November 20, 2019
Faculty Profile: Steve Willemssen
What motivated you to become a teacher?
When I was in high school, I started noticing the influence that teachers had over students’ learning and also the direction of their lives. I was inspired to be used by God in some small way for direction in students’ lives.
What are your favorite moments with students?
I love the moments when the various goals of my classroom come together: musical excellence, spiritual growth, service to others, and strong community. It is a special thing to see students embrace the memorable times when all these goals fuse together in a single experience – often on a tour performance, a musical, a concert, or a community service performance.
What is the most important life lesson you want your students to learn in your class?
Other than Jesus loves you, I want students to learn that developing musical excellence in a community setting is a powerful tool for serving the world.
Why are you passionate about the subjects that you teach?
There is a special bond between people who make music together, and God can use that bond to grow people closer to him.
What advice do you have for parents considering Christian education?
You can trust God to lead you in your education decision. He will work in and through your kids. It is important to consider that worldviews are taught everywhere implicitly or explicitly The role of a parent in helping students process worldview – at whatever school they attend – is so essential.
At Wheaton Academy, we believe that students grow to become like their teachers (Luke 6:40)—that’s why it’s so important that 100% of our faculty, coaches, and staff are empowered to speak Biblical truth to our students.