Our Team
OFFICE STAFF
Jeralyn Belote
Administrator
I love children. I see the opportunity to pour into the lives of children as an incredible blessing and the most important job. It is extra special to be able to work at a school where God can be glorified in all that we do and say. I often say "CCS is God's school" and I believe that to my core. I am privileged and honored to be given the responsibility of leading the teachers and students at CCS every day and pray that God will continue to do His amazing work through me. By offering academic excellence while upholding the truth of God's word and teaching children to serve, we are instilling our future generation with what they need to go, do, and be for God throughout their lives.
BA from Calvin College
MA from Western Michigan University
Don Hughes
Vice Principal and Athletic Director
I have always told students to find what you are passionate about, and what you are good at, and marry the two to find a fulfilling career. I have always been very good at math and teaching other people how to do mathematics. That is how God steered me into teaching mathematics for 32 years. Over the last two years, my emphasis has now turned to building relationships with teachers and with students in an administrative role. I am honored and privileged to now work at CCS every day. We have the best staff and a great student body. Providing academic excellence, upholding God’s truth, and challenging kids to have servant’s hearts is our mission. I love waking up and coming to work knowing I am following God’s plan for my life.
BS from Michigan Tech University
MA from Wayne State University
Necia DiTrapani
Business Manager
The Lord called me out of the corporate world to serve Him in ministry at CCS. My background is in banking and I have always had a passion for helping people. I began pursuing my accounting degree in 2015 and the Lord told me I was going to work for a nonprofit corporation. Through His providence, He led me to CCS in 2018. I am passionate about Christian education and the mission of CCS to provide academic excellence, while upholding God’s truth and challenging children to serve. I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow and serve this school alongside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Currently enrolled in an AAS in Accounting program at Kellogg Community College
Michelle Wilson
Enrollment Specialist
BA from Grand Valley State University
MS from Spring Arbor University
Mike Belote
Head of Maintenance
PRESCHOOL STAFF
Melissa Pidcock
Preschool Director
My passion for teaching arises out of a love for learning. It is my desire to instill that love for learning in each of my students. I am so blessed and honored as a preschool teacher to be part of a child's first educational experience in a school setting. Teaching in a Christian school also allows me to share my love for the Lord! My goal is to help "Train up a child in the way he should go so that when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6). Training and caring for God's children is such an awesome responsibility. It is my prayer that each of the lives I am able to touch goes on to fulfill the plans that God has for them. I pray that each of them reach their fullest potential in the Lord.
BS from Central Michigan University
Julie Dunakin
3 Year Old Preschool Lead Teacher
I love teaching preschool because I enjoy helping students and families have great first school experiences. I love being able to help lay strong foundations for our littlest student’s future educational experiences. I love watching them make friends and develop socially while they have fun participating in learning experiences. It is my goal to help my preschoolers come to love school and learning. I love teaching at CCS because I am free to openly share the love of Jesus with the families and students that I work with. I love highlighting God’s goodness to us through songs, lessons, and everyday interactions in my classroom. It is such a blessing to be able to teach in a school that desires to honor and glorify the Lord.
Associate Degree from Kellogg Community College
Autumn Kurtz
Preschool Paraprofessional & Extended Care Director
I have always loved working with children and watching them learn through exploration and experimentation. I wholeheartedly believe in following what God commands us to do in life such as “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32), and I hope that I always show my students the love of Christ. Through the years, I have volunteered or worked with children at other places. However, after moving to Battle Creek, I am so happy to have found CCS and I feel this is the place where God has led me to work with children.
