JACOB: Today we have a special guest, Steve Eelkema, a Christian art teacher at a public school in Southern California. Today Steve’s going to talk about how he, as a Christian man, is able to glorify God in his workplace, and how he’s able to represent Christ in his secular work environment. So Steve, why don’t you introduce yourself and talk a bit about your education and background in the church, as well as where you’re coming from as a Christian man working at a public school?
STEVE: Okay, I’m Steve Eelkema. I guess I can go back as far as saying I am a graduate of Northwestern College, which is a Reformed Church college in Iowa. I graduated there with my B.A. in Art Education. Upon moving to California, I had to receive my certification endorsed to teach K–12 art.
Yeah, so that’s the educational stuff. I’ve been teaching—this might be my 25th, 26th, or 27th year; they kind of run together—all in public school.
You’re right, I’m a Christian guy teaching in a public school. I’ve grown up in the church. I’ve served as a church deacon and a church elder a couple of times. I’ve also served as a youth leader—sometimes in a supportive role, sometimes in a lead role. A lot of my life has been centered around youth, and obviously, around Christ.
JACOB: Yeah, that’s awesome, thank you. So, why don’t you describe your current working environment at your school, and how you’re able to represent Christ in your workplace—and also how that connects to your time in youth ministry?
STEVE: I’ve taught both high school and middle school, but my current setting is at Summit High School, which is an alternative educational—or some people call it continuation—setting. It’s for high school kids, mostly juniors and seniors, who have failed their freshman or sophomore years and have come to us to earn or get back those credits they’ve lost out on, hopefully to graduate on time. Sometimes they earn enough credit that they can return to their home schools.
I’m the only one there who teaches art, but also, students in the state of California have to have a required seventy elective credits. I’m one of two people there that can provide those elective credits, so I have a lot of kids come through, taking art not only for state-standard art classes but also for electives.
My time in youth ministry started early on, while I was still in college, so I have a lot of experience working with kids—mostly teenagers and up. Hanging out with kids is probably the one thing that’s prepared me most for teaching, especially in my current setting.
You have to remember, these kids have been in traditional school all their lives and have really kind of failed at it. A traditional classroom setting doesn’t work for them. Our current staff ratio is about 18:1. Mine, with the blessing of the Lord, happens to be a little smaller than that. It allows me to be very one-on-one with my kids and get to know them.
A lot of what I learned in youth ministry—being able to sit down and talk with a kid about life, about situations they’re going through, how they ended up at our school, and how their failures don’t define who they are—really helps. We all make mistakes, but our mistakes don’t have to define us. We can learn from them.
Youth ministry really helped me prepare not only to be a teacher, but a teacher in my current role—and also as a Christian, sharing the love of Christ with others. You approach these kids with a loving and caring nature because a lot of them have been through rough stuff kids really shouldn’t have to deal with. When they know that somebody cares about them, listens to their story, and tries to be empathetic, it makes a difference.
That doesn’t mean I take it easy on them, but maybe I approach them differently than I would someone else. I understand where they’re coming from. Maybe they have more hardships at home, so I give more leniency with deadlines because I know they’re working jobs or taking care of siblings because their parents aren’t around. Again, I think it’s made me more compassionate toward my students.
JACOB: Yeah, definitely. It seems like, as you’re one of the only people who can do electives in your school, most of the kids probably end up going through your classroom. Is that right?
STEVE: Yeah. Depending on where the kids are when they come in—some have already passed their art classes or done okay in electives and really need to hammer down on core classes like math and English. Some kids have failed math and English so many times that they’re just behind on electives. So, it’s kind of hit and miss, but I do get to see most of the kids in our school at some point in their time at Summit.
JACOB: Definitely. So as a Christian man working in a public school, what are some challenges you’ve faced with representing Christ in the workplace? Obviously, you can’t explicitly talk about that in your workplace, so what are some of those challenges?
STEVE: That’s probably the biggest one—I can’t talk about Christianity unless they bring it up. But being an art teacher, there are ways I can make them talk. A lot of art history is based around Christian artifacts, paintings, and stained glass windows.
For example, when I introduce one-point perspective to students, one of the best paintings for that is The Last Supper. We spend time talking about how all the lines in that painting that show depth go back to a single point, but when I introduce it, I need to talk about who painted it, what the subject matter is, and what’s going on in the picture.
It’s amazing how many of my students, even those who have never studied art, know exactly what’s going on in that painting. And for students who have had me before—or to what separates me from a non-Christian teacher—it’s really the way I live my life, the way I carry myself in my classroom.
We have some colorful and salty people at our school, both students and teachers. But I carry the rule in my class that you’re not allowed to cuss. I realize that for a lot of those kids, it slips out, but I make them aware early on—“Hey, you can’t say that.” They realize that I live my life to a different beat. There’s something different about Mr. Eelkema.
When you have that aspect, and then I’m talking about The Last Supper and know a lot of the story behind it, there’s a connection. Undoubtedly, that’s when I get the question, “Mr. Eelkema, are you a Christian?” I’ll say, “Yeah, I am.” Or they’ll ask if I’m religious, and I’ll say, “Well, I don’t like to say I’m religious; I like to say I’m a Christian.” That opens up a whole dialogue that, I think, in some aspects, they’re dying to have—but they’re waiting for the right person and a safe, non-threatening place. They know they can have that dialogue in my room.
