Nathan Weemhoff

Class of 2001

Role: History | Economics/Government | Understanding The Times | Bible

Wearing Army green, providing security for a United States President-elect, and deploying to the battlefields of the Middle East are a long way from a classroom at TC Christian, but for Nathan Weemhoff, the journey from one to the other makes all the sense in the world.

“I love all things military and history,” says Nathan. “Serving in the Army was a natural decision for me.”

Nathan enrolled at TC Christian in 9th grade after attending Ebenezer Christian, “a little three-room schoolhouse” in Ellsworth, MI. Before that, he and his siblings, along with mom and dad, had lived in various locales in Michigan as well as a stint in Nova Scotia, Canada. “My Dad was a pastor, so we got to experience several different communities growing up.” TC Christian was a big change from the small school in Ellsworth. More space, more people, more offerings. Because Nathan’s class was part of the first generation of students, there was a sense of energy in the classes, friendships, and especially the athletic teams they fielded. Nathan quickly found a spot on the Sabres’ Varsity soccer team, a game he has loved since a boy. “I couldn’t wait for the season to start,” he remembers. “We had a great team, too, and we really worked well together.” Nathan’s love of history meant that he found that subject naturally fascinating but another favorite surprised him. “I found I loved English literature,” he says. “Anyone who knows me knows I wasn’t big on grammar, but the depth and meaning in stories captivated my imagination.” It’s still something Nathan gets excited about to this day. “There is nothing like a good story,” he says. Several teachers stood out to Nathan while a student at TC Christian. He credits Judy Radtke with working with him regularly in algebra to get him through to graduation. Tom Broderick’s Bible class was always enjoyable and challenging. And Anthony Weber opened up the world of literature to him.

“I’m so fortunate to have Judy and Tom as colleagues now, and to have Anthony serving on our Board. They inspire me every day and I turn to them often for advice and counsel. I’m blessed to call them friends,” says Nathan. Following graduation, Nathan attended Calvin College to study history and secondary education. “I liked it so much I spent the next 5 years trying to graduate,” he laughs. “Those years really did shape me for both good and bad, as college does. My faith was tested, but I learned that Christians are called to be agents of renewal in this world even as we share God’s Word.”

Another event that shaped Nathan was the terrorist attack on 9/11, and the subsequent War on Terror. “I knew when I graduated where I was headed next,” he said. Following graduation from Calvin, Nathan enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard as an Infantryman and within a year of graduation was in Ramadi, Iraq, working with the Iraqi police, providing security for President-elect Obama, and doing foot patrols. “I’m proud of the work we were able to do there with the Iraqi Police even though it cost friends.” It cost Nathan, too. “I still need meds to sleep at night,” he says. Following that deployment, Nathan did another tour in Kunduz, Afghanistan, where the work done with the Border Police made the area a little safer for the local people. Nathan is philosophical about his service and what it meant to him. “All of these experiences helped me to teach and understand history and the world at large in a richer, tragic, and somehow wonderful way.“ Today, Nathan and his wife Stephanie, a native of Traverse City, have two sons: Benjamin, who is in Kindergarten at TCCS; and William, a toddler at home. “My son is thriving at TC Christian,” says Nathan. He credits the loving environment that exists because there are no restrictions on Christian faith. “Benjamin’s teachers love the Lord and they cannot help but pass that on to their children. He has been welcomed and encouraged by friends and teachers alike. Even older students make a point of high-fiving him in the hallways. Steph and I appreciate that so much.” The Weemhoffs attend New Hope Community Church and volunteer as Youth Group leaders. Hikes and road trip adventures sum up what they like to do together, along with the odd Mario Kart tournament. Nathan’s passion for history is never far away. “Personally, I like reading military history,” he says, “watching anything Star Trek or Star Wars (I am an equal fan), and studying World War 2-era tanks.” As a teacher at TC Christian, Nathan feels TCCS is still very much like the shiny new school he attended as a teen. “It’s very Christ-centered, the students are respectful, and it’s a fun place to be.” In his role as a teacher, Nathan gets great satisfaction from his interaction with students. The daily conversations he has with them about the world around them are both funny and insightful. They provide great opportunities to teach in the way Jesus did, with stories and examples, rather than a lecture. “I love when truth becomes real to them,” he says. “When they figure something out, when they grasp a new concept. My philosophy has always been that each day is a new day and a fresh start with the students. Encouragement, challenge, and accountability are my watch words.”

When asked what stands out as a poignant moment during his time teaching at TC Christian, Nathan responds with something that’s unique to the TC Christian experience. “Each year, I have the honor to write and share a Blessing with one or more graduating students.”

The Blessing is an exhortation provided by a teacher as part of the graduation process to a student with whom they have a relationship. It is shared in front of the student, their peers, and their family and is at once both a moving and motivating experience. “Don’t get me wrong,” says Nathan. “I definitely get a lot of satisfaction when a student understands a new concept in the classroom. But that pales in comparison to the pure joy I experience passing on God’s blessings to the next generation as they enter into their next steps in life.” As TC Christian moves into the future, Nathan would like to see the student body continue to grow and flourish, both spiritually and academically. “I hope the school still retains the welcoming atmosphere that’s been a defining feature of its history. And, Lord willing, I hope I’m still welcoming students every day for a new experience in history.”

Nathan and some new friends on his Senior Mission Trip to Jamaica.