SHANNON FOREST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Monday, May 10, 2004

by Alex Waddell, 6th Grade student

Mrs Joyce Stocks

Shannon Forest Christian School Lower School Principal, Joyce Stocks, is a well-traveled and adventurous person. She has been to numerous states including Ohio, Texas, and Alaska where her son, Zach, is currently in college. It has even been reported that she rides motorcycles. Her favorite type of food is Mexican and she has many favorite books, though her most favorite is the Bible.

Mrs. Stocks is currently serving in her second year at Shannon Forest and describes herself as joyful, diligent and creative. When asked to describe her principal, Mrs. Tammie Glasgow, a K5 Aide, stated, “She is serious and gets the job done.” Mrs. Karen Waddell, Music Teacher, is quoted as saying, “ Mrs. Stocks is a hands-on principal.”

As principal, Mrs. Stocks is involved in the many aspects of education. She visits classrooms, holds meetings with parents, participates in administrative meetings and sees students everyday. In the future she would like to see Shannon offer Drama classes to elementary students. Her goals include to continue taking graduate courses and working toward preschool accreditation.

Mrs. Stocks chose to serve at Shannon because of the high regard for Christian education she saw present. She said, “Christian education lays a foundation that helps us make decisions.”

by Caroline McDonald, 6th Grade student

Mrs Mary Reinink

From her early school years to the present, Christian education has been a priority in Mrs. Reinink’s life. Just before WWII, Mrs. Reinink’s parents and her two older brothers immigrated from the Netherlands to America on a Dutch ship. Mrs. Reinink was born November 22, one month after the Dutch boat docked in Patterson, New Jersey. Otherwise, she would have been a citizen of the Netherlands, not the United States.

While growing up in the United States, Mrs. Reinink always attended a Christian school. She went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she majored in German. There she also met a Dutch boy whom she later married. They have been married 46 years and have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Mrs. Reinink and her family moved to Greenville in 1979. She continued her commitment to Christian education by teaching at Shannon Forest Christian School for 25 years. Since her family was Presbyterian, they needed a Presbyterian Christian school with a high school for her oldest children; also Mrs. Reinink wanted to return to teaching. The first year her children were at Shannon Forest she served as a substitute teacher. Since she liked the students and the school, she began teaching full-time at Shannon Forest. When asked what makes Mrs. Reinink a good teacher, 8th Grade student Meredith McDonald replied, “She is very organized.” This is true because she rises at 5:15 a.m., has her devotion while eating breakfast, leaves home at 6:30 a.m. and arrives at Shannon Forest promptly at 6:45 a.m., to get organized for the day.

Mrs. Reinink’s commitment to Christian education is reflected in her vision for Shannon Forest. She would like Shannon Forest to continue in academic excellence by having a broader Middle School, an Upper School Music Program and an updated Computer Technology and Science Lab.

Mrs. Reinink believes a Christian education is important for several reasons. First, it shapes the morals and values of a child. Secondly, it provides the tools needed to defend your faith. Finally, it allows you to share the Christian faith with others. These principles are reflected in her commitment to Christian education both for herself and SFCS.

	May 3, 2004 - "The Enforcer"
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