Becky Vander Naald is in her 35th year of teaching at Timothy — but she is still passionate about teaching kindergarten — especially watching young faith develop.

For kindergarten teacher Becky Vander Naald, the Bible verse that comes to mind when she thinks about her tenure at Timothy Christian is from Psalm 100: “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” This is a particularly appropriate verse for Vander Naald as she is in her 35th year of teaching at Timothy. “It’s amazing when you think of it – the families I have gotten to know and the friends I have made,” she said. “I feel so supported and prayed for by this community.”

When she began teaching at Timothy in 1984, she didn’t imagine staying at one school for her entire career. “But there always has been more to learn about teaching, which has kept it new and fresh, so I’m still very passionate about this age group and about teaching in general,” she said.

Indeed, when you ask Vander Naald to tell you what she likes about kindergarten students, the list is very long. “They are so curious. They love everything. You talk about the faith of a child? They love Jesus. Everything is wonderful,” she continued. “They are so excited to be in the classroom — to be with each other, to be learning, to be playing, to be a part of a larger community. Teaching kindergarten is where God has put me, and it’s where I feel best suited to be. I am passionate about teaching them, but I feel they are equally passionate about learning.”

There is something so powerful about having your child be with people during the day who love Jesus.

Although Vander Naald observes that the world has changed a lot in 35 years, some things remain constant. There are more ambitious academic goals for kindergarten students today, but play continues to be an important component of learning. To help sustain a balance between the two, Vander Naald relies on the collaborative input of the kindergarten team, which is rounded out by Sandy Schommer and Leigh Ward. “We are all about preserving that need for play because through play, kids learn how to work together, how to be creative, and how to be problem-solvers,” Vander Naald said. 

Schommer, who came to Timothy in 2002 after student teaching here, agreed that there is great value in collaboration. “It’s a vital component, bringing out the best in you and the best in others,” she said.

All three teachers agree that the faith component at Timothy is one that distinguishes it from most schools. “The atmosphere here is different,” said Ward, who joined Timothy in 2015. “Our teachers are invested in each child’s success – not just academic but also spiritually.”

Schommer noted that the Bible is the subject her students consistently find most engaging. “Each year, we teach Psalm 23, which I love because there are so many facets to it. We try to instill in the kids that God is always with us. When the Psalm says ‘my cup overflows,’ we take a cup over to the sink and watch the water overflow to illustrate how God’s blessings abound.”

 “We are free in whatever we are studying to point to who designed it that way,” said Ward, who noted in their recent study of trees, the teachers were able to refer to God’s great design in people needing the oxygen provided by trees and trees needing our carbon dioxide. 

Both Schommer and Ward have children who attend Timothy, and Vander Naald’s son is a recent graduate. “As a parent, there is something so powerful about having your child be with people during the day who love Jesus,” Schommer said.

When asked to name a goal she has for her students each year, Vander Naald said, “Sandy, Leigh, and I have such a desire to make this year of the children’s lives a rich, warm, God-filled experience. I hope parents sense that.”