April 2023 Board Member Spotlight

Congratulations, Grace Kunde, ICS board president!

How long have you been a part of the ICS community?

We became a part of the ICS community in fall of 2014 when Lorali started kindergarten. Carsten started the year after in preK.

What brought you to ICS (and Utah if you're not from here originally)? 

Jeremy and I moved to Salt Lake City back in 2005 when he took a job with SkyWest airlines. After we had our two kids we knew that we wanted them to go to a private school. When Lorali was in preschool we started looking at our options in the Salt Lake Valley. We found ICS on the web and scheduled a time to check it out. After touring the school and meeting teachers, we were sold and haven’t looked back since!

Why did you choose Christian education for your family?

 I went to a small Christian school for middle school which definitely was an influence, but more importantly, we felt strongly that we wanted our kids to be educated in a place that supported and encouraged their walk with Jesus. We also wanted them to be part of a bigger Christian community.

Why did you decide to be a part of the board at ICS?

As a mom who works full time I’m not usually able to pitch in for field trips, PTF, or other volunteer activities, so when Mr. Menning, our former head of school, approached me about joining the board, I felt led that this could be a place where I could contribute my talents and abilities in a positive way.

Can you share a story of how you've seen ICS accomplish its mission while you've served on the board?

I think I’ll answer more from the small ways we accomplish our mission through my view as a board member.  The vision to equip and inspire students to thrive in God’s world is at the forefront every time we hire a new teacher as much as it was in the front or our minds as we worked through how best to handle school shut down during COVID. One of the most influential and gratifying ways I’ve been able to participate in the accomplishment of our mission was a year ago when we went through the search process to find a new head of school.  Mr. Menning left big shoes to fill.  The board spent much time and energy going through the process and prayerfully asked that God would lead us to the right person. We believe He answered our prayer in Mr. Pethel. I feel so fortunate to be part of the long-term legacy of what God is going to do with ICS in the future.