ADMINISTRATION & STAFF

Discipleship and spiritual formation are less about erecting an edifice of knowledge than they are a matter of developing a Christian know-how that intuitively understands the world in light of the Gospel. ― James K.A. Smith

Diana Lim studied early childhood education at the University of Montana. She taught pre-kindergarten in Bellingham for five years before moving into administration roles within the business sector and at Christ Church Bellingham. Diana is passionate about classical Christian education and began working as the Head of School of Trinity Classical School in 2016. Diana is a wife to Arthur and mother to Lily, Julianna, and Ryder. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, skiing, camping in the family's 1960s vintage trailer, and playing games with her kids.

Mrs. Diana Lim

Head of School

The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life. ― Plato

Angela Strotz has been a lifelong Whatcom County resident. She spent 13 years working in business administration for a family-owned contracting business and has spent many years in real estate as an investor, property manager, and, most recently, as a broker. Angela is passionate about theology and discipling women. She and her husband, Rich, have two daughters attending Trinity Classical School since kindergarten. Angela loves to go camping or hiking with her family, complete DIY projects, or read from an eclectic array of books in her free time.

Mrs. Angela Strotz
Campus Coordinator

The object of education is to love what is beautiful. — Plato

Laura attended Western Washington University and received a BA in Communications. During her time at WWU, she met Gabe, and they married in 2002. After working in various marketing and public relations roles, she now enjoys being a mom to their three boys. When it was time to decide where their boys would attend school, it was the Christian classical model presented by Trinity Classical School in 2013 that made sense. And so began their family’s Christian, classical education journey.

Mrs. Laura Martin
School Secretary
Education Council

Grammar school FACULTY

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
― C.S. Lewis

Shannon Walker graduated from Western Washington University with a dual endorsement in elementary education and special education. She has five children and is married to Pastor Nate Walker of Christ Church Bellingham. Classical education is something that Mrs. Walker is passionate about, and she is eager to help build a solid foundation in the kindergarten classroom. She loves the enthusiastic, inquisitive, and eager spirit of little children and is passionate about sharing the love of Christ with these little souls. She loves to cook, be with friends, play tennis, and embark on creative endeavors. Through all of life, she has seen the Lord’s faithfulness and always present love.

Mrs. Shannon Walker

Kindergarten Teacher

The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
― Plutarch

Beth Reimer was born in Canada, grew up in Australia, and attended boarding school in Malaysia. She first met her husband at boarding school, who has remained the apple of her eye for over 30 years. They are blessed to have three beautiful children and two precious grandchildren. While enjoying the beauty of God's creation, Mrs. Reimer cares for their little farm with its sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, and, of course, lots of flowers. In 2007 the Reimers moved to South Korea, where Mrs. Reimer began her teaching career. Over the next 13 years, she taught Elementary Music, Early Childhood Education, Preschool, and 1st Grade while working on a Bachelor of Arts Educational Studies in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. Mrs. Reimer is delighted to join the TCS teaching staff and is eager to serve the students and the community.

Mrs. Beth Reimer
Kindergarten Teacher

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. ― Socrates

Michelle Vander Pol graduated from Trinity Christian College in Illinois with a BA in elementary education. She taught 1st grade in an inner-city school in Chicago for four years before moving to southern California. In California, she taught pre-kindergarten at a Christian School for eight years. She then found a Classical school in the area where she taught kindergarten prep for three years. It was there that she fell in love with the Classical model of education. Michelle is so blessed to be a part of Trinity Classical. She loves teaching the first grade because they are eager learners and are excited about discovering new things. She and her husband, Mark, have two beautiful children who attend Trinity. They enjoy camping, hiking, bike riding, and playing games together as a family.

