Welcome!
Meet Our Teachers and Staff
Sheri DeGraaf: Administrator
In July of 2023, Sheri was hired to be the administrator. She was previously the 2nd grade teacher at OCS. Sheri and her husband Dave have been married for 34 years. They have five sons, two daughters-in-law and one granddaughter. Sheri loves looking for deals at garage sales, kayaking, camping and spending time with friends and family. Sheri graduated from Rockford High School and then began attending Grace Bible College. After raising her children, she continued her education at Cornerstone University. Sheri loves learning and is excited to see how God is going to continue to work in the ministry of OCS. She hopes that each student will also develop a love for learning, that they will discover their unique giftedness from God, and that they will delight in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Email Address: Administrator@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Julie Arnone - Four Year Old Preschool
Danielle DeGraaf: Administrative Assistant
Danielle is a graduate of Spring Arbor University with a degree in camping minsitry. She spent over a decade working in camping ministry, and met her husband Josh while they both interned at Grace Adventures. Together, Danielle and Josh have one child and one on the way, one dog, and a flock of chickens. Danielle enjoys reading, riding horses, teaching God's Word and truth, and being a friend to others. Her purpose in life is to help others overcome obstacles and develop Christ-like character. Danielle hopes to fully engage her purpose at OCS with all students and staff.
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Email Address: office@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Stacy Vander Zwaag: Three Year Old Preschool
Stacy was born and raised in Zeeland, MI, and lived there until her husband and family moved to Hart 15 years ago. She is married to Ryan, the Senior Pastor here at First Baptist Church of Hart. They have six kids, two daughters-in-love, and one grandson! Stacy has taught preschool at OCS for seven years, and she has a deep love for children. Above all, she hopes her students will develop a love for learning and will find their hope in Jesus!
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Email Address: SVanderzwaag@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Julie Arnone: Four Year Old Preschool
Julie was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she met her husband of 32 years. They moved their family to the Pentwater area, where they raised five, now grown, kids. Julie has 12 years experience teaching preschool. This is her third year here at OCS. Her goal is to build strong relationships with the community and parents, aiming to improve collaboration with families, leading to a more supportive learning environment at school and at home. Preschool is an exciting time in children's lives, where they rapidly grow to understand the world around them. It's during this time that they develop a spiritual understanding about who God is and how they play a part in His plan for the world. Julie hopes to provide the building blocks of faith to her preschoolers and raise a basic awareness of God's love for all people.
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Email Address: JArnone@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Amy Ackley: Four Year Old Preschool, T/TH
Originally from Lansing, Amy graduated from Cornerstone University, married her best friend, and moved to the Upper Peninsula for two years. In 1998 they moved to Mears where her husband Calvin was from. Camping, gardening, running & breeding huskies are just a few of the things she enjoys. She & Calvin have six children from 13 to 24 and one son-in-law. Homeschooling her children through the sixth grade has kept her busy for the last several years. Now that they are older, she is excited to engage your preschoolers as they explore the world God has made! Her prayer for each one is that they would have a deep love for Jesus and make them the center of their lives starting at this very young age.
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Rebecca Scott: Kindergarten and Art
Rebecca, and her husband Jeff, have three children and have lived in Hart for 19 years. She loves to work on home projects, go for walks and enjoy the outdoors. Rebecca is a graduate of Concordia University and has a double major in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a minor in Art Education. She later went on to get her master’s from Western Michigan University. Rebecca has had experience teaching Pre-K through 1st grade and looks forward to leading her students and watching them grow as learners. Rebecca hopes her students will be able to see Jesus throughout the day and will learn to also share His love.
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Krystal VanderGraaf: Kindergarten
Krystal moved from Flint to Oceana County almost 20 years ago. She found her home in Hart with her husband Dave and four sons. Krystal is keeping busy in her spare time working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education and supporting her kids at their sports games. Whenever she can find a quiet moment she can be found with her nose in a good book. She’s excited for her first year at OCS and hopes to instill Jesus-like kindness in every child.
