Upper Grade Teachers
Why I teach: I believe teaching is a gift God has instilled in me. We read Psalm 139 to children and tell them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. I teach to go beyond and help them truly feel that Biblical truth by supporting, loving, and encouraging them; meeting them where they are and guiding them to educational, spiritual, and relational growth.
Personality of my classroom: I strive to make my classroom one that is filled with imagination, exploration, and creativity. There are clear expectations and guidelines to support organization, relationships, growth, and respect. We are a community of learners who build one another up through prayer and encouragement; where students are given grace and feel safe to experiment and fail. We celebrate one another, laugh, dance, create, pray, learn, play, and grow together.
Why I chose Immanuel: I chose Immanuel because I share their mission and passion to strive to provide exceptional education in a Christ-centered environment. The atmosphere at Immanuel is that of a family; one I’m blessed to be a part of and thankful to God for leading me to.
Experience: I began teaching in 2006 as a fourth grade teacher for six years. My husband and I then prayerfully made the decision that I stay home while we began our family. I returned to teaching at Immanuel in 2019 as a second grade teacher.
Education: I graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2005, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with middle school endorsements.
Outside of class: I enjoy reading, hiking, prayer walks, traveling, writing, and, most of all, being with my husband and children; my five gifts from God!
Why I teach: I teach because I think I was meant to have a positive and lasting impact on students’ lives!
Personality of my classroom: Basically, I like to think of my classroom as a welcoming place with a sense of community, where we respect one another, learn together, and keep God and our faith at the center of it all! It’s a place that I want students to look forward to coming to, and feel comfortable in, as a learning environment. A place where we can learn from our mistakes, celebrate our accomplishments, and look towards the possibilities ahead!
Memorable teaching experience: When I was teaching 6th grade in Virginia (near D.C.), I had students in my classroom from all over the world. The diversity was both amazing and fantastic. My classroom was nicknamed “Borchert U.N.” with students from Korea, China, Vietnam, Ghana, Russia, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bolivia. Most of them were the first generation in their families to be born in America. One day, I had a student, named Olga, added to my classroom that was straight from a Russian orphanage. She did not speak one word of English. That was not a problem though because a boy in my class spoke Russian and English fluently and could help her. By the end of the year, I knew Olga had assimilated to American culture when I said something she found astounding and her reply was, “Fuh-real, Mrs. Borchert?!” It was such a funny moment that had me in awe as to how far she had come since she had arrived.
Why I chose Immanuel: Immanuel has been my family’s “church home” for over 11 years now, and we truly appreciate the community, the friendships, the positive atmosphere, the biblical teachings…everything! My family has always felt comfortable at Immanuel, and we have enjoyed going to Immanuel for church, special events, camps, sports, youth group, scouts, volunteer work, etc. Therefore, it was an obvious choice for me to pursue being a teacher at Immanuel as well.
Experience: Started teaching in 1998
Education: BA from The University of Iowa; MA from George Mason University
Outside of class: Mud races, cardio kickboxing, swimming, paddle boarding, photography, home projects/organizing, volunteer work, and spending time with my family.
Why I teach: I teach because it is what I love; as one would expect most teachers to say. I love teaching because I enjoy the energy and spirit of being around young people. I feel honored to the be the one guide and take care of them when they are away from their families. Most of all, I want to help them discover as much as they can in these formative years where they form the mold of the adult they will become.
Personality of my classroom: My classroom is safe place that changes to accommodate the needs of each class. While I often approach school with lightheartedness and laughter, we also take time for discussion and exploring serious topics or questions. We don't only take time to develop our intellectual selves, but also our social and emotional selves.
Memorable teaching experience: Just one!? One of my favorite moments as a teacher is when the class as a whole has an "AHA!" moment. Seeing them grow as a collective and become more confident is an amazing thing to see. I also find it memorable when classes relax enough to let down their guards and just be kids, such as when they break into song in unison, specifically Bon Jovi.
Why I chose Immanuel: I'm lucky enough that Immanuel chose me! I was already a happy Immanuel parent with my daughter returning for her second year when I received a phone call from the principal asking if I wanted to interview for a job opening, two weeks later I joined the Middle School team. The comraderie, and support of the staff combined with relationships of students allowed me to know that this is not only a wonderful place to use the gifts God gave me, but a place where I belong.
Experience: Student taught at Hampshire Middle School
Started: 2018
Education: Rockford University (Rockford IL) Bachelors in Science, Bachelors in Education
Outside of class: I like to stay busy. I have a plethora of hobbies from playing music to crafting. I love to be outside and spend time with my 2 children. I have a slight reading addiction and have been known to accidentally stay up to 2 or 3 to finish a good book. I also like to work out, and look forward to signing up for a few more 5 K's.
Why I teach: I teach because it gives me the opportunity to spread the Gospel story and share my love of history to all of my students.
Personality of my classroom: My classroom is an open area for discussion of the Gospel, the history of the world and the United States, and how those things are influenced by current events and how the Gospel influences the world around us.
Memorable teaching experience: My most memorable teaching moments come when students have their eyes open to moments of history and how they are connected with the Gospel story and the bible in general.
Why I chose Immanuel: I chose Immanuel because I like the opportunity to have the great gift of teaching smaller class sizes in a great facility that has all of the most up to date technology at my finger tips to give my students the best experience possible.
Experience: I began my teaching career in the fall of 1994 at St. Peter Lutheran in Arlington Heights and have taught at Immanuel since fall of 2013.
Education: Concordia University Ann Arbor, B.A. in History/Political Science with a minor in Physical Education.
Outside of class: I like to spend time with my family and follow all sports. Especially the University of Michigan Wolverines. I am also an assistant boys varsity basketball coach at Cary-Grove HS.