Get to Know Our Faculty!

I surrendered my life to Christ in 1992. Since that time, by God’s grace, He has enabled me to walk closer and closer with Him, and learn His ways. I am blessed to serve Him as husband, father, teacher and member of the body of Christ. I really enjoy teaching young people and watching them grow in their relationship with Christ. It is the ultimate challenge for me. I love to explore with them how the majesty and glory of God is demonstrated in every facet of life. My hobbies include spending time with my wife and 3 boys, sports, and reading.

I am a New York State certified teacher, I have a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Nazareth College, and a BA in Business Management from St. John Fisher. I have 25 years experience teaching, including 2nd grade in public school, as well as here at Calvary Chapel I have taught various grades and subjects.

This will be my second year teaching 6th grade at Calvary Chapel Academy. Prior to this, I was able to teach at a homeschool co-op. This included several classes and a variety of ages. I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at SJFC. I enjoy teaching because it imparts a sense of purpose and meaning. Each day presents an opportunity to contribute to something greater than yourself. I love seeing how kids think because they have amazing ideas and perspectives. Watching the students grow and change throughout the year is a blessing.

I am grateful for Jesus having His hand upon my life. How He loves me, forgives me, and sanctifies me is a miracle in itself. I love reading His Word and being directed and guided by His Holy Spirit. I am so thankful He has opened the door to serve at Calvary Chapel Academy.

I enjoy gardening, reading, and learning new things. Spending time with my husband and my children is the main focus of my time.

I am a graduate of our own Calvary Chapel School of Ministry. I love serving the Lord wherever He has me. Whether that is being a faithful husband, teaching Sunday school, teaching here at Calvary Chapel Academy, the sound room, on mission trips, cleaning the church, even cleaning toilets, wherever the Lord has me I am blessed!

I truly enjoy teaching because I have the privilege and opportunity to minister and pour into the lives of these kids, while loving them and raising them up in the way of the Lord. I was a substitute teacher in various ways over the last few years, as well as in our Sunday school program and I have enjoyed every minute of it! My wife and I enjoy hiking, and of course serving the Lord.

Pastor Steve and I have been fellowshipping here at CCFL for almost 20 years! I came to know the Lord during my years at Buffalo State College where I received a BS in Art Education. I previously homeschooled our own children, Corban and Corrin, and also taught 1st and 5th grades here at CCA.

This will be my fifth year teaching 4th grade and I am passionate about this formative year with students. Being involved in children’s lives is such a privilege. There is nothing else quite like Christian education. Diving into His Word daily and making disciples is incredible. I’m grateful to be able to help lay a solid foundation in Jesus to so many children.

I also love to share my love for running. Isaiah 40:31 NKJV says “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Let’s continue to run our race well!

I was saved as a young child and baptized. Unfortunately, some events in my late childhood pulled me from my faith. I grew up in a broken family with neither parents following Jesus. Because of this, I ran from my hurt and those family members who kept me in church. I was brought back to the Lord when my now husband walked up to me one day and simply asked, “Do you know Jesus?” Since then my life has been Christ centered and God has walked side by side with us.

Teaching is something I never thought I could do until God showed me this gift. Teaching tiny minds about Jesus and watching them grow in their relationship with Him is one of my greatest blessings. I have taught children ranging in ages 2-16 years old in Sunday school for over 10 years as well as homeschooling my son for two years. In my spare time, I love reading, word and math puzzles, and building Legos. I greatly look forward to what the Lord has in store for me at Calvary Chapel Academy!

Widowed at in her early twenties, Janet had the challenge of raising two very young daughters. A friend gave her a Bible and suggested that she read it for comfort. That was the beginning of her relationship with Jesus. “I took her advice and my life has been an adventure with Jesus at my side. My heart is to share the hope and healing that is found as we search the Scriptures and live by their truth, growing in a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Janet enjoys people of all ages. She is one of the early teachers at here at CCA, teaching various grade levels for 13 non-consecutive years. Janet feels that teaching is not only in the classroom setting, but wherever you find yourself. “As I use the gifting given to me by the Spirit of God, my hope is that others will be edified, and God will be glorified”.

As a graduate from the New York State School of Nursing RN program, Janet also spent 3 years at the Al Sigl Center as the school nurse. She has taught Women’s Bible studies and facilitated small groups, as well as Grief Share Programs.

