OFFICE STAFF

We are grateful for our team of Office Staff, making DCS a warm and welcoming environment for all who enter.

Nicole VanHuizen, OCT/CSTC
​Principal

​Nicole has been the Principal since 2016. Prior, she was a teacher at DCS and sent her children to DCS. She received her Bachelor's degree at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. and her teaching degree at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.  She also has her Foundation of Biblical Counselling certificate through the Christian Counselling Education Foundation (CCEF). Her goal is to guide students and create a safe and open learning environment that enables and encourages them to learn what it means to worship God.  

Jessica Stachiw
Administrative Support

Jessica joined DCS in June 2023. Her role performs a variety of administrative and clerical tasks, including providing support to our Principal and staff, assisting in daily office needs and managing our school's general administrative activities under the direction of the Principal. She also provides support to the Pillars Campaign Team. Jessica has a daughter and son that both attend DCS and looks forward to the continued growth of community and fellowship here at DCS.

Shelley Bos
​Office Assistant

Shelley graduated from Niagara College with a  degree in Office Administration. She is an alumni of DCS and now sends her children as well! She is thankful for the the positive and welcoming atmosphere at DCS. Her mission  is to assist everyone from the students to the staff to the parents, with a cheerful spirit, a willing attitude, and to the best of her ability.  She prays she may represent the school well with Christ’s love and service. 

TEACHERS

Our teachers are dedicated to the growth and learning of all our students at DCS.

Laura DeHaan, OCT/CSTC
Junior Kindergarten

Laura previously taught at DCS in Grade 3/4 and is now the JK teacher. Laura and her husband Kevin have 3 children, who all attended DCS.  
​Mission Statement:

1. We will strive to use this space purposefully and with care for God's creation.
2. We will always attempt to learn with joy and wonder.
3. Through self-reflection, we will continuously work to grow through both strength and struggles. 

Carol Mellema, OCT/CSTC
​Senior Kindergarten

Carol began her involvement at DCS as a supply teacher aide, then as a teacher for both Junior and Senior Kindergarten, and now solely SK. Carol received her teaching degree from Calvin College. Her mission is to help students grow and learn more about the world God has created.  She will strive to encourage and motivate these young students to learn more about their Creator and His love for them, each and every day.​​

Terrie Anne Gilpin,OCT/CSTC
​Grade 1

Terrie Anne also teaches intermediate French, leads Student Council, and is actively involved in organizing our annual Christmas program. Born and raised in Dunnville, Terrie Anne is a graduate of DCS and sent her children here, which makes this school very special to her. Her mission is to provide a warm and loving environment where students feel comfortable to learn, are not embarrassed to ask questions and are able to gain confidence in their abilities. She wants each student to know that they are an important and special part of the classroom.  She hopes to help each student recognize and further develop their God-given talents, using them to witness for others and help where possible.

Kim Rowaan, OCT/CSTC
​Grade 2

Mrs. Rowaan has returned from her maternity leave and is once  again teaching Grade 2 students here at DCS.  Her mission is to see each student as the unique person that God has created him/her to be and to help guide them in exploring God's creation. Her hope is that each of her students will leave her class with an understanding of who they are in Christ and with a desire to keep on learning.

Lesley Esau, OCT

Lesley is covering for Mrs. Rowaan's maternity leave in 2024-25. She is excited to be part of DCS!

Katie Dykstra, OCT/CSTC
​Grade 3

Katie teaches Grade 3 on a part time basis. She is currently teaching Creation Studies and Visual Arts, but enjoys Mathematics as well. Katie graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Studies as well as a Bachelor of Education degree. She taught for a few years in the Niagara Christian Schools and in the District School Board of Niagara. Katie now has two sons and is excited to be doing what she loves again in a part-time capacity. Katie's oldest son attends DCS and she loves growing in and with this amazing community!

Erin Taylor, OCT/CSTC
​Grade 3

Erin graduated from Redeemer University and has had various teaching opportunities, including teaching in Pikangikum, Ontario (a fly-in First Nation reserve) for three years. She is grateful that the Lord has provided a place for her here at DCS. It is her mission to welcome students into a safe, warm, and comfortable learning space. She desires to see students grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus. She hopes students understand that their life has meaning and purpose, that they can make a difference in the community around them for God’s glory. It is her joy to encourage children in their learning, to see growth, and to help her students share their gifts with the world. 

