Rochelle and her family have attended Bridge since October 2014. Though she started as the BridgeKids Director in October 2024, Rochelle has been serving in BridgeKids since January 2015. She taught in Rockin' Tots, then Kidzone, then Little Builders. Rochelle took over as the lead of Little Builders in January 2021.

With a degree in Early Childhood Education, Rochelle worked for ten years in a childcare center as a preschool teacher and assistant director. She then stayed home for ten years, raising her little ones and babysitting in her home. Rochelle then spent three years working as a classroom assistant in a fourth-grade special education class until 2020, when she and her family decided to give homeschooling a shot. They loved it so much that they have continued since then. 

Rochelle and her husband Bill have 3 children, Trent (and their daughter-in-law, Bailey!), Kristen, and Wayne. The Gaerthes also have a variety of pets - Duke Fluffernut the whack-a-doodle (cock-a-poo), Jarek the Ball Python, and coming soon a variety of pond fish (winner of low-maintenance pet!)

Favorite hobbies of Rochelle's are reading, writing, and learning alongside her kiddos. Planning lessons and activities to make learning more fun is her heartbeat. Rochelle loves bringing these skills to the team and using them at Bridge! Helping kids know Jesus and make the Best Decision Ever is her greatest joy.