AA from Lansing Community College
BS from Liberty University
Amanda Hoxie-Sheldon
Begindergarten Lead Teacher
BS from University of Michigan
MS from Western Michigan University
Post graduate certificate from Davenport University
Jill Damon
Begindergarten Paraprofessional
ELEMENTARY STAFF
Aly Burnett
Kindergarten Teacher
When I moved to Battle Creek in 2016, I had no idea what plan God had in store for me or my family. I felt lost and didn’t understand the path he was laying down for me. I felt encouraged when I saw an opportunity to be a part of the CCS Education Support team in 2018. During that year, I felt God pulling me further toward a path in early childhood education. I took a leap of faith with God’s guidance and enrolled full time at KCC the summer of 2019 to move toward that calling. I truly believe it’s important to pour into our little ones to follow what God has planned for them. I look forward to this opportunity that God has blessed me with.
Currently enrolled in a BS in Elementary Education program at Grand Canyon University
Liz Moody
Kindergarten Teacher
God called me to be a teacher. Teaching is my passion and my joy. Every day that I get to spend in the classroom with my students is a gift. It is a privilege to teach in a Christian school where I can openly share about God’s love and teach about the world that God created. I have taught many grade levels and subjects over the years, but kindergarten is by far my favorite. Kindergarteners’ enthusiasm and energy for life are contagious. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). These words from the Bible are always a great reminder to me, and it is my prayer that my students will also learn to follow them.
BA from Spring Arbor University
MA from Spring Arbor University
Diane Rome
First Grade Teacher
I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a teacher. As a young teen, I memorized Psalm 37:4 " Delight yourself in the laws of the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." This has remained my life verse all these many years. God gave me the desires of my heart when He enabled me to become an elementary teacher over 35 years ago. It is truly a joy to work alongside parents and participate in the education of their child for one year's time.
BS from Pensacola Christian College
April Denisiuk
Fourth Grade Teacher
In 2002, I started performing reading interventions in the Kalamazoo public district. I instantly fell in love with the job. Seeing those light bulbs go off was the greatest paycheck you could receive. I knew I was on the right career path but wanted to further it. I went to Western Michigan University where I received a Bachelor of Science with an Early Childhood endorsement. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and am currently holding a teaching certification. I have also had extensive training from Great Lakes Autism Center.
When it came time to enter the workforce again, CCS was a natural choice as our daughter is entering her third year here. We are already invested in this school and its core values align with ours. It is such a blessing to work in a school where you can openly praise God. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
BS from Western Michigan University
Jessica Scramlin
Fourth Grade Teacher
Our children have been attending CCS since 2021. I am passionate about seeing students reach their full potential and develop a love for Jesus Christ. Having taught both domestically and internationally, I am proud to call CCS my home and further the mission of the CCS team.
BS from Indiana Wesleyan University
MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF
Lori Halder
Middle School Math Teacher
BA from Grand Valley State University
MA from Western Michigan University
Ashleigh Jex
Middle School Language Arts Teacher
It is a privilege to teach in a Godly environment that encourages success. It is essential to teach students how to relate the English language to our Christian faith in order to give learning purpose and direction. All children deserve a chance to learn, to grow, and to succeed no matter the age group. Middle school is a time to determine and to seek understanding for oneself. I am excited to help students determine who they are in Christ and how that relates to the rest of the world. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) I have been blessed beyond understanding to be able to teach English at CCS, a subject I not only love, but also am passionate about.
BA from Kingswood University
Denise Kenney
Middle School Science Teacher
BS from Bob Jones University
MA from Faithway Baptist Bible College
Currently enrolled in a ME program at Spring Arbor University
Carrie Krontz
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
The Lord has truly blessed me by giving me the opportunity to work with children. I consider it an honor that God has given me the opportunity to share in the lives of our middle school students. I am especially grateful for the unique opportunity to work with students for not just one year, but for their entire four-year middle school experience. It is my desire to partner with my students and their parents to help each child reach their full academic and spiritual potential. It is my prayer that the lessons we teach in class will help my students live the lives God has called them to live and follow the plans He has for their lives.