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Email Address: KVanderGraaf@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Laurie Hertzler: 1st Grade
Raising a large unique family has special joys and special challenges, and Laurie knows all about that! Her heart is to empower individuals to see and embrace the special way God has made them. And while her life story looks different than she’d planned, it is just the way her big God has written it for her. Laurie has a degree in American sign language which she uses to teach classes and interpret for the deaf community. She has taught everything from preschool to high school, regular classrooms to special education to camp kids. And this year, she will be teaching Kindergarten at OCS. Laurie’s deep hope is that through physical activity, her students will see the character of Christ displayed in those around them and that they step into the opportunities available to show Christ’s love to others as well.
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Email Address: LHertzler@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Lauren Rabe: Upper Elementary / Middle School
Lauren has been married for 17 years and has five children. Lauren loves the outdoors and has gone on many many adventures with her family. She loves to camp, hike, swim, and travel. Lauren isn’t afraid to tackle anything on her own, which came in handy when she and her husband decided to build their house together (it is beautiful by the way)! Lauren has been teaching for 17 years. She hopes that her students will come to know Christ and have so much fun at school that they forget they are learning!
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Ashley Lusby: 2nd Grade
Ashley is a Florida native who moved to Oceana County in 2019 with her husband Kirk and daughter. Since then they have welcomed another daughter and her nephew into their home. They have two dogs and six chickens as pets. They have enjoyed the slower pace of country living and access to many local farm markets. Ashley has been a sub at OCS for the last three years and excited to be the second grade teacher this year. She hopes children will learn to love and trust in God and bring glory to Him.
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Sara Boring: 2nd Grade Aide
Sara was born and raised in Mears, MI. She graduated from Hart High School and went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Cornerstone University, where she graduated in 2007. In 2009, Sara adventured to California where she met her husband, Grant. They have been married for 14 years and have three children. Sara loves to read, go on adventures with her family, listen to music, and shop. Sara is an alumni of OCS. She started at Preschool in 1989 and attended all the way through 6th grade! Sara’s deep hope is that each child feels loved, and that they come to know God’s love for them.
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Jodi Guikema: 3rd Grade
An alumni of Shelby High School and Cornerstone University, Jodi began her teaching career at OCS in 2003. She had been teaching here for several years when she met her husband, John, on a blind date. Before long, they were married, starting a family and beginning their own hobby farm (Lost Creek Farm). Jodi is a mom to 5 children, 1 dog, several barn cats and many head of beef cattle. After accepting a long-term sub position at OCS in the winter of 2022, Jodi decided to return full time to the school she began teaching at 20 years ago. Her hope is that the students will grow in their love and knowledge of God and that they will be lifelong thinkers and learners.
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Gayle Miller: 5th & 6th Grade
Gayle attended Christian schools growing up and knows first hand the blessings that come from a solid, Biblical education! She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and she has a huge heart for kids! Mrs. Miller is an energetic and outgoing team player who loves teaching and wants kids to know Jesus and to learn about the amazing world God created for them. Her deep hope is that her students would go on to impact the world to the glory of God!
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Mary Barnum: Intervention Specialist & 5th Grade Math
Mary was born and raised on a dairy farm in Oceana County. As an adult she has lived in several different states but is very happy to be back home raising her kids on the farm. She has worked with children most of her life and is excited to be back at OCS and is eager to show Jesus to her students so they can grow up to serve Him.
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Laura Vander Kodde: P.E.
Laura grew up in Grand Rapids and after graduating from Calvin College was married to Ben Vander Kodde. After getting married they moved to Oceana County and landed at Grace Adventures. They have four children, two boys and two girls. They are entering new territory as their kids get older and start their own adventures!
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Marissa Snider: S.T.E.A.M.
