Vonda Smestad

Mrs. Smestad has a passion for working with young children.  She earned her bachelors degree in education from Calvin College and her Early Childhood Endorsement from GVSU.  Vonda has spent over 20 years working within a Preschool program.  She and her husband have raised four children and have two grandsons.  Vonda enjoys family time, reading, camping, and game night with friends.  She feels blessed to be here at Messiah as our Fantastic Fours Teacher and Director. This is Mrs. Smestad’s 10th year teaching/directing at Messiah.

vonda.smestad@messiahgr.org

JEREMY FABRIS

Mr. Fabris feels blessed to be called to work with the Terrific Three’s and Young Four’s class. This is his 4th year working in our preschool program. He earned a master’s degree in secondary education from University of Phoenix and most recently an endorsement for elementary education.  While much of his experience comes at the elementary level, he has participated with the Great Start Readiness Program, which focuses on early childhood.  He is married and has two young children.  When he is not working, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his family, watching football, and running.  He is excited to serve this community and teach not only educational and social/emotional concepts, but the love of Christ as well. Mr. Fabris and family have been members of Messiah for the last five years.

Dawn Dombrowski

We are excited for Ms. Dawn to share her experience and knowledge of littles ones with our Terrific Threes class! She has been involved in children's ministries at her church for 20 years, first with the 1-5 year olds on Sundays, then eventually working with 3rd graders all the way through high school age kids on Wednesday nights. Dawn is married with two children. She was blessed to be a stay-at-home Mom until her kids started school, at which time she started working part-time at Van’s Pastry Shoppe. This fall both her kids will be in college. When asked, Dawn said, “What I love most is spending time with my family. My favorite things are camping, kayaking, exploring the outdoors, traveling to new places, baking, and reading”.

Sally Hoogewind

Ms. Sally is in her 5th year at Messiah and serves as one of our Fantastic Fours classroom teachers as well as Lunch Bunch staff. Ms. Sally is married with 2 teenage children at home. She has an associate’s degree from GRCC with classes in Early Childhood Education. Sally has many years of volunteering in own children’s classrooms, serving as a GEMS counselor at church and babysitting. Sally says, “I love kids and I want to show God’s love through me.” Sally loves baking (she is famous for her banana bread), gardening, wood working, walking her dogs and going to the beach to swim and camp. Sally also trains puppies with “Paws With a Cause”. She has a servant heart and is a dedicated staff member.