biking and reading.
Mrs. Shannon Gillespie | Grade 7
Shannon Gillespie joined the NCS staff in September 2006 as the grade 4 teacher, though she has past experience with the school through a practicum and attending high school herself at NCS. She received her Bachelor of Education Degree and Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Psychology (with distinction) from Malaspina University-College. Shannon is passionate about her career and is eager to share her ideas and excitement for learning with her students. When she is not working, Shannon loves to spend time with her husband Chris and other family and friends. She is active in music ministry at First Baptist Church, and loves to read, scrapbook, and shop!
email
Mr. Darren Spyksma | Grade 8/ VP Middle School
Darren Spyksma completed his education training at Trinity Western University. He has worked at Agassiz Christian School, Unity Christian Middle School in Chilliwack, and at Centennial Christian School in Terrace. He is happily married to his wife Jaime and has two children. When he is not working Darren enjoys spending time with his family wandering the many trails, beaches and shorelines in the area or being knee deep in a river trying to entice a salmon to take what he is offering.
email
Mr. Graham de Greeff | High School Math & Science
Graham de Greeff was born and raised in Langley, British Columbia, and attended Brookswood Secondary School for grade 8-12. His first year after graduating he spent painting houses throughout the lower mainland. Graham received a Bachelors degree in Science with minors in Physics, Chemistry and Math from the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford. A year later he attended Simon Fraser University to obtain his teachers certificate. The program was beneficial as NCS was looking for a high school science teacher and through amazing circumstances he was hired to help complete the graduating program being implemented there. Graham enjoys reading his Bible, running, soccer and many other sports and is seen periodically around computers.
email
Mr. Paul Henderson | High School English, Humanities & Planning
Paul Henderson is originally from Calgary, Alberta, but left there after high school and a one-year Bible School program. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in history at the University of Western Ontario, he completed an afterdegree Teacher Certification program through University of British Columbia. Next, he sojourned in Edmonton where he married Janice. They returned to Calgary where Paul began his teaching career. Paul and his family joined NCS where they say they have been deliriously happy ever since. He has instructed a variety of subjects including Sr. High school English, Social Studies, History, CaPP and Biblical Perspectives.
email
Mrs. Sue De Schiffart | Special Education Co-ordinator, high school sewing
Sue De Schiffart went to the King's College in Edmonton and completed her degree at Calvin College in Michigan with a major in learning disabilities. She began her teaching career in Hamilton, teaching learning assistance and elementary P.E. When her family moved to B. C., she took a break to stay home with their children. Sue has been teaching at NCS for nine years, where she teaches learning assistance, coordinates special education and teaches high school sewing. She has a great passion to help all kids. When Sue is not at school, she is busy with her family or trying to fit in one of her many hobbies.
email
Mrs. Yvonne Vandergrift | Learning Assistance K-5
Yvonne was born and raised in Port Alberni BC. She received a BA and B ED at Calvin College in Michigan in 1984. Most of her teaching experience has been in the primary grades and learning assistance. She taught at Smithers Christian School as well as Houston Christian School in BC. Yvonne, her husband and three children have recently moved to Ladysmith and are enjoying the beaches and many hiking trails.
email
Mr. John Reems | Principal, High School P.E.
John Reems graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Education in biology and Physical Education. He has also taking post-graduate courses in Christian Education and school leadership from Trinity Western University. He taught at Houston Christian School from 1982-87 and Cedars Christian School from 1987-1994, which was also his first principalship. John also holds certificates from the BC College of Teachers, Society of Christian Schools of BC and the Christian Principals Association of BC in Professional Leadership (Level III). He is committed to Christian service at the local, provincial and global level. He loves to spend time with his children and grandchildren, and swimming at Nanaimo River/Lakes.
Mr. Brian De Schiffart | Vice-principal (high school)
Brian De Schiffart received his Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo in 1986 and his Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario in 1987. He holds an Ontario Teaching Certification and a B. C. Independent School Certificate. He has been teaching for 21 years, with the last 18 of those years being at NCS. Besides spending time with his family, Brian enjoys the outdoors, camping, sports, travel and reading.
