“I like all my subjects and all the teachers that go with them!”—5th grade Trinitas student
Head of School
Michele Hinthorne (B.A., Indiana Wesleyan University)
Mrs. Hinthorne is deeply committed to Classical Christian Education and the pursuit of Godly excellence. Her passion is developing, implementing, and leading Classical Christian programs. After earning a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement, she devoted the next 30 years to educating children of all ages and abilities, discovering a passion for teaching English grammar, writing, and literature. Michele’s professional journey is also steeped with experience in student and parent counseling, behavioral planning, teacher training, curriculum development, and school administration. She delights in the study of Classical Christian philosophy, curricula, and pedagogy. Above all else, Michele desires for each student to grow in Biblical wisdom and virtue, recognizing the roles of the triune God in their lives and preparing them to make a difference for Him in the world.
Kindergarten Teacher
Jill Hultink (B.S., Cornerstone University)
Mrs. Hultink studied elementary education and counseling psychology at Cornerstone College and has worked in a variety of educational and administrative settings aiding in preschool, developing a catechesis curriculum and program for school-age children, and managing the office of her family’s business. She also previously assisted with office responsibilities and was a classroom aide at Trinitas. We are pleased to have her as our kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Hultink is well suited for this position and is a warm and welcoming presence for all who come to the school, including our youngest students.
1st Grade Teacher
Ginnie Stawicki (M.A.T., James Madison University)
Mrs. Stawicki has a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with honors from James Madison University. She is an experienced elementary educator, having previously taught for seven years in Northern Virginia where she taught second and fourth grade and specialized in curriculum development as well as helping English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Before teaching, Mrs. Stawicki served in various part-time roles at Trinitas, helping with office duties and providing pull-out support for math to our fourth-grade class. Outside of school, she has served in a volunteer role to supplement Children’s Ministry curriculum materials at her church.
2nd Grade Teacher
Susan Mehari (B.A., Hillsdale College; M. Ed., Cornerstone University)
As an honors student at Hillsdale, Miss Mehari majored in history and minored in Spanish. Classically educated herself, she is a teacher who has both an excellent rapport with children and extensive knowledge of classical education. Miss Mehari is an invaluable member of the Trinitas community, as she brings a wealth of ideas, energy, and educational expertise to our school. Miss Mehari does a masterful job of transitioning her second graders to the responsibilities of 3rd grade.
3rd/4th Grade Teacher
Samantha Bodine (B.S., Pennsylvania State University; M. Ed., Gratz College)
Mrs. Bodine taught 7th and 8th grade history/geography for eight years in a suburban Philadelphia public school and spent summers teaching English in China, Romania and Bolivia. She helped launch a new Classical Conversations home school program in her area and served as Children’s Ministry Director, K-12, at her church in Pennsylvania. She has received ongoing training in classical philosophy and methodology and has a passion for classical education. With her 16 years of experience in education, Mrs. Bodine brings maturity, creativity, and energy to the classroom and the Trinitas community.
Bible/Greek/History/Logic/Dean of Academics and Admissions
Peter Marth (B.A., Concordia College; M. Div., Concordia Theological Seminary)
Before joining Trinitas for its inaugural year in 2006, Mr. Marth was senior pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hilbert, Wisconsin. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he taught 5th and 6th grade at St. Peter’s Lutheran school, where he designed and implemented a classically-based religion curriculum. Mr. Marth also taught Greek at Concordia College and courses in 7th and 8th grade at Zion Lutheran Academy, a classical school. A 2011 graduate of the St. Stephen’s Course in Orthodox Theology, he serves as a subdeacon in the Antiochian Orthodox Church. Mr. Marth brings to Trinitas a rare blend of administrative, pastoral, and academic experience in a classical setting. He has an excellent rapport with students, teachers, and parents alike. We are delighted to have a man of so many talents with us.
Grammar/Literature/Writing
Liana Williams (B.A., Hillsdale College)
Liana Williams is a graduate of Hillsdale College where she studied English Literature and classical education and was involved in ballet, piano, and community leadership. Growing up in a homeschooled family of ten, Ms. Williams enjoyed assisting her mother in the education of her younger siblings. She continued to grow in her love of working with children through her time as a camp counselor, and her passion for education was increased by her education classes at Hillsdale. Ms. Williams believes it is the intentional focus on student character that sets the classical approach apart from other forms of education. She is a certified Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) instructor, and she hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in classical education in the future. We are glad to have Ms. Williams guide our 5th through 8th grade students in the reading of great works of literature and in the discipline and art of writing.
Latin
Rebecca Tellinghuisen (B.A., Augustana College; M.A., North American Baptist Seminary)
Mrs. Tellinghuisen teaches 5th-8th grade Latin. A lover of language study from her middle school years, she studied Greek and Latin while pursuing a master’s degree in Bible and theology with a focus on early church history and theology of baptism. She served as a classroom aide in our Latin classes for many years while her children were attending Trinitas as homeschool partners. In addition to part-time homeschooling, she held various church positions in the areas of early childhood, youth educational ministries, and worship leadership. A co-founder of the Reader’s Theater program at Trinitas, she looks forward to helping our students enhance their knowledge and love of Latin through skits and plays. We are grateful for the combination of insight, creativity, and love of education that shines in all Mrs. Tellinghuisen does for Trinitas.
Logic/Math/Science/Physical Education
Robb Fynewever-Muyskens (B.S. and B.A., Calvin College)
Mr. Fynewever-Muyskens earned degrees in both geology and philosophy and has taught high school math, chemistry, physical science, geophysical science, biology, and honors physics as well as environmental sustainability classes. He has also taught science exploration classes for later elementary and middle school students as well as a rocketry course and prepared 6th-8th grade teams for the Michigan Aerospace Challenge and Davenport University’s Tivitz math game competition. In addition to his science teaching, he has served as a teacher-liaison to the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology and coaches baseball and soccer for players ranging in age from 5-14 years old. We are pleased to have Mr. Fynewever-Muyskens share his gifts and experience with our students.
Art/History/Administrative Assistant
Kate Therrien (B.A., Calvin College)
Trinitas alumna Mrs. Therrien graduated summa cum laude from Calvin University’s honors program with majors in philosophy and economics. After graduation, she taught sixth grade math, Bible, and history at Kirk Christian Day School in St. Louis for two years. Mrs. Therrien has previous experience working in the Trinitas office and is looking forward to returning to administrative work. She is eager to share her love of art with our students, her passion for history with 5th and 6th grade, and her gift of putting ideas into action with our staff and families.
Board of Trustees
Marcy Benedict
Mike Garabelli
Austin Hakes
Jeff Kirkpatrick
Robert Lough
Doug Poortenga
Julie Tatko