Shawn Zwart

Years at OCCS: 2020 to present

Education Background: BA in Elementary and Special Education from Dordt College, 1996;  In 2018, Pk-3 Early Childhood in regular and special education from Northwestern College;  Masters in Special Education at Dordt University in December of 2023.

Professional Experience:  7th and 8th grade Resource Room Teacher at West Branch Middle School (1996-1997); Kindergarten Teacher at Heritage Christian School (1997-2001): Substitute Teacher (2001-2015); Special Education Paraprofessional at MOC-FV (2015-2017); Preschool Teacher at Orange City Daycare and Preschool (2017-2020); Orange City Christian Educational Support Teacher (present)

Family:  My husband Brad is a physical therapist and the manager in the Physical and Occupational Therapy Department at the Orange City Hospital. We have four children. Trevor works in construction and is married to Katia who works as a cattle feed specialist,  Aubyn works for the Iowa Department of Human Services and is married to Luke Kaemingk who works for Peoples Bank, Kallie is a sophomore at Unity, and Madelyn is an 8th grader at OCCS.

Fatih Statement: My only hope is God's salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. I stand in awe of who God is and His perfect plan in creating each child as He intended him/her to be.  Every child is a gift to be celebrated and my desire is that they will all be able to say, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. " (Psalm 139:14) As we learn together about God's world, I pray God will use me to meet the needs of the kids and encourage them to grow in their love for God and to share God's love with those around them.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Church Membership: Living Water Community Church