Teachers & Staff


Our faculty is committed to continuously improving the quality of education they provide for our students.

The faculty at Corpus Christi School embraces professional learning opportunities through the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the local school districts, institutes and universities; highlighting the Van Andel Institute and the University of Notre Dame.  Our student-to-teacher ratios are enviable and contribute to our student’s academic success.  As we move forward in preparing our students for jobs which do not yet exist, we are challenged to provide the 21st century learning tools and experiences that will serve them long after elementary school.  Collaborative learning projects, problem solving skills, and seeking multiple solutions to the same problem are a few of the ways we can ensure their success in high school and beyond.


Bio

Mrs. Liniewski joined the Corpus Christi Catholic School faculty as our principal in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English for Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University as well as a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Mrs. Liniewski has eleven years of teaching experience, six of which are within Catholic education. She also holds a Secondary Teaching Certificate, Administrator’s Certificate, and Cognitive Coaching certification. She loves to travel and experience other cultures. She is a big sports fan (used to coach high school basketball) and loves to watch many games! When asked what she loves most about being a principal she said, “God gave me the love of teaching children and watching them grow and realize themselves as who He intended them to be. It is amazing to see a child learn and make connections, discovering their world and figuring out their place in it!”.


Early Childhood



Bio

Miss Chelsey Haske-Cecil grew up in Charlevoix, Michigan and had the opportunity to go to a Catholic Elementary School at a young age. She went to Central Michigan University in 2010. After four years of college, she moved to West Hollywood, California where she was a Nutrition Coach and Fitness Instructor. She made the move back to Michigan in 2016 to be with her family and started a job as a Nanny, where she discovered her love and passion for working with kids. She was working at a childcare Preschool for the past 3 years and joins Corpus Christi this year, 2022, as our Preschool Director.  She will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Central Michigan University this summer.

Chelsey is so honored to be a part of the Catholic community now as a teacher and is excited to have the opportunity to teach, inspire, and encourage the children while creating a safe place for students to find and grow in their faith and learning.


Bio

Mrs. Covington obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts and her Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum, both from Michigan State University. She began her teaching career in 2012 and joined the faculty here at Corpus Christi Catholic School in 2016. Mrs. Covington also is certified as Catechist and has a Literacy Specialist Endorsement.  She loves building community within her classroom and enjoys using service projects as a way to teach material.  Mrs. Covington loves photography, and her favorite subjects are her three children; two of which are Corpus Christi students.


Elementary School



Bio

Mrs. Patrick has 23 years of working experience in Catholic Schools and simply loves the family atmosphere of Corpus Christi. She began teaching in 1994 after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Aquinas College and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Western Michigan University. Mrs. Patrick came from a large family and was inspired to be a teacher due to her desire to work with children. She can teach any grade, but what she likes the most of working with little kids is to be able to see them begin their journey of learning. Nancy is also certified as an Advanced Catechist with an endorsement of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1, by the Dioceses of Grand Rapids.

Since Mrs. Patrick grew up on a dairy and apple farm in Alpine Township, she really enjoys gardening flowers and works on her small vegetable garden every year!


Bio

Mrs. Morales began her teaching career in 2001 after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University North Central. Mrs. Morales holds a State of Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education (ZG Endorsement). After committing to full-time motherhood for fourteen years, she returned to the classroom part-time in 2016. In 2021, Mrs. Morales joined Corpus Christi teaching 1st grade. When asked what she loves most about teaching, she responded “Being part of a young child’s journey to becoming a reader and writer is incredible. I cherish the opportunity to be present, as he or she grows in confidence and skills. Every morning, first graders come bouncing down the hallway to tell me stories. They tell me about their pets or the tooth fairy or their grandma’s birthday party. It’s awesome! At Corpus Christi Catholic School, we begin and end each day in prayer, and I am honored to share in the prayer lives of my students.” Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Morales enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, whose activities keep her hopping from the soccer and baseball fields to the performing arts center for music and theater.


