Giving Glory To The Creator: Meet Sacha Standfest

What do you teach at Traverse City Christian School?

I’m the Principal for the Elementary School and have the pleasure of teaching Fourth Grade Bible, Science and Social Studies.

What do you love about TC Christian?

I love the dedication of the teachers who truly love and care for their students as well as their co-workers. This deep love and care is not something one experiences at every school or place of work. The environment that is created by this love and care is one aspect of TC Christian that makes it truly unique.

Why do you like teaching at TC Christian? What motivated you to become a teacher at TC Christian?

I teach at TC Christian because I can daily take a subject and openly glorify God in what is taught. I can freely give glory to the true Creator in every item I teach. I was motivated to teach at TC Christian because I desired to freely incorporated the Bible and its teaching in my daily lessons.

How do you incorporate a Christian Worldview in your lessons at TCCS?

I incorporate a Christian Worldview in my lessons by looking at every subject and lesson as God would look at it. As students do this they also start to gain a better understanding of who God is.

What is a unique experience, talent or interest that you bring to your role to help shape the experience of students and their families?

My desire of wanting to be a helper and encourager to others is a key to both my teaching and administration role. Students and staff need to hear words of encouragement to stay engaged in both the learning and teaching process.

How have you seen God at work at TC Christian?  

I have seen God work in the lives of many colleagues, families and students. Numerous times I have seen God working by filling financial needs over and over for many who have made great financial sacrifices to be a part of TC Christian.

What sets TC Christian students apart from students in other schools?

The students at TC Christian learn to look at people wearing the lens of Jesus. They begin to think how would Jesus treat that person. This then plays out in their interactions with others.

A TC Christian tagline is “Teaching Students Purpose”. How do you accomplish this in your role at TCCS?

I teach students purpose by looking at the whole picture of why learning is important. You don’t just learn because the law says you have to. Students learn to develop their unique skills and characteristics because God desires for them to have knowledge to have dominion over the earth and to reach others in the name of Christ. Their education is just one of many tools that God provides for them to accomplish these things.

What do you want students to gain from having known you?

I would love my students to understand that they each have been blessed with unique gifts that God desires for them to use to bless and glorify His Kingdom. I also would love for my students to have seen a teacher who is not perfect but a loved daughter of God who truly loves them and prays that each of them will flourish in the name of Christ.