Donna Hoogerhyde, 4th Grade Teacher

What classes and grade level(s) do you teach?
“I teach fourth grade, and I am the science teacher for both sections of fourth grade.”
What do you love about Eastern Christian School?
“Eastern Christian is a God-centered school where teachers faithfully instruct students from a Christian perspective. Members of my family have attended the school for four generations, and I am honored to share in Eastern Christian’s mission.”
Why do you like teaching at Eastern Christian? What motivated you to become a teacher at Eastern Christian?
“I come to school each day hoping to model Christ as I teach my students from a Christian perspective. Each day the children inspire and teach me as well. Eastern Christian is a place where education is Christ-centered and God’s love is shown to His children. Everyday is a blessing.”
How do you teach a Christian Worldview in your classes at EC?
“I start the day with devotions, reminding the children that God is with us. He is with us as we study his world, the ‘magnificent theatre’ that we are called to learn about, care for, and enjoy. Throughout the day I am able to remind the children that ‘our world belongs to God’ and we study it from that perspective. In social studies, we remember that all people are created in God’s image and we embrace our differences and celebrate what we can learn from each other and other cultures. In science we are awed by the wonder of God’s world.”
What is a unique experience, talent or interest that you bring to your classroom to help shape the learning experience of your students?
“I like to role play historical characters. The students always enjoy when I step out of the classroom and return with a costume on, portraying someone from the past. The students are engaged and ask thoughtful questions of my historical character.”
What sets EC students apart from students in other schools?
“Each year the class of students becomes a family, a family of young Christians striving to learn more about God and how He would have us live. The children are compassionate and encouraging to one another. They help each other when they stumble, and applaud the efforts of their classmates.”
What do you want your students to gain from having known you?
“I want my students to fall in love with learning, to be excited about their opportunity to learn about God’s world. I also want my students to see Jesus in me; I want to strengthen their faith.”