Mrs. Jane Bylsma

4K Teacher

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Joined the BCS staff in 1996
BA – Elementary Education, Calvin College

Jane Bylsma, our 4K teacher, likes working with her 4- and 5-year-old students so much because “4K kids enjoy life!” She also appreciates the honesty and humor these little people bring into her classroom daily. Jane received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Calvin College and has enjoyed teaching our 4K classes since 1996.

One of her favorite 4K activities is sharing a new book with her kids, and seeing and hearing how much they enjoyed it. “I love to hear them say ‘What a good story! I liked that one. Let’s read it again!’” Our Pre-K kids love Mrs. Bylsma’s enthusiasm and energy, and the extra time she takes to listen to them intently and show them that she cares about who they are.

One of Mrs. Bylsma’s favorite Bible verses is Colossians 3:17 — And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Jane and her husband reside in Brookfield. Their three children all have graduated from BCS! Her personal interests include running, walking, and taking time for a good book.

“As a Pre-Kindergarten teacher I work with, play with, explore with, laugh with, and learn with four and five year old children. Through various means and materials we together discover colors, numbers, shapes, kindness towards others, being a friend, the days of the week and the months of the year, rhythm and song, self control and self expression. We learn the things that preschool children around the city are learning. What, then, sets us apart from secular programs and allows us to be a shining star in the community? We learn about the world with the knowledge that it is God’s world. He created it, redeemed it through his Son Jesus, and loves all of his creation. He has given us his words in a very special book called the Bible.

Several general Biblical principles and truths guide us as we discover God’s spectacular creation. These principles are simple:

All God’s words are true and the Bible is full of God’s words!
God created the world and we are thankful!
Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus Is God!
God’s Holy Spirit lives in me!
Children are important to Jesus!
Jesus loves me! Jesus loves my neighbors!
Jesus is my friend!

Guided by these truths, we develop a sense of awe and wonder as we gain knowledge about ourselves (I can clean up, finish my work, be a helper, count, write my name…) and God’s world (I see patterns, feel the beat, can name the butterflies, make a paper snowflake…).

In Pre-K we plant seeds of love for God and love for our neighbor. We learn to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions because it is God’s world. We see that each person is important to God. And through experience, discovery, song, and play, we nurture a love for learning about Our Father’s world.”

‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them’…And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:14 & 16.