Mrs. Sarah Van Ryn
Grades 5/6 & K-5 PE Teacher
Mrs. Van Ryn is an Ontario Certified Teacher with a Bachelor of Theology from Kuyper College and Bachelor of Education from Cornerstone University. Born in Prince Edward Island, Mrs. Van Ryn traveled to Alliston to teach at ACCS in 2007. After marrying her husband, Tim, in 2009, she decided she just had to stay. In her spare time, Mrs. Van Ryn enjoys playing roller derby, baking pies, a good ping pong game, reading, and theological discussions. At work, Mrs. Van Ryn thrives on the spiritual development of children and loves developing academic skills in children.
Miss Sarah Hayes
Grades 1/2 Teacher & Vice-Principal
When you enter Miss Hayes’ classroom you are welcomed into a brightly decorated and well- organized learning space. Her students are engaged and focused, and have many opportunities to try out new things in the classroom Learning Centres. Miss Hayes enjoys celebrating holidays and plans activities for each one. A favourite celebration in primary grades is "100 Day!" in which students celebrate the learning that they have accomplished over the first 100 days of school!
Miss Hayes loves Jesus and shares His love with her students everyday. It is her prayer that all her students come to know and love Jesus the way she does. One of her favourite Bible verses is Proverbs 3:5 and 6.iss Hayes loves her students and treats them like her own children. She enjoys watching the progress her Grade 1 students make when learning to read, and seeing her Grade 2 students become confident and independent learners.
Miss Hayes has been involved in education for over 30 years and enjoys traveling, reading, and shopping.
Miss Chantel Eade
Grades 7/8 & 6-8 PE Teacher
An Ontario Certified Teacher, Miss Eade received her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education from Redeemer University. While at Redeemer she played on the Women's Varsity Basketball team for three years and helped facilitate the Spiritual Athletic Leadership Team.
She loves coffee, hiking, playing board games, spending time with family and friends, and all things Julie Andrews. She is very excited to be part of the staff here at Alliston Community Christian School. She brings a bubbly vivacity and excitement to our school as she passionately leads our senior classes. Her love of sports has enabled her to inspire our students to greater skill and team development as they participate in various competitive sports, both within the school and in tournaments with other schools.
Kate Wager
EA & PSW
Mrs. Wager rejoined the ACCS staff in the fall of 2021. She loves to interact with primary children and supporting Christ-centred education at Alliston Community Christian School. She has training as a primary-junior teacher and as a provider of home daycare. She's been involved in preschool ministry at her church and participated in running Vacation Bible School programs.
Mrs. Karin Watson
Financial Assistant
Mrs. Watson has been the keeper of the books since 2005, maintaining ACCS’ financial records on a weekly basis. She and her husband, Glenn, were also parents in our school community for 15 years as their 3 children attended and graduated from ACCS.
Karin makes processing the school's financial transactions seem like an easy thing. For any questions you may have concerning tuition payments or donations – she is the one to contact.
Mrs. Buffy Andrews
Grade 1 Teacher
An Ontario Certified Teacher, Mrs. Andrews loves to instill a passion for learning in her students, encouraging them to serve the community and bring glory to God. Mrs. Andrews is an accomplished musician; having taught music lessons to children for many years, she incorporates music into many learning activities throughout the school day. She strives to find ways for students to discover their creativity in all learning areas and use a variety of learning tools to encourage and develop their curiosity about God's world.
Mrs. Stephanie Geertsema
Special Education Resource Teacher (S.E.R.T.)
Mrs. Geertsema is an experienced teacher of 14+ years, who has worked in public and Christian schools across Simcoe County and Southern Ontario. In addition to a Bachelor's degree in History and Psychology, her Bachelor of Education, and her OCT qualifications, Mrs. Geertsema also comes with her Special Education Specialist qualifications. Her presence at ACCS has been invaluable as we nurture inclusivity for students with special needs at ACCS.
Mrs. Geertsema loves reading, and fosters that in students by regularly leading a Battle of the Books team in school competitions. She also enjoys baking up some treats, and going for walks. At her church, Mrs. Geertsema has served as a Sunday School coordinator, VBS director, singer in praise team, and leads the GEMS girls program as head counselor.
