In their Corner

Gerritt VanOtterloo, known affectionately as “Mr. V,” has been teaching at Maranatha for 22 years. He has a passion for all things music, games, and coffee. He has two sons who currently attend Maranatha (one in middle school, one in high school), and his favorite class to teach is Jazz Band. Gerritt’s love for jazz began back in the 7th grade at Okoboji, his small town school in Milford, Iowa. “As a 7th grader we got to go see Maynard Ferguson, who was one of the greatest trumpet players to ever live. The last song that they played was ‘Hey Jude,’ which is super great, that’s an old Beatles tune. And Maynard didn’t play a single note on that because while the band spread out in front of the audience, he went around and shook hands. And I was the one that shook his hand last as he went back on stage. So, as a 7th grader, shaking the hand of a living legend, I was sunk. Forget about it,” Gerrit said, “I’m in jazz for the rest of my life.” 

Ultimately, I want them to know that Jesus loves them, and that there is another human on earth that is also in their corner. - Mr. V

Mr. V’s love for jazz rolls over into everything else that he does here at Maranatha. He teaches everything from 5th grade band all the way up through classes with our seniors. When asked what’s kept him here all these years and what he hopes students remember about him, he said, “I love working with the staff that we have. We have each other’s back.” He went on to talk about how our staff takes time to get to know each other not just as coworkers, but as friends and how this all connects back to our students. “I see myself as being able to be in that place [the coach in the corner of a boxing ring] where the kids are growing up, and they’re doing their thing and I’m in their corner—I’m cheering for them.  Ultimately, I want them to know that Jesus loves them, and that there is another human on earth that is also in their corner.” 

If Gerritt wasn’t teaching, he’d be out exploring the depths of the ocean.  “In 7th or 8th grade I loved science and deep-sea stuff. I wanted to be a marine biologist and study deep sea life.” Gerritt says that his fear of tight spaces and his fear of touching fish, however, are some of the reasons why he instead chose to invest more of his time into his other passion: music. “Whatever the fear of touching fish is, I have that. Like, I cannot touch fish.” When asked if he could live anywhere, Gerritt said, “I would want to live in the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Something like a cabin, and not like a dopey lake cabin. One of those really nice - it’s basically a mansion.” Something along the lines of a nice getaway in Portland, Oregon, where Gerritt and his family have vacationed before, is where he’d love to settle down to enjoy his morning cup of coffee in the woods. 

When asked what piece of advice he’s been given that’s stuck with him through the years, Gerritt reflected on a letter written to him by his mom years ago. “The letter was beautiful, and the tagline was ‘Just follow your heart, because your head will get you in trouble.’ Do what your heart says. If you follow your heart, it will not take you astray—it will not move you away, which I think is awesome, because at the time I did not consider myself a Christian, and I wasn’t really looking for faith at the time. So, for my mom to be able to, she loved Jesus all the time, but for her to put it in words that I could receive in that moment [...] because who lived in her heart really?” Gerritt smiled, “Jesus. And if I wasn’t trusting him in that day, he knows my end before I begin. [...].” 

Gerritt VanOtterloo is one of our most beloved teachers here at Maranatha. He’s outgoing, funny, nerdy, and makes sure each student knows the line and respects one another. His love for music spills out into his love for life, family, and his students. When students look for stability and that warm handshake, they know they can always count on Mr. V.