February 23, 2012

Sandra Raak

Sandra writes,

I am a storyteller too and I would like to share some of my story with you. I first came to the United States from South America at the end of August of 2008 and three weeks later I started classes at Calvin College. I remember that my uncle picked me up from the Chicago O’Hare airport and I was feeling terribly intimidated because it was a huge building. I had a feeling that if I went in the wrong exit I was going to end up on the other side of the world.

Once at Calvin, I realized there were not very many Latin American students like me, but once I found them, they became my closest friends in college. I look back, and having lunch with them at least twice a week was what made me miss my family less.

After graduation, I had to decide if I was going to stay in the United States for another year or if I was going to go back home. On the one hand, the economic situation in Michigan was terrible but on the other hand, I had been dating Aaron Raak (TPH Class of 2005) for seven months. I stayed. After an intensive job search, I got an internship at WGVU Radio, where I wrote news stories, and a month later I got a job at “El Vocero Hispano,” where I currently work part-time. At “El Vocero,” I write stories in Spanish for the Hispanic population of Western Michigan.

Aaron and I got engaged in July 2010 and in March of 2011 we got married. We have been happily married since.

I have been at The Potter’s House for more than a month now and I have seen first-hand how wonderful it is to work in a community of believers. This is why I wanted to work and serve here.

Welcome, Sandra!

August 19, 2011

Meet Andy Solorio

New middle school teacher, Andy Solorio, believes an old Chinese proverb fairly sums up what education is all about; “Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand.”

Learn More

May 18, 2011

Record Breaking Track Star

Middle school student, Sekayi Bracey and her younger brother Stephan came home with medals from a national track championship. Read more about it in the Grand Rapids Press.

October 26, 2010

Starting middle school

Margo Lynde – going into Grade 6

Hi, I’m Margo Lynde. I am excited about going back to school because I just finished 5th grade and am eager to start middle school.

I’ve heard good things about the middle school teachers at the Potter’s House. When I go back to school, I will be happy to see some of my friends. What I like about the Potter’s House is that it is a Christ-centered school. The teachers are always leading children deeper into the Christian faith. I am glad to go to such a fine school and that I can have an excellent education. I am eagerly waiting to go to middle school at The Potter’s House so I can learn more.

October 26, 2010

Me and The Potter’s House

By 6th grade student, Bianca Rodriguez

Being at the Potter’s House has been a great experience for me. Every year that I spent at the Potter’s House was amazing.

Each year there was something new and I was so amazed and surprised at all the different things that the teachers had planned for us to do. Everything was so much fun, from all of the exciting trips to the simple classes that went on every day.

One grade that I really loved was fourth grade. It was kind of different but I liked it. One of the things that I loved about fourth grade was starting discipleship. In discipleship all of the students would split up into groups and we would do crafts together and talk about our relationship with God. Each group would also illustrate a bible verse. The bible verses would be put into our discipleship folders for an end of the month game called quiz bowl.

Another thing that I liked about fourth grade was the way they taught us about economics through the use of adventure bucks. It was just like a real bank! We had to learn how to use our money (adventure bucks) wisely. We could use the money to go on field trips and other school events.

Now that I’m moving into middle school, I feel anxious, nervous, and excited. Well, there’s a whole bunch of feelings mixed inside of me. But I’m very excited about getting to know new teachers and go to the awesome trips that I’ve heard about.

This was my story about me and The Potter’s House. Thanks for reading!