Faculty
The outstanding individuals who teach our students have dedicated their lives and educational expertise to nurturing the spiritual and intellectual growth of their students. In The First Days of School, master educator Harry K. Wong makes this startling yet sobering statement: “The single greatest effect on student achievement is the effectiveness of the teacher.” (p. 30) Therefore, it is obviously of utmost importance that we carefully select and train effective teachers!
Wong goes on to list the three major characteristics of effective teachers:
- Positive expectations for student success
- Extremely good classroom management skills
- The ability to design lessons for student mastery
A classical Christian educational program is an excellent vehicle for an exceptional teacher to acquire and hone these very qualities. Our faculty understand and embrace that such a program demands academic competence and sterling character qualities, so they may glorify God and serve our students to the best of their abilities. Our teachers are role models, so we place a high value on demonstrable Christian character and daily living.
We believe that in an environment like this, learners can master subject matter and skills, gathering the tools needed to know how to think, while also developing the fundamental character that promotes future learning and allows responsible behavior to flourish.
Jan Wells
Principal
This is Mrs. Wells’s first year back at ACA after a five-and-a-half year “pause” while she worked at another local school. Prior to this, she was here at ACA for twelve-and-a-half years, serving first as a teacher and then as Academic Administrator. She earned both a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Music, and a Master of Education with a Reading Specialist certification from Bloomsburg University. She has taught students in every grade from Kindergarten through college, in seven different schools, and she brings over twenty years of experience in leadership. Mrs. Wells is an ardent proponent of classical Christian education. She finds great joy in nurturing her staff and striving to help students reach their full potential. She loves to read, play her flute, cross stitch, and sew. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 27:8.
Tammy Rodriguez
Director of Operations & Communications
Mrs. Rodriguez is the friendly face in the ACA office. She joined the Academy as the Office Manager in August of 2018, after helping as a parent volunteer during the previous academic year. Prior to joining ACA, Mrs. Rodriguez worked for 14 years in customer solution and problem resolution for Bank of America, both in Pennsylvania and Maryland, covering a wide span of banking centers across the country. She also has over a decade of experience working as an Office Manager and Trainer for Weis Markets. She studied communications and journalism at Bloomsburg University. Her coworkers describe Mrs. Rodriguez as efficient, detail-oriented, knowledgeable, welcoming, and compassionate. Mrs. Rodriguez enjoys watching God’s beauty in the changing of seasons. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, which reminds her that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her.
Cheryl Hosterman
Pre-K Teacher
Mrs. Hosterman has been part of the ACA family for over a decade, starting out as a substitute in 2013 and then teaching the Pre-Kindergarten class. This is her 20th year teaching in Christian schools, having previously taught 1st and 2nd grades in Butler, PA. Mrs. Hosterman loves teaching young children: “reading them stories, teaching them to read, and most especially leading them to know and love the Lord Jesus”. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Christian Education and Bible from Clarks Summit University. Mrs. Hosterman enjoys reading, playing the piano, cabin camping with family, and singing. Psalm 139 is her favorite passage of Scripture.
Elizabeth Welman
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Welman joined ACA’s faculty in the summer of 2022 as the Lead Teacher of our Summer Enrichment Program, “Reach for the Stars”, where she capably taught about the creation of the earth and the Solar System to students ranging from 3 – 9 years old. Her desire to be a missionary teacher led her to further her education at Clarks Summit University where she earned a B.S. in Bible and Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree. Mrs. Welman served as a missionary in Durban, South Africa for 9 years and then married. She lived with her husband in Johannesburg, S.A., and then Pensacola, Florida, where she was the C.E. Director of her church for 4 years. After relocating to Northeastern Pennsylvania, Mrs. Welman was the Children’s Ministry Director of her church. In her free time, Mrs. Welman enjoys painting with acrylics and watercolors, crafting, quilting, baking, decorating, scrapbooking and teaching the Bible to children. She also enjoys traveling to Africa to visit with her family in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Jennifer Cohen
1st and 2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Cohen joined the ACA family in 2016. Initially she subbed; since then she, at various times, has taught first and second grades, Physical Education, and Pre-K3. She and her husband have been in ministry together for over 14 years. It brings her great joy to see people come to faith and to grow in Christ. A graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Mrs. Cohen earned her BA in Education with a minor in Christian Ministry and a concentration in Physical Education. She was a social worker in Philadelphia for over 6 years and has traveled on multiple mission trips to Mexico, Peru, Montserrat, and Maine. A love for being outdoors leads Mrs. Cohen to her favorite activities: hiking, backpacking, biking, running, and camping! Her colleagues describe her as genuine, loving, and conscientious. Mrs. Cohen describes her favorite things about teaching: “watching children grow spiritually and learn academically”. Her favorite Bible verses are Matthew 22:37-39, part of which says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Jessica Benson
3rd and 4th
This is Ms. Benson’s first year at ACA. She earned an Associate degree in Applied Science, and a Bachelor of Religious Education with a minor in Youth Ministry from Davis College. She has also taken classes in Early Childhood Education at Lackawanna College. Ms. Benson brings a variety of experience: four years teaching Kindergarten in Alabama; one year teaching fourth and fifth grades in New York; one year teaching an Advanced Kindergarten class here in PA; and four years as a youth ministry director. Her references praise her for her excellent classroom management skills and her genuine compassion for her students. “I love watching my students grow academically and in maturity as they learn, explore, and enjoy experiences throughout the year.” Ms. Benson’s favorite Bible passage is Psalm 139.
