Our Staff
Matthew
Robinson
Favourite Verse: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Laurie
Gray
With more than 30 years experience of bookkeeping and small business, Laurie delights in using her gifts in ministry. She loves sharing the miraculous stories of God’s hand at work since the Foundation began. Her work is a blessing because she gets to see first hand the joy of Christian Education in action!
Laurie and her husband have ten grandchildren which keeps her very busy. She is active in her church, where she enjoys singing in the choir.
Favourite Verse: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Amy
Martin
Amy is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, where she earned a degree in Arts & Business. Prior to joining the Foundation team, she worked in administration, finance and children’s ministry. As part of her role, Amy strives to foster a welcoming environment and effective communication channels to serve the school community well. She also thoroughly enjoys interacting with students in the hallways and when they come to visit her in the office.
In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband and their three daughters. She likes to take walks, play games, read and bake.
Favourite Verse: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
Amber
O'Brien
As a former parent of a Foundation student Amber’s heart was broken when their time at the school came to an end, as the blessings experienced during that time went far beyond academics. The twists and turns that led her back to the school in 2024 are truly the kind that only God can weave, and to say she feels blessed to be back is an understatement. Amber is thrilled to be able to use her years of administrative experience for the glory of God and mission of Foundation Christian School.
In her free time Amber can be found at home, spending time with her favourite person in the world, her son. When he’s not keeping her busy, she’ll likely be reading, uttering “just one more page” on repeat or baking way too much for her small family.
Favourite Verse: Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Hillary
Weber
Hillary has spent the majority of her career doing daily supply work with the WRDSB after graduating from Laurier and Nipissing’s Concurrent Education program with a BA and a BEd. She unexpectedly made a change in the fall of 2021 to join the Foundation family as the 5-day kindy teacher. She loves the new home that she has found here in Winterbourne! Hillary and her husband Jeremy live in Elmira with their 4 children. They love the community they live in and are so glad to be able to invest in God’s kingdom so close to home and as a family. Their family is a loud one! They love dance parties, campfires, Friday family movie nights and especially the time they get to spend in Algonquin every summer at their family cottage. Hillary loves books and music and hopes to be able to foster a love of these things early in your children’s lives as it leads to so much future learning.
Favourite Verse: Many are the plans of a man's heart, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
Annet
Shantz
kindergarten Joshua 1:9
Annet graduated from the University of Waterloo and currently teaches kindergarten. She loves working with children and watching them blossom and grow into the boys and girls the Lord has created them to be. Annet’s favourite part of teaching kindergarten is being able to experience the joy and curiosity her students exude while learning. Besides teaching, Annet enjoys spending time with her husband, Brad, participating in outdoor activities, and reading.
Favourite Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.
Linda
Kenyon
Linda knows the Lord has called her to Foundation Christian School. She loves children and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with them each day. It is her heart’s desire to see them rooted deeply in the truths of God’s Word so that they can stand strong for the Lord and bring much glory to Him.
Linda graduated from Pensacola Christian College with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She brings over 10 years of teaching experience and thoroughly enjoys praying for and teaching foundational skills to her grade one students. In her spare time she also enjoys walking, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Favourite Verse: Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Doreen
Lachance
For 13 years, Doreen served in communities overseas. As a principal in Haiti, Fiji and Nepal, she learned many leadership skills, and the importance of good education. She counts it a privilege to share her personal journey of faith in Christ with her students. She wants to give them a widening circle of experience that includes a global perspective.
Doreen teaches grades 1 and 2. In her spare time, Doreen enjoys reading, music and further discovery of cross-cultural experiences.
Favourite Verse: The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Jennifer
Stumpf
Jennifer holds a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is thrilled to be called by God to be a part of the Foundation family and serve him as a teacher. She loves to go to work in a place where staff gather and seek to hear from God in devotions and prayer daily together. She lives in St. Clements with her husband Andy, who also teaches, and their four amazing children. Jennifer has a background in bible study and discipleship ministry and did outreach to university students for over 15 years. She loves God’s word and is happy to now have the chance to share it with elementary kids. She also loves the excitement of the learning process and enjoys just being with her students and getting to know each uniquely created person.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Heidi
Boose
Heidi is excited and honored to join the Foundation staff, marking her return to the classroom after a 17-year hiatus spent raising her four children and homeschooling them for nine years. She and her husband, Nick, along with their children, live in Elmira, where they are actively involved in their local church and community.