Marissa grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She met her husband, Luke (a Hart, MI native), when she began to attend the same church in Ohio. Two months after getting married, they were asked to join a team that would be doing God’s work overseas and lived in the Middle East for five years. Luke and Marissa have been married for ten years and have two boys keeping them on their toes here in MI. Marissa graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Dayton in Ohio. She’s worked in soil labs, on construction sites, and with energy and water sustainability. Marissa hopes and prays that God would draw these students to Himself and that they'd get to learn together how to enjoy Him every day.
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Becca Gale: Music Appreciation
Becca has been married for eight years to a lifelong Hart resident (and OCS graduate) Nate. They have three little busy kiddos who make their hearts large. Becca loves to run, bike, and learn new instruments in her free time. Becca previously worked in accounting and has been on staff at OCS for six years. Becca hopes and prays her students will feel Jesus’ love through the Biblical truths taught and that these truths will inspire them to show God’s love to others!
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Olivia Mitteer: 4s PreK Paraprofessional
Olivia is a lifetime Oceana County resident who grew up attending OCS! She is happily married to her husband, Travis, and they have two young children that attend OCS as well. Olivia loves helping kids grow and learn. She finds joy in guiding children on their educational journey and desires for our students to find joy in the love of God as they walk through each day.
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Email Address: OMitteer@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Sarah Riley: PreK Paraprofessional
Sarah was born and raised in Mears, MI and graduated from Hart High School in 2007. She attended Muskegon Community College and then married her high school sweetheart, Dave. They have been married for 14 years and have 4 children. Her hobbies include baking, listening to audio books, shopping, and she loves spending time with her kids and friends at the beach. This is her first year as a preschool parapro at OCS and she is hoping to help show the love of Jesus as we learn about the world God created.
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Email Address: SRiley@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Al Moul: PreK Paraprofessional
Al and his wife Dorothy have been married since May of 1979. Together they have 9 children and 11 grandchildren. Since his "retirement" Al has been busy as a watercolor artist, elder at First Baptist Church, and doing all of the "grandpa things". Al's hope for each OCS student is that they find a personal relationship with God and be able to filter knowledge of people, the world, and their struggles and beliefs through the Bible, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them. He hopes they will become good citizens who value integrity, honesty, work, patriotism, and volunteerism.
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Email Address: AMoul@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Krista Moul: Lunch Aide
Krista has lived her whole life in Hart Michigan. She is married to the Associate Pastor of Worship and Outreach here at FBC, Pastor David Moul. The have three children, two dogs, one cat, and a horse. Krista spent the last 5.5 years nannying twin girls. She is no stranger to making sure those around her are fed. Krista looks forward to staying connected with different children from the area and getting to know others as well. She desires to be a light for Christ in their lives.
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Email Address: KMoul@OceanaChristianSchool.com
Mary Hayes: Administrative Assistant / Financial
Mary is a mother of 2 wonderful children and wife for over 13 years. She and her family love spending summers swimming and spending time with family and friends. After being a stay-at-home mom for five years, Mary jumped at the opportunity to ease into the workforce again part-time. Her work experience is twenty years in small business administration and bookkeeping. Her deepest hope for students at OCS is to have an exposure to the Christian religion and a love for learning.
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Email Address: RyanS@GoFBCHart.org
Barb Vanderhoof: Secretary
Barb and her husband Bruce moved from the Chicago area to Oceana Country 25 years ago. Barb has 6 adult children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandbaby. Prior to working at OCS, Barb managed the Vintage Rose Resale Shoppe in Hart for 14 years. Her deep hope is that students will learn about Jesus in a safe, loving Christian environment and that they will hear the news of Christ’s salvation. She is thankful to be working at her “best job ever” and sharing God’s love to the kids at OCS.
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​Email Address: office@GoFBCHart.org
FBC Ryan Stuckey: Bible Teacher, Recess Staff, and Associate Pastor
Email Address: RyanS@GoFBCHart.org