Hellos
Join us in welcoming or welcoming back the following staff to ACS!
Elementary
Kathy Corbin: Educational Assistant. Kathy has been working on-call at all three campuses these past few months and has now accepted a position on staff. Kathy has previously worked for many years in Alberta with children with complex needs with an intensive inclusion team. Welcome, Kathy!
Laura de Weerdt: Grade 2 Teacher. Laura will share the 2A classroom teaching position with Hilda deWolde for two days a week and will also spend an additional two days a week on campus as a reading teacher. With experience in the elementary classroom and Orton Gillingham training, we are looking forward to her developing cohesion in the literacy program delivery, resourcing, and supporting literacy development in early readers. Welcome, Laura!
Kieren Lamboo: Kindergarten Teacher. As we go from four to five kindergarten classes in 2025-2026, we welcome Kieren to the kindergarten team. Kieran will graduate from UFV this June and her passion for primary education and a focus on play-based learning will shine in a full-time kindergarten class. Welcome, Kieren!
Allie Naayer: Grade 3 Teacher. Allie is a recent graduate from the UVic Education program and an ACS grad. With her commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment and her experience in providing differentiated instruction to meet diverse student needs, we feel blessed to have her as part of our grade 3 team. Welcome back, Allie!
Anna Schulz: Educational Assistant. Anna is an ACS Alumni and recently completed her practicum at the middle school campus through Columbia Bible College’s Educational Assistant program. She comes to the team with experience working with students both in school and camp ministry settings. Welcome, Anna!
Ashlie Veenendaal: Kindergarten Teacher. We are excited to welcome Ashlie to our kindergarten team as a full-time kindergarten teacher! With her wealth of experience and passion for teaching, we know she will be a wonderful addition to our school community. Welcome, Ashlie!
Middle
Dawn Dykstra: Grade 5 Teacher. Dawn will be joining our grade 5 team next year as she team teaches with Corinna Richmond. Due to the to growing needs of our music program, Corinna will be teaching grade 5/6 music next year so Dawn will be stepping in at a 50% capacity to team teach in 5A. Dawn is an ACS alumni and parent. Welcome, Dawn!
Tamara Goertzen: Grade 6 Teacher. Tamara Goertzen is returning after a year away to join our grade 6 team. Tamara has several years experience as an educational assistant and has recently completed her teaching degree at the University of the Fraser Valley. Welcome back, Tamara!
Leanne Svendsen: Language Specialist. Leanne has a background in health service and education. She recently completed her teaching degree at the University of the Fraser Valley and will be taking on a new role as a full-time language specialist at the middle campus. Leanne is fluent in French, English, ASL, and Dutch! Welcome, Leanne!
Sophia Van Dorp: Grade 6 Teacher. Sophia will be joining us as grade 6 homeroom teacher next year. Sophia brings with her a wealth of ACS knowledge and experience on the auction committee and coaching. Welcome, Sophia!
Anna Van Egmond, Grade 5 Teacher. A couple years back, Anna served as an educational assistant at the middle campus. She has since gone back to school, obtained her teacher certificate, and after a year teaching is returning to ACS to teach with our grade 5 team. Welcome back, Anna!
Sandra Venema: Learning Support Services Coordinator. We are excited to welcome Sandra to the team as a Learning Support Coordinator. She comes to us from Regent Christian Online Academy (RCOA) where she currently serves as vice-principal. She was a teacher at ACS during the Clayburn Hills campus days and two of her children graduated from ACS. Her comment to us was, “it feels like coming home…” Welcome home, Sandra!
Andrew Westerveld: Grade 7 Teacher. Andrew is coming to us from BC Christian Academy. He is a long-standing teacher that has experience teaching grade 7 and 8. He comes with a theatre background. Andrew will be joining our team to fill in for Zoe while she on her maternity leave. Welcome, Andrew!
Secondary
Marina Friesen: Educational Assistant. Marina will be joining the secondary campus bringing extensive experience from the banking industry. She is excited to start her EA career with secondary students. Welcome, Marina!
Jody Gerard: Educational Assistant. Jody has been working as an educational assistant on-call at all three campuses and will be joining the LSS team this year. Jody has previously worked many years in the school district with children with complex needs and is an ACS parent. Welcome, Jody!
Amelia Siemens: Educational Assistant. Amelia is a familiar face around the secondary, having recently completed her educational assistant practicum with us. She is looking forward to returning to ACS as staff. Welcome, Amelia!