Of course, there’s always someone who chimes in, “Well, I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in that stuff.” My sarcastic nature kicks in, and I’ll ask, “You don’t believe in that stuff—like the Bible?” “Yeah, I don’t believe in the Bible.” I’ll ask, “Have you ever read the Bible?” “No.” “Well, then you’re not an atheist—you’re just a lazy atheist. How can you not believe in something you’ve never read?” And they’ll laugh, “That’s a good one, Mr. Eelkema.” But it’s a legit point.
It’s like saying I hate hamburgers but have never had one. I tell them I’m not going to hold it against them if they’re an atheist, but know what you believe—or don’t believe—and know why. Stand for what you mean and what you say.
Again, art history opens up a lot of areas for dialogue. I don’t want to say you can trick kids into it, but I have my ways.
JACOB: Yeah, and that’s really creative. So much of Western history, at least, has been shaped by Christianity—even from a secular point of view. Really, any teacher teaching math or science could mention great Christian thinkers in Western history. That’s very creative.
On that, what are some lessons the Lord has taught you through teaching at a public school—personal lessons or lessons about showing Christ to other people?
STEVE: Over the years, I’ve been transformed. When you first start teaching, you’re all about curriculum and classroom management, and rightly so. But I’ve learned over the years that kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
When I take the time to get to know my students, to put my guard down a little, they realize that the Mr. Eelkema in their classroom is the same one they see on the streets or coaching football on Friday night. They have a hard time believing I don’t cuss in one place and do in another. I tell them, “No, I’m the same person.”
When they see that authenticity, I think that’s key. I’ve learned to be authentic throughout my life—no facade, nothing to hide behind. I don’t get offended by their questions. Many kids grow up in horrible situations and families; how are they supposed to know what a healthy one looks like if you’re not willing to tell them?
So, I’ve learned to be authentic, open, and caring. I’ve also learned that the trials I’ve faced in life often prepare me to relate to my students.
For example, after my freshman year in college, my mom had a brain aneurysm that wiped her out. I was super close to her, not so much to my dad, but that situation brought my dad and me closer together. Twenty years later, I can see how God allowed me to grow through that to relate to my students.
The money my parents had saved for my college went to her rehab, so I had to work my way through school. Now I can relate to students who are working while studying. I can relate to students who have lost a parent. I’ve dealt with sickness and recovery. I can relate on many levels.
Sometimes I tell them, “I don’t have all the answers, but through patience, prayer, and faith, it’s okay to not have all the answers. Trust that it’s going to work out.” Sometimes, that’s the encouragement they need.
And sometimes, you don’t think you’ve made a difference. You’ve taught them some art, they’ve made cool stuff, and then they’re gone. But through modern technology, they’ll reach out—email, Instagram—and say, “You really made an impact in my life.” They’ll mention something you don’t even remember saying, and it hits you. You never know how God’s going to use you.
Every morning, I pray, “Okay, Lord, use me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Let Him talk.” That goes for my colleagues too. The authenticity is the same. Who I am is who I am. Hopefully, the love of Christ pours out of me.
I know people have been jaded by Christians on their soapboxes saying, “Repent! Look at me!” and then living contrary to that. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not perfect. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not praying for forgiveness—for things I’ve said, done, or thought, or opportunities I’ve missed. But again, that just speaks back to authenticity.
JACOB: Yeah, definitely. So, if you had to go back and start all over 25 years ago as a teacher, what would you do differently? What advice would you give to someone starting out? And what resources do you have now that you wish you had back then?
STEVE: You know, looking back, I don’t know that I’d do anything differently, because I have the advantage of seeing God’s hand through it all. It’s hard for me to say I’d change anything.
Teaching middle school wasn’t my favorite because they’re middle schoolers—but even in tough times, dealing with kids, I had good colleagues and a solid support group that challenged me and grew me as a teacher.
As far as advice goes, especially as a Christian in a public school—the hardest thing is being true to yourself. You’re going to have people who don’t agree with you on Christian beliefs. You’ll face ridicule for what you stand for. I’d say make sure you have a good support network of friends and family. You don’t need many, but you need strong ones who are there for you.
Also, don’t go too long without recharging your batteries. Don’t think you can do it on your own. Make sure you have a solid church home and a pastor who pours into you. It doesn’t have to be one-on-one, but make sure you’re hearing biblical truth that challenges you.
Make sure your relationship with Christ is solid. Spend time in His Word, spend time in prayer. I spend a lot of time in prayer, because you’re going to need that as you stand firm in what you believe.
And don’t feel like you have to be on a soapbox. Some people are, and that’s fine, but that’s not me. I’m more of a silent assassin for Christ. I don’t have to beat my chest—I just live it out. You can be an effective Christian in a public school just by showing the love of Christ. You don’t have to preach it—just love people. There are a lot of broken people out there who need to be loved.
JACOB: Yeah. Well, Steve, thank you so much. I appreciate you doing this interview with me.