Some of Janet’s hobbies include: exploring older towns and villages in the Finger Lakes area (aka: Day Tripping), as well as looking for treasures in second hand shops and flea markets.  She also enjoys crafting, reading, swimming at the lake, and walks on the many trails in the surrounding region. At the top of the list, however, would be family time, precious time that goes so quickly! Janet noted that she and her 8-year-old grandson are both avid Lego builders!

This will be my fourth year teaching at CCA, and I’m looking forward to another year filled with a lot of learning and fun. I spend most of my time with my family. Prior to teaching at Calvary Chapel Academy, I spent the last 15 years homeschooling my four children. I also have spent many years teaching dance. There are many Bible verses that I love, but the one that I think about all day long is Haggai 1:7, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts consider your ways.” To me “consider your ways” means I must keep my words, my actions, my thoughts, and my motives in check at all times. This verse helps to guide me through each day, so that I may do my best to live a life that pleases the Lord.

Our family also has four cats named Hank, Frank, David, and Bunny. One area of dance I am truly passionate about is ballet. My favorite color is yellow. I have a huge sweet tooth. It is my privilege and a huge blessing to be teaching first grade again this year!

I was raised as a Catholic and went to Catholic school. I enjoyed Bible studies as an adult, but never knew the whole truth. I gave my heart to Jesus when Potters Field Ministry shared at Calvary Chapel Rochester in 2000. Prior to that, I was attending a Methodist church, but going to Calvary Chapel of the Finger Lakes Bible studies on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Through that, the Lord drew my husband and me to leave the Methodist church and come to CC Finger Lakes full time in 2001. I am blessed to serve here as a teacher and help in the cafe/bookstore. I also enjoy our ladies studies.

I have an associates degree in Computer Science, a NYS license in cosmetology, as well as education for accounting and math. I spent time in the Cananadaigua School District as a teachers aid for four years, as well as teaching 5th grade here at CCA in the 2016-2017 school year.

Children are so precious! I love children. I love to see their excitement when they get to give an answer. Its fun to listen to their stories, especially when they are sharing with each other. It’s so much fun to help them learn. I have two daughters, and 4 grandchildren. I love spending time with them going on adventures, and doing fun things like crafts. I am a crafter at heart, enjoy knitting and crocheting, making jewelry, or paper crafts, and of course spending time with my family.

I am so thankful God continues to help me grow in the knowledge of Him. He has begun a work in me and promises to continue.

I became a Christian at a very young age, and I rededicated my life to God at age 13. One of the most poignant lessons I am learning in my walk is that there is almost nothing as important as taking one’s faith into their own hands, even if they have grown up in a godly household, as I have. I attended Calvary Chapel Rochester for over fifteen years, until the beginning of 2021, then my family felt led to join the Calvary Chapel Finger Lakes family. It has been a blessing to get to know some of the wonderful people who comprise this church, and I am so glad to have this opportunity to become knit into this body even more in this new chapter of my life.

I was homeschooled from second grade all the way up through my high school graduation in 2023. Solid, proper education for young people is something that I feel quite strongly about, having been blessed with a wonderful education myself. I believe that everyone and their learning style is unique. It is crucial to cater to and nurture each child according to his/her strengths and struggles. I believe that the two most important things an educator can teach his students are 1) the ultimate truth of God’s Word, which is the foundation for all other knowledge and learning, and 2) how to think critically.

I have a variety of interests and hobbies. I have played the violin for over ten years, and I am currently a member of the Penfield Symphony Orchestra. I am extremely close with my younger sister, and enjoy doing practically anything in her company. I love creative writing, reading, being with my friends and family, and taking walks.

I have been saved for many years and I’ve only recently really learned what it means to walk with Him; what it means to love Him above all, letting Him lead and guide and trusting Him, by serving and worshiping through it all.

I love being able to teach the things in life that I’m passionate about and giving students the opportunity to share and develop that as well, whether its the ways of the Lord or the world of sports.

I have had the blessed privilege of serving in Children’s Ministry at Calvary Chapel Finger Lakes. I was home schooled my entire education, and then attended the School of Ministry for two years. In addition to being the physcial educational instructor at CCA, I also serve at radio station WZXV, 99.7 FM, right here at Calvary Chapel.