Our Staff
Our dedicated and professional staff partners with parents to help students thrive in their educational experience at ERCS. They are active in their own Christian growth and development and work to set an excellent example for our students. All staff continue to participate in ongoing educational experiences.
Meet our staff
Cindy Westendorp, Principal
Cindy has been part of the Elora Road Christian School community for 17 years. She began as a parent in 2005 and has seen her three children graduate from the school, finish high school, and pursue post-secondary education. In 2007, Cindy began teaching science, physical education, literature, and history to grade 7/8 students and took on the role of Athletic Director. She continued in this role for ten years before becoming principal in 2017. Cindy has a passion for education and seeks to help each student learn in a way that is meaningful to them. She also works hard to create a school environment where each staff, student and parent feels safe, accepted, and supported. She desires that each person who walks through the door of the school experiences the love of God in tangible ways and is motivated to share this love with the rest of the world.
Annette deVries, JK/SK
Annette has been teaching our youngest students for the past seven years. Her class is full of learning and laughter. She loves watching her students grow in confidence over the school year. When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Dee Butler, Grade 1/2
Dee has taught kindergarten, grade 1, and 2 for over fourteen years in four different schools. She was also a resource teacher for three years. Dee graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. She considers it a privilege to teach Bible stories to her students and discuss what can be learned from Bible characters. Reading stories and teaching art bring a lot of joy to the classroom for Dee. Seeing students learn to improve in reading and writing is one of Dee's favourite parts of her job. Dee is married to a wonderful husband and has three amazing grown children. Outside of school, she likes to attend Bible study, read, bake, go out for dinner, ice skate, hike, and relax on the beach.
Her favourite verse is: Philippians 4:6,7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Leslie Bauman, Grade 3/4
Leslie started her teaching career teaching science and math at high school. She moved on to homeschooling her five children, and now teaches our grade 3&4 class. She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Laurentian University and Bachelor of Teaching from Western University. She loves math, phys-ed and science. She also enjoys reading quality literature with the kids. She loves to have the kids excited and engaged in their learning by doing experiments, playing games in phys-ed or doing group activities.
Leslie and her husband Marvin have been married for over 25 years and have five children. Two are married and three are still at home. They also share their home with six pets. Her hobbies include biking, hiking, reading, doing puzzles, knitting, camping and spending time with her family. She loves God and is joyful to be out in his creation. Her love for teaching shines through, and she talks about "her kids" all the time. At home she talks about her school kids and at school she talks about her home kids!
Adrian Burkhardt, Grade 5/6 and Grade 1-6 French
Adrian is a graduate of the joint Concurrent Education Program combining Wilfred Laurier's Bachelor's Degree of Contemporary Studies with a Bachelor's Degree of Education at Nipissing University. He brings a wide variety of teaching experiences from both 2 years of classroom teaching, and alternative teaching opportunities through tutoring, pastoral care and preaching. He has a love of words and how God's glory and creativity are reflected through language and stories. He couples this with a love of God's creation and joy at exploring it. He looks forward to inspiring a wonder for learning and equipping students with problem-solving tools to help them on their learning journey.
At home, Adrian is a grateful follower of Jesus raising his two boys to love Jesus with his wife and wonderful partner Erin. As a family, they love reading together, using their imagination and creativity, playing games and board games, having family movie nights, having campfires, being in nature, and growing their garden. Adrian also enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing, and cooking both in and outdoors. They are a family that seeks to be on mission for God in all areas of life and is committed to doing so as part of their local church Radiant City.
Pam Tuck, Vice Principal and Grade 7/8
Pam graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Education specializing in Mathematics and Computer Programming. She moved to Canada with her husband in 1985, so although she is a Texan at heart, Canada is definitely home. She has a special love for grade 7 & 8 students and has been teaching at this level for over 30 years, the last five years here at ERCS. Math is definitely her favourite subject and she loves art as well. When the two collide, that is a beautiful thing! She loves learning, so really, she loves teaching all of the subjects and enjoys seeing the spark of interest develop in students when they encounter new ideas and face challenges. She worked as a VP/Teacher at her previous school, so we are blessed with the experience and expertise she brings to our school.
She has been married for over 35 years and has two grown daughters. She spends much of her free time volunteering with Restorative Justice initiatives supporting ex-prisoners as they re-integrate into society. As well, in her spare time you can find her at homeless shelters and at the day program for L'Arche. She whole-heartedly believes that volunteering is a necessary part of building stronger communities. She also loves to spend time with her kids and grandkids and reads a lot! Her faith in God and her church family keep her grounded and provide many more opportunities to serve others, especially in the area of music. She is inspired by a quote from Henry Ford:
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
Jen Mullet, Music and Grade 5/6 Math
Jen has been teaching music at ERCS since 2018. She studied music at McMaster University and education at University of Toronto and previously taught high school music. When she isn't at school, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Julie Klapwyk, Grade 7/8 French
Madame Julie was born and raised in a French speaking home and completed grade school, high school and some of her post secondary education all in French!
When she is not at work, you are likely to find her at the rink cheering on her three hockey loving girls, enjoying the garden or cross country skiing on the farm.
Val Duimering, Student Support Services Director
Valerie graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Development. She has gained extensive experience working with kids as she transitioned from tutoring, to homeschooling her own children for five years, to working with students with learning disabilities and ADHD as well as other learning challenges.
Val works hard every day to remove barriers to learning so that all children can reach their God given potential. She loves spending time with the students and watching them gain confidence.
Alissa Gibson, Grade 3/4 teacher and Special Education
Alissa Gibson joined the ERCS team in Fall 2023. She teaches grade 3/4 two days a week, and serves as an Educational Assistant at ERCS a further two days a week.
Alissa is an Ontario Certified Teacher, and recently completed the Special Education Part 1 additional teaching qualification. She has degrees in Wildlife Biology (University of Guelph) and Education (University of Western Ontario). Alissa delights in sharing the wonder of God’s creation with others, creating engaging lessons, and helping children to master new skills while discovering their God-given gifts.
Over the years, Alissa has taught Grades 5-8 (and some kindergarten) at two different Christian schools. She has also worked as a supply teacher (PreJK – Grade 8), a nature interpreter, a tutor, and an inclusive recreation coordinator at a therapeutic riding centre. In the latter role, she led farm-based programs for children, youth and adults of all ages and abilities.
Alissa lives in Guelph with her husband, two teenage children, and assorted pets. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, hiking, and kayaking, and helping with children’s ministry programs at her church.
Alicia Sellers, Office Administrator
Alicia is an alumni of Elora Road who loved the school so much that she sent her own kids here, and eventually became part of the staff. She enjoys working behind the scenes, helping things run smoothly. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys reading and gardening.
