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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.
Laureen Sandin - Teacher - Grades 7-12 (English, PE, Options, Elementary Fine Arts)
In grade 2 I decided I wanted to be a teacher and after high school I went to the University of Alberta, receiving a Bachelor of Education degree with Distinction. I started teaching at Bashaw where I met my husband. God has blessed us with living on a farm and raising four sons. I enjoy new experiences, adventure, sports and outdoor activities. A number of wonderful teaching positions with different grade levels and subject areas have been a part of my teaching career thus far, including eleven years at a Christian school. I feel blessed by God for this opportunity to get to know the people of LTCS and join you in a journey that includes my two greatest passions: faith and learning.
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 works for AHS and Jordan, who is a Federal Peace Officer for Corrections Canada.
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 – Campus 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 worked in various roles at the school since then, teaching multiple elementary grades, and then taking on the roles of Special Education Coordinator and Home School 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, playing with trucks and superheroes, exploring what it means to live on an acreage, and reading story after story. While at the school, I get to pour into Christian education as I support students and families, 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.
Christina Colson - Educational Assistant
I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and recently moved to central Alberta in 2022 shortly after my son enrolled in as a student in LTCS.
In 2018 I received a diploma in Early Childhood , and since then my work experience has been in the areas of Educational Assistant in Christian/Public schools in Edmonton and currently with Living Truth Christian School in Mirror, AB.
I am grateful to be a servant for Christ serving here at LTCS in helping maintain a safe environment for children to grow in their faith and education.
Kallie Dyck - Educational Assistant
Kallie has joined our school as an EA in Senior High for the 2023-24 year. Welcome!
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 7 years and I have enjoyed my time here look forward to continuing to work in the school.
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info@livingtruthchristianschool.ca