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In Pursuit of Wisdom

Grace Christian Academy

QUICKLINKS

Tim Berg

Curriculum Director // Secondary Bible Teacher
B.S. in Elementary Education
M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction
ACSI Certified
Personal message
With Grace since 2005

Mr. Berg began teaching at GCA in 2005 and began his teaching career in 1998. He has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Calvary Bible College and a pending Masters of Education from Baptist Bible College. He'll be teaching middle school math and Bible classes, and he's ACSI certified. Mr. Berg realized Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of his sins when he was young. Since then, he shares that his faith has grown to the point where he sincerely believes that God will make his paths straight.

Mr. Berg's better half is Tanya Berg. They have three children: Levi, Anna, and Isaac. He enjoys reading, gardening, and sports.

Steve Betz

Band Director
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B.A. Music Education.
M.A. Music Education
State Certified
Personal message
With Grace since 2017

Mr. Betz recently retired from 32 years of public school teaching and was the band director in the Herscher School District for 16 years and then the band director at Bradley Central for the next 16 years.   He has both Bachelor and Master of Music Education Degrees from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.  He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior shortly after meeting his wife and was baptized by Pastor Marvin here at Grace.
Mr. Betz and his wife Julie Betz live in Aroma Park and have an adopted son Andre.  Mr. Betz is also an accomplished musician and plays in many area bands as well as the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra.  He says the key to his success is challenging the students, watch them meet the challenge and then challenging them again.  If you always have high expectations, you’ll always be successful.

Rachel DeBella

Secondary Math and Physics Teacher
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B.S. in Secondary Education: Mathematics.
Endorsement in Structured English Immersion
State and ACSI certified
Personal message
Started at Grace in 2016

​It was about 18 days before the 2016 school year was due to begin at Grace, when on a Friday (when my husband should have been at work), my husband was looking online for openings for a math teacher at a Christian school. He stumbled upon the need at Grace and mentioned it to me. I had just graduated college and received my certificate 2 months prior (June, 2016) and didn’t even have a resume set up yet! We worked together on a resume and submitted it. Within half an hour, I got a call from Mr. Bull saying “I don’t mean to be pushy but school starts in 19 days and we have no math teacher!” Being a believer in Christ, I am not a believer in coincidence. God put my husband at home when he normally would not have been, searching online for a job for me at the exact instant Mr. Bull was looking for applicants. I believe I am meant to be here and felt it the second I entered the doors. I still feel that way, I am beyond blessed to call GCA my home.

Laurie DeYoung

Junior High Math, & History Teacher
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​B.A. in Elementary Education
ACSI Certified​
Personal message
"I was saved when I was 8 years old during a release time Bible class at school.  Growing up, I attended Northwest Baptist Church in Jackson, Michigan where I enjoyed AWANA, participating in the puppet ministry, and youth group."

In her spare time, you'll catch Lauri riding her bike, gardening, or sewing.  ​​

Hollie Erickson

Junior High English, College Writing, Creative Writing
B.A. in Elementary Education
​State & ACSI Certified
Personal message
With Grace since 2013

"I don't remember life before Jesus, because I've been involved in the church my whole life. It was routine to me; something that was natural and easy. I accepted that He was Savior at a very young age, but I don't believe I accepted Him as MY Savior until my freshman year of college. The 'my' before Savior is what changed my life forever. My heart aches for His love and plan for my life. My favorite part of teaching at a Christian school is that I can teach my students the importance of the 'my' that I hope will change everything for them as well."

She enjoys any sport including running along with reading, writing, and spreading encouragement.

"God created us for growth. I believe that education allows us that ability to grow and strengthen the interests and talents we are given, by launching us into the chasm of endless possibility. Christian education allows us to work toward a future that matters: eternity. Learning is growing. Learning is stretching. No struggle, no growth. Know struggle, know growth."

