Faculty / Staff Bios
Mrs. Christie Brantner is the 1st & 2nd grade teacher. She was born in Ellendale, ND but lived in various states since her father was a pastor. Colorado, Utah and ND are the three states she lived in the most. She attended Trinity Bible College in Ellendale. Her parents currently live in CO while her one sister lives in CA. Christie is married to Pastor Tom and they have 3 children, Kedric, Madelynn and Macaiah. She enjoys scrapbooking, reading and spending time with her family. Mrs. Brantner wanted to be a teacher already in her childhood. As for goals, she has three for herself and her classroom: be diligent at the task at hand as unto Christ, keep more written notes to document thoughts and observations for parents and continue a time of prayer and devotion even though I feel crunched for time.
Mrs. Heather Brondsema teaches kindergarten at JVCS. She was born in Henderson, NE where she started school before moving to Doland, SD. She finished her grade school years in Doland then attended JVCS in 7th-12th grade. She attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS and Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN. She is one of five children. She is married to Dave and they have four children, all at JVCS. Heather enjoys sewing, gardening and working with antiques. She has wanted to be a teacher since first grade and enjoys helping others learn how to do something new. I Chronicles 28:9 is her life verse. In the classroom her goal is to help transform preschool students into elementary students with the love of Jesus.
Mrs. Beth Decker teaches Jr. High English, Computers, coaches cross country and serves as the high school librarian. She was born and raised by Wessington Springs, SD. She attended Happy Hill Grade School, Wessington Springs High School and Northern State University. She is one of 7 children. Mrs. Decker is married to Steve “Lefty” Decker and they have three children: Mandi, a freshman at Black Hills State University; Jesse, a senior at JVCS and Donnie, a freshman at JVCS. Mrs. Decker likes to read, walk, travel and scrapbook when she has time –which isn’t often! She got her passion for teaching during her first teaching experience during high school when she taught a Jr. High VBS class. She was inspired by Mr. Bob Glanzer, one of her teachers in high school. Her favorite verse is Galatians 2:20.
Mr. Jim Friesen is Superintendent at JVCS. He was born in Mt. Lake, MN and raised in the Huron, SD area. He attended country school through 6th grade then moved into Huron where he attended 7th & 8th grades before finishing high school at JVCS. He received a BS in Math from Huron College and MA in Education Administration from SDSU. Mr. Friesen married his high school sweetheart 43 years ago. They have two married children, 4 grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren. He enjoys building, working with his hands and working in the yard. Mr. Friesen also follows the grandchildren’s activities, rides motorcycle, watches and attends NASCAR races, attends school activities and stays very involved in his church. Mr. Friesen started helping other students with math when he was in high school and always enjoyed showing others how to do the things that he understood. He still gets satisfaction watching a child, young person or adult understand a concept they did not before. His favorite verse is I Peter 5:7.
Teri Glanzer is the Administrative Assistant at JVCS. She was born in Huron and raised in the Yale area. She attended grade school in Huron then transferred to JVCS for her final four years. Teri and husband Jory have four boys, two in college and two still at JVCS. Her favorite past times include: going to ball games, baking and cooking. Phil. 4:19 is her life verse. As for other interesting facts, Teri shares, “my life is quite boring and I am so thankful for that. I have a “boring” testimony which means that God provided me with a Christian home to grow up in and has spared me from a past with scars and turmoil. I’ve spent my life in the same county (except for 9 mos. at Mitchell Vo-Tech) and the same church - for that I am extremely thankful. My husband and I were both baptized at Bethel, we were married there, and 3 of our 4 children have been baptized there also. I love my church family. My husband and I, along with my 3 sisters, their husbands, and their children, have all graduated, or will graduate from JVCS. My children have also graduated or are currently attending JVCS. Boring? Maybe to some, but to me – I am so thankful for the constant blessing that living in this community has been. I thank God often for the rich heritage of Christian values that I was raised with in my home, my church, and at JVCS. I pray that I will be able to pass that heritage on to my children and help pass it on to other’s children through my work at this school and at my church.”
Mrs. Paula Kleinsasser is the Elementary Principal at JVCS. She was born and raised in Huron, SD, attended school in Yale and Huron then finished her high school years at JVCS. Mrs. Kleinsasser earned her BA in El. Ed. and Sp. Ed. and her Master’s Degree in Admin. and Classroom teaching from Northern State University. Paula and husband Marc have three daughters, Amber and Matthew Lovelace, Kristina and Matt Porter and McKayla who is a junior at JVCS. Mrs. Kleinsasser always liked the classroom and knew from the time she was quite young that she wanted to teach children. She had a notebook as a child where she wrote things down that her teachers did that she like and also things that her teachers did that she was NEVER going to do when she taught! I Thess. 2:12 is her theme verse. “I pray that our school is a place where children are given every opportunity to know God and be encouraged to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Her family went on two different two week trips – one to Alaska and later to Africa.”God is working in incredible ways and it was such an encouragement to be a part of that.”
Mr. Tim Nihart teaches 7-12 math and coaches. He was born in Aberdeen, SD and moved to Huron one week later, where he remained through childhood. He was part of the 100th graduating class at Huron High School in 1986. Mr. Nihart attended Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA, finishing at Huron University. His parents have been married for 53 years and have four sons, Tim being the youngest. He is married to Jill and they have three children, Justin, Tia and Tara as well as three dogs – Buck, Babe and Jade. Mr. Nihart enjoys all sports, boating and camping. In addition to teaching, he has a taxidermy business, plays golf, walks with his wife and trains bird dogs. Colossians 3:23 is one of Mr. Nihart’s favorite verses. As for goals as a teacher: he wants to challenge all students in the world of math; help the students who hate math to be OK with math, and those who are OK with math to start loving math, and those who love math to be challenged by new concepts.