John Antolick
5th and 6th
This is Mr. Antolick’s second year at ACA. After stepping in as a long-term substitute last year, Mr. Antolick was hired to join our faculty. He earned a BS in Business Administration from Penn State University and a Master in Education from Clarks Summit University. He has subbed in numerous local districts; teaches middle school students at his church; and has been a speaker at Rock Mountain Bible Camp. His colleagues describe him as godly, easy-going, and intelligent. “I enjoy engaging with my students…learning what makes them tick and seeing the lights come on when they grasp a concept. I love reading and studying God’s Word, and working through passages with students. I especially love the Gospels.”
Nicole Fenton
Art
Mrs. Fenton joined the ACA faculty in 2019. She also teaches privately. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies from Clarks Summit University and has completed some Master’s courses in Art Education at Marywood University. Her knowledge and skills fit so well with our classical model, where our students learn about, and imitate, the art of each historical era they study. Mrs. Fenton also has experience in the autism and intellectual disabilities field; has worked as a TSS and a paraprofessional; and was a Sunday School Director at her church for five years. Her colleagues describe her teaching style as passionate, engaging, and positive. Her interests include painting, cooking, singing, gardening, and being with her family. Mrs. Fenton’s favorite books? “The Narnia series never gets old, and you can’t be too old for it!” She loves seeing growth in her students’ work ethic and skills. “I love encouraging them and pointing to our great Creator through His creation and the gifts He gives us!” Her favorite passage from the Bible is Romans 8.
Elizabeth Black
Music
This is Mrs. Black’s first year at ACA. She earned a BS in Church Music from Baptist Bible College of PA (now CSU), and brings almost twenty years of teaching experience in Christian schools and forty years of experience giving private piano and voice lessons. She has directed choirs of all ages, provided special music for worship services, and taught Sunday School and Junior Church. Mrs. Black’s favorite thing about teaching? “Seeing the ‘lightbulb moments’ when something we are learning suddenly makes sense!” Of course, her favorite book of the Bible is the book of Psalms (the songs!).
Rebecca Serfass
Physical Education
Linda Titus
Chapel Teacher
Miss Titus has been a part of the ACA staff for many years as a chapel teacher and a substitute teacher. She became our regular chapel teacher in 2021. A graduate of the University of Scranton and Clarks Summit University, Miss Titus has been a missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Lackawanna County since 1991. Her colleagues describe her as loving, dedicated, sweet, and a lover of God’s Word. Some of Miss Titus’s greatest joys are spending time with her niece and nephew; her cats; and teaching children about Jesus. She also loves to read mysteries! Her favorite books of the Bible are Isaiah and Acts, and her favorite Bible verses are Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Martha Antolick
Before Care Coordinator and Pre-K Aide
Mrs. Antolick joined the ACA staff in 2021, working as both a Pre-K and all-Academy aide, as well as a Before and After Care Coordinator. She has forty years of experience in her church teaching children from two years old to sixth grade. “I love to see the excitement when students learn something new!” Her colleagues describe her as diligent, willing to serve, and graced with a good sense of humor. Mrs. Antolick enjoys hiking in Utah with her sisters, crocheting, making jewelry, and reading. Her favorite Bible passage is Jeremiah 29:11-13, part of which is, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
Beverly Harris
Pre-K Aide and After Care Worker
Mrs. Harris joined the ACA staff this year. She completed coursework at Lackawanna Junior College and studied basic computer science. She has experience teaching children in third and fourth grades at Peckville Assembly of God, and she has taught adult Bible studies at Allied for fifteen years. She appreciates the privilege of sharing God’s Word, and she loves to see the excitement on children’s faces when they understand a concept! Mrs. Harris’s favorite Bible passage is Psalm 121.
Dorothy Leach
Kindergarten and All-School Aide
Mrs. Leach has been part of the ACA family for 26 years! She was a substitute from 1997 through 2009, after which she began teaching full time. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Marywood University, with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Leach taught Kindergarten here for over 10 years, and for the past 4 years she has been an Instructional Aide in our Kindergarten classroom as well as a Learning Support Aide for young learners in reading, writing, and arithmetic. In addition to her classroom experience, Mrs. Leach homeschooled her own children and served in various church ministries. She has also worked at day care centers and was a substitute in the Tunkhannock and Mountain View districts. She delights in watching students grow spiritually and intellectually. Mrs. Leach enjoys teaching, traveling, cooking, baking, and being with her family – especially her grandchildren. She claims Joshua 24:15 for her family, that they will serve the Lord faithfully.
Laura Warnken
Kindergarten and All-School Aide
Mrs. Warnken is in her seventh year helping children learn at ACA. She earned an Associate degree from Keystone College, a BS in Education with a minor in history from Bloomsburg University, and a Master’s Equivalent in Education from Marywood University. Mrs. Warnken taught for seventeen years in public schools, serving as a first grade and second grade teacher. She also subbed in Kindergarten through sixth grades. In addition to her classroom experience, Mrs. Warnken has volunteered in her community at churches and schools, and with the Wright Center. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching children learn to love learning! Her favorite Bible books are 1st and 2nd Samuel, and her favorite verses are Psalm 121:1, 2.
