Robin Bentley – Innocademy Zeeland
Robin has served Innocademy for four years. Robin began her involvement with the school by leading the parent group and organizing the school stewardship activities. She also served as a Para-professional, assisting students with special needs. Robin recently completed her associates degree in education and now assists with the younger friends as well managing the attendance tracking and state mandated documentation initiatives. Robin spent two years living in Germany with her husband Budd in 1999, returning in 2001. Robin is passionate about kids and fell in LOVE with Innocademy when her two daughters (Lillian – 13 and Jaylee – 10) began attending the school. When she is not focused on growing little minds or her studies, Robin enjoys camping with her family, canoeing and thinking of new ways to challenge herself. Robin can be reached at robin.bentley@innocademy.com.
Kerri Bosch – Innocademy Zeeland
Kerri feels very blessed to be teaching at Innocademy! Her educational passion is teaching kids to love reading. Kerri has been married to Chris for 22 wonderful years. They have two incredible children, Jake 19, a sophomore at Grand Valley State University and Katie 16, a junior at Jenison High School. Kerri enjoys weekends at the beach, attending her kids’ sporting events, reading, and shopping. Kerri can be reached at kerri.bosch@innocademy.com
Natalia Bravo – Innocademy Zeeland
Natalia Bravo is excited to begin her first full year with Innocademy as leader of our spanish instruction. Teaching and being around children has always been her passion. Natalia feels blessed to be part of the Innocademy family. She is a native of Ruiz, Nay Mexico and graduated from ENEA College of Mexico. Natalia has two sons, Christian and Oliver (an oldest friend at Innocademy). In her free time, Natalia enjoys spending time with her family, reading and exercising. Natalia can be reached at natalia.bravo@innocademy.com
Matt Cooley – Innocademy Zeeland
Matt is excited to begin his journey at Innocademy. He is a West Michigan native, graduating with a BA degree in English with a Language Arts emphasis from Grand Valley State University. In 2009, Matt and his wife Victoria, moved to Maastricht, Netherlands to teach at an international school where they served for the past 3 years. He developed his passion for global education there and wants to share his experiences with the West Michigan community. Matt is an enthusiastic teacher who gets great joy out of making learning fun. Matt will be teaching Mosaic and a Drama elective. Matt enjoys travelling, listening to music and being in the outdoors by hiking, camping and kayaking whenever he can. He and his wife delight in going for walks with their English bulldog Zoë. Matt can be reached at matt.cooley@innocademy.com
Brook Drooger – Innocademy Zeeland
Brook Drooger is excited to begin her first year at Innocademy. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University where she received both her bachelors and masters degree. Brook has taught for Battle Creek Public Schools and has been an administrator for the Hart Public Schools and West Ottawa Public Schools. Brooks and her family live here in Zeeland. Her children attend Innocademy and are in some of our younger and middle friends. Brook loves to be with her kiddos, golf, and sew!!! Brook can be reached at brook.drooger@innocademy.com
Kelli Gunn – Innocademy Zeeland
Kelli Gunn returns to Innocademy for her sixth year. Social studies is her passion with an emphasis on stewardship. This marks Kelli’s 18th year in education. She received her BA degree from Aquinas College and her MA degree from Western Michigan University. Prior to Innocademy, Kelli taught 2nd grade as well as 5th and 6th grades. Kelli is married to Scott, who is also in the field of education, and together they raise Cameron whom also attends Innocademy. Kelli can be reached at kelli.gunn@innocademy.com
Amy Harbison – Innocademy Zeeland
Ms. Amy is a native of Tawas City, MI and moved over from the east side of Michigan in 2006. She teaches music and Health. Two of her three children are students at Innocademy; Avery (a middle friend) and Ella (a younger friend). Amy holds a BS degree from Northern Michigan University and still heads back to ‘da UP whenever time allows. She enjoys the outdoors, camping,reading, sewing, traveling and spending time with her family. Amy can be reached at amy.harbison@innocademy.com
Tyler Huizenga – Innocademy Zeeland
Tyler Huizenga feels blessed to be a part of Innocademy. He has a passion for Social Studies, especially the interactions and customs of different cultures around the world. In 2010-2011, Tyler and his wife, Maggie, taught at a bilingual school in Honduras which helped mold his outlook on global learning. At Innocademy he is teaching a variety of subjects in the Middle School, including a technology elective. He received his B.A. in Secondary Education through Calvin College. Tyler and Maggie currently live in Allendale with their beautiful chocolate lab, Bainey. Tyler can be reached at tyler.huizenga@innocademy.com
Monica Kraai – Innocademy Zeeland
Monica feels incredibly blessed to be a part of the Innocademy family. Upon learning about the goals and ambitions of Innocademy, Monica felt an immediate desire to become a part of the school. She is very excited to be working with the youngest friends this year and getting to know everyone that makes Innocademy such a beautiful place to be! Monica earned her BA degree from Hope College in 2009. She has always been very passionate about working with children and helping them find their love in learning. Monica loves to write poetry and read in her spare time. She recently got married and loves to spend time with her husband and family! Monica can be contacted at monica.kraai@innocademy.com