Mrs. Michelle Vander Pol
Grammar School Dean
First Grade Teacher

“The soul that has learned the blessed secret of seeing God's hand in all that concerns it, cannot be a prey to fear, it looks beyond all second causes, straight into the heart and will of God, and rests content, because He rules.” -Susannah Spurgeon

Sjana MacSwan was born in Bellingham and graduated from Western Baptist College (now called Corban University) in Salem, Oregon, with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She has taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades in a Christian school. Sjana and her husband, Brian, moved back to Bellingham following God’s call to plant Legacy Church. During the formation and throughout the first few years of the life of this new church, God used Sjana’s passion for children’s discipleship and education experience to build a Gospel-centered children’s ministry within the church. Sjana and Brian have been blessed with three children, Hunter, Makenna, and Karis, all whom attend TCS. Having experienced the benefits of classical education firsthand in the lives of her children, Sjana has become a strong advocate for classical education. She is inspired and grateful for what it has produced in her own children and is excited about partnering with families to disciple other young lives. She loves reading, baking, being with her family, and spending time on the Oregon Coast.

Mrs. Sjana MacSwan Second Grade Teacher

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence. — St. Augustine

Judy Buiter was raised in Colorado, where she attended a small Christian school from the first through eighth grades. After a short time in Michigan, God brought her family to Washington state. Judy graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham with a B.A. in Elementary Education, which includes a K–12 endorsement for Language Arts. She has taught third through fifth grade for 25 years and especially enjoys the way that children at this age are so excited about reading and learning as they discover God’s world around them! Judy and her husband, Henry, have been blessed in God’s great love with four children and ten grandchildren. She is thankful for time spent with her family, reading, hiking, skiing, gardening, and of course, teaching!

Mrs. Judy Buiter
Third Grade Teacher

Education is the food of youth, the delight of old age, the ornament of prosperity, the refuge and comfort of adversity, and the provocation to grace in the soul. ― Augustine

Julie Smith is a Wyoming native who loves the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She has been married to her husband, Jimmy, for over 18 years. They have two children, Ethan and Ella, and a spoiled Alaskan Malamute. Julie served eight years in the United States Army in both active and reserve components. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Brownsville and has been working towards her MA in Education from Grand Canyon University. In Bellingham, she was privileged to teach preschool and pre-kindergarten for several years. She has found her passion for sharing the joy of learning with children and exploring God’s beautiful creation. Julie has fallen in love with the classical model of education as it allows a foundation where students can lovingly grow and develop spiritually and intellectually. In her free time, she enjoys adventures with her family, epic road trips, reading, and a good cup of coffee.

Mrs. Julie Smith
Fourth Grade Teacher

You can never be overdressed or overeducated — Oscar Wilde

Jamie Nichols graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Human Services and a minor in education. She spent the last 15 years of her career working in administration with senior citizens in health care. Jamie has been married to Matt Nichols, a financial advisor (and great husband and father). They have three children; twin boys, Liam and Gage, and a daughter, Genevieve. Jamie has volunteered at TCS while her children have been enrolled and remain completely enamored by the true beauty of classical education. The Christ-centered philosophy and deep traditions of the learning environment provide an inspirational, challenging, and wholly unique worldview. Jamie has substitute taught at TCS and loved every minute of it! She is thrilled to have her own classroom this year. In her free time, Jamie enjoys not killing her plants (whenever possible), cooking meals outside in her cast-iron Dutch oven, camping, playing with her kids, reading, challenging her husband to games of Skip-Bo, and wearing animal prints.

Mrs. Jamie Nichols
Fifth Grade Teacher

But courage, child; we are all between the paws of the true Aslan.

― C.S. Lewis

Sophia Southard graduated from Providence Christian College in 2018 with a Liberal Studies degree, specializing in Education & Humanities. She enjoyed the beautiful beaches, artsy atmosphere, and warm sunshine in Pasadena, California. After completing her Student Teaching in 5th grade at Pasadena Christian, she moved back home to Lynden, Washington, to substitute teach in public and private schools. In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing guitar, reading, and discovering new coffee shops. Sophia is thrilled to join the TCS team, united in the goal of forming young men & women shaped by the Word of God, skilled in the art of logic and eloquence.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mrs. Sophia Southard

Sixth Grade Teacher

SECONDARY SCHOOL FACULTY

"Now, this is exactly the claim which I have since come to propound for Christianity. Not merely that it deduces logical truths, but that when it suddenly becomes illogical, it has found, so to speak, an illogical truth." ― G. K. Chesterton

Mrs. Deanna Leslie Math

Deanna is a lifelong resident of Whatcom County who graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Elementary Education, which includes a mathematics endorsement. She has taught preschool, middle school, and high school students and feels fortunate to be using her gifts in a school that emphasizes the Christian worldview and utilizes the Classical education model. When Deanna is not at school or preparing math lessons, she enjoys spending time with and supporting her family. With her husband, Charles, Deanna co-owns two businesses, of which she is the finance manager. She delights in supporting the goals and passions of her teenage children, Sarah and David. Deanna sees her role as a mother and teacher as more of a "tutor" and "coach" when praying and encouraging her children and students to be physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and socially healthy.