Throughout the years, Heidi has served in a variety of teaching and volunteer roles, and she is excited to combine her passion for teaching with her love for God’s Word, as she has the privilege of teaching and discipling her students at Foundation.
Heidi holds a B.A. from the University of Waterloo, a B.Ed. from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bible Certificate from Briercrest Bible College.
In her free time, Heidi enjoys reading, walking, playing the piano, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing at the family cottage in Haliburton.
Favourite Verse: When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Dave
Ellis
After about 15 years in public education, Dave is thrilled to be a part of the staff team here at Foundation. He considers it a great honour and privilege to play a role in the spiritual, academic, and social development of the children he teaches. He aims to inspire curiosity and to make learning fun. Dave lives in Elmira with his wife and three kids, and they attend Woodside Church. As a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan, he is accustomed to disappointment and being humbled. He enjoys downhill skiing in the winter, and tennis and golf in summer. Dave appreciates the simple things in life, like reading, drinking black coffee, or doing the Wordle. He is completely content on a trail in the woods, hand-feeding the chickadees, contemplating the beauty and wonder of God’s creation.
Favourite Verse: It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Bethany
Robinson
Bethany graduated from Trent University with degrees in International Development and Education. She loves ministry, and the wider world God has made. She has been blessed with amazing opportunities abroad as well as in Canada. Bethany has worked in drop in centers and a Compassion funded school in Ecuador. She also had the wonderful opportunity to work for Upper Grand District school board. When an opportunity opened up at Foundation she felt a deep stirring from God to move her ministry here. She is grateful for the amazing opportunities she gets each day to pray with her students. She loves mentoring and encouraging them in their journeys with God. She loves the amazing team that creates a welcoming and loving community with exceptional education. She believes Foundation Christian School is a special place. Bethany enjoys hanging out with her three sweet kids and wonderful husband. In her spare time she is a bookworm. If she isn’t reading you will find her with friends and family, diving deeper into God’s word, and spending time exploring this amazing world God has given us.
Favourite Verse: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Sherry
Bauman
Sherry has been working as a Christian educator since the beginning of her career more than twenty years ago. She counts it a great privilege to serve God’s kingdom by nurturing young minds to grow in their understanding of God’s attributes, his truths and practicing Christ-like character. Foundation Christian School provides a wonderful setting in which to participate in this work. Sherry also finds great joy in helping students reach their personal potential in the various subjects that she teaches. It is thrilling to observe a student complete a task they previously thought they could not accomplish. Sherry also enjoys many different hobbies. She loves to make greeting cards, design her own stamps, piece quilts, crochet, needle felt, paint and more. She jokes that she is a collector of artistic hobbies. Sherry also loves to read and does her best to stay caught up on the latest young adult fiction, so she can have discussions and make recommendations to her students.
Favourite Verse: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’
Jennifer
Skinner
Jennifer has been bilingual her whole life. She has been teaching our engaging French program for four years. She previously taught French Immersion for the Upper Grand District School Board. Now she models our core French program after immersion. She speaks mostly in French and the language is acquired as organically as possible. She shepherds the grade 7-8 class as homeroom teacher. Jennifer conveys the glory of God in teaching Language, History, and Geography. Her and her husband have an adorable son named William. Jennifer loves to cook, swim, and serve in ministry. She is excited to be able to teach and share her faith through her ministry at Foundation.
Favourite Verse: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Catherine
Dietz
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Favourite Verse: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Lauren
Gray
Music Joshua 1:9
Favourite Verse: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Sophie
Cote
Sophie is grateful that the Lord has opened the door for her to serve as a part-time French teacher at Foundation Christian school. Sophie has been blessed by the community this ministry represents from its staff, to parents, to students. Having a keen interest in learning, and a native French speaker born and raised in Quebec, Sophie hopes to impart her love for her mother tongue to her students. Sophie has held various roles within children’s ministries and hopes for young ones to come to know Jesus personally. She loves cultivating students’ curiosity about God and his creation. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking. Sophie holds a BA in Fine-Arts and Economics and an MA in Economics from the University of Waterloo.
