Samantha Snellink
Fourth-grade - Eighth-grade FLES
Years at Zeeland Christian: 4
Years in Christian Education: 4
Education:
BA Elementary Education, specializations in Spanish, Language Arts and ESL from Michigan State University,
ME Dual Language Immersion Education from University of Minnesota
What do you love about Zeeland Christian?
I love the culture of the school, how the staff interacts with each other and with students. I love the motto - simple and to the point - love God, love kids, love learning. I love living into the gifts that God has created me with.
Why are you passionate about Christian Education?
I love that students are able to get a Christian foundation and have Christian role models as they go through transformative years.
What do you want others to know about you?
I grew up in Farmington Hills, MI with my parents and brother. My parents were discovering and deepening their faith as we grew up. I went to a diverse public school K-12 but I grew up in a church and learned about faith from there and at home. I was taught how to discern truth and really value that experience. I wavered in my faith during my early college years but through a series of valleys pursued a church community and was hungry for God's Word. I began reading the Bible for the first time on my own at home and was completely transformed. I worked at SpringHill Camps for two summers which was highly impactful, as well. I learned about authentic Christian community, what it looked like to "walk in the light" and how to share my faith. I became involved in Greek Ministry (fraternities and sororities) at Michigan State and grew hugely from that experience. God led me to Grand Rapids with no family, no friends and no connections except a student teaching placement in GRPS. God provided an incredible church home, a solid group of friends, a time of incredible learning about my profession and my job at ZCS! Shortly after I met my husband and we live in Hudsonville with our dog Vinny. I love to be active - running, soccer, water skiing, snowboarding, gardening, and being outside. I love to read, travel and I love to learn new things.
One life lesson your students have taught you:
Be humble and give lots of grace.