BA from Anderson University
MA from Western Michigan University
Summer LaBonte
Middle School Bible Teacher
From the moment we walked into CCS we instantly felt like family. I am thankful to be a part of the teaching staff where I get to pour into each student who walks through my classroom door. There is a huge responsibility in raising this generation to not only be highly educated but to teach them to stand for Christ with unwavering faith. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I believe that it is important to teach children the importance of being nice to others, have integrity in all they do, and honor God above all else.
BA from Southeastern University
MA from Grand Canyon University
HIGH SCHOOL STAFF
Erin Gutowski
Dean of Students & 10th Grade Bible Teacher
BA from Kent State University
MA from Marygrove College
Ministry License and Certificate in Business and Ministry from Charis Bible College
Taria Moser
High School English Teacher
As an educator at CCS God has given me an amazing opportunity to help train our youth to have a fire and passion for Him. I love that I am able to help guide, lead, and encourage students to walk and grow in their spiritual life, building their identity on a solid Biblical foundation. The more I experience and learn, the better teacher I become. This is also the mindset that I encourage for my students to adopt, look for the learning potential in every opportunity. I desire for students to leave my classroom with a thorough knowledge of the subject area, positive self-efficacy, the building of a Godly identity, and the pursuit of an intimate relationship with the Creator. Through my energy, fun-loving attitude, hard work, prayer, and continuous learning, I will create an atmosphere where students will be successfully challenged to grow.
BA from Spring Arbor University
Bob Rome
High School Math Teacher / Robotics
AA from Spring Arbor University
BA from Spring Arbor University
SPECIALS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF
Laura Kennett
Elementary/MS Gym Teacher
I love kids! Spending quality time training God’s children is such a crucial and awesome responsibility. I feel God has blessed me to be able to work with children. I enjoy teaching and spending quality time with kids and sharing God’s love. We are truly put into each situation daily not by chance but by God’s love and grace for each and every one of us. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Working at CCS allows me to share my Christian faith and love with one another. It is my prayer that each and every child grows to know Christ as they walk in God’s plan for their life. I am truly blessed to be able to work at Calhoun Christian School.
BA from Spring Arbor University
Beth Norris
Art Teacher
Erin Olds
Spanish Teacher
I am so thankful to work with the students at Calhoun Christian School. Even more, God has blessed me with the opportunity to teach Spanish to all grade-levels. As a teacher and leader in the classroom, God has given me an awesome responsibility: to walk through these school years with my students, to lead them closer to God, to help them succeed academically, and to help them grow and mature according to God’s purpose. The world is ever-changing, and the ability to speak a second language is becoming more and more useful. As Christians, we have all been commissioned by Christ, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:35) I consider it a privilege to help students equip themselves for this mandate.
BA from Spring Arbor University
Tangi Olds
Academic Advisor and Computer Teacher
Being a teacher is like participating in a never-ending treasure hunt! Helping students discover the treasure in themselves, in others, and in god’s world brings exciting results to the classroom and helps equip students to be successful contributors in every facet of life. I love teaching K-12 students new computer skills and how to integrate this useful knowledge into their everyday life. In addition, my time spent in Bible class is some of the most precious hours in my week as I watch students continue to grow in their Godly identity and destiny. As the high school Academic Advisor, I find it exciting to watch secondary students take what they have learned throughout 13 years of school and direct their energy and knowledge into post-secondary and career plans. Lastly, the capstone to the annual service and mission work at CCS is the senior mission to the Dominican Republic. I am so thankful for the opportunity to help lead this trip each year and to watch students better understand God’s world and their role in it.
BA from Spring Arbor University
Michelle Ostrander
Educational Support Director for Preschool and Elementary
For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for working with children. When I pursued my degree in Speech Pathology, I knew I wanted to work with child language development but I did not know that God's plan would bring me here. Teaching is such a privilege. The children are so excited to learn and experience new things. I love that I not only get to teach them about the ABC's but also about Jesus and His love for us. I am so glad that God has placed me here.
BS from Andrews University