Bio

Mrs. Plackowski graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Elementary Education and has completed Early Childhood Courses at Grand Valley State University. She started teaching preschool at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in 1995 and has been working with our youngest learners at Corpus Christi since our opening in 1999!  Amy’s dedication goes beyond the classroom and that is evident in the individual interaction that she has with each child and their parents! Now as a Second grade teacher, she is excited to guide the children in their preparation to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion. She is a certified catechist with training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Levels 1-3.

Mrs. Plackowski is happily married, and has two sons Ben and Nicholas, both of whom are graduates from our school. She enjoys camping and biking with her family during the summer months and her most recent hobby is bird watching.


Bio

Ms. Centilli is originally from Grand Rapids and was inspired to become a teacher by her father and great-grandmother, who were both teachers. She began teaching more than 20 years ago but has been working at Corpus Christi for over ten, where she has taught pretty much every grade. She felt attracted to our School because of the ability to combine the elements of Catholicism with a solid academic curriculum. She loves math and one of her favorite things to do is introducing new technologies to her students. She and her family are huge sports fans and gather often to watch different sporting events. Her favorite teams are University of Michigan and the Dallas Cowboys!

She has a BS degree in Mathematics from Aquinas, attended Western Michigan University where she obtained a MA in Educational Technology, and then received a certificate from Notre Dame in the English as a New Language Program after her Master’s Degree.


Bio

Mrs. Crimmins has been a Catholic School Teacher since 2005. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a focus in English Language Arts from Grand Valley State University. She holds certifications in K-8 English/Language Arts and K-5 Self-Contained Classroom. Mrs. Crimmins first career was as a dental hygienist before earning her teaching degree later in her life. She loves traveling to visit her children who live in Arizona, Kentucky, and Puerto Rico. Mrs. Crimmins is a proud “Nana” of seven amazing grandchildren. She recently purchased an electric bicycle that she enjoys riding around the northside of Holland, and especially out to Lake Michigan. When asked what she loves most about teaching she responded, “I love working with and nurturing young minds. I have always had a passion for teaching and love working in a Catholic school where I can also share my faith with the students I teach.“ Mrs. Crimmins has also earned 18 credits towards a Masters in the Art of Education from Aquinas College.


Middle School



Bio

Mrs. Peterson received her undergraduate degree from Hope College and her graduate degree from Aquinas College. She is certified to teach Kindergarten through Eighth grades and has been with us at Corpus Christi since 2013. Currently she is working on her Masters in the Art of Education. Mrs. Peterson does not consider teaching her job, she considers it her vocation. She loves to provide a welcoming environment for her students in which they feel comfortable and can be successful. She enjoys watching the student’s expressions go from lost and confused to “I get it”! Mrs. Peterson is especially grateful to be teaching at Corpus Christi where she can incorporate her faith into everything that she does. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Peterson enjoys reading and line dancing.


Bio

Mr. Schuon received his Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics and Master’s in Educational Technology from Eastern Michigan University. He had four years of teaching experience before joining Corpus Christi Catholic School staff in 2021. Mr. Schuon has a DE/EX Teaching Certification. When asked what he loves most about teaching he replied, “Being able to share the things that I enjoy and find interesting with my students”. In his free time, Mr. Schuon likes to spend time participating in two of his favorite hobbies, dirt biking and water skiing.


Bio

Megan Koster has been with us since 2008 and is probably one of our most experienced teachers, summarizing 31 years as an educator within the schools of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. She is a Reading Specialist and obtained her Bachelor in Language Arts and Social Science at Aquinas College. Throughout her teaching career she has always participated in several personal and professional development training opportunities facing the transformation of the environment in the classrooms. She has done this mainly through Aquinas College and Notre Dame University. Mrs. Koster is also an Advanced Catechist.

She is really passionate about teaching because she knows that, by inspiring, supporting and mentoring her students, she can make a difference in their lives, which goes far beyond knowledge. When she is free, her perfect moment is spending time at Lake Michigan with a good book. Best time ever!