Heather Kreuze – Innocademy Zeeland
Heather Kreuze is excited to start her 2nd year at Innocademy. She did her student teaching at Innocademy before graduating from Hope College with her BA degree in Elementary Education. Heather’s passion is Language Arts. She feels blessed to be doing what she loves most- teaching children. Heather enjoys being active with her fiancé, Mike Garland. Heather and Mike enjoy going on bike rides, playing sports, and reading. Heather can be reached at heather.kreuze@innocademy.com
Leisa Lobbezoo – Innocademy Zeeland
Leisa Lobbezoo is excited to begin her 5th year at Innocademy and her 18th year in education. She received both her BA and MA degrees from Western Michigan University. Leisa’s educational passion is science and math. In her spare time, she enjoys playing softball, reading and laughing with her family; JD, (a middle school science teacher), Jack (an older friend at Innocademy) and Anna (a middle friend at Innocademy). Leisa can be reached at leisa.lobbezoo@innocademy.com
Brenda Munro – Innocademy Zeeland
Brenda Munro is excited to continue with Innocademy! She graduated from Ferris State University with a degree from the optometry program. The last 5 years, Brenda has been involved in providing vision therapy and occupational therapy. Her passion for the whole child has lead her to further her education in Brain Gym and Bal-a-vis_x. These fun programs teach kids how to learn better while having fun. Brenda will be assisting in the green room this year with Ms. Cyndi. Brenda and her husband, Tom, live on a farm and raise chickens and turkeys. In Brenda’s free time she likes to garden, workout, and be with her family. Brenda may be reached at brenda.munro@innocademy.com
Cyndi Nykamp - Innocademy Zeeland
Cyndi Nykamp is thrilled with the opportunity to re-enter the teaching world after taking time off to raise and homeschool her own children. She substitute taught for Innocademy last semester and fell in love with the environment, the teaching staff and the students. She has three children, Caleb, Lydia and Elijah, who she is passionate about. Together they enjoy skiing, swimming, biking, and attending each other’s athletic events. Cyndi can be reached at cyndia.nykamp@innocademy.com.
Starr Rupkey – Innocademy Zeeland
Starr Rupkey is excited to start her first year at Innocademy. She has believed in the values and core principles of Innocademy for several years and is thrilled to be a part of the team as Lead Teacher for the launch of the BETA High School. Starr earned her BA from Michigan State University. She loves camping and spending time with her family. Starr recently got married and they are both looking forward to relocating and settling down on the west side of the state. Starr can be reached at starr.rupkey@innocademy.com
Sara Smothers – Innocademy Zeeland
Before joining our team Sara accumulated over six years of teaching experience in Physical and Health Education. She earned her BA in Physical and Health Education from Saginaw Valley State University and her Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Michigan University. Sara is the assistant volleyball coach at Hope College and still plays competitive beach volleyball. Athletics and fitness have always been a part of her life and something she is passionate about. She also enjoys kayaking, backpacking, camping, or just about any other outdoor adventure. Sara can be reached at sara.smothers@innocademy.com
Ruth Tahtinen – Innocademy Zeeland
Ruth has just joined the Innocademy team in the custodial role. She has been married to Ron for 27 years. They have three sons; Randy 24, David 22, and Moose (Matthew) 21. They have recently added a daughter-in-law Kristy, married to Randy. Ruth also volunteers at Alpha Women’s Center and is on several committees at her church. In her spare time she enjoys baby sitting, reading, walking and running. Ruth can be reached at ruth.tahtinen@innocademy.com
Lindsay Vander Zwaag – Innocademy Zeeland
Lindsay Vander Zwaag feels so blessed to be a part of the Innocademy family and is super excited to be working with friends of all ages in small group setting, within the classrooms, and also teaching Learn 2 Be Fit (L2BF). Lindsay has always had a passion for working with children and after a few years of providing respite care for a boy with autism she decided to go back to school for her teaching certificate from Calvin College. She is currently working toward her Autism Endorsement. She continues to provide respite services and is involved in the non-profit Benjamins Hope (benjaminshope.net). She loves traveling and learning about other cultures, spending time with friends and family, reading, kayaking, and camping. Lindsay can be contacted at lindsay.vanderzwaag@innocademy.com
Mellissa Zoerhof – Innocademy Zeeland
Mellissa Zoerhof is excited to start year 6 of her career at Innocademy. Mellissa has a passion for learning and for Innocademy. Mellissa earned her BA degree from Grand Valley State University and her MA in Elementary Education. She also attended Michigan State University where she studied English and Spanish. She has a passion for Mexican culture and Spanish Language. In her spare time Mellissa likes to exercise, read, spend time with her family and her fantastic husband Chris. Mellissa can be reached at mellissa.zoerhof@innocademy.com