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Staff
Laurie Jefferies – Principal & Jr/Sr High Math Teacher
I received my teaching degree from the University of Lethbridge and taught primarily high school math and CTS courses in Edson, AB after graduating. During the years I stayed home to care for our three children, I substitute taught and homeschooled. Our children started attending LTCS in 2013 when we moved to Mirror and my husband Daniel became the pastor of the Mirror Alliance Church. I became increasingly involved in LTCS, including substituting, part-time teaching, society board chair, and in 2017 took on the role of principal. I am passionate about Christian Education, enjoy reading, scrapbooking and studying the Bible.
Daniel Jefferies – Teacher – Grades 7-12 (Social, Science, PE, Outdoor Ed)
I was educated at the University of Lethbridge from 1994 – 1999 and graduated with a B. Sc. (Mathematics) and B. Ed. (Mathematics Education). My wife Laurie and I moved to Edson, Alberta in the summer of 1999 so that I could begin teaching at the Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School. After three years I took a position with the public high school – Parkland Composite, teaching Math, Science, and Computers. Six years later, I felt called to ministry, but God had other designs and so I worked for a year at the Coal Valley mine driving very large trucks. I returned to teaching at Yellowhead Koinonia and it was during this year that God made it clear that seminary was the next step to be taken. That summer my family and I moved to Toronto, Ontario to attend Toronto Baptist Seminary. I completed a three-year M. Div. degree and we returned to Alberta. I was then called to the pastoral position at Mirror Alliance church and served there for 7 years. In 2021 I accepted this Jr./Sr. High position at Living Truth Christian School. My education and various life experiences have allowed me to develop a robust and comprehensive Christian worldview that I look forward to sharing with my students.
Pam Graham – Teacher – Jr/Sr High English & Bible
I was raised in the rural area west of Edson, Alberta, and am the oldest of six kids. We rode the bus to the local Christian school and attended the Baptist Church in Edson. We all enjoyed the outdoors and had many adventures on our small farm growing up. After graduation, I attended Northwest Baptist Theological College in Langley, BC, then Trinity Western University, and finally The Kings University in Edmonton for my Bachelor of Education. I have taught grade 5 (one year), preschool (one year), and grades 9-12 English, Social Studies and Bible (9 years) in Christian schools. I took a career turn in 2012, teaching piano and voice lessons to students around the Edson area, then at the Arts Academy in Three Hills. I worked as an Educational Assistant and Speech Therapy Assistant from 2014 to 2017 in order to have more time with family. My husband Dylan and I live in Three Hills and have two children aged 18 and 22. We enjoy playing music together, leading worship at our local church, drinking good coffee and going for walks – especially hiking in the mountains! I have been privileged to teach at Living Truth Christian School since 2017, and am thankful for the wonderful staff, students and families I have met here.
Drew McDowell – Teacher – Grades 3-6, Jr/Sr High Options
Alberta has been home all my life. I was raised in Edmonton, moved to Calgary for school, received my BA in Ancient and Medieval History from the UofC, stayed for 9 years, got married, and remained a loyal Oilers fan! After moving back to Edmonton to get my B.Ed from the UofA, we ended up in Sundre, Alberta for a time and discovered small town living was in our blood. Since I began teaching at LTCS in 2013, we have bought an acreage, built a chicken coop, planted a huge garden that I never remember to water, and continue to struggle to find flat enough ground to build a good backyard rink. We have since become a family of 6 (because that’s how it’s done in the country!), love the peace of the outdoors, and can’t believe how dirty the car gets driving on gravel roads. I love Christian education. Keeping Christ public and real while teaching in school and keeping Him the centre of our learning! I also really enjoy time backpacking in the backcountry of Banff, discovering my handyman side, and keeping alive my inner nerd. Kirk or Picard? Picard all the way.
Debby Babych – Grades 1-2 Teacher, Grade 1-6 Fine Arts Teacher
I lived in Calgary until I was 10 and then we moved to a family farm west of Ponoka. I took the first 2 years of my Bachelors degree, majoring in Social Science and minoring in English, at RDC and completed it at Burman University. I graduated and began my teaching career at YKCS in Edson, AB, where I taught grades 7 to 12 for 5 years, Kindergarten for 11 years and grades 5 & 6 for 3 years. During that time I also marked Diploma Exams and Provincial Achievement Exams for the Alberta government. Life has brought me back to the Ponoka area, where I have been teaching at LTCS since September 2017. I have 2 really great kids, Stephanie who is completing her Bachelor of Communications and Jordan who is attending SAIT and is an active Canadian Army Reservist.
Teresa Paul, Elementary Teacher
I grew up around Clive and so I am overjoyed to get to teach in this community I call home. I got my education at Ambrose University in Calgary where I received a Bachelors in Behavioural Science and After Degree in Education. My husband and I moved back to the area in order to open up a climbing gym in Red Deer called Trailhead Climbing in 2017. My family and I are currently living on a little acreage west of Clive. I have filled my teaching career years teaching in faith based schools which has been such a privilege. I have also been blessed with a little girl and boy. We fill our days with as much adventuring as we can. This year I am thrilled to get to dip my toe back into teaching while still getting to focus on soaking up the little years while I can.
Veronica Haayema – Learning Supports Coordinator / Homeschool Facilitator
Central Alberta is truly my home. I grew up in Lacombe, went to Edmonton to attend The King's University for my teaching degree, and then returned to the area to teach here at Living Truth in 2014. I have taught here on and off since then. teaching multiple elementary grades and more recently taken on the role as Special Education Coordinator. I have loved and appreciated the support of this school community while working here, as well as growing my family. Throughout my years here, my husband and I have welcomed three children, 2 sons and one daughter. With them, I get to explore the world through their eyes, spending my days going on walks, playing with trucks and superheros, and reading story after story. While at the school, I get to pour into Christian education as I support students, sharing in their joys and finding strategies to help their struggles, This is my beautiful chaos.