Mrs. Jenn Cochrane
Junior/Senior Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Cochrane has taught at ACCS since 2019. Her desire is to see young children grow into who God has created them to be. She loves to serve by working with staff and parents to help shape God's children, teaching them and praying for them. She is married with 2 boys and is an avid reader and runner. She has been teaching in Christian schools for more than 20 years. She has taught students from JK to grade 4 over the years. She is excited to work at ACCS and be a part of a loving community.
Elaina Gillard
Receptionist & Admin Assistant
Elaina Gillard is a mother of five children, all of whom presently attend ACCS. After completing a B. Mus at McMaster University, she became a Christian in her early twenties. After becoming a mother, Elaina was sure that Christian school is something she wanted to pursue for her family. Elaina greatly enjoys being a parent at ACCS, but also helping in the past with choirs and individual singers, and now working in the ACCS office. In her spare time, she loves prayer, worship and walks in the woods with her family. Elaina feels that the loving family atmosphere at ACCS is a great place to grow!
Amanda Charade
Grade 2/3 Teacher
Mrs. Charade holds a a Bachelors of Religious Education from FaithWay Baptist College of Canada. She now has more than 6 years of teaching experience in the junior and intermediate grades. Students enjoy the way her classrooms are always decorated with a theme for the year. These themes would cover the majority of the 18ft high walls and ceiling. Bible verses and quotes from the old hymns are often displayed with the goal of encouraging the students. She has always strived to have one main objective while teaching, and that is to train students to serve the Lord with their whole hearts and to put Him first in their lives. She and her husband have been serving in ministry together since 2017.
Mrs. Charade has been blessed and grateful to the Lord for bringing her to ACCS where she can continue serving Him by helping students do their best for God's glory.
Sarah T. Van Ryn
PSW
Mrs. Sarah T. Van Ryn joined the ACCS staff in the fall of 2021. Trained as an Early Childhood Educator, she brings amazing energy and passion for educating children and supporting them in their development. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work & Religion from Redeemer University.
Mrs. Jeanette Martin
Music/Band/Drama Teacher
Mrs. Martin has over 35 years of experience teaching young people to excel in the performing arts. She has prepared hundreds of students for RCM exams, and several have been awarded the prestigious RCM Gold Medal – their highest award! Mrs. Martin’s students have successfully competed in music festivals all over Ontario and the US. She prepares her students for auditions and several of her students have been hired for professional work or have been accepted into performing arts programs in Colleges and Universities.
Students from Grades 5 and above participate in band class twice weekly. Students have the opportunity to learn a new instrument and under the talented instruction of Mrs. Martin, they do well. Mrs. Martin lead ACCS to win Gold at the 2018-19 Music Festival at Kings.
Mrs. Martin also offers private in-school lessons in piano, instrumental and voice for those who are interested in developing these skills.
Wanting to signup for lessons? Click here.
Mrs. Mary Ellen Span
Grade 3/4 Teacher
As an Ontario Certified Teachers, Mrs. Span has more than 20 years of teaching experience! After graduating from Redeemer University with a B.A. in music, she taught grade 4 in Mississauga, Guelph, and the South American country of Suriname. She joined the ACCS team in 2011 when she married her husband, David, who is an alumnus of ACCS.
Mrs. Span strives to make her classroom a place where students feel loved and accepted, but also inspired to grow in faith, character, knowledge, and skills. She enjoys using songs and actions to help make learning “stick”.
In her free time, Mrs. Span can be found in her garden, on the volleyball court, cross country skiing, or curled up with a good book.
Mr. David Geertsema
Principal
An Ontario Certified Teacher, Mr. Geertsema brings more than 15 years teaching experience from working in public and Christian schools. He holds a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology and Psychology along with his Bachelor of Education. He has served as Chair of the Toronto North Christian Schools' Sports Committee, fostering a love for sports, competition, and sportsmanship in young people. As Technology Coordinator, Mr. Geertsema has been influential in providing guidance and instruction on the healthy use of computers in the school environment.
Mr. Geertsema believes strongly in putting our Christian faith into action. He has served his church in Barrie as an elder, as a Sunday school coordinator, and regularly participates in worship as a guitarist. Serving Christ in the Christian school as a teacher is another extension of his love for Christ and his desire to see each generation raised in the knowledge and wisdom of the Bible.