Stepping Stones Preschool teacher named Pella Corp.'s "School Staff of the Month" for January

Becca Bleeker, a preschool teacher at Stepping Stones Preschool, was selected to receive Pella Corporation’s “School Staff of the Month” award for the month of January.

“I was not surprised when Becca was nominated,” says Christy Hulstein, director of Stepping Stones Preschool. “She is an outstanding teacher, and I’m excited that her excellence is being recognized. We are blessed to have her here.”

When Hulstein thinks of Bleeker, she thinks of Bleeker’s patience, kindness, gentleness, and other attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. She also thinks of Bleeker’s ability to bring joy to each day and make learning fun, by leading devotions, singing songs, doing puzzles, or building blocks with preschoolers.

“Becca loves her students well. She finds the beauty and uniqueness of each child and celebrates it. She is great at forming relationships with her preschoolers, their families, and co-workers,” says Hulstein. “Becca has touched many lives, and it is a privilege to know her as ‘Miss Becca.’”

The “School Staff of the Month” award was started at Pella Corporation in Sioux Center four years ago to recognize the value of teachers and the important role they hold in our community, says Denny Van Zanten, plant manager at Pella Corporation in Sioux Center.

“We at Pella felt like this would be a good way to give back and say thank you – to congratulate excellent teachers who are training our team members’ students and future Pella team members,” says Van Zanten.

To be considered for the “School Staff of the Month” award, teachers are nominated by parents, other teachers, or students. Schools included are all Sioux Center Public Schools and Sioux Center Christian Schools.

“We get many nominations every month,” says Van Zanten. “Our administrative assistant removes the teachers’ names and any school association, and then we send out the nominations to a committee who votes. They then vote on which one they feel is most deserving.”

The “School Staff of the Month” award recipient is given $500 in recognition of their ability to go above and beyond in their daily interactions with students.

As a nominator said of Bleeker, “it takes a special person to have the patience and energy to work with preschoolers, and she has been a great example of that. She relates well to students, and she answers the many, many, many questions she gets with grace and patience. She’s constantly incorporating new things in her classroom from the community, including parents, businesses, and other small field trips. I strongly recommend her for this recognition.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.