LIZ HOEK CAME TO BCS from San Jose, CA, where she taught fifth grade for three years. She teaches the fourth grade class and has held that position since the 2008-2009 school year. She enjoys kids this age because she loves watching them grow in their independence—independent reading, thinking, classroom work & projects, and decision making skills. She also loves to watch them develop relationally, working with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Some of Liz’s favorite past classroom activities include science camp, Colonial Day, daily devotions and prayer time, and guiding students through hands-on learning.
Liz was born in Racine, WI and attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA. She majored in Elementary Education, and minored in Reading. Liz has attended Christian schools all her life: K-8 at Racine Christian School and high school at Racine Lutheran High School. Liz is married to Kiel Hoek, her best friend and a fellow teacher.
In her free time, Liz enjoys watching football and basketball games. She also enjoys scrapbooking, amateur photography, and meeting friends for coffee. Her favorite scripture verse is Jeremiah 29:11—For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Mrs. Hoek’s Mission Statement:
“As a Christian educator, I find my strength, wisdom, and guidance for teaching and living from God’s Word and a supportive Christian community. I enjoy working toward fulfilling my covenant responsibility to ‘receive these children in love, pray for them, help instruct them in the faith, and encourage and sustain them in the fellowship of believers,’ by guiding children to be responsible disciples in God’s kingdom through daily learning.
“God has gifted each of us differently, teachers and students alike. My challenge is to use my strengths effectively while finding and developing my students’ God-given gifts. I also encourage them to continue growing in all areas. God has given them different intellectual abilities, and I strive to use a variety of methods in order to reach students at different levels and in different ways.
“In fourth grade we learn about the prophets and kings of the Old Testament. I believe that God’s leading in our life often comes from the examples of those around us. We can learn from others’ successes and failures how God would have us live. We challenge ourselves daily to apply the lessons we learn from the stories of the Bible to our daily interactions with others.
“A close-knit Christian environment comes with benefits and challenges for us as Christians. We are to encourage one another and build each other up while holding each other accountable. We can lean on each other for support, but also must be patient and respectful with each other when relationships are strained. All of these situations are modeled and lived out in a classroom environment daily. I challenge the students to think of others’ feelings first, be respectful of others and responsible for themselves, and bear each other’s burdens through prayer and encouragement. We also work intentionally on skills for working with others as part of a team.
“My most important job as a teacher is the training of children for God’s service. I pray that they leave my classroom with the skills—academically, socially, and spiritually— to continue their service as God’s children and make an impact in His world.”