Mrs. DONNA BYL – Junior & Senior Kindergarten

Donna came to Elora Road Christian School in September 2001 after more than a decade as a special needs resource teacher. Donna was awarded the Early Childhood Education Diploma in 1991 and the Resource Teacher Diploma the year after. She is particularly gifted to work with our young Junior Kindergarten (K4) and Kindergarten (K5) children. She frequently serves as an advisor when other faculty have questions about special needs students in their classes. Donna is a member here at Elora Road Christian Fellowship and has two grown children and two very special grandchildren.

 

Mrs. RUTH WALKER – Grades 1 & 2

Ruth was raised in Argentina in a missionary family. Her first language is Spanish, though she has been in the Guelph area for more than twenty years now. Ruth has a real heart for the Lord and for people. She and her husband, Brad, have two terrific teen-aged children. Ruth was raised in Argentina in a missionary family. Her first language is Spanish, though she has been in the Guelph area for more than twenty years now. Ruth has a real heart for the Lord and for people. She and her husband, Brad, have two terrific teen-aged children. Though Ruth graduated from a teacher's college in Argentina in the early 1980s she did not teach in a formal school setting while her children were young. Ruth volunteered at our school for two years awaiting the Lord's call to have her own class of children. What a delight to finally have Mrs. Walker on board with us. She is right at home with her young primary grade students. Ruth and Brad are members at the Guelph Bible Chapel.

 

Mrs. JANELLE SMITH – Grades 3 & 4

Janelle was born and raised in Guelph. She attended the University of Guelph and completed a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Child, Youth and Family. Teachers college seemed like the natural next step after spending countless number of hours pretending to play school as a child and volunteering for ten years in the children's ministry at Lakeside Church. Janelle completed a Bachelor of Education at Laurier University. Janelle and her husband enjoy playing frisbee, cooking/baking, playing any and all games, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Ms. ERIN WYGA – Grades 5

Erin was born and raised around Guelph. She lived in various cities while obtaining higher education. Erin has returned to this area and has been attending Elora Road Christian Fellowship for the past year. Besides her Bachelor of Education, Erin graduated from Fanshawe College with a Diploma of Child and Youth Worker and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Community Welfare specializing in Youth Work. She enjoys traveling and experiencing the world and its culture and has visited several countries while working on cruise ships and being in university. Erin loves to play many sports such as tennis, baseball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball. Her biggest passion is involving herself in the lives of children to show them the love of the Lord while bringing inclusion, energy, and a love for learning to the classroom each day.

 

Mrs. CANDICE DUIMERING – Grades 6 & 7

Candice completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo and has recently graduated from D'Youville College with her Teaching Degree. As a Sunday school teacher and faithful member of ERCF she is very excited to connect with the children and families of ERCS as the Grade 6/7 teacher. She has a strong passion for teaching - ever since she could hold a piece of chalk she's wanted to get in a classroom and teach - and for helping others. Traveling to Haiti in 2004 and Quebec in 2005 for missions allowed her to use her teaching skills with those in need to teach them about Christ and his ultimate love. Candice and her husband Dan share a love for the outdoors and camping.

 

Mr. JOHN DEKORTE – Principal, Grades 8

John is an original faculty member from September of 1981! He and his wife, Joyce, had their four children go through the school during the 80's and early 90's. Mr. "D" has been the senior grades' teacher for many years now. He says that while the kids are at school he's definitely their teacher, but he feels a bit like a father and looks after each one to the very best of his ability. Those senior students put Mr. "D" to the test each day, and he is able to put his Mathematics Degree (University of Waterloo) to good use. A certified carpenter, John is now building into the lives of his second generation of students. John and Joyce also have three wonderful grandchildren in the school. The Dekorte's are members here at Elora Road Christian Fellowship.

 

Mrs. CINDY WESTENDORP – Grades 8

Cindy is excited to return to the classroom after taking time off to raise her three children who currently attend ERCS. She graduated from the University of Guelph in 1997 with an Honours degree in Human Kinetics. She then spent time developing an outreach program for teenage mothers while working at Youth for Christ. In 2000 she graduated from Queen's University with her Bachelor of Education, with specialization in Science and Physical Education. The Westendorp's are currently members of Central Pentecostal in Elora.

 

Ms. JELENA OVARI - French

Born in Toronto, Jelena's first spoken language is actually Serbian! Shortly after starting school, she added English, and then later on French, to her repertoire. Jelena has since had the privilege of doing ministry in all 3 languages in various places at home and abroad: French in Montreal, Quebec; Serbian in Novi Sad, Serbia; and English all over the place! Jelena has made Guelph her home. She completed her Masters in Psychology (specializing in behavioural neuroscience) at the University of Guelph in 2007. Guelph is also her spiritual birthplace: she became a follower of Jesus in university when she asked a friend that pivotal question, "What makes you certain that you're getting into God's heaven?" Jelena's passion falls in the realm of helping to equip and inspire people - something she hopes she is able to do this year in her French classes! She is an adamant believer of the abundant life Jesus promises: "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10 NLT).

 

Other ERCS staff ...
Vice-Principal: Mrs. Amanda McAlpine
Administrative Secretary: Mrs. Adrienne Morries
Accounts Receivable: Mrs. Lynn Wichers
Educational Assistant: Ms. Holly Bouwman
Librarian: Mrs. Miriam Katerberg