Joy Vander Vennen
Grand Rapids,MI
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at Ada Christian School, excelling in team building and parental communication. Successfully fostered a positive school culture and enhanced student engagement through innovative community initiatives. Skilled in behavior management and outdoor education, driving academic success and strong relationships among students, parents, and staff.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Elementary Principal
Ada Christian School
Ada, MI
07.2025 - Current
- Fostered a positive school culture through community engagement initiatives.
- Managed faculty and staff recruitment to ensure high-quality teaching teams.
- Collaborated with parents to support student academic and behavioral success.
- Coordinated school events to enhance community involvement and student engagement.
- Instructed teachers on classroom management, behavior and instructional strategies.
- Evaluated student behavior issues by reviewing established discipline standards and noting trends in infractions.
- Collaborated with various departments to support and establish programs, lessons and student activities.
- Monitored and evaluated performance of school employees.
- Visited classrooms to evaluate teacher instructional techniques as part of annual evaluation cycle.
- Resolved various situations to cultivate strong student and parent relationships.
- Facilitated communication between parents and guardians regarding academic performance or behavior issues.
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Grandville Calvin Christian Schools
Grandville, USA
08.2023 - Current
- Conducted walk-in and scheduled facility tours for prospective students.
- Answered application and enrollment inquiries from public via telephone or email.
- Maintained student admissions database with clear and complete student enrollment files.
- Made contact with prospective families to set up face-to-face appointments.
- Facilitated student admissions and processed applications.
- Used Power School to update admission statuses.
- Worked across three campuses to streamline the admissions process.
- Supported campus marketing activities to increase enrollment.
- Introduced families to our school community through personal connections, tours, and communications.
- Planned and executed admissions events, with the help of other staff.
- Collaborated on a marketing and admissions plan, in cooperation with administration to market the school.
HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Moline Christian School
Moline, USA
07.2021 - 06.2023
- Hired, trained and evaluated employees with focus on mentorship to improve employee engagement.
- Developed positive relationships with school students, teachers and local community.
- Managed school administration operations and organized teacher schedules.
- Encouraged and voiced positive feedback to mentor and motivate new teachers.
- Developed platform for instructional practices design through data-driven decision-making.
- Instructed teachers on classroom management, behavior and instructional strategies.
- Visited classrooms to evaluate teacher instructional techniques as part of annual evaluation cycle.
- Oversaw school budgets, documented changes and tracked expenses to allocate and manage school funds.
- Facilitated staff meetings and scheduled pertinent professional development.
- Interacted positively with staff to demonstrate professional conduct expectations of teaching.
- Drove research and developed a team for curriculum development.
ELEMENTARY LEAD TEACHER
West Side Christian School
Grand Rapids, USA
08.2017 - 06.2022
- Met with parents to communicate students' progress, achievements and classroom issues.
- Plan and lead professional development activities for teachers and support staff.
- Attend parent meetings with elementary staff members to discuss and implement plans to improve behavior and/or academic performance.
- Conduct observations of teachers and students and provide feedback that provides encouragement and support.
- Creates agendas and leads elementary meetings.
- Part of the team that recruits, hires, trains, and evaluates primary and supplemental staff.
- Interviews and hires substitute teachers.
- Revised and implements the mentor program for all new teachers.
- Collaborates with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards that support the mission statement and set performance goals and objectives.
- Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate curriculum and teaching techniques, and to determine areas where improvement is needed.
- Manages and oversees all substitutes and works with the business manager to organize and deliver payment.
5TH GRADE TEACHER
West Side Christian School
Grand Rapids, USA
08.2014 - 06.2022
- Maintained positive classroom environments by reinforcing rules for behavior and relationship-building actions.
- Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
- Instructed students in standardized subjects as well as general learning strategies and skills for social development and character.
- Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop student self-esteem and life skills.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
- Involved parents in student education by cultivating strong relationships.
- Worked with school administrators to develop classroom management policies.
- Created collaborative environment in classroom where students worked together to support everyone's learning.
- Formed deep relationships with parents and students by engaging groups through conferences, emails, texts and phone calls.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, INMaster of Arts - Educational Leadership
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZSkills
- Team building
- Relationship building
- Parental communication
- Behavior management
- Multitasking ability
- Outdoor education facilitator
- Chapel speaker
- STEM leader
Accomplishments
- ELDI (Emerging Leaders Development Institute)-graduate
- ELDI-member of consulting team
- Calvin University (CPPC)-Calvin Clinical Partners and Practices Committee
- Christian Educator's Association - Executive planning committee
Timeline
Elementary Principal
Ada Christian School
07.2025 - Current
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Grandville Calvin Christian Schools
08.2023 - Current
HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Moline Christian School
07.2021 - 06.2023
ELEMENTARY LEAD TEACHER
West Side Christian School
08.2017 - 06.2022
5TH GRADE TEACHER
West Side Christian School
08.2014 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Purdue University Northwest
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Grand Canyon University