Mr. Alan Palsma is the JVCS music teacher. He was born in Avon, SD and raised in Tyndall. He attended Southern State College, USD, Crown College and Pensacola Christian College. He is the oldest of 3 children with a brother and sister younger. Mr. Palsma has two children, both married. Brad and wife Abbi have three boys while daughter Kimberly and husband Brandon have 3 girls. Mr. Palsma’s favorite verse is Matthew 6:33. His desire is to help the students enjoy learning, especially music. An interesting fact about Mr. Palsma: he lived and worked in Malaysia for 4 years, teaching music and Bible.
Janet Peck was born and raised in Huron, SD. She attended Huron Public School until 11th grade then transferred to JVCS. She attended Northern State University. Janet is married to Travis and they have 2 children – Taylor and Jackson who both attend JVCS. In her free time Janet loves to read, garden and go camping with her family. She attributes her love for teaching as totally from the Lord and she tries to pick up creative ideas everywhere she goes. Janet’s life verse is 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast your cares upon Him, for he cares for you.” Her classroom goals include having children know that Jesus loves them and cares for them and creating a safe environment for all children to try new things, learn, grow and develop new skills – all while having fun, of course. Janet also says, “I love Huron, it is a great place to live. I love our community and the people here. I also love my school days at JVC. Each one goes so quickly. I get to laugh EVERY day at my job.” J
Mr. Coalt Robinson teaches 7-12 Bible at JVCS. He was born in Eastern Montana and raised in the Billings, MT area. His college experience was at Montana Bible College, Baptist College of Florida and Sioux Falls Seminary. Mr. Robinson’s father is a retired teacher, his mother works in a loan department at a bank and he has younger sister. His hobbies include reading and playing with computers. Coalt’s passion for teaching came from his dad and teachers at college, all of whom he describes as “amazing people.” II Timothy 2:15 is his life verse and his classroom goal is to help young people grow in their relationship with the Lord. Often on a Sunday morning you will find Mr. Robinson filling the pulpit at a local church when the regular pastor is gone.
Mr. Terry Schouten is the athletic director, teaches business, math, K-9 PE and coaches BB. He was born and raised in Sioux Center, Iowa where he attended school until the 8th grade then attended Unity Christian High School in Orange City. He graduated from Dordt College. He is the son of the late Pete Schouten and Rose Schouten-Koele and has a brother and two sisters. He and his wife Stephanie have four children, Jon, Kelly, Kristen and Heather. He has a love and passion for sports. As for a life verse, he chose Proverbs 3:5-6. As a teacher, coach and athletic director, his goal is to assist parents in the godly training of their children.
Mrs. Melanie Thompson teaches 6th grade, 7th & 8th art, and serves as elementary librarian. She was born and lived in Freeman, SD where she attended both Freeman Public School and Freeman Academy before heading off to Bethel College in Newton, KS. Mrs. Thompson is married to Ryan and they have two elementary children – Derek and Melissa. She loves to spend time with family, read, ride bike and camp. Melanie’s passion for teaching came from people at church who nurtured her interest in working with children and encouraged her to pursue teaching. Her life verse is Phil. 4:13 and her classroom goal is to help her students find joy in learning and become life-long learners who discern truth. A mission trip to Denver opened her eyes to poverty. She also taught one year at the Hopi Mission School in Arizona.
Delphia Wiebe is the bookkeeper and assistant in the development office. She serves as bookkeeper and assists in the development office. She was born in Huron, SD and raised on a farm in northeast Beadle County where she also attended a country grade school then transferred to JVCS where she graduated. After graduation she attended Grace University in Omaha, NE and Iowa Western Community College. Mrs. Wiebe is the daughter of DeLor and Delores Stahl and has two brothers who farm with her dad. She is married to Gordon, a pastor, and they have 3 adult children who all live in the Twin Cities area. For a life verse she choose Job 23:10, 11: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.” Mrs. Wiebe also commented: “I enjoy working at in the Christian atmosphere at JVCS. It amazes me to see how God supplies our needs through the generous gifts of faithful supporters. I see my role in the development office and business office as one who enables others. I consider it a privilege to work here.”
Mrs. Becky Wipf is a 4th grade teacher at JVCS. She was born and raised in Austin, MN and went on to attend Northern State University after graduation. Becky has three sisters – one is her twin - and a brother. Her and husband Jory have three girls. Becky enjoys running and exercising, baking with her girls, talking on the phone with her sisters, playing volleyball in winter and going on dates with her husband. Becky’s passion for teaching came from her sixth grade social studies teacher who was a wonderful example and inspiration. Her life verse is Romans 8:28. Her classroom goal is that, not only would her students grow academically, but grow in character and love for the Lord. She prays that God’s loved would be evident in her life and reflect back to the children through her teaching and classroom manage.
Mr. Jory Wipf teaches 7-12 social science and coaches. He was born and raised in Huron, SD together with his three brothers. He attended JVCS during his high school years then went on to Northern State University where he gained his degree and found his wife, Becky. They have three girls. Jory enjoys running and competing in road races. He recently finished first in the Andy’s Road Race in Huron in his division. He also enjoys time on the farms and ranches of family members. Some of the teachers he now works together with at JVCS were influential in his desire to teach. His favorite verses include Hebrews 12:1-3 and Colossians 3:23. He’s goal is to help students view current events and history through the proper lens.