OACS News Service

Principal Karen Gerritsma enjoys a moment at the May 14 event honouring her service to Beacon Christian Schools.
Retiring principal’s mission: preparing students to influence culture for Christ
‘There is too much work to do to stop,’ says Karen Gerritsma
Wednesday May 26, 2010 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Karen Gerritsma says she went into Christian education because she wanted to influence mainstream culture for Christ.

“My main focus has been to teach the next generation whose children they are, whose world this is and what their task is in this world that belongs to God,” Gerritsma tells OACS News.

“I wanted to teach the kids to discern the spirits of the age so that they understand better how they can influence culture for Christ.”

Gerritsma adds she believes now more than ever mainstream culture needs to have this influence, and as she looks towards retirement at the end of this school year it’s difficult to imagine shifting her role in this regard.

“There is too much work to do to stop,” says the principal of Beacon Christian Schools elementary school since 1995.

Gerritsma, who taught 1971-1975 at Beacon, spent almost 20 years raising her family before teaching at Covenant Christian School in Smithville for three years, followed by her role as principal.

She says she has been motivated to continue in the field by seeing parents excited about the possibility of their children receiving a Christian education. She is also inspired by the eagerness of staff to teach a curriculum that is faith-infused.

“(It’s) also seeing kids that are excited about making a difference,” says Gerritsma on what has kept her going.

The principal says she would like to be remembered not only as a person who cared deeply for each person involved with the school, but also as someone who helped ensure each aspect of the school — from curriculum development to policy making to the school culture — was consistent with the overall vision.

Looking to the future, Gerritsma says she is positive about the flourishing of Christian education

“I have a lot of hope that it’s going to work well because I see alumni at our schools passionate about sending their kids to our school, and I see parents from a variety of Christian traditions eager to have their children educated in a Christian school,” she says.

“And then, thirdly, I see a younger generation of leaders who are also passionate about Christian education, and they’re willing to stand on the shoulders of us who have gone before and make our schools even better than they are.”

Gerritsma adds a leader cannot be effective without a strong team and she’s been privileged to work with a good group of volunteers, staff members and board members over the years.

“I have been very blessed to be able to be a servant leader in this community, and it has been a privilege to serve this community,” she says.

On May 14 Beacon Christian Schools hosted a celebration — “a tsunami of joy,” as Gerritsma calls it — to recognize the principal’s service to the school.

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