Laura Tompson, OCT/CSTC
​Grade 4

Laura Tompson received her B.Ed degree from Tyndale University College & Seminary.  She has been teaching at Christian Schools for the past 15 years and has been thrilled to join the DCS community as of 2023. Laura derives immense satisfaction from contributing to students' academic and spiritual growth. Her professional mission revolves around awakening, inspiring, and empowering each individual under her guidance, fostering a holistic approach to life in service unto God and for His glory. Her deep hope is for each child to grow in their knowledge of, love for, obedience to, and dependence on God so that they may live life to the fullest for God’s glory. ​​

Madison Wagter, OCT/CSTC
Grade 4/5

Madison enjoys teaching grade five on a full-time basis. She graduated from Redeemer's Bachelor of Education program in 2023. Madison is thrilled to be a part of the DCS community. She enjoys the welcoming atmosphere of DCS and likes connecting with students of all ages. It is her mission to create a safe and caring learning environment where students feel comfortable to learn, grow in their faith, take risks, and develop their God-given talents. She wants each student to know that they are all valuable and important members of their classroom community and that they are all unique and lovingly made in the image of God. 

Pete Mellema,  OCT/CSTC
Grade 6

Pete began his teaching career at Dunnville Christian School in 2001. He is Co-Vice Principal, computer IT and audio/visual expert, and he coaches several sports teams. Pete received his teacher training through Calvin College. Prior to teaching at DCS, Pete and his wife/colleague Carol lived in Lethbridge, Alberta, where he taught at Taber Christian School. His mission is to provide a warm and loving environment where students feel comfortable to learn, are not embarrassed to ask questions and are able to gain confidence in their abilities. He wants each student to know that they are an important and special part of the classroom.  He hopes to help each student recognize and further develop their God-given talents, using them to witness for others and help where possible. 

Hannah VanderWier
OCT/CSTC, Grade 7/8

Hannah coaches various sports teams and enjoys teaching science. Hannah graduated from Dordt College with a Bachelor of Education degree and then taught in Nicaragua for 2 years. Hannah's children all have attended DCS. Hannah finds teaching at DCS amazing - she acknowledges that God is at work in this school and is excited to be a part of it! It is her mission to bring colour and meaning through every subject she teaches.  Each student is unique and special.  She wants to help students recognize who they are in Christ, and to find direction for the future.​

Katelyn Huizinga,OCT/CSTC
Grade 7/8

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Karina Houwer, OCT
​Health & French

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STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Margaret Kamping,  OCT/CSTC

Margaret is a graduate of DCS and has been teaching at Christian schools for over 20 years. She is the Resource Teacher, Co-Vice Principal, Curriculum Coordinator, and coaches the Senior Battle of the Books team. She sees teaching as an exciting career where each day is a new adventure. She believes children are vibrant and energetic gifts from God and feels it is a privilege to work with them!  It is her mission to create a loving environment in which students know that they have been fearfully and wonderfully made by God. God loves them very much and has blessed them with many different abilities. The Resource Room is a safe place to develop and nurture these abilities in service to God and each other.

Maryann Hummel, EA

Mary Ann joined DCS as an Educational Assistant in 2021 and her three children attend DCS. Her mission is to provide a warm environment for students with exceptionalities, to give them the love and support they need throughout the day so that they know they were made unique in the image of God. She wants every student to feel like they belong within their classroom and belong in Dunnville Christian School.  She wants to help them succeed both socially and  intellectually. ​

Lorraine Lunshof, EA

​​Lorraine joined DCS in 2018. As our school classrooms are increasing in size, more help is needed in the classroom. Lorraine has been involved as a parent at DCS for a number of years.

Julia Milhalic, EA

​​Julia joined DCS in 2024. As our school classrooms are increasing in size, more help is needed in the classroom. 

Anne Thiessen, EA

Anne joined the DCS staff in September of 2022. We enjoy getting to know her as she supports various teachers in the classroom as an EA.

Kristina Braun, OCT

Kristina joined the DCS staff in January of 2024. We enjoy getting to know her as she supports various teachers in the classroom as an EA.
​

Stephanie Guenther,
​EA & Bus Driver

Stephanie is a part time E/A and a spare bus driver for DCS. She is happily married with 3 children, who all attend DCS. Her and her family have been part of DCS since 2019. She started volunteering at DCS a few times a week, starting early 2020, and has continued to volunteer throughout the last couple years. Stephanie has completed her ECE at Stratford Career Institute and she is committed to fostering a community that grows in the knowledge of Christ. Her goal is to nurture a generation that reflects God’s light in who they are and how they live.

SUPPORT STAFF

It takes many people in different roles to ensure DCS continues to grow and thrive!

Transportation

DCS is grateful to our bus drivers who worked diligently in transporting children daily to and from school.  

Custodians

DCS is grateful to our cleaning staff who cheerfully and carefully ensure our space is continually clean and ready for students to learn.​

Jeannette Horinga
Bookkeeper &  Treasurer

Jeannette has been the Dunnville Christian School Treasurer since 1996 and the Bookkeeper since 2006. She and her husband Sid have three sons, all of whom are graduates of DCS and Smithville Christian High School. Jeannette is a graduate of DCS herself and feels very blessed that their children were able to attend this school as well. 

​*OCT-Ontario College of Teachers & ​CSTC-Christian School Teacher Certificate