Imagine twenty-three uninterrupted years of attending Orangeville Christian School. This thought is bound to bring a variety of responses ranging from a nervous twitch, to a gleam in the eye, and for one special teacher, a song on the lips.

Mrs. Ann Van Harten
While Ann was still in high school, God called her to become a teacher. She followed His leading and graduated from Dordt College in Sioux Centre, Iowa, ready to begin her teaching career. Ann’s first teaching positions were at Immanuel Christian School in Lethbridge, Alberta and Bulkley Valley Christian School in Smithers, British Columbia. After seven years out west, Ann moved to Orangeville, Ontario to raise three daughters and two sons with her husband, Carl. In 1997, she accepted a kindergarten position at OCS where she has served for the past 23 years.
All her students will remember her kind, passionate demeanor as well as her habit of singing in the classroom, hallway, and gymnasium. In addition to the 3 R’s, Ann’s students always looked forward to playing inside and outside, and especially, the Friday afternoon Veggie Tales movie. Students and staff, as well as volunteers, were the benefactors of her organizational skills for the annual OCS Field Day. The event was always enjoyed by everyone.
In addition to her teaching skills, Ann also has a gift for finding the perfect words. You could always find her taking minutes at our staff meetings on her Apple iPod. I am sure that she is very thankful that she had the opportunity to use her technology skills to provide online learning for her junior kindergarten students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Her final 4 months at OCS will not soon be forgotten.
Ann’s steady, consistent presence in the kindergarten division will definitely be missed. We look forward to adding her name to our supply teacher list but we also want to wish her God’s richest blessings as she enters the next stage in her life. We are very proud that after 23 years at Orangeville Christian School, you will finally be graduating! Your legacy of learning will always be remembered and you will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
On behalf of your colleagues (past and present),
Sincerely,
Rick Schenk
Principal
Orangeville Christian School