Administration

Raised in Borculo, Michigan, I graduated from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. I have been at WMC since 2016 and have had the wonderful privilege of being a physical education teacher for both MS and HS, the middle school AD, and also the boy’s varsity basketball coach. In the winter of 2018, I was promoted to Athletic Director for both MS and HS. I am now WMC’s full-time AD and the boy’s varsity basketball coach. I have a passion for athletics and watching kids use the gifts with which God has blessed them. My family and I live in Spring Lake, MI.

Favorite Scripture: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.   James 1:17

Mr. Liggett is Assistant to the Principal and teaches Middle School and High School social studies.  He coaches girl’s golf and JV baseball.  Scott joined the WMC team in September of 2011 as Chief Advancement Officer for Western Michigan Christian Schools and has been teaching for the past 3 years.  Scott, his wife Kelly and their four children live in Grand Haven and attend St. John Lutheran church.  

Scott received his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University holds his current teaching certificate from Grand Valley State University and has a Masters degree in Non-profit Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Favorite scripture:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Susan Vanderlaan (WMC ’80) has been WMC’s Administrative Secretary for ten years. She has been married for 36 years to her best friend, Bob Vanderlaan (WMC ’76), who is a funeral director at Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. They have four amazing kids, three wonderful daughters/son-in-law, and one three-pound Biewer Terrier named Tucker. Susan and Bob are members at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church, enjoy living in the “Mitten,” and think WMC is the greatest! Susan loves being called the “mom” of the school and being the face of WMC to parents, students, and the lakeshore community.

Favorite scripture: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a]in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.   Ephesians 3:14-21

Favorite quote
“There is nothing–no circumstances, no trouble, no testing–that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will every disturb me, no circumstances will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is–that is the rest of victory!”
–Alan Redpath

I have been a part of the WMC family for the past 7 years and taught English 9, British Literature, and AP Literature before becoming the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in 2014.  I love reading long stories and writing short ones, coaching Competitive Cheer, and watching Baseball with my family.

Favorite scripture:  “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”  Ephesians 6:10
It’s a great reminder that we never have to face our battles alone, but that the Lord always goes before us.  

Favorite quotes: Every line from Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables…except for pages 200-250.

WMC has an awesome true story and it is a privilege to help tell it. Each day there are new things happening with our Christ-centered top academics, superior arts and championship athletics.

I personally enjoy outdoor activities, cooking good food and discovering new things about the world we live in. My wife Jennifer graduated from WMC, as did my son Jake (’14) and daughter Emily (’17).

Although I am relatively new to the WMC staff, my family and I have been part of the WMCS community since 2013. My husband, Roger, and I both grew up in west Michigan and attended the same high school.  We have two children at GHC and I have been involved on a volunteer basis in my kids’ classrooms as well as the current Chair of the Parent Teacher Fellowship committee.  I joined the staff at WMC in 2016 with over 20 years professional experience in the areas of customer service, human resources, and business ownership.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University and some of my favorite things are personal development, running by the pier in Grand Haven, movies, spending time with family and friends, and activities with our kids.

Favorite Scripture:  “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.  But I came that you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance until it overflows.”   John 10:10 

I’m a proud Sailor, Warrior and Knight (GHCS, WMCHS, Calvin College alum).  I enjoy spending time with my husband, my kids and my welsh terrier, Pyper. Oh, and there is always a home improvement project going on at our house!  

Favorite verse: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”  2 Corinthians 5:14-15

WMC grad, spent 35 years at Grand Haven Tribune, been at WMC 14 years, married to Marti 47 years, three children who all graduated from WMC and seven grandsons.

Favorite Scripture:  What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31

I began my role as Director of Educational Support Services (ESS) for the West Michigan Christian Schools in 2016. Prior to that, I was a Special Education teacher for 6 years for the Chicago Public Schools. I have been blessed to be a graduate of the Grand Rapids Christian Schools and continued my Christian education at Calvin College where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Art, and Business. I then earned my Master’s in Teaching Special Education at National Louis University in Chicago. In addition to my role as Director of ESS, I am also a mom to my beautiful daughter Emaline. We live in Spring Lake and have enjoyed making the lakeshore our new home!

Favorite scripture: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”  Proverbs 31:25

It is good to join the WMC family!  

I am a graduate of Calvin College and Western Michigan University. I taught Special Education for three years at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri before moving back to Michigan and becoming the youth director at Faith Church in Holland.  Most recently I completed my counseling internships at Holland High School and West Ottawa High School.

My wife and I have two kids: Allie (6) and Andrew (4).

Favorite scripture:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

This will be my 34th year of working in education and my 4th year at WMC. When I am not teaching, I enjoy sewing, reading and coaching the sport of Competitive Cheer.  My husband is a retired school administrator who decided to get back into education and currently works with 9th and 10th grade at-risk students at Shelby High School.  We are blessed with two daughters, a son-in-law and 2 grandsons (6 and 3) who bring much joy into our lives.

I will be handling all Google/Chromebook management, RenWeb, and our Michigan Virtual classes.  I will be working with the collaborative to handle our hardware and hardwire tech services.

Favorite Scripture:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Mrs. Abel has been married to her husband, Kyle Abel, for 18 years and have three children.  Mr. Abel, teaches Mathematics and Bible courses at Western Michigan Christian High School. As a family they spent two years studying and working in China.  Charissa has a passion for International work and students. Mrs. Abel works with our partner school Western Michigan Christian Shanghai, China. She loves to travel and experience new cultures.  In her free time she enjoys running, biking and swimming.

Favorite Scripture:
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” Oscar Wilde

“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float

To gain all while you give

To roam the roads of lands remote

To travel is to live”  Hans Christian Anderson

I have served in education for the past 20 years and have worked with students of all types including public schools, private schools, and higher education. I have taught for several years in the classroom and have worked in several administration roles at different institutions. I have served on a public school board and currently serve on the Board of Trustees at Cornerstone University.

Favorite Scripture:
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.