Amy Tiemersma

Amy Tiemersma’s journey into teaching at Trinity was an unexpected one. Over 15 years ago, she was invited to join the Advisory Committee for Trinity’s Social Work Department. Having already supervised Trinity interns for more than two decades, her connection to the university deepened. She began as a guest speaker in Social Work classes, participated in Trinity’s Social Work seminars, and even filled in for Social Work professors when needed. As she grew fond of the department, its professors, their dedication to students, and the practice of Christian Social Work, she made a commitment to never decline any request. So, when they asked her to teach a class, her answer was a resounding “yes.”

Tiemersma embraced Trinity Christian’s diverse student population and was enthusiastic about the innovative initiative that gave students Wednesdays off to pursue internships. She works full-time at Bethshan Association and hosted two Trinity Social Work interns in one of the pilot programs for the new Wednesday model. Teaching at Trinity exceeded her expectations, bringing her joy through interactions with students and the opportunity to share her knowledge from 30 years of Social Work practice.

While teaching part-time at Trinity, Tiemersma’s full-time role is as a Social Worker at Bethshan. Social Work is both a practical profession and an academic discipline, with her academic interests focused on translating Social Work theories and knowledge into practical fieldwork. Her passion for teaching was ignited while instructing training classes for adult learners at Bethshan and becoming deeply engaged in the work of Trinity’s Social Work professors.

The essence of Social Work is to empower individuals and communities to flourish by providing them with the services and support they need to become contributing members of their communities. In one of her recent Trinity classes, they discussed finding meaning in life and how it relates to their Christian faith. Tiemersma encouraged future Social Workers to discover their calling by making a difference in areas that touch their hearts, exemplifying how her work in Social Work is a profound source of purpose in her life.

Currently, she teaches Social Work Values and Ethics, aiming to instill in her students the belief that their Christian faith is inseparable from ethical Social Work practice. Doing the right thing ethically is an extension of their Christian character, as they are “changed into His likeness from one degree to another,” as inspired by II Corinthians 3:18. Tiemersma shared a story of a student recognizing an ethical dilemma in their personal life due to her class, highlighting the impact of their newfound insight.

She also hopes her students will grasp the importance of resilience, a sense of humor, patience, and humility for long-term survival in the challenging field of Social Work. These lessons are conveyed through her own experiences in Social Work.

Outside of her professional life, Tiemersma is the clinical social worker for Bethshan Association, a residential facility for adults with developmental disabilities. She has dedicated 25 years to this role and finds deep fulfillment in her work. In her personal life, she has three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and resides in South Holland with her husband, Dave. She enjoys reading, walking, and traveling when her schedule and budget permit. Tiemersma is an active member of Pullman Christian Reformed Church in Chicago, where she has worshipped for over 30 years. She also believes in giving back to the community and has volunteered in various capacities for Christian non-profit organizations, from managing a thrift store to serving as board president for Calvin Christian School.

Despite not being primarily in academia throughout her career, Tiemersma’s intrinsic rewards have been plentiful. In 2017, she was honored with induction into the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work as an honorary member, thanks to the nomination by Trinity Social Work professors.