Dr. Ty Harris

Guidance Counselor // Secondary Health Teacher
B.A. in Health Education
M.Min. Biblical Counseling
Doctor of Apologetics
ACSI Certified
Personal message
Mr. Harris is a retired Air Force Veteran and former Adult Education Teacher. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Wellness Education from Excelsior University and will receive his Master’s in Biblical Counseling in January of 2021 from West Coast Bible Seminary. Mr. Harris will be teaching Bible and Health this year as well as performing the duty of Guidance counselor. Mr. Harris accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a young age and continues to profess his salvation by grace through faith. Mr. Harris has a favorite verse, Philippians 3:14, and uses this daily to stay focused on the things of God and not the things of this world. As a Guidance Counselor, Mr. Harris strongly believes that all students have the potential for greatness and will support them until they realize their calling. As a Teacher, Mr. Harris truly believes that developing lifelong learners that love God is a great responsibility and one that comes with great reward.
 
​Mr. Harris lives in St. Anne and enjoys spending time with family and volunteering with various Veterans organizations. 
​With Grace since 2020

Kris McGuirt

​Secondary English, 9th & 10th Girls' Bible Teacher // Student Council Adviser
B.A. in English and Physical Education
ACSI Certified​
Personal message
With Grace since 2008

​"I received Christ as my personal Savior when I was six years old and it was here at Grace. Through my years as a student, the Lord worked in my heart to give my life in service to Him as a teacher. I am an alumnus of Grace and my kindergarten teacher has also taught kindergarten to my children."

Kris is married to Alan, and their children, Allie and Zach, attend GCA.

Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and playing outside.

Lydia Most

Orchestra Director
​
B.A. in Music, violin emphasis
ACSI & MTNA Certified​
Personal message
With Grace since 2017

Katherine Nielsen

Chorus Director
B.A. in Music:  Flute Emphasis
MMEd (Flute Performance)
ACSI Certified​
Personal message
With Grace since 2022



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Andrew Norton

Secondary Spanish. P.E.
B.S. in Physical Education
M.A. in Education
​ACSI Certified 
Personal message
With  Grace since 2016

My wife and I served at a Christian school in Quito, Ecuador for several years. We are very happy we served there, but felt the Lord was leading us back to the United States. After much prayer and discussion, we felt God leading us to GCA. We have been very happy and blessed joining the Grace family.

Grant Prairie
​

Secondary Bible Teacher
B.S. Social Science
​ACSI Certified ​
Personal message
Answer to question 0

Sonia Smith

Secondary History Teacher
B.S. Elementary Education 
ACSI & ​State certification
​​
Personal message
With Grace since 2017

​Sonia accepted Christ into her life when she was 4 years old. Even though she has known Christ for most of her life, she notices that God reveals Himself to her in new and different ways. Most recently, she has seen God's faithfulness through His perfect timing. Sonia sees herself as a life-long learner and is excited to share this love for learning for each of her students. She enjoys reading and traveling, and is an avid tea drinker.

Lisa Thiele​

Secondary Science Teacher
Assoc. Life Science
B.S. In Speech Language Pathology
M.A. In Education
ACSI & ​State certification
Personal message
Answer to question 0

Andrea Trivino​

Junior High Teacher
Assoc. Social & Behavioral Sciences
B.A. Liberal Studies
M.A. In Education
ACSI certification
Personal message
With Grace since 2022
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Grace Christian Academy
2499 Waldron Rd. Kankakee, Il 60901
(815) 939-4579
Consider supporting the educational ministries of GCA with a monthly donation.

A ministry of Grace Baptist Church
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© 2021 GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Private, Christian Education in Kankakee County
Grace Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to GCA students. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admissions procedures, tuition assistance awards, athletic and other school administered programs. We do, however, reserve the right to deny admission to any individual who cannot benefit from enrollment based on past academic achievement, disqualifying disability, or whose personal life-style is not in harmony with the stated philosophy and purpose of Grace Christian Academy.