Administration Office
Tyler Postma: Director of Finance Tyler joined ACS in May as our new Director of Finance. He is an ACS alum and is excited to serve our community in this role. He graduated from Dordt University with a bachelor’s degree, with a major in business administration and minors in accounting and theology. He has been serving at ACS by co-coaching our junior boys volleyball team for the last three years. Tyler has recently received his CPA designation, and we are excited to welcome him back to ACS!
Mark Thiessen: Executive Director. The ACS Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Thiessen as Executive Director. He spent the last seven years as Head of School at Sekolah Pelita Harapan in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he led one of the top Christian education systems in the region. Prior to his role in Indonesia, Mark served as principal and vice principal at Niagara Christian Collegiate in Ontario, overseeing academic and residential operations and leading staff in creating a culture of continued growth. Mark will officially begin his role on August 1 and will be joined by his wife, Alecia, and their two children, Naomi and Jeremiah.
Moving/Changing Positions Within ACS
Mike Riezebos is stepping back into the role of secondary principal this year. Last year he successfully filled the role of interim executive director and worked with the system wide team.
Teresa Spyksma is moving back into the role of secondary vice principal this year. She embraced the role as interim secondary campus principal last year and
Laura Vanderwel is moving from part-time graphic designer to a contract position this year. She and her family are moving to Armstrong this summer and we will miss them! However, we are thankful Laura will continue to support the marketing department in this way.
Goodbyes
We are sad to say goodbye to the following staff members; join us in thanking everyone below for their many contributions to our ACS community! We have been blessed by them and we pray for God’s direction, protection, and blessing as they move on to a new season of their life.
Elementary
Crystalynn Binnendyk: Preschool Assistant. Five years ago, Crystalynn was hired as a responsible adult in our preschool to work with Denise Konynenbelt to manage all the additional Covid health and safety protocols and stayed while working towards her ECEA Certificate. We’re sad to say goodbye to Crystalynn at the end of the year as she switches her focus to be more present with her family. God’s blessings to you!
Taya Binnendyk: Educational Assistant. Taya has been an asset in the “Seamless Day” before-school program and kindergarten classes during the mornings. She enjoyed her time in kindergarten so much that decided to go back to school to become a teacher. We wish you all the best in your future studies and hope to see you back at ACS one day as a teacher!
Lily Eden: Educational Assistant. Lily will be moving out of the area this summer. We are so grateful for the time she has spent here supporting our students. Please join us in wishing her all the best in this new chapter of her life and praying for a smooth transition.
Lindsay Gilmour: Educational Assistant. After a year of maternity leave, Lindsay has decided not to return to her EA position in favour of staying at home with her child. We wish her and her family God’s richest blessings!
Joelle Kampman: Grade 2 Teacher. After a year of job sharing in grade 2, Joelle will be welcoming her second child this summer. We pray God’s blessings on her and her family.
Jenica McKenzie: Grade 4 Teacher. After two years at ACS, we’re sad to say goodbye to Jenica McKenzie who is leaving grade 4 to return to a middle school teaching position. We wish her God’s blessings as she continues her calling as an educator in another school community.
Alyssa Samudio: Kindergarten Teacher. We are delighted to share that will soon be welcoming her first child and will be on maternity leave starting in April. While we will miss her in the classroom, we rejoice with her in this special season of life and pray for a smooth transition and abundant blessings for her growing family.
Hannah Stevens: Educational Assistant. Hannah is heading back to school this fall. We will miss her as an educational assistant but are excited that she is pursuing a teaching degree and hope to see her back here one day. We wish you well, Hannah!
Bethany van Kampen: Educational Assistant. We are happy to share that Bethany van Kampen and her family will be welcoming their second child in June, and she will begin her maternity leave in May. This is a season of joy and new beginnings, and while we will miss her at the elementary campus, we are thankful for God’s blessings.
Elizabeth Wilson: Educational Assistant. After two years at ACS, Liz has decided to take her skills and passion for working with students to a position a little closer to home. We wish her God’s blessings.
Middle School
Becky Enns: Grade 5 Teacher. We say farewell to Becky and the Enns family as they move to Vernon. Becky has served as a classroom teacher for many years at ACS. Her quick wit and joyful presence will be missed. We pray for the Enns family as they start their new adventure in Vernon and wish them God’s riches blessings!