The task of every Christian parent bringing children up to maturity in such a world is to do it in a way that equips…True protection equips. We do not want to build a fortress for our students to hide in; we want to give them a shield to carry - along with a sword.
― Doug Wilson

Meagan Wynne has been happily married to her husband, Ryan, for 20 years. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Zoology degree, with the dream of teaching secondary science. The Lord had other plans! After Ryan accepted a job offer in Bellingham, Meagan withdrew from her Masters-in-Teaching program in Seattle, and God promptly blessed them with four delightful little people. Although the seeds were first planted when she was 19, Meagan’s deep love for classical education primarily grew through homeschooling her own kids. She tutored for nine years through the Classical Conversations program and was surprised to discover that she thoroughly enjoyed teaching English grammar and studying the great books with her students. It is her delight to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty through good literature alongside the Trinity logic students. Meagan enjoys time outdoors (mountain biking, hiking, sailing), learning all the things (books, podcasts, stimulating conversations), and spending time with family and friends (eating, playing, laughing).

Mrs. Meagan Wynne
Humanities

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ― Proverbs 22:6 (King Solomon)

Ryan was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. Though a lifelong native Oregonian at
heart, he has lived, worked, and studied in several places, including Japan, Seattle, and
Grand Rapids. He graduated with his M.Div. in the Spring of 2022. In his free time,
Ryan enjoys watching old and foreign films, listening to classic rock, and studying
Theology, History, and Economics. He desires to see students learn to love God with
both their hearts and minds.

Mr. Ryan Ferries
Humanities

And the more I considered Christianity, the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild. ― G.K. Chesterton

Jay spent much of his childhood in Malaysia, where he attended a boarding school for missionary children while his parents worked in Vietnam and Thailand. He earned an M.Ed from WWU and taught in Washington, Korea, Malaysia, and Canada. Jay is passionate about teaching in a school where all our lives and all the world is open to our curiosity and understanding. We worship a God who wants us to enjoy creation, to be creative ourselves, to build constructive relationships, and to be productive in ways that bless others. To do those things well requires learning at home and school and for the rest of our lives. Jay lives with his wife and son on a small farm in Nugent's Corner, where they raise sheep, chickens, and a wannabe farm dog.

Mr. Jay Reimer
Science

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. — Johann Sebastian Bach

Avah Vroom completed her bachelor’s degree in History from Liberty University and has a level two certification in the Kodaly method of music education. She studied violin and voice through the Peterson Conservatory in Skagit and has performed as a soloist with the North Stars Chamber Orchestra for music festivals and concerts in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal. In 2015 Avah began working for a local youth symphony and discovered the joy of helping children grow in their knowledge and love of music. She has been teaching music at Trinity for several years and loves to see students grow in their desire and skill to worship our Creator through music. Avah married her husband Joel in 2020, and together they enjoy road trips, audiobooks, hiking with their enormous dog, and volunteering as youth group leaders.

Mrs. Avah Vroom
Latin, Music

EDUCATION COUNCIL

For now treat the Scripture of God as the face of God. Melt in its presence. — Saint Augustine

Nate has been the pastor of Christ Church Bellingham since 2009, when the church began. He studied Mathematics at Western Washington University (BS, MS) and the University of Washington. He received an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America since 2009. Nate and his wife Shannon have four children at TCS and are passionate about assisting Christian parents in discipling their children. Nate likes any sport with a ball, reading, running, and backpacking, and he loves the Lord Jesus, who has never failed him.

Pastor Nate Walker

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. — Augustine

Heather brings over 20 years of teaching experience, including teaching her own 5 children. She has consulted with and started multiple schools and programs, including classical schools, colleges, and performing arts programs. She has also helped develop a special needs program that can be adapted to fit existing school models.