Meet our 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.

Shari teaches first through eighth grade art and has a B.F.A. focusing on interior architecture and design from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. She worked in various capacities within the building and design industry for over 10 years and is now excited to share her love of art with the students at Providence Christian Academy. Shari and her husband have 3 children who attend Providence. The Spoolstras attend Redeemer 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. Laura Bruinsma teaches K-4 Music, K-2 Science and 1-2 Latin. At Trinity Christian College she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Music Concentration. She taught in Monee, IL before she and her husband, Dan, had 5 boys who have all attended Providence. They call Oak Glen United Reformed Church their church home.

Mrs. Sadie Steffen teaches the kindergarten class. She has a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Illinois. She and her husband Quinn have four daughters, all of whom attend Providence. They are members of South Holland 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.

Rev. Daniel Svensen teaches 9th and 10th grade Greek. He and his wife Michelle have four children, three of whom attend Providence. They are all members of First OPC in South Holland, where he labors as a minister of the word and sacraments. 

Ms. Sara Grace Baugh teaches the 1st and 2nd grade homeroom and 1st-4th grade physical education.  She holds a B.S. of Science in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University obtained in May of 2022. She and her husband Colin attend Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian 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. 

Mrs. Robin McMurray teaches Rhetoric Omnibus and Kindergarten Art.  She graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English and Economics, completed her MBA from Pepperdine University and earned an M.A. in Theology from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.  She has homeschooled her three children, taught a variety of co-op courses and was a swimming instructor and coach.  She and her husband Brad attend Grace Presbyterian church where he serves as a teaching elder.