Jordyn Erickson: Grade 6 Teacher. We are excited to share that Jordyn is expecting her first child! Her maternity leave begins in May. While we will miss her in the classroom, we celebrate with the Erickson family during this new season of life. Congratulations, Jordyn!
Kalicia Kelbert: Grade 6 Teacher. Kalicia has been at ACS for three years. Next year, she will not be returning to ACS. We thank her for her support of our students and families, and wish her well next year, trusting the Lord’s continued guidance in her future endeavours.
Andrew Richmond: Educational Assistant. Andrew has been with ACS for a millennium. He has served as an EA and French language teacher, while also supporting our soccer clubs and MAC teams. Andrew has been accepted into the UFV teaching program this fall and will not be returning to ACS. Congratulations Andrew!
Heidi Siebenga: Learning Support Services Coordinator. Over her time at ACS, Heidi has served as an educational assistant and Learning Support Coordinator. She will be joining Julius in California next year. Heidi has contributed so much to the middle campus and ACS at large. We thank her for her faithful service and willingness to always step into hard things with a posture of grace and humility; Heidi will be deeply missed!
Janice van Der Leek: Grade 5 Teacher. After 17 years at ACS, Janice will be stepping down from her role as classroom teacher. She is making room for new teachers to work in this amazing place. Her long-standing tenure at ACS will be missed and we wish her God’s blessings in this next season.
Brooklyn Vanderwoude: Educational Assistant. After a year of working at ACS, Brooklyn has decided to take her skills and passion for working with individuals with diverse abilities to another career. We wish her God’s blessings.
Zoe Webster: Grade 7 Teacher. Zoe is also going on maternity leave, effective July 1. We are excited for her and her growing family. She will be missed next year on our grade 7 team. Congratulations, Zoe!
Secondary
Kassandra Berger: Educational Assistant. Kassandra is expecting her second child in August, and she won’t be returning to the secondary in the fall. As they prepare for meeting their newest addition, we pray that God provides strength, health, and His peace. Congratulations, Kassandra!
Corlissa Bullett: Teacher. A warm goodbye to Corlissa, who has been on maternity leave this past year as she welcomed her son, Everett. Corlissa has decided to remain at home with him. We wish Corlissa and her family all God’s richest blessings as they enjoy this joy-filled family time.
Anna-Marie Cormack: Educational Assistant. A warm goodbye to Anna-Marie, who has been on maternity leave this past year. She has decided to spend more time with her family and will not be returning next year. We wish Anna-Marie and her family all God’s richest blessings.
Tessa Houweling: Humanities Teacher. Tessa has also been on maternity leave this year and has been spending lots of time with her baby daughter, Vivienne. We are delighted that she will have the chance to spend more time with her new family. We pray that God continues to hold this family in His hands.
Kimberly Kiers: Educational Assistant. Kimberly joined us this year as an educational assistant and will be saying goodbye as she heads to Credo Christian where she will be teaching math and science. We are excited to know that Kim will be able to continue using her God-given talents in the field of education, and we wish her all the best in her new role and school.
Janet Meacham: English Language Learner Instructor. We were thankful to have Janet’s support for our international students in her part-time role this year. Next year, she will be stepping into a full-time position as part of the donor engagement team with Multiply. She will continue to be part of the ACS community as a parent. We wish her all the best in her new position.
Miranda Neufeldt: Educational Assistant. After working as an educational assistant this year, Miranda is leaving her position to head back to school. She is planning on completing her PYP program at UFV with her goal to be a history/geography teacher. We wish her God’s richest blessings in her studies and future.
Jillian Vanderhoek: Educational Assistant. A warm goodbye to Jillian after three years of working as an EA at the secondary. She is heading back to university to complete her education degree. We are hoping we get to see her as a guest teacher next year! Join us in praying that God blesses her as she seeks to balances family life with school work.
Admin
Peter Riezebos: Director of Finance. Peter is retiring from his role as Director of Finance at the end of this school year. Peter’s financial expertise has served the school well and he was instrumental in organizing managing much of the financing throughout the TSI project. Peter has served ACS through years of significant growth, and we are deeply grateful for his passion and expertise. Blessings on your retirement!
Edgar Rivera: Bus Driver. Edgar has been with ACS for 10 years. He will be fondly remembered for his connections with the students and families on his bus routes and a love for His Lord. Edgar will also be known for his ability to memorize Scripture in multiple languages. We wish Edgar God’s richest blessings as he leaves his duties as a regular bus driver for his next step towards semi-retirement.