Mrs. Bergsma
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Mrs. Bergsma is a former student of PRC and graduated in 2015. She attended Brescia University College for four years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors Specialization in French and Major in English). Mrs. Bergsma married Jesse Bergsma, also a PRC alumni. Mrs. Bergsma started teaching at PRC in 2019, and she and her husband moved to Christchurch, NZ for a year where she obtained her Bachelor of Education degree. Mrs. Bergsma teaches French 9,10, 11, and 12. Mrs. Bergsma enjoys playing volleyball and piano.
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Mrs. Blokker
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Mrs. Blokker was born in Chatham, and moved to London when she married Mr. Blokker. She has two sons and a daughter-in-law, and is eagerly awaiting grandchildren. She was a hair stylist for 8 years, and she has her DSW diploma; she was able to combine her stylist work with her DSW when she worked at the McCormick Home in London. Mrs. Blokker has been at Providence for two years in our Learning Commons and as an educational assistant.
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Mr. De Visser
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Mr. de Visser was born in Pretoria, South Africa, where his parents were working as missionaries. His family moved to Canada in 2004 and settled in Hamilton, where Mr. de Visser attended Guido de Bres Christian High School. In 2014, he received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in History and Philosophy from McMaster University. Mr. de Visser completed his Bachelor of Education degree in 2015 at Wilfrid Laurier University and began teaching at PRC that September. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Education at Dordt University. Mr. de Visser is married to his wife Hannah, and they have been blessed with two sons, Levi and Micah. Mr. de Visser teaches History, Philosophy, English, and Bible.
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Mrs. DeVRies
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Mrs. DeVries spent her early years in Stratford, Ontario and later moved to Trenton. She studied at Queen's University and received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Since she was enrolled in the Concurrent Education program, she continued her schooling there and finished her Bachelor of Education in 2014. She is currently a member of Cornerstone URC in London. This year at PRC, Mrs. DeVries teaches Math and Accounting. She is also the Vice-Principal.
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Mr. Ellens
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Mr. Ellens was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake but moved with his family at the age of 9 to Alberta. After graduating, he studied English and Math at Redeemer University College and also received a Bachelor of Education degree. While at university, he met Amanda and they were married in 2010. Shortly afterward they moved to Carman, Manitoba for 7 years and Mr. Ellens taught at Dufferin Christian School. In 2017 the Ellens family moved to Strathroy, Ontario and became part of the Providence Reformed Collegiate community. They have four children: Emma, Ezra, Cora, and Judah. Mr. Ellens teaches English, Math, Biology, and Science.
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Mr. Haklander
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Mr. Rik Haklander and his wife, Marya, live on a farm near Poplar Hill, and have three children currently in university. Mr. Haklander joined our teaching staff in September 2020 to teach our construction engineering technology courses and cooperative education program. Previously, he worked as an automotive technician, and farming has been a lifelong passion of his. Mr. Haklander is excited about helping direct young people in their understanding and appreciation of the trades.
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MR. Pennings
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Mr. Ken Pennings and his wife Belinda have been blessed with six children, who range in age from two years to 20 years old. He was born and raised in the St. Thomas area on a pig farm. He studied at Redeemer College from 1992 - 1996. Following his studies at Redeemer, he taught for two years before coming to PRC from 1999 to 2007. Those years hold many good memories for him. He then moved on from PRC and taught at Oxford Reformed Christian School for 5 years. Following the Lord's prompting, he then studied at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI from 2012 - 2016. Mr. Pennings teaches Family Studies, Bible, Geography, and Philosophy.
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MIss Pennings
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Miss Pennings was born and raised in the St. Thomas area, attends the St. Thomas Free Reformed Church, and is a PRC alumna. She has completed her DSW and works as an EA within the public system and part-time at Providence. She joined our staff in 2018.
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Mrs. Pieterman
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Mrs. Pieterman grew up in the Hamilton area, and moved to London as a teen. She and her husband, Art, still live in London, where they attend Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church. Two of their children have graduated from PRC, and three are currently attending. This year, Mrs. Pieterman teaches English, Learning Strategies, Computers and Entrepreneurship. She is also the Learning Assistance Coordinator.
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Miss Schilthuis
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Miss Schilthuis received her Bachelor of Arts degree and her teaching license from Dordt College. She spent the first three years of her teaching career in Honduras teaching sixth grade at a Christian bilingual school. Miss Schilthuis moved to London to teach at Providence, where she has taught ever since. While in London, she received her specialist certification for guidance counselling and her intermediate-division qualification for teaching Health and Physical Education. She uses that training as the guidance counsellor, Career Studies teacher, athletic director, and Health and Phys. Ed. teacher. She also teaches a variety of other courses. Miss Schilthuis is an active member of the Cornerstone URC in London.
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Mr. Vander Deen
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Our principal, Mr. Mike Vander Deen, grew up on a farm near Strathroy and graduated from PRC in 2001. After Providence, he completed his B.A. and B.Ed. at Redeemer University College. He taught senior elementary school at Heritage Christian School in Jordan, Ontario from 2006-2014. He has been at Providence since September, 2014. Mr. Vander Deen was recently named a Van Lunen Fellow after completing Van Lunen Centre for Executive Management in Christian Schools program. The Van Lunen program is focussed on training Christian school leaders to craft and implement a sustainable Christian educational mission with parents, teachers, and the supporting community. He is currently working on his Masters in Educational Leadership at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. He is married to Rachel, and they have four sons. They live near Mt. Brydges and attend Providence URC in Strathroy.
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Mrs. vander Meyden
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Pamela Vandermeyden lives in the hamlet of Appin with her husband Marty and their five daughters. They are members of Providence United Reformed Church in Strathroy. Pamela received her Honours BA in History from Western University and trained to be an intermediate/senior teacher at Althouse College, graduating with a BEd in 2006. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers. Pam has taught at Covenant Christian School as a Grade 5-6 teacher, has been a member and is now chair of the education committee there, and also sits on the board of CCS. This year, Pam is teaching English and Phys Ed at PRC.
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Miss Van Raalte
Miss Van Raalte grew up in Orangeville. She received her Bachelor of Science with honours in biomedical science from the University of Waterloo. Over two summers she completed two internships in Germany, one on environmental toxicology and the other on molecular biology. She loves trying new things and her latest adventure is learning to play the ukulele. She teaches Biology, Science, Math, and English.
Ms. Xu
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Mrs. Phoebe Xu was born in Wuhan, China and completed her B.Eng. in Materials at Wuhan University of Technologies. In 1995, Mrs. Xu moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she completed her M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy. In 1999, Mrs. Xu moved to Canada and completed her B.Ed. at the University of Windsor. She then taught at Maranatha Christian Academy for over 18 years and completed an additional Honors Specialization in Chemistry in 2018. Mrs. Xu was introduced to Jesus in 1980s during her studies in China and eventually became a Christian in 1995. Her son was born shortly after her move to Canada and is currently studying at Western University. Mrs. Xu teaches Chemistry, Sciences, and Math.
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MRs. Wattel
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Mrs. Wattel was born and raised in Waterdown, ON. She was married in 1992 to Peter, and they have lived in the Watford area since then. They attend the Grace Canadian Reformed Church in Kerwood. They have three daughters, who all attended Providence. Mrs. Wattel has served the Providence school community in many capacities through the years - as librarian, bus driver, volunteer admin assistant. After taking a year off from Providence when her youngest graduated, she missed the school community so much that she came back as an EA in 2018.
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