Dawn Heerema

What do you teach at Eastern Christian School?
Grades 9 and 12 English College Prep, Personal Financial Literacy
What do you love about Eastern Christian School?
I love that the adults’ role models are extensions of the home. Their personal attention and love goes beyond the classroom. Academics are still varied, and the schools offer a mixture of ability and options. It is small enough that no child is lost in the mix.
Why do you like teaching at Eastern Christian? What motivated you to become a teacher at Eastern Christian?
I was a parent first, and I saw the care and nurturing offered by the staff to each child. I appreciated the strides to maintain academic rigor as well.
How do you teach a Christian Worldview in your classes at EC? 
With literature, there are many opportunities to present a Christian Worldview from character standpoints such as Atticus Finch, and analyzing him in a context of a Godly father or professional lawyer. In my finance class, we always take biblical perspectives in our studies. My essential question for the class is “What are you doing with the Father’s resources while He is away?”
What is a unique experience, talent or interest that you bring to your classroom to help shape the learning experience of your students?
When studying literature, worldview is a key component in developing Christ-like compassion. I really enjoy teaching this and applying it to the class setting. I do not feel our job is done until the child is transformed even a little bit after being in my classroom.
What sets EC students apart from students in other schools?
Oh, the list is endless. They have hope. They are more content with who they are and what they have. They see the world as a limitless place that exists outside of their own world due to mission opportunities and life-learning. “It isn’t about them.” Of course, these are blanket statements, but I do promise that the climate of the halls compared with that of my previous teaching assignments in public schools is very different. Appearances are more streamlined and not glaringly inappropriate. The children have a warmness that comes from God and it transcends those awkward years of adolescence. At the younger schools, they are accepting of their faith and are so vocal about it, which is a joy to hear! Even the music that I hear on iPads or the little ones singing on the playground is not offensive, which is a telling sign of the success EC has with transforming this generation and not forcing them to conform to the ways of the world. Many of the parents have said, EC is worth every penny. I would agree.
What do you want your students to gain from having known you?
I want them to see God more than anything. If they cannot learn compassion from their role models who they are with more than any other adult in their life right now, then I am not doing my job. Of course, I want them to stay out of debt and in literature of course! I want them to love challenges and learning.