Mr. Randy Smith | Band & Music
Randy Smith went to Christian Schools for his high school education and later studied music at Trinity western University and Colorado Christian university where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. He is certified with B. C Independent Schools and has taught music at regent Christian Academy and Richmond Christian School. Presently Randy is in his fifth year of teaching music. He teaches both here at NCS and Beacon Christian School. When he's not busy making music he enjoys swimming, outdoor activities, friends and family, and gardening.
email
Mr Arend Bakker | Woodworking
Arend graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calgary and continued to a Master of Arts in teaching from Calvin College. He has taught in Christian schools in Ontario & BC. He teaches on a part time basis at NCS, usually high school Math, Science, Socials and Shop courses. The Bakker family has been around long enough to have 3 of their children graduate from NCS.
Mr. Nathan Johnson | High School PE/ Leadership
Nathan was born and raised in Duncan, BC. After graduating from DCS he went to Dort College in Iowa where he received his teaching degree with a major in Physical Education. After college he taught in Brooks AB before returning to DCS for 1 year of teaching. Nathan is married and excited to be the Athletic Director here at NCS.
Mrs. Kathy Cooper | Teacher Librarian
Kathy was born and raised in Nanaimo, BC. She received her BA from Malaspina & UBC in 1984. She taught in Paris, France for one year and at a small private school in Parksville, BC. She returned to teaching in 2004 after staying at home with her children, coming to NCS as a librarian. She works half time, teaching preschool through grade 8. She is married with 2 children and loves to read, camp, garden & spend time with her family.
Miss Christie Hancox | Kindergarten
Christie Hancox, originally from Vancouver, B.C., has lived in Nanaimo since 1994. After graduating from Dover Bay Secondary in 1999, she attended Malaspina University-College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and Visual Art. From there, she moved back to Vancouver where she was granted a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of British Columbia. Christie joined NCS in January of 2008 where she had the privilege of starting the Art department and teaching Kindergarten. Presently, she can be found teaching full time Kindergarten and loving each and every minute of it!
Mrs Julia Dawson | Gade 7/8 split
Julia graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2007 with her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. She has recently come back to Nanaimo from teaching at a bilingual school in Shanghai, China. Julia is excited to share the first-hand experience she acquired throughout her time overseas with her students at NCS. She is confident in the role God has placed her in and grateful that she has been called to be an active member of Nanaimo Christian School.
Mr. Ryan Cracknell | 4/5
Ryan graduated from the University of Victoria in 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing with a Film Studies Minor. He later received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary in 2005. Upon graduation, Ryan headed to rural northern Alberta where he taught Grades
3-9 over a five year span. Born and raised in Victoria, he recently returned to the Island after a planned three-year Alberta move turned into eight years. Ryan has been married to his wife Beverly for more than ten years. He has a daughter, Evelyn, and a son, Ethan. An avid baseball fan, Ryan also likes to dabble with new technology and fly kites.
email
|
Mr. Josh Patience |
Josh Patience completed both is his B.A. with a major in Psychology and B.Ed at Vancouver Island University. He also studied Fine Arts at VIU before pursuing his education degree. This is his first year on staff at Nanaimo Christian School and splits his time between high school Biology and Arts, and Middle School Arts. He is involved in the Sunday school program at Oceanside Church. He is married to his wife Carolyn and they have a son Holden. His hobbies outside of school include enjoying the outdoors, creating and enjoying family and friends.
Mrs. Kirsten Visscher | 5
Grade five teacher
Miss Terri Brunsting | English/ Drama
Terri Brunsting joined the NCS community in February, 2011. She received her B.A. from Redeemer University College and a B.Ed from the University of Western Ontario. She teaches High School English and Drama and enjoys putting on the dramatic productions with the high school students. She is active in her church and enjoys reading, writing and time with friends in her spare time. She very much enjoys living on the island and being part of this great school community.
Miss Jasmine Sonier | 1
Jasmine Sonier did her teacher training at Vancouver Island University. She graduated with honours from the Bachelor of Education Concurrent Degree program with a minor in History and Visual Arts. She joined the Nanaimo Christian School community in March of 2009, and can still be found teaching in the grade one classroom. Her greatest delight is watching her students emerge as readers and writers and grow in a passion to follow Jesus Christ. When she isn’t teaching, she is actively involved in the prayer and music ministries in her church and enjoys painting, nature walks and spending quality time with friends and family.
