SFC Stories

Building the Future in the Halls that Built Them

For five Sioux Falls Christian alumni, the journey toward becoming an educator didn’t just lead them into a classroom—it led them back home. 

Each of them experienced firsthand the impact of Christ-centered education, and now, years later, they are pouring that same love, care, and purpose into the next generation of Chargers.  

For Jaci Poppema (‘20), returning felt like God opening  a door. After teaching elsewhere, she stepped into her role as a K–8 inclusion teacher and was reminded just how formative SFC had been for her—through supportive teachers, state-championship volleyball seasons, and a senior trip to the Ark Encounter. “I always knew I wanted to teach at a Christian school,” she said. “I’m so thankful for my Christian education and being able to learn and grow in Jesus all at the same time.” Poppema loves seeing breakthroughs—when something finally clicks and confidence blooms. More than anything, she hopes her students “see Jesus in me, feel safe, and find joy in my classroom.”  

Fourth-grade teacher Sierra Weems (‘21) remembers  being a student who struggled academically. Her teachers saw her as more than a test score, and that shaped the educator she is today. “I care that they do their best, but I care more that they are kind and embody Jesus,” she said. Weems credits caring mentors like art teacher Sara Mulder, who “taught light into everyone,” for inspiring her to offer the same encouragement.  

For Kelsi Heard (‘21), teaching middle school Bible in  the same classroom where she once wrestled with faith questions is a full-circle blessing. “It’s so cool to be in this very room,” she shared. “God’s faithfulness is evident—this community poured into me, and now I get to pour into others.” Heard hopes her students ask big questions and learn to explore their faith honestly and deeply.  

First-grade teacher Jamie Wieking (‘07) remembers feeling known. “The teachers really embodied the body of Christ,” she said. “I wasn’t just another student.” Her dream was to offer that same belonging. Inspired by teachers like Karmen Engbers (third grade), she strives to make her classroom a place of purpose, grace, and support. “I’m not perfect—I need Jesus too,” she said. “I want them to know it’s okay to make mistakes and ask for help.”  

High school art teacher Ellie Fuhs (‘18) stepped into her role after God “opened every door.” She hopes students feel free to create and fail boldly. “I want them to have a safe space to make mistakes,” she said. “This community is special—there’s nothing like it.”  Though their classrooms, schedules, and responsibilities look different, these five graduates share a common goal: to pass on the faith, joy, and belonging they once received.  

Today, they stand not as students, but as leaders—still learning, still growing, still grateful. And each day, they help write the next chapter of a story that began right here at Sioux Falls Christian.

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Five Houses, One Family

Something new is happening in the middle school at Sioux Falls Christian—and students can’t stop talking about it. 

Decked out in bold colors and house mascots, sixth through eighth graders are experiencing community in a brand-new way through the school’s inaugural House System, a program designed to build connection, belonging, and leadership.  

For Middle School Principal Jake Pettengill, the intent is personal. “I want students to feel connected. I want students to feel valued,” he said. “When I think about student council, you typically have eight to ten leaders. With the House System, we’ve created potentially sixty to seventy leaders in our entire middle school.”  

That shift—to give all students opportunities to belong and lead—is at the heart of this new program. Inspired by a summer training on the East Coast, Pettengill watched students there immediately embrace those in their same house, and he imagined what that might look like at Sioux Falls Christian. “It’s hard to be a new student. It’s hard to be a middle schooler,” he said. “How do we give kids the opportunity to make immediate connection, to feel immediate value?”  

The school now has five houses, each with its own identity, color, and mascot. Students are sorted into a house for all three middle-school years and participate weekly in meetings, competitions, leadership roles, and faith-building activities. The entire staff—even custodians, office staff, and kitchen team—are part of houses, building relationships that cross grade levels and roles.  

Middle school counselor Jordan Kruse sees the difference. “Middle school is a hard time. Kids are insecure, trying to figure out where they fit,” he said. “From day one, they see someone wearing their house shirt and hear, ‘You’re with us!’ It’s belonging—and it changes the culture.” 

There is energy everywhere—friendly competition, cheers in the hallway, and a leader board screen that celebrates students earning points for character,  academics, and leadership.   Kruse said one of his favorite moments was watching eighth-grade boys erupt with applause when a quiet sixth-grade girl appeared on the leader board. “Two groups that would never connect were celebrating each other,” he said. “That’s belonging.”  

The House System is also creating leadership in surprising places. Students can serve as heads of house, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurers, and committee leaders. Committees range from study-help groups to hype teams, giving students space to contribute as God designed them—bold, quiet, organized, creative, or faith-focused.  

Eighth-grader Simeon Mosley, vice president of House of Valor, carries that responsibility with joy. “It’s changed our moods—we’re excited,” he said. “It builds relationships. It builds the sense of being needed.”  Mosley uses his position to serve spiritually as well. His committee prays over house members and  collects requests through a prayer form he created. “It’s been a blessing to pray for people,” he said. “It builds my faith, too.”  

“I never would have had the opportunity otherwise,” fellow eighth-grader Maddison Lohse, house leader, said. “Now I get to open with prayer and  encourage others.”  For teachers, the program has also brought a new dynamic. Middle school teacher Ashley Huisken explained, “I see kids who maybe wouldn’t normally feel noticed—they feel seen and valued. We’re one family.”  

This sense of community began from the moment the students were sorted into a house—complete with music, cheers, and celebration. Pettengill remembers the launch vividly: “We brought in a DJ and celebrated loud—maybe too loud,” he laughed. “But it created community. It created fun.”  

The goal is bigger than excitement. As Pettengill put it: “That’s what the kingdom’s all about—community, loving each other, embracing each other.”  The House System has begun reshaping the middle school culture: where competition builds confidence, leadership is shared, and every student belongs.  Five houses. One family. And a school that feels a little more like home.

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