Email 2nd Grade
Phone: 712-737-2274 Ext. 222
Years at OCCS : 1986 - to present
Education Background: BA in Elementary Education from Dordt College; Endorsements in Language Arts, Social Studies, and History; 60+ hours of post-graduate classes in early elementary education.
Professional Experience:
1970 - 1973 - Taught 1st grade at Zuni Christian Reformed Mission School.
1973 - 1975 - Taught in a Child Development Center program at Southeastern State University in Durant, Oklahoma for 1 year, and taught in a Durant HeadStart program the following year.
1975 - 1978 - Taught 1st grade for 2 years and taught in a 1st - 3rd grade multi-level position at Red Rock Elementary in Gallup, NM.
1978 - 1980 - Taught 2nd grade at Rehoboth, NM Christian School
1986 - present - Taught either 1st or 2nd grade at Orange City Christian School
Family: I have been married to Gene Koning for 38 years and we have been blessed with 4 precious daughters and sons-in-law, plus 5 delightful grandchildren. Our children and grandchildren are living in CO, WI, MI, and IA, so we treasure any time they come to visit us, or we can go to see them!
Faith Statement:
"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew,
Like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!" Deuteronomy 32:2,3
It is a great privilege to work with young students at OCCS. Each child comes into the classroom as a unique and special person with his/her own God-given gifts and talents. Already at an early age, students need to explore and discover their roles as God's people in His world, experiencing a sense of awe at the wonders, complexity, and connectedness of God's creation. They also need to learn to value and serve each other as members of God's Kingdom.
As a Christian educator, I seek to communicate clearly and with conviction; with the realization that I am teaching as much by example as by word. I understand the importance of learning basic facts and skills, but also realize that all of these facts need to be given proper perspective so they will have true meaning and relevance. As the testimony, "Our World Belongs to God", states, "In education we seek to acknowledge the Lord by promoting schools and teaching in which the the light of His Word shines in all learning, where students, of whatever ability, are treated as persons who bear God's image and have a place in His plan"
The following prayer by Elspeth Campbell Murphy has always been special to me:
Lord, You have made these children as varied as the flowers of a garden.
You have have blessed each one uniquely.
And each fragile, growing child is infinitely precious in Your sight.
You have trusted me with the joy of seeing them grow.
Lord, I teach in reverence.
