Meet our Homeroom Teachers

Mrs. Melodie McKenzie serves as the Principal of Providence Christian Academy. She holds B.A. degrees in Bible and Elementary Education from Appalachian Bible College and an M.A. in Teaching from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. Prior to coming to Providence, Mrs. McKenzie was a principal at a Christian school in Illinois. Mrs. McKenzie and her husband, Rob, attend Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Doris Trester teaches third and fourth grades, as well as fifth grade Science. She holds B.A. degrees in Education and History with a Minor in English from Trinity Christian College. Mrs. Trester worked in Chicago prior to teaching at Providence. She and her husband, Scott, have adult children and attend Oak Glen United Reformed Church.

Mrs. Ashley Noffsinger teaches pre-k, as well as various science classes throughout the school. Mrs. Noffsinger earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Baylor University. Before coming to teach at Providence, she was an outdoor science educator at a Christian camp in Texas. Mrs. Noffsinger and her husband, Jarred, have a daughter and attend Community United Reformed Church.

Mrs. Louise Wright teaches fifth and sixth grades, as well as seventh and eighth grade Latin. She earned an M.A. in Modern and Medieval Languages from Cambridge University. Mrs. Wright previously homeschooled her children and taught Latin at a classical Christian school in Illinois. She and her husband, Iain, have five children, including one current PCA student. The Wright family attends Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Holly Van Schouwen teaches the kindergarten class. She holds a Bachelor of Science degre in Nursing from Trinity Christian College. She and her husband Vince have four children, three of whom attend Providence with the fourth still at home. They are members of Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Porte teaches seventh and eighth grades. She holds a B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University. Before coming to teach at Providence, Mrs. Porte served as Principal at Unity Christian School in Momence, IL. She and her husband, Tony, have six adult children and attend Faith United Reformed Church.

Ms. Lauren Vermeer teaches the 1st and 2nd grade homeroom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a K-8 music endorsement. Before joining Providence, she taught for seven years at another local Christian school. She and her fiance Derek Hillegonds attend Lynwood United Reformed Church.

Mr. Paul Jellema teaches the 9th and 10th grade homeroom along with fifth through ninth grade P.E. and eighth grade logic. He holds a B.A. degree from University of Southern Indiana in Mathematics. He and his wife Robin are parents to five children who are homeschooled and they all attend Faith United Reformed Church.