Specials & Resource


Bio

Mrs. Belem Valdez is a Hope College graduate. She is a native Spanish speaker originally from Morelos, Mexico and has lived in Holland since 2014 with her husband and five children. Teaching Spanish at a Catholic School has allowed her to be herself by expressing her love for her language, culture and God. As an English learner herself, she clearly understands the challenges that come with mastering another language, so she is ready to support her students in every possible way so they can become real global citizens. In her free time, she loves outdoor activities like swimming in Lake Michigan and camping. She also loves books, cooking, and music.


Bio

Mrs. Sleeman received her Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Sport Administration from Hope College; as well as her K-12 certification in Physical Education, 7-12 certification in social studies composite and M.Ed. in Education Leadership from Grand Valley State University. She has been teaching since 2000 and began teaching here at Corpus Christi Catholic School in 2001. She has certifications in K-12 Physical Education and 7-12 Social Studies Composite. Mrs. Sleeman loves teaching and working with students as they are always changing, growing, and wanting to learn. She also loves to share her experiences, passion about sports, as well as information on health & wellness with our future leaders. She enjoys introducing them to fitness ideas that they otherwise may never know about or get to try. In her youth, Mrs. Sleeman was one tournament away from making it to the 1996 Olympics, but a knee injury ended her softball career. She loves to travel and ziplining while vacationing.


Bio

Mrs. Hernandez was born in Sinaloa, Mexico. Since Lourdes was very young she began to play at being the “Maestra” with her cousins and siblings and started to dream about becoming a teacher… Lourdes graduated 30 years ago as an Elementary Educator from the National Pedagogical University of Mexico and finally fulfilled her dream when she started working as a Kindergarten Educator in her home city, where she taught for about 16 years. Later, she moved to this country with her family and began the process to obtain a Child Development Associate certification in the State of Michigan.

Maestra Hernandez joined the Corpus Christi Catholic School Community in 2019 where she oversees our Advanced Spanish Program. She says that she loves being around kids because it makes her feel alive! The kids love her fun personality in class and how she incorporates music and other cultural experiences to teach them the language.


Bio

Nate is one of our youngest and newest teachers at Corpus Christi. He is from Bluffton, Ohio and graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2015 with a degree in Social Studies Education. Nate is also certified as a PreK-12 Physical Education Teacher but in our school, he is all about technology! He likes to bring the best out of each and every child that steps into his classroom, by supporting them and giving them the best tools to become good digital citizens, college-career, and life ready!
The students love the fact that Mr. Little and his wife have a miniature goldendoodle named Stuart Little.


Bio

Lisa Altamira comes to Corpus Christi as our Literacy Specialist this school year, 2021-2022; she retired from West Ottawa Public Schools after 31 years of teaching. She has her BA in Spanish, with a minor in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University and received her MA in Early Childhood from Western University. She is certified to teach all subjects K-5 (Elementary – self-contained), Spanish (FF) K-8 and Early Childhood Education PK-K (ZA). Mrs. Altamira believes that teaching is not a job, it’s a passion. She has a passion to help children learn and loves the look in their eyes when they feel good about what they have learned.

Mrs. Lisa Altamira was a LAUP (Latin Americans United for Progress) Queen in 1982. She loves roller skating, but not roller blading, as only the REAL skates will do for her!


Bio

Mrs. Katie Christoffersen grew up in Wayland, Michigan and was blessed to attend a Catholic Elementary School. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2013 with a degree in Special Education, majoring in psychology, minoring in elementary education, and having endorsements in cognitive and emotional impairments.  She started her career at Rockford Public Schools, as a middle school special education teacher. After having their first child, Katie and her husband moved to Holland to be closer to trails, the beach, and family.  Katie worked in West Ottawa Public Schools, and taught in an elementary autism classroom before the birth of their second child. She gained her Yoga Ed. Certification and worked with at-risk youth to teach healthy habits and bring yoga and mindfulness to the classroom. She is passionate about building relationships with her students, and loves to implement strategies and tools to help all learners be successful.

Katie joined the Corpus Christi family in 2022, as our behavioral support. She is so blessed to have the opportunity to work with our diverse group of student learners, and to collaborate with the amazing staff at the school!