TEACHERS
Our teachers prepare a developmentally appropriate, comfortable classroom environment that encourages independence, freedom within limits, and respect for each child's psychological, physical, and social development. It incorporates self-directed activity as well as hands-on and collaborative learning opportunities for the students. Teachers guide each child through the learning process by using materials that meet their needs at every stage of their life.
Nathaniel Brock
Nathaniel joined the staff of the Oak Arbor Church School, now Oak Arbor Church Montessori School in 1992 and has taught 4th - 6th grade students throughout his career. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Kutztown University, and his Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership from Oakland University. And, most recently, he began training as an Upper Elementary Montessori teacher. Nathaniel is also on the administrative staff of the school. His interest in alternative forms of education as well as a tip from a previous student who trained in Montessori, led him to lead the charge on bringing Montessori to Oak Arbor. Nathaniel is an avid gardener, cheesemaker, and piano player and enjoys bringing these interests to his school work.
[email protected]
https://oakarborschool.org/classrooms/upper-elementary-age-9-12/
Steven Gunther
Pastor Steven moved to Oak Arbor with his family in the summer of 2022 and has loved his time here. Prior to joining the ministry he studied American Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with distinction in 2016. He has always taken a special interest in education and has spent much of his free time independently studying education and special educational philosophy. He is particularly passionate about teaching and supporting diverse groups of learners. He sees his roles as a pastor and educator as coming together in support not only the academic success of his students, but also the social, emotional, and spiritual development of each student as an individual.
Pastor Steven teaches religion to the middle school students and history/science to the upper elementary students. He also supports the school by greeting students in the mornings and providing morning worship both in the classroom and in whole-school chapel.
Judi grew up in the U.K. and moved to the States in 1981. She has a B.S. in Education from Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania. She joined the Oak Arbor School faculty in 2008. In the summer of 2019 she trained at the Michigan Montessori Teacher's Education Center in Waterford, Michigan and received her AMS Lower Elementary Montessori diploma in 2021.
Erika Linehan
Erika earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education at Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania. She served as an assistant teacher and student support teacher for three years at the Bryn Athyn Elementary school in Kindergarten, First, and Second grades. Erika joined the staff of Oak Arbor Church School in 2016 as the Third and Fourth-grade classroom teacher. She then began her Montessori Primary Training from Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center in 2019, has certification through the American Montessori Society, and now serves as our Lead Primary Guide. Her enjoyment of crafts has come in handy as she continues to develop our Primary Program. Erika enjoys hiking and lake sports during the summer, and puzzles and skating during our cold Michigan winters.
Camille Rodda
Camille joined Oak Arbor 6 years ago as our K - 2nd-grade art teacher. She quickly found many opportunities to use her creative background, and her job extended to Outreach Coordinator and Admissions Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Architecture, which she received from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Her job description has many hats; designing school flyers, banners, marketing, designing interior spaces, coordinating events, and overseeing our admissions process. She loves working at Oak Arbor as the faculty and students feel like family. Working here is fun and rewarding. She and her husband are from South Africa; they have three teenage boys who attended Oak Arbor. Their family loves the outdoors and enjoys traveling, camping, and boating in the summer, and skiing in the winter.
248. 652. 3420 x 2020
[email protected]
https://oakarborschool.org/classrooms/enrichmentactivities/
Maggie Boorsma
Maggie is joining our staff in the Fall of 2024. She is currently a teacher at Red Piano Music Studio
Kristin Pitcairn
Kristin received an Associate of Arts degree from Academy of the New Church College in Bryn Athyn, PA in 1982. She then continued her schooling and received a Bachelor of Science of Nursing from University of Northern Colorado in 1983 and became a Registered Nurse. During that time she married and had four children. She moved back to Michigan, her home state when her first child was a year old. Her passion was raising the children as a stay-home mother, enjoying and encouraging their activities which included sports, music, scouts and much more. In addition she has been mentoring needy children through various programs for the past 30 years, along with becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster care children). Her own children all attended Oak Arbor Church School for their elementary school years. In 2000 she was asked to join the now Oak Arbor Montessori School as the physical education teacher which she is still doing 21 years later! Kristin has many hobbies which include crafts, sports, camping, hiking, swimming, biking, running, cross country skiing, golf, yoga and anything physical. She has completed 13 Ironman triathlons, 5 full marathons, many 1/2 marathons, snow shoe races, tennis tournaments, and more. Most of all she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and family. Teaching students PE is not work - it is fulfilling her passion of sharing her loves of fitness, nutrition, science of the physical body, and community.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Our administrative staff work enthusiastically to run our school. They are always willing to answer any questions they can.
Liane de Chazal
Liane has worked in the front office for 11 years. She and her husband Aaron have lived in Rochester for 25 years, and their three children are alumni of Oak Arbor School. She has a bachelor's degree in Art History from the University of Mary Washington and has worked behind the scenes in museums and galleries. Before becoming an official admin, she also taught ballet classes and ran a mother's group and school fundraisers. She loves being able to support the wonderful staff, students, and families of Oak Arbor School.
[email protected]
(248) 652-3420 - Main Office
(248) 652-7711 - Facsimile
Camille Rodda
Camille joined Oak Arbor 6 years ago as our K - 2nd-grade art teacher. She quickly found many opportunities to use her creative background, and her job extended to Outreach Coordinator and Admissions Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Architecture, which she received from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Her job description has many hats; designing school flyers, banners, marketing, designing interior spaces, coordinating events, and overseeing our admissions process. She loves working at Oak Arbor as the faculty and students feel like family. Working here is fun and rewarding. She and her husband are from South Africa; they have three teenage boys who attended Oak Arbor. Their family loves the outdoors and enjoys traveling, camping, and boating in the summer, and skiing in the winter.
248. 652. 3420 x 2020
[email protected]
Cara Clay
Cara has been the Assistant Treasurer for the Oak Arbor Church and School since 2009. She holds an A.A. from Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania, and a B.S. from Virginia Tech. She also works as a bookkeeper for a local insurance agency.
Cara and her husband, Greg, have lived in Rochester for over 30 years and they have three adult children. She enjoys cooking, oil painting and spending time with loved ones. Gardening is another of Cara’s passions, and she helps organize church volunteers to keep the Oak Arbor Church gardens beautiful.
[email protected]