HCS Stories

Innovative ideas are often inspired by need and usually require a quick infusion of time, energy, and resources. The Innovate & Inspire Creative Classroom Grant equips, enables, and empowers creativity in education by providing teachers with funds for classroom implementation of new instructional methods ideas, and approaches to learning.

Harold and Jennie’s daughter, Gladys Palmbos Van Til, established this grant to honor her parents significant influence on her life and her commitment to Christian Education. She hopes these grant funds will encourage teachers’ creativity and classroom innovation to help teach ALL the students and fulfill their dreams of being a teacher.

Harold and Jennie Palmbos both grew up on farms. Children of the Depression, they were each required to quit school in order to work and help earn money for their respective families. Neither had the opportunity to finish High School. Harold’s formal education ended at grade 8; Jennie’s ended at grade 10. However, this did not stop them from learning.

Education was very important to both of them, so they continued to learn through self-education. Both were avid readers and family members recall them reading magazines late into the night, even after a full day’s work.

While they were very young, Jennie taught her children to read by teaching them to read cereal boxes. She encouraged them to page through magazines, cut out pictures, and had them practice reading the captions. As they grew in skill, books were encouraged and on hot summer days, she required them each to read for an hour each day after lunch.

All four of her their children graduated at the top of their 8th grade class and completed their high school education. After her retirement at age 67, Jennie attended Adult Education to fulfill her lifelong goal of earning her own high school diploma.

Harold and Jennie both used their gifts by serving in the Church. Jennie always said she wanted to be a teacher or a missionary. Harold encouraged her by telling her she was a missionary and teacher to her family. While he served multiple terms as a Deacon and Elder, Jennie served as a Preschool Sunday School teacher for close to 20 years, and a Calvinette (GEMS) Counselor for 15 years. Harold supported her by going home and preparing the Sunday meal each week.

Christian Education was also a high priority. Harold and Jennie sacrificed luxuries, as well as some necessities, to send all four of their children through Christian Schools through grade 12. Each summer, Jennie took all four of their children to work topping onions. She, too, topped onions in order to earn money for tuition. When he came home from work, Harold would put dinner on the table so it was ready when for the rest of the family when they returned home from work.

Half of the children’s “onion topping” income went toward tuition and later, the girls worked at the local drug store and continued to contribute a portion of their income towards Christian School tuition. The LORD was faithful to them and their hard work paid off. Three of Harold and Jennie’s 4 children graduated college as first-generation college students, two became teachers in Christian Schools, and one taught in Christian Schools for over 35 years!

Jennie was a true joy and is remembered for her commitment, perseverance, love for her family, and faithfulness to God. She had many favorite expressions about the weather, but her most famous sayings were “One Day at a Time” and “Just Do it, its good for {what ails} you.”

The seed money for this grant came from the Palmbos Family estate after Jennie died at age 91. Harold went on disability at age 54 and passed away from heart failure at age 63.

If you are interested in establishing a scholarship or grant fund at Highland Christian School please contact our Development Office at 219-838-0356 x165.