NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - Key Persons
Amber Kersjes is a graduate of Olivet College, with a B.A. in Mathematics and Financial Management and an MBA in Insurance. Prior to joining the teaching staff at NCCS, she was employed at Auto-Owners Insurance for over 14 years. She held different roles within the Actuarial and Reinsurance departments, utilizing various mathematical and statistical methods to calculate insurance rates, analyze data, and compile reports. Amber has also served as the fundraising coordinator at New Covenant since the spring of 2020.
Experience
Brian received a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Math with a minor in German from St. Olaf College and a Master's Degree in Physics from Michigan State University. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Michigan State University. He has worked as a teaching assistant at MSU and as a tutor, alongside serving for five years as a counselor at a Christian summer camp in North Carolina.
When asked why he joined NCCS, Brian replied, "I chose to pursue my Ph.D. because I feel called to teaching, especially in a Christian context. NCCS has impressed me as a place that seeks to do Christian education well, and I'm excited to join their staff!
Experience
Brooke has been working with kids for as long as she can remember. Specifically, she worked at a church-affiliated daycare for ten years, five of which she was the assistant director while also planning and teaching the K4 program. She also currently teaches in her church's children's ministry.
When asked why Brooke is at NCCS, she replied, "God led us to NCCS when we were looking for a school for my son. I began to volunteer in my son's classroom, in the school office, at recess, and substitute teach when needed. I also never missed chapel. I love the NCCS family and looked for any ways I could help."
Experience
Cassie is passionate about art. She received her bachelor's degree from Spring Arbor University in K-12 visual arts education and has been working with kids and students for 17 years. Shortly after graduating, she had the joy of teaching 2/3 grade at New Covenant, as well as substitute teaching and teaching a summer art class. She took a break from teaching to open a daycare where she often incorporated art into her weekly program. In addition, she is a freelance artist/illustrator with a self-published children's book she was inspired to write while previously teaching at NCCS.
Cassie decided to return to New Covenant because Christ is at the center of everything the school does, and the teachers and students become family. Having graduated from NCCS, coming back to teach at New Covenant in 2022 felt like coming home.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal Dalton Gatlin
Experience
Dalton has been involved in classical Christian education since third grade when he became a student at New Covenant, graduating from the school in 2004. He has been teaching in classical Christian education since 2008. In 2014, he became the Head of the School of Logic and Rhetoric at a classical Christian school in Pennsylvania. He has a B.A. in History and a M. Ed. in Christian School Administration from Regent University. He became principal of New Covenant Christian School in March 2020.
Dalton joined NCCS because of the school's unique core values. "At NCCS, students are more than minds; they are also disciples of Christ, sons and daughters of God called to do His will. It is a blessing to align with God every day to unlock the imago Dei potential He has gifted each student while worshiping Him in every area of the school: academically, spiritually, and relationally. I am truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful New Covenant family and to have my children attend the school."
Job Titles:
- President of the NCCS Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the NCCS Board of Trustees
Experience
After several years in the field of beverage manufacturing and quality assurance, Gerrit was called to change course and teach at New Covenant, thereby returning to the teaching field. In between colleges, he substitute taught at all grade levels near his home in western New York. Gerrit earned his A.S. in Liberal Arts and Science from Jamestown Community College (JCC) and his B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from the state university of New York College in Syracuse, New York. After another year of substitute teaching, he relocated to Northern Michigan University to work as a graduate assistant. In between researching brook trout and salmon in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Gerrit taught laboratory classes at the freshman and sophomore levels. He later returned to JCC for two years to teach as a lab instructor in the Biology department.
Experience
Grace earned a Master's degree in French and Francophone Studies with a specialization in Language Teaching from Michigan State and a Bachelor's degree in French and Francophone Studies with a Certificate in TESOL from Central Michigan University. She has taught French classes at Michigan State as well as teaching preschoolers and ESL instruction for adults.
Grace joined NCCS "because I wanted to be able to teach with Christ at the center and be able to disciple my students in the faith. When I heard such amazing things about the staff and students at NCCS, I knew this was the place I wanted to work!"
Job Titles:
- Member of the NCCS Board of Trustees
Experience
Jannet has over 30 years of experience in early childhood development, most of which are in Christian education. She has taught preschool - 3rd grade. She is certified in Early Childhood Development and has gained training in the Spalding Reading Program.
She is at NCCS "to help nurture, grow, disciple, and educate children to become ALL that God has called them to be in their families, churches, schools, and communities.
Experience
Jasmine graduated from Spring Arbor University with a B.A. in Language Arts with a concentration in Elementary Education and has been teaching for three years. When asked why she joined NCCS, Jasmine said, "I decided to teach at NCCS because my faith in Christ is very important to me, and I want to be able to integrate it in my classroom! James 1:17 says, ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above.' I want to show my students that we can experience kindness and learn new things because all Jesus has done for us."
