Our Staff

Meet Our Educators
    • Ron Koole
      Administrator

      Ron Koole

      Administrator
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA Elementary Education
      • College:
        Calvin College
      • Years Teaching:
        43
      • Years at Hope:
        26
      • Hobbies:
        Biking, camping, hunting, reading, card games, activities with kids and grandkids

    • Laurel Lotterman
      Secretary

      Laurel Lotterman

      Secretary
      Personal Info

      • Years at Hope:
        10
      • Hobbies:
        Reading, swimming, playing volleyball, traveling, spending time with family and friends


       

    • Deb Hoeksema
      Kindergarten

      Deb Hoeksema

      Kindergarten
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BS Science- Group Science Emphasis
      • University:
        Grand Valley State University
      • Degree:
        Masters Degree in Instruction and Curriculum with an emphasis in Elementary Education
      • University:
        Grand Valley State University
      • Years Teaching:
        16
      • Years at Hope:
        8
      • Hobbies:
        Camping, reading, and helping daughter with 4-H animals

    • Sue Grasman
      1st Grade

      Sue Grasman

      1st Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA Group Social Studies
      • University:
        Grand Valley State University
      • Years Teaching:
        20
      • Years at Hope:
        20
      • Hobbies:
        Reading fiction and non-fiction, bike riding, camping, time with family and friends

    • Julie Schwarz
      2nd Grade

      Julie Schwarz

      2nd Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA Elementary Education
      • College:
        Calvin College
      • Years Teaching:
        14
      • Years at Hope:
        9
      • Hobbies:
        Reading, crossword puzzles, making jewelry, beach in the summer

    • Gayle Lotterman
      3rd Grade

      Gayle Lotterman

      3rd Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BS K-12 Art Education with Writing Minor
      • University:
        Grand Valley State University
      • Degree:
        Master of Education – Literacy Studies
      • University:
        Grand Valley State University
      • Years Teaching:
        9
      • Years at Hope:
        8
      • Hobbies:
        Volleyball, drawing, painting, camping, reading, writing, and swimming

    • Dan Hanko
      4th Grade

      Dan Hanko

      4th Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA Elementary Education
      • College:
        Calvin College
      • Years Teaching:
        32
      • Years at Hope:
        22

    • Brian Dykstra
      5th Grade

      Brian Dykstra

      5th Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA Social Science & Language Arts
      • College:
        Hope College
      • Degree:
        Masters – Classroom Teaching & Curriculum
      • University:
        Michigan State University
      • Years Teaching:
        39
      • Years at Hope:
        37
      • Hobbies:
        Gardening and drawing, formerly an avid bee keeper

    • Faith Bleyenberg
      6th Grade

      Faith Bleyenberg

      6th Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA English Education with Elementary Certification Minor
      • University:
        Grand Valley State University
      • Years Teaching:
        0
      • Years at Hope:
        0
      • Hobbies:
        Sports, reading, spending time outside, and activities with friends and family

    • Suzanna Smit
      7th Grade

      Suzanna Smit

      7th Grade
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BS Social Sciences
      • University:
        California State University, Chico
      • Years Teaching:
        1
      • Years at Hope:
        1
      • Hobbies:
        Hiking, reading, camping, volleyball

    • Nathan DeVries
      8th Grade

      Nathan DeVries

      8th Grade
      Personal Info

       

      • Years Teaching:
        8
      • Years at Hope:
        8

    • Rebecca Lubbers
      Discovery Center

      Rebecca Lubbers

      Discovery Center
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA in Elementary Education
      • University:
        Calvin University
      • Degree:
        Master of Education – Reading Specialist
      • University:
        Calvin University
      • Years Teaching:
        3
      • Years at Hope:
        3
      • Hobbies:
        Playing sports, reading, hiking, playing piano, baking, and gardening

    • Jill Reitsma
      Discovery Center

      Jill Reitsma

      Discovery Center
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA Education with Early Childhood Endorsement
      • Years Teaching:
        16
      • Years at Hope:
        16
      • Hobbies:
        Biking, reading, tennis and playing board games

    • Matt Elzinga
      Band & Choir

      Matt Elzinga

      Band & Choir
      Personal Info

      • Degree:
        BA – Mathematics
      • University:
        Western Governors University
      • Years Teaching:
        11
      • Years at Hope:
        11
      • Hobbies:
        Kayaking, piano, computer programming