Favourite Verse: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Sarah
Serez
Sarah delights in being surprised by God’s plans for her, and his leading to her position at Foundation is no exception. Sarah currently splits her time at school between teaching intermediate French classes and working as an educational assistant. She loves to learn and feels that the study of a second language is fascinating, practical and inexhaustible. Her own knowledge of French was acquired through growing up in an immersion program and she hopes that her students will discover some of the same interest she had at their age. Sarah’s postsecondary background is in biomedical science and nutrition and she still enjoys the occasional flip through her anatomy colouring book, as well as reading, doing cross-stitch, and playing volleyball at a local church with her husband, James. The two of them live in a quirky little apartment in Kitchener, not far from her hometown of Elmira.
Favourite Verse: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Janessa
Lichty
Favourite Verse: From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Natashia
Esseltine
After spending the last several years working as an EA for Upper Grand District School board, Tashia felt a strong calling to become part of the Foundation team. She is deeply committed to supporting teachers and students with their individual educational needs. She enjoys finding any opportunity to celebrate small accomplishments with her students and loves watching them grow. Tashia feels privileged to work with such a united team and appreciates the time spent in prayer each morning.
Tashia is always up for an adventure and loves spending time with family and friends especially while camping. She is blessed with 3 sons and a wonderful husband who find many ways to enjoy the outdoors together.
Favourite Verse: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Kristen
Freeman
Kristen has been an Educational Assistant at Foundation Christian School for several years. She graduated from the Educational Assistant Program at Fleming College, then worked for WRDSB. She then made the move into ministry at Foundation Christian School. Her passion to help children learn has taken her to a variety of schools in Alberta, Nunavut, Peterborough and Waterloo. Kristen loves helping children achieve that “lightbulb” moment when things start to click. Her mission is working alongside the rest of the Foundation staff to help each child achieve their goals. In her spare time she loves to be active in whatever way she can. That might include going for a run, zumba, soccer, volleyball or taking a walk outside. Kristen loves spending time with her family and friends as well as baking. Any chance they get, you will find her husband and her exploring the great outdoors.
Favourite Verse: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Tara
Durston
Tara joined the Foundation staff team in 2022. She is a graduate from the Educational Assistant program at Conestoga College and spent a few years working for the WRDSB. She also spent six years providing IBI therapy for young children with Autism. She loves teaching and enjoys seeing children learn about the world around them. Tara considers her role as an EA an honour and privilege, and is thankful to God for the opportunity to invest in the lives of students at school. She loves spending time outside in God’s beautiful creation, and making memories with her husband and three daughters.
Favourite Verse: It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed
Sylvia
Wideman
Sylvia is a graduate from the Social Service Worker program at Conestoga College. Ever since she was old enough to join the work force she has worked with children in different capacities including camps, nannying, and daycare settings. As an EA here at Foundation she absolutely loves getting to know every child and the opportunity to build a relationship with each one she interacts with. She loves being able to share the love of Jesus with each student, and appreciates how that is the focal point of foundation; she finds it such a blessing to call this her workplace. Sylvia lives nearby on a dairy farm with her husband. They are involved with their church in youth and music. She has too many hobbies to keep up with! Some include; time with friends and family, music, creating art, and outdoor activities like sports and camping.
Favourite Verse: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…..
Renata
Molnar
Renata joined the Foundation team in 2024, assisting in the kindergarten classroom. She is a graduate of the Recreation and Leisure program from Conestoga College, focusing on elementary students. She ran an after school children’s program and summer camp. She loves to experience life through the eyes of little ones, who give a simple and straight forward perspective. She feels privileged to help shape them in their life journey, and is so encouraged by their uncomplicated faith in Jesus. She enjoys her adventurous boys, who love the outdoors and always come up with new hobbies to explore, along with also appreciating the quiet moments, with a cup of tea and some good dark chocolate.
Favourite Verse: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.