Meet the Team

Amy Zwiep

School Director

Over fourteen years ago, God placed a call on Amy’s life to start a school. She did not know where, how, or when. All she knew was that it would look different from a traditional school, and more importantly, each facet of it would be rooted in Christ.

Amy experienced the power of Christian education for the first time as a Kindergarten student teacher at Dutton Christian School (DCS). Since then, she fell in love with Christian education and served in that environment as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer for early childhood, paraeducator, lead teacher, discipleship leader, and Assistant Principal. She has worked with a wide range of learners both in age and ability from preschool through eighth grade. In 2019, Amy felt called to return to Calvin University where she earned her Masters in Educational Leadership.

In Mary of 2016 and November of 2020, God stopped Amy in her tracks when she experienced a spontaneous carotid artery dissection – left side in 2016 and right side in 2020. These experiences have been life transforming for her, her husband, Matt, and her children. God continues to teach them to trust Him daily and often, moment by moment. It is her deep desire in life and at Bethel to follow God’s will in bold faith and obedience for His glory.

Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and their children, Micah, Kylie, and Ellie. One of their favorite things to do as a family is explore God’s creation.

Julie Donegan

Preschool Guide

Julie has years of experience working with young learners as a mother, a volunteer at her church, and in her previous work experiences. She is thrilled to use her love for God and his children each day she comes to guide her preschool learners. She loves coming to know each preschool learner as she shares God’s love with them.

Away from school, Julie enjoys spending time with her two amazing children, Melanie and Carter, alongside her husband, Jeff. They attend Hillside Community Church where Julie regularly volunteers in their children’s ministry. It is a joy to serve at Bethel and watch these learners grow in awe of our God as they learn more about themselves, each other, and the world around them.

Anne vanderwell

Kindergarten - 2nd grade Guide

Anne is eager to encourage and empower all kinds of students to grow as learners and as Christ’s disciples at Bethel Community Education.

Anne graduated from Calvin University in 2021 with a degree in Elementary Education and Language Arts. Along with her student teacher internship and Calvin education, her background as a summer camp counselor and special program coordinator, her experience mentoring spiritual leaders with Calvin’s Campus Ministries program, and her role as her church’s GEMS Girls’ Club Director shape her as an educator.

Anne’s passion for Bethel’s mission to empower learners to use their God-given talents to join in Christ’s work is supported by her personal mission of loving people in all circumstances in order to build relationships and evoke questions providing opportunities to share God’s love story. She eagerly lives into the beautiful overlap of these callings each day at Bethel and is always excited to celebrate the ways God is working in and through each person in this community.

Anne gets excited about lots of things including, but not limited to, good books, exploring with her friends, learning more about outer space, any kind of celebration, and all things yellow.

Coming Soon

3rd - 5th GRADE guide

Femke Veldhuijzen

6th - 8th Grade Guide

Femke grew up traveling often with her family on mission trips, mostly visiting Nigeria. From these unique experiences, she felt a call to teaching. She studied education in college at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. In 2020, Femke graduated with a degree in Teaching and Learning, along with Interdisciplinary Studies.

For the past two years, Femke has taught middle school learners in Jos, Nigeria at a Christian school, Hillcrest International Schools. It brings her great joy to see kids engaged and empowered in their learning as they broaden their understanding of the world and discover their call as disciples to actively participate in it.

Femke is thrilled to move back to Michigan and work in the middle school program at Bethel! She looks forward to working with other staff and members of Bethel’s community in encouraging all learners to use their gifts to be disciples of Christ in their own communities and around the world. It is her desire to serve other and love one another as Christ has done for us, and help all of her learners to the same.

Jamie O'Connell

Paraeducator

Jamie O’Connell has known Bethel from its beginnings. She has been Bethel’s photographer for school pictures each year.

Her background goes beyond photography and includes special education, personalized tutoring and behavioral therapy. She has a passion for Bethel’s nontraditional approach to providing an education rooted in Christ, and enjoys being a part of such a unique learning model that is desperately needed for learners and families.

Jamie graduated from Biola University in La Mirada, CA in 2011, which is also where she met her husband, Arek. Arek and Jamie moved from California to Michigan in 2013 for the position he has continued to serve in, High School and Post High School Pastor at Hillside Community Church. They have been blessed with two precious daughters, Kaia and Leighton. In Jamie’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, serving alongside Arek at church, and capturing God’s beauty through photography.

Meet the Team

Amy Zwiep

Julie Donegan

Anne vanderwell

Coming Soon

Femke Veldhuijzen

Jamie O'Connell

Enroll today!

© 2019 Andrew Padilla

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