I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that God has smiled on me enough to bring me to the Unity family this year.  Even though I moved away from a city that I love, I am loving it in the Fulton area now.  My name is Erica Vander Velde and this is my first year teaching at Unity.  In fact, it is my first time teaching.  I graduated from Trinity Christian College (go Trolls!) in 1998 with a BA in Communication Arts.  I decided to go into the hospitality industry and was in mangagement for about 7 years.  After about 6 years, I got "bit" by the teaching bug and went back to Trinity to get my teaching certificate and graduated with honors in December of 2006. 

Prior to teaching at Unity, I student taught in 7th grade at Dirksen Jr. High in Joliet (District 86) and then taught 5th grade at Sandburg Elementary School in Joliet (same district).  Teaching is something I would do for free if it wasn't for those pesky bills that adults have to pay from time-to-time.  I know that I am meant to be here with these kids at this time for a reason which is still remains to be seen.  Our God is good and He will not leave me alone - a fact which is proven to me day after day.

It is my hope for each student I encounter that he/she realizes that we have this wonderful thing called language - a tool that can be used to build up or tear down.  We use that language with a tongue which is the most powerful force in the human body.  Language can be used to confirm or deny our love of God; it can be used to make Him happy or unhappy.  We also have a mind that has this wonderful power of discernment - a tool that I want to sharpen daily with discussions and critical thinking. 

May the students I teach be able to see the love of a God who has saved me over and over and over again.  May I be able to show the love of my King over and over and over.  Thank you all for trusting me to be able to teach your kids.  I consider them mine as well.