When my family left the mission field and moved to Colorado in 2007, we knew only one family in Littleton. Along with a favorite dentist, doctor, and insurance agent, they highly recommended FRCS as a good landing place for our two children. As 4th and 6th graders, Kai and Bekka were coming from a small village and tiny missionary school in Germany. That was the only life they’d ever experienced. At the beginning, they found American life to be loud, big, busy, and uncomfortable. Front Range turned out to be exactly the right place for my children, as well as for my whole family. The families and staff helped us as we navigated unknown waters and established ourselves in a new place. We were all accepted and loved, the kids were brought up to speed on American culture, and we were deeply cared for from the earliest days. FRCS welcomed and embraced us in a beautiful way.
My children were able to spend three sweet years at FRCS and those years were pivotal in their academic, spiritual, and emotional growth. They grew in their love for the Lord. They were mentored by amazing teachers who cared for their souls as much as their minds. They found friends whose parents also impacted them deeply. They were introduced to a wider world and the work God is doing in it. The families of our children’s friends became our friends as well. Some of them are still our dearest friends. We’ve walked through a lot of life together.
When my husband was underemployed for three years, FRCS came alongside us in prayer, encouragement, and practical help. As we navigated disintegrating mental health and frightening, dark days with one of our children, colleagues and administration at FRCS stood by us. They wept with us, prayed with us, and went searching with us. They always showed grace and support when I was not in my best frame of mind as an employee. This community has seen me through many trials, disappointments, and losses as well as celebrations, new life, and victories. I am beyond grateful.
Sixteen and a half years later, I still believe FRCS is exactly the right place for me to be. As an educator, I am encouraged to use my gifts, create new curriculum, introduce imaginative and novel approaches to learning, and to seek higher education. As someone who is passionate about mental health, I’ve been given space and resources to bring awareness to our community. I’ve been supported in establishing groups, programs, and trainings which I wish we would have had as a young family. As a mom of adult children and now as a grandma, I am still shown grace, love and support by my colleagues and administration when family matters arise.
My daughter is now a public school teacher, and her experience is vastly different than mine. The parents of my students consistently let me know that I am valued. My students themselves inspire me to be a better teacher, a better listener, a better mentor. They make me want to grow closer to God so I can shepherd them well. That’s all because Front Range is more than just a school. It is a living, breathing, beautiful community; broken and sinful like each of its individual members, but always seeking to honor God and love one another well. I can’t imagine a better place to work, serve, grow, and love.
