About Us
MESI is a charity operating in Ontario since 2010. The Board is committed to the advancement of Christian Education through experimental innovation and foundational research.
Mission
Encourage the growth of inclusive faith-based schools, academies and learning centres in Ontario.
Motto
School Choice is Good for Canada.
Vision
Supporting schools which provide safe and caring learning environments where instruction engages each student to adopt effective habits of mind, while practicing Christian virtues for responsible citizenship and meaningful careers.
MISSION
The Monarch mission is conserving the Legacy of the Dutch Reformed School movement which created a network of K-U educational institutions across Canada. The legacy contains a Vision which we call the Third Way Plan for Pluralism in Education. This site provides a quick survey of the persons, groups, artifacts and ideas which made up this movement between 1950 and 2020. We invite you to examine the basic ideas, admire the people, save the artifacts and investigate the merits of the current organizations.
MESI was incorporated in 2008 and received charitable status in 2009. The 2010 focus was on encouraging innovation in schools in the DRT. The classic reformed traditions were being undermined by technological and demographic changes, hence the vision needed new and flexible structures in order to serve post- modern Christian families. The initial research projects in 2012 [on school amalgamations] and in 2014 [on fluid scheduling] showed promise but lack of funding prevented the Board from starting actual prototypes. In 2015 It became apparent that the reformed foundations of the school movement were fading. Hence the mission to preserve the legacy while some of the pioneers are still alive.
History
Goals
- Encourage mindful reflection on institutional identity.
- Advancing independent and private schools by conducting and promoting research on useful education trends.
- Encouraging innovation and excellence in the structure and program of each academy and learning centre.
- Conducting research into the conditions necessary for robust school choice policies.
First Board Members
Bill Elissen
Board Member
Mr. Bill Elissen lives in Listowel where the family dairy farm has grown into a large enterprise which Bill now ‘visits’ in retirement mode. Extensive experiences in church councils and school boards, the Ontario Milk Marketing Board and the OACS and CSI Boards have persuaded Bill that governance in schools can be improved. He and wife Nel are members of the Listowel CRC and now raise horses and chickens for enjoyment.
Adrian Guldemond
Board Member
Dr. Adrian Guldemond is a recently retired teacher, school administrator, executive director and college instructor who believes strongly that governance and management practices should and can be reformed as leadership is a vital part of flourishing organizations. His long-time research passion – the politics of education: justice for all God’s children- is now a part-time hobby which is shared with his other passions; golf, gardening and grandchildren. He and wife Mary are members of the Ancaster CRC. They live in the hamlet of Lynden, where more flowers are being planted daily.
Coby Jonker
Hans Vanderstoep
Board Member
Mr. Hans Vanderstoep lives in Burlington; Married 49 years to Alice, father of 3, grandfather of 9. Retired. Employment: Executive Director Canadian Christian Business Federation, owned and operated several building supply businesses in Hamilton, Fort Erie and Mississauga, carpentry contractor.
Volunteer involvement: Trinity Christian School, Burlington; Calvin Christian School, Dundas; Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools; President of Canadian Christian Education Foundation; Various positions on church Council and ecclesiastical councils , and extensive travel have given Hans a detailed picture of the Christian community at work.
Lisa Vandenhaak
Board Member
Mrs. Lisa Vandenhaak is a former teacher and principal in both OACS and ACSI schools. She is currently regional manager for Christian Horizons. The family lives in Ridgeville, Ontario.
John VanLoenen
Board Member
Mr. John VanLoenen lives in Tottenham, and is Married to Fena. They have their three children and eight grandchildren. He was chair of the Alliston community Christian school for seven years; served on the Toronto District Christian High Board for three years, served on the OACS transportation committee for three years and served as Chair for the OACS for seven years. He is presently also serving on the CEAF board while being involved in the Alliston CRC.
The reformed vision for Christian education has been an exciting involvement for him, and he wishes to continue serving it to the best of his ability. John is the Eastern Sales manager for Hofmann Canada, a division of Snap-On equipment, and has worked in this area for the last thirty three years.
Linda Williams
Board Member
Dr. Linda Williams lives in Oakville, ON. She has held teaching and administrative positions in public and private Christian educational institutions from grade one to university. Her passion for making schools work well for students and teachers brought her to Monarch. She attends and volunteers at The Meeting House in Oakville. She is wife to Spencer, mother of four, and grandmother to five. Volunteer involvement includes activities for The Meeting House, Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, Stephen Lewis Foundation, neighbor to neighbor, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Oakville Prayer Breakfast.
The reformed vision for Christian education has been an exciting involvement for him, and he wishes to continue serving it to the best of his ability. John is the Eastern Sales manager for Hofmann Canada, a division of Snap-On equipment, and has worked in this area for the last thirty three years.
Current Board Members
Adrian Guldemond - Chair
Dr. Adrian Guldemond is a recently retired teacher, school administrator, executive director and college instructor who believes strongly that governance and management practices should and can be reformed as leadership is a vital part of flourishing organizations. His long-time research passion – the politics of education: justice for all God’s children- is now a part-time hobby which is shared with his other passions; golf, gardening and grandchildren. He and wife Mary are members of the Ancaster CRC. They live in the hamlet of Lynden, where more flowers are being planted daily.
Herman Proper - Secretary
Mr. Herman Proper is a former Principal of Chatham Christian High School, Secondary Coordinator for the OACS , President of the Ontario School Safety Council and the Chair of the Ontario Independent School Council. He and his wife Dianne attend the Immanuel CRC in Hamilton, while their grandchildren attend Christian schools around Ontario.
Mariette Raybould
Mariette is a retired federal civil servant residing in Ancaster. She is very active in the mission of St. John’s Anglican Church in Ancaster, and a long-time member of its Choir. St. John’s is one of the oldest continuous congregations in Ontario, predating Confederation by 51 years.
John VanLoenen - Vice Chair and Treasurer
Mr. John VanLoenen lives in Tottenham, and is Married to Fena. They have their three children and eight grandchildren. He was chair of the Alliston community Christian school for seven years; served on the Toronto District Christian High Board for three years, served on the OACS transportation committee for three years and served as Chair for the OACS for seven years. He is presently also serving on the CEAF board while being involved in the Alliston CRC.
The reformed vision for Christian education has been an exciting involvement for him, and he wishes to continue serving it to the best of his ability. John is the Eastern Sales manager for Hofmann Canada, a division of Snap-On equipment, and has worked in this area for the last thirty three years.