Sheryl Slegers

Years at O.C.C.S:  23 (19 in Kindergarten)

Total years  teaching: 29

Educational Background:  B.A. in Elementary Education from Dordt College, Early Childhood, Morningside College

Professional Experience: God has led and blessed me with a variety of educational experiences in education.  Following college, my first experience was teaching first and second combined in Sanborn Christian School. After 3 years we moved to Orange City where I taught for 3 years in second/third combination, second, and kindergarten.  God then  provided for us so that I could be an at  home mom for our four children, and daycare provider.. From 1997-2000 I was the director of youth services, acquisitions, and programming in the Orange City Public Library,  God then led me to  Ireton as preschool director/teacher for  Kids of the Kingdom Preschool.  I earned my early childhood endorsement and returned to Orange City Christian in 2003. Since then, I have taught 2nd grade 2 years, 1st grade 2 years, and  am in my 17th year of kindergarten.

Family: My husband, John, is a radio newsman for KLEM Radio, in LeMars.. We are blessed with four adult children.  Sarah, Joseph & his wife,Ashley,  James,  and Anna & her husband Nathanael Vruwink. They live in Portland, Oregon, Orange City, St. Paul, Minnesota and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Faith Statement: I believe and trust in my one true God, who is my Father, Jesus the Son, my mighty Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit; my Counselor. God is the wise, loving, just, awesome Creator of all things seen and unseen, and author of history past and future. His kingdom is now and forever,. . All events, people, time, and all created things are created by Him and are in His plans. We are ultimately made for His glory and His service. He loves us and has redeemed us.

I have a most wonderful and unique privilege to live in this time and place that He has created, with the gifts He has given to love, teach and impact His precious children. Children are image bearers of Him, eternal souls, also with gifts that He has given and a life plan that He has created for His glory. It is my calling, to help each one to learn to hear His voice, to learn His word, to love Him, to see Him at work in the world, to develop the gifts that He has given, to see where He may use them, and to learn to be willing servants wherever and whenever He calls them. Prayer and God's word are vital to knowing God, and I always try to encourage both. I am thankful that God allows me to share this awesome responsibility with parents, family members, other teachers, and those who claim that covenantal responsibility.  Regardless of sin, I pray that God will make our classroom each year, a place where there is love, community, justice, and growth for each child, where academic learning is honored, and where we praise God.