Christine Polson – Kindergarten, Jr/Sr Foods Teacher
I was born and raised in a family of eight children in beautiful Switzerland. When I was nine years old, my parents bought a dairy farm in northern Ontario where I attended elementary public school and a small Christian Highschool. I received my teaching degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario majoring in French and minoring in English. I taught for 5 1/2 years in various grades and subjects in southern Ontario, Texas and Lacombe. After the birth of our eldest child, I stayed home to raise our four children and help my husband on the farm. We have sheep, cattle and cash crops and farm north of Tees, AB.
I absolutely love the unique small family atmosphere of our little school and the privilege of sharing my faith with my student, both in kindergarten and in my Foods class of grades 7-12. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, early morning coffees with my husband and journaling.
Cheryl Derksen – Educational Assistant
I was raised in Shubenacadie, NS on a farm with my 3 younger siblings. I could often be found on the back of a horse or playing basketball or volleyball in my growing up years. After high school, I got my hair stylist certification, worked for a year in a salon in Dartmouth, NS and then moved to Winnipeg,MB in search of a new adventure. In the 5 years to follow, I worked as a stylist in Winnipeg, got my TESL certificate at Providence College and married Brian. In 1997 we moved to Alberta and have since settled in Clive and raised 3 kids. I facilitated the POPS Playgroups in Clive and Mirror for several years as our kids were growing up, which led me to LTCS. I enjoy working in this loving Christian environment where I can help students while also modelling Christ’s love for them.
Kieran Besuijen – Educational Assistant
I am currently in the exciting and ever changing stage of my life where I am choosing a career, working two jobs and doing university online. Everyday brings unexpected opportunities and new adventures. Some of my hobbies include reading, experimenting in the kitchen, crafty activities and taking long walks with friends. My long term goal is to pursue a job in physiotherapy so I am currently working on a kinesiology degree. I am fascinated by how the human body works and fits together. God’s design is simply amazing. Recently I have been intrigued by neuroscience though so who knows where I’ll end up. Through it all I am so blessed to be able to live in the community I grew up in with the people I love. Growing up I was very familiar with LTCS as most of my friends attended. I am so thrilled to work here now with the kids. There is such meaning and purpose working with students watching them learn and grow.
Kaylee Tees – Educational Assistant
I was born in Red Deer, AB. I was homeschooled along with my 4 siblings, near Clive. I attended Living Truth for my Sr. High years, and graduated in 2019. I took a gap year to do some travelling, and I began a YWAM Compassion DTS in Los Angeles, January 2020. My DTS was cut short in March, but God had different plans for me; I was able to minister to my community here instead, and I recently married my husband in August, 2021. I have always had a passion for ministry, and I love that this school emulates God’s heart for His children. (Having been a student here) I can attest to the amazing environment and the uplifting atmosphere that both students and staff maintain. It was a great experience for me as a student, and I want to make it a great experience for the current and future students as well.
Michael Sonnenberg – Educational Assistant
I grew up on a small acreage in Southern Alberta. I left for bible school in Camrose after high school. About a week into bible school I met my future wife, Sharon. We were married four years later. Over the years we were blessed with four wonderful children, two boys and two girls. In 2005 we moved out to Sharon's family farm on the north west shore of Red Deer Lake. In 2019 our farm was declared an Alberta Historic Resource. Currently, the farm is the home to 2 horses, 2 dogs, 8 sheep and a couple dozen cats, all rescues.
In my career I have worked in public schools in Camrose and Wetaskiwin and spent four years as the Coordinator of Inclusive Education at Augustana University. This is my first time working at a private Christian school and I am excited for the opportunity to serve God openly in a supportive Christian community.
Janet Schulze – Office Administrator
I was born in Didsbury, Alberta, and grew up on our family farm east of Botha. After graduating high school in Stettler, I was accepted into the Certified Dental Assistant program at SAIT, a career dream ever since Grade 9! Brent and I married and lived and worked in Calgary while he completed his post secondary education. We have lived in Turner Valley, Leduc, Drayton Valley, the Northwest Territories, and Houston TX. Currently we have made our home Erskine! We have been blessed with three beautiful children ( a son and two daughters), and seven precious grandchildren so far!
In 1996 I bid farewell to my dental assisting career and since then have enjoyed working off and on, depending on our location, in several different school offices. It is a rewarding way to spend the day and be a witness to changes and the growth that occurs in the hallways of a school. I feel very blessed that God has given me this opportunity at Living Truth Christian School, to feel His presence in every interaction of my day. In my spare time I enjoy quilting, craft painting, and gardening. A fun addition to our home this year is our Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy GIBSON! We praise and thank God for His many blessings in our life!
Charlotte Kristianson, Office Assistant
I grew up at Tees (my maiden name was even Tees) on a mixed farm with two brothers and a lot of relatives in the vicinity! After graduating I spent 11 years away from home where I attended Olds College (and met my husband) and completed my BSc in Agricultural at the University of Lethbridge. We then moved to Westlock for six years where I worked in the applied research field. After having two girls and expecting our third child (son) in a matter of 3 years, we moved back to the Tees area in 2007, bought land, built a home and I stayed home full time for a few years to focus on our family. Since then I have done some contract work from home and worked part time in various positions. We also manage cattle every growing season on our quarter section. My adult life has had as many blessings as challenges, both of which have made me increasingly aware of my need for a close walk with the Lord and His faithfulness throughout the course of my entire life. Our son has attended LTCS for the past 5 years and I have enjoyed my time volunteering here and look forward to working more permanently in the school.
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info@livingtruthchristianschool.ca