Experience
Karla has over 20 years of teaching experience, ranging from kindergarten through high school. Her original training was as a kindergarten teacher from her home country, Guatemala, and she has been teaching at NCCS for over ten years. She earned a certificate to teach English as a Second Language and has also studied law.
Karla joined the NCCS family because "I truly believe that God has given each one of us gifts, and for me personally one of them was to be able to communicate in another language. I was blessed to find NCCS where I can use this gift and share with my students and peers about the wonderful things God has for us. As a teacher, the goal is to help students reach their potential. In my case, it is also to introduce young minds to a different culture and language through the message of Salvation to the world."
Experience
Mrs. McCausey has been teaching music through private lessons, homeschool co-ops, and summer camps for seven years. She graduated from Great Lakes Christian College in 2017 with degrees in Music and Theology. Her time in Bible college inspired a love of studying how music and theology interact. Joining the New Covenant family in 2022 felt like coming full circle. She attended NCCS K-12. The school and its teachers played a very big role in guiding her through many "growing up" journeys - even in her family's recent adoption journey. Her kids began attending NCCS in 2019, opening doors to come back as a staff member.
When asked what she loves about NCCS, Katie responded "that it is more than grades and athletics - it's discipleship, growing in knowledge, and learning more about God and the world He has made. It is a wonderful opportunity to be teaching at a school where students are empowered to learn more about Christ in every area of their education!"
Experience
Lauren has been teaching for thirteen years and has been at NCCS for over ten years, where she also carries administrative responsibilities. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Michigan State University and has a Michigan Professional Teaching Certificate in K-8 all subjects and 6-8 Language Arts.
She is at NCCS because "It is a privilege to teach and explore alongside my students and to help them grow in their unique journeys with the Lord. I'm so thankful to teach at a school where the whole child matters, discipleship is central, and glorifying God is our priority, It is an absolute joy to spend my days with my middle school students, helping them in the process of becoming who the Lord has created them to be."
Experience
LeeAnn Martin is a graduate of the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a Specialty in Entrepreneurship from Davenport University and a Master's degree in Divinity with a Biblical Discipleship focus from Regent University.
Before coming to New Covenant, LeeAnn worked in recording studios out of her home as a vocal coach and vocal producer. She also has experience working in special education classrooms.
LeeAnn believes the Lord has led her to NCCS to serve the body of Christ. She looks forward to sharing her love and knowledge of the Word of God with all her students.
Molly has been teaching for seven years and has taught every grade, kindergarten - twelfth. She has taught Language Arts, ESL, Bible, and introductory Spanish in addition to humanities. She received her bachelor's degree in Spanish Education and TESOL from Taylor University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the NCCS Board of Trustees
- Pastor
Experience
Polly graduated from Great Lakes Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education; Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Child Development; and Michigan State University with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction.
Job Titles:
- Member of the NCCS Board of Trustees
Experience
Richard Martin has over ten years of experience in Human Services and Economic Development. He graduated from Sienna Heights University in 2013 with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. He has also worked with children in Sunday School ministries and helped with VBS. However, his greatest passion and calling is serving the Lord as a Pastor through his home church.
Experience
Pastor Rick received a theology degree from Bob Jones University and has been involved in Christian education for seventeen years. He has been a PE teacher, a Bible teacher, and an administrator, and he loves working with young people of all ages. He currently serves as the Pastor of Outreach Baptist Church.
Experience
Rita has been teaching in children's ministry for over 30 years and has been teaching in Christian schools for over 15 years in many elementary grades.
On her decision to serve at New Covenant, Rita says, "The Lord opened many doors that led me to NCCS, starting with my grandson attending. I love showing and sharing how amazing God is, and being at NCCS is part of His plan for my life at this time."
Job Titles:
- Member of the NCCS Board of Trustees
- Principal Dalton Gatlin
Experience
Steve has been involved in Christian education for over 30 years. He joined NCCS in 1996, where he teaches primarily middle school and high school Bible and Math while also serving as the senior class advisor. He earned a B.B.A. in Business/Accounting from Notre Dame University and an A.A. in Christian Ministry from Wold Harvest Bible College. During his lengthy career in Christian education, he has been awarded teacher awards from the University of Notre Dame and Hillsdale College. He has also worked as an education consultant to several Christian schools.
When asked why he is at NCCS, Steve replied, "I teach at NCCS because it is the best place to fulfill my personal calling as a teacher and utilize my giftings within the Body of Christ. NCCS has a family atmosphere on many levels: assisting parents with their primary responsibility in educating their children; being a mentor and role model to the next generation; being a spiritual father to many sons and daughters; and experiencing my son begin his time at NCCS and watching him grow in his faith and academics throughout his primary and secondary educational years."