Teacher Biographies

Keith Vanderzwan became the principal of East Palmyra Christian School in 1993. He brings to the school the experience of teaching PE, math, accounting, of administration, of working with emotionally disturbed students, and of twenty-five years of coaching. Having coached a number of EPCS soccer and basketball teams in past years, he now concentrates on coaching the EPCS Girls Volleyball team as well as the Webster Christian High School Girls Varsity Volleyball team. His relationship with the students is a very positive one and he enjoys his “mixed bag” of being an administrator, teacher, and coach very much.

Keith holds a BA degree in Education and is currently in the Master of Education program at Dordt College. Keith’s hopes are that EPCS may be a reflection of a Christian community at work in God’s world, a school that operates collaboratively, teachers with students, students with teachers, and students with students, a school that is a light in the darkness, and a school whose teachers and students demonstrate God’s redeeming love in education, relationships, and discipline.

Jean Starkenburg

Pre-School, Kindergarten, and Resource Room

Since 1973 Jean has been involved at EPCS as a parent, board member, and teacher. She received her Masters Degree in Reading from Nazareth College in Rochester and BA in Elementary Education from Dordt College. Jean expresses her "admiration for the dedicated parents, grandparents, friends and staff who make possible East Palmyra Christian School's unique well-rounded, outstanding education. EPCS is a place where students are not sheltered, are given freedom to study, discern, and learn in the light of real Truth, to see that the universe and all we study belongs to God. Area high schools recognize our students as having good study habits, a sense of perspective, and a strong academic foundation." Jean lives with her husband in East Palmyra. Her oldest son is a missionary teacher in Nicaragua, while her daughter, son-in-law live in Michigan, and her youngest son resides in Chicago.

Angela Szymanski

First and Second Grade

Joining us in fall, 2006, Angela Szymanski is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Special Education. Angela comes with two years of substitute teaching experience. She also teaches the first grade Sunday School class at her church. Angela says, “I have wanted to teach and feel that I have been called to teach for as long as I can remember. I love finding ways to help students reach their potential. I look forward to working with the staff and parents of East Palmyra Christian School. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be working at this school and to be able to serve God as a teacher here.”

Nicole Feinour

Third and Fourth Grade

Joining our faculty in the fall of 2007 is Nicole Feinour. Nicole was born and raised in Pennsylvania and moved to Fairport in 2005. She received her BS in Elementary Education from Messiah College and is currently working on her MA in American History at SUNY Brockport. She has been working in the education field for ten years with students in grades 1-8 in various settings. Nicole is very excited about her upcoming year at EPCS and the opportunity to work with the students, staff, and parents.

Judy Rachow

Fifth and Sixth Grade

Judy's sound, calm techniques of educating have granted her distinction as an excellent teacher. Judy received her BS from Summit Christian College, or as it is known today, Taylor University at Fort Wayne. A part of EPCS since 1993, she earned her Master of Science in Education Degree from SUNY Brockport in September 2004. Judy lives in Marion with her husband. Judy reflects upon EPCS -- "being allowed to teach and nurture students not only in essential skills and knowledge, but more importantly, in the knowledge and wisdom of God and His ways, has been a source of great pleasure, as well as an interesting challenge."

Kathleen Cornwell

Handchimes, Vocal Instructor, Instrumental and Band Instructor

Kathleen joined the staff at EPCS part-time as the Instrumental and Band Instructor in the spring of 1998. During the fall of 2002 she added the duties of teaching Second Grade Reading and Math. Before coming to EPCS Kathleen taught in the Newark Central School District. She received her Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Music from Ithaca College. Kathleen has found teaching at EPCS very rewarding because of the high expectations of the students and the dedication and support of her co-workers. She lives in Newark with her husband Jason and their two children, both of whom attend EPCS. She has seen God working in the band program and prays it will continue to grow and reflect God's glory for our community.

Janet Brusso

Seventh/Eighth Grade Spanish

Janet lives in Macedon with her husband, Jim Behrens. She has 15 years of teaching Spanish and Bible Studies in various district around the area. Janet is very glad she has come out of retirement to teach Spanish at EPCS. She received her BA from Nazareth, and her MA from SUNY Albany.

2023 East Palmyra-Port Gibson Road, Palmyra, NY 14522
Phone: 315-597-4400 Fax: 315-597-9717 Email: epcsmail@rochester.rr.com

2008. Copyright Notice: No materials on any of the East Palmyra Christian School WWW pages may be copied without express written permission.

This page was last updated by epcscaretaker on 05/20/2008