Thank you for giving!

Bethel Community Education is made possible through the generous support of individuals and organizations. Your faithful partnership allows us to carry out our mission. Thank you for bringing hope to our learners and families.

In the News

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

People are taking notice of Bethel. Local media recently stopped by to see what happens when a school is built around each child — made in God’s image, free to learn at their own pace. Take a look, or a listen.

FOX 17 story: a Bethel teacher works with a student

A Modern Twist on the One-Room Schoolhouse

Watch the Story
10:09

Bethel Offers a Unique Educational Experience

Listen to the Interview

Ways to Support the Mission of Bethel

PRAY

Become a prayer partner for our guides, our learners, and our community.

SUPPORT A LEARNER

Sponsor a Bethel learner who thrives in an innovative, nontraditional education environment.

ATTEND AN EVENT

See our calendar for upcoming events

Calendar

GET INVOLVED

Bethel would love to have you as a volunteer. There are many ways to get involved. Contact us to get started.

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Your generosity allows Bethel to expand opportunities for students and families who long for Christian education in Rockford.

Whether you give financially, volunteer your time, or become a prayer partner, you play a vital role in shaping the next generation of disciples. Learn how to support Christian education in Rockford, MI and make an eternal impact.

WHAT OUR SUPPORTERS ARE SAYING

“BETHEL IS MORE THAN A SCHOOL. IT IS A MINISTRY.”

– FAITHFUL SUPPORTER

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Empowering learners to use their
God-given talents to join in Christ's work.

About
Meet the Team
Academics
Preschool
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
3rd - 5th Grade
6th - 8th Grade
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Bethel Community Education team member smiling at the Rockford, MI campus

Amy Zwiep

Executive Director

Over thirteen 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 May 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.

Bethel Community Education staff member smiling outdoors at the Rockford, MI campus

Julie Donegan

Preschool Guide
Rockford Campus

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.

Bethel Community Education team member smiling at the Rockford, MI campus

Anne Vanderwell

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Guide
Rockford Campus

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.

Bethel Community Education staff member smiling outdoors at the Rockford, MI campus

Kate Jackson

3rd - 5th Grade Guide
Rockford Campus

Kate has a lot of experience in the corporate marketing world, yet where she has seen the Lord grow her skills and abilities most has been as a mother and through ministry locally and globally.

Jakob and Kate spent time in Zambia equipping young adults to be independent business owners. They are active members of their church, which they helped plant over 5 years ago. Ever since Kate learned about Bethel, she said “I know something special is happening in the learning at this school and would love to be a part of it.” We are excited to welcome her as our newest team member!

Kate and her husband, Jakob, have three children and live in Grand Rapids.

Bethel Community Education team member smiling at the Rockford, MI campus

Jamie O'Connell

School Director
Rockford Campus

Jamie O’Connell has known Bethel from its beginnings. She has been Bethel’s photographer for school pictures each year and is now working with Bethel’s learners, families and staff.

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, bridging the gap between home life and school life and loves 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 where Arek accepted his job at Hillside Community Church. He is now the Young Adult Pastor and one of the teaching pastors. Arek and Jamie have been blessed with two precious daughters, Kaia and Leighton, and love to spend as much time with them as they can.

Bethel Community Education staff member smiling outdoors at the Rockford, MI campus

Maria Klompmaker

School Director
Holland Campus

Maria was drawn to the mission of Bethel after spending time wrestling with ways to help more students feel encouraged about the gifts they have been given by God and empowered to take ownership of their own learning. As she read through Bethel’s website, the mission, vision, and focus on discipleship, lifelong skills, and individualized learning really resonated with her hopes for kids.

Maria met her husband, Dan, at Camp Roger when they were both working there after college. Maria attended Calvin University for a bachelors in elementary education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. She has spent 16 years at local Christian schools in a number of positions including 5th grade teacher, middle school math teacher, and support services teacher. She loves coming alongside students both inside and outside of the classroom to encourage them to grow the gifts God has given them and empower them to take ownership of their own learning.

The Klompmaker family is excited to join the Bethel community. Their two sons, Everett and Alden, will be learners at Bethel in the fall. As a family, they enjoy traveling, camping, backpacking, and spending time outside.

Bethel Community Education team member smiling at the Rockford, MI campus

Femke Veldhuijzen

6th - 8th Grade Guide
Rockford Campus

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.