Mrs. Sharon Leerar

Professional Biography

I graduated from Calvin College in 1989 with a teaching degree.  I taught at Elim Christian School in Palos Heights, Illinois for 2 years.  Following that experience, I went on to teach at Highland Christian School in Highland, Indiana for 4 years in their Discovery Center.  During the years I stayed home with my children, I continued to be involved in education by volunteering and testing at both Hudsonville Christian and Heritage Christian School.  I returned to teaching in 2006 to begin the SOAR program at HCS.  As part of growing professionally while teaching at HCS, I have taken college classes, participated in workshops, became a Restorative Circle Facilitator and a certified Cognitive Coach.  I have also been a participant in the two-year project based learning professional development of OAISD.

Personal Biography

My husband Phil and I live in Hudsonville and enjoy spending time with our adult kids, John and Allie.  I am a graduate of HCS as are my kids.  Phil and I can be found biking in the summer.  We also enjoy a good book and a walk.

Philosophical Biography

I am humbled by the opportunity to teach at Hudsonville Christian School.  I have the opportunity to provide challenging experiences and curriculum that push students out of their comfort zone, helping them to more fully discover, accept, and develop their God- given gifts and abilities. I value children as fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator (Ps. 139).  An emphasis in SOAR is on the process of learning.  Students do not “arrive” but continually grow in their understanding of academic concepts and more importantly in their understanding of themselves as learners and children of God.  Students are offered opportunities in SOAR that cause them to bump up against hard things that “make their brains hurt”.  My goal as their teacher is for students to grow in their ability to tackle tough stuff.  Often highly able students shut down when something is hard.  Students work on embracing mistakes while keeping a growth mindset.