Faculty
The outstanding individuals who teach our students have dedicated their lives and expert teaching to the spiritual and intellectual formation of their students. Because our faculty understand that a classical Christian education is a comprehensive program that forms a young person’s mind, soul, and body, they daily nurture the mental habits, attitudes, and measurable academic skills that will cultivate wisdom and virtuous behavior. Obviously, such an academic program requires very special teachers – people with outstanding credentials; people who care; people whose accomplishments mean they have something to give their students. We believe that in an environment like this – aided by small class size! – early learners can master Math and Reading while developing the fundamental character that allows future learning and responsible behavior to flourish.
Phyllis Festa
Head of Administrative Team, Director of Curriculum, Assessment & Admissions
Phyllis Festa came to the school in the 2019-2020 academic year. Prior to working here at Abington Christian Academy, she spent thirteen years in higher education helping adult learners pursue their passions teaching English, Mathematics, and Early Childhood Education core courses. Mrs. Festa also spent a decade homeschooling her children, another decade teaching elementary school, and several years teaching preschoolers. Outside of helping others learn and preparing them to live a life of wisdom and knowledge, she enjoys gardening, reading, writing, painting, and antiquing. Mrs. Festa earned her bachelor’s degree in Bible and Elementary Education and a Masters of Ed with a concentration in Curriculum Design and Instruction from Clarks Summit University. Psalm 126:3 is her favorite reminder that God has done great things for us, his people, and our response to him.
Tammy Rodriguez
Director of Operations & Communications
Mrs. Rodriguez joined the academy as an office manager in August of 2018, after helping as a parent volunteer during the 2017-2018 academic year. Before joining the academy, Tammy 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 and studied communications and journalism at Bloomsburg University. Along with spending time with her family, Tammy is a lover of cats, butterflies, daisies, and coffee. On her free time, you can find her playing board games, camping, painting, or traveling. Although summer is her favorite time of year, Tammy enjoys watching the sun rise and set each day, as well as God’s beauty in the changing of seasons. She finds great joy in spending her Sunday mornings at church and has been on the guest experience team in the café for the past 9 years. Tammy’s favorite bible verse is Psalm 4:13, as this verse 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 for 3 years and then teaching the Pre-Kindergarten class. This is Cheryl’s 20th year teaching in Christian schools, having previously taught 1st and 2nd grades in Butler, PA. Cheryl loves teaching young children, reading 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, collecting a variety of instruments, cabin camping with family, sitting near trees and mountains by a babbling brook with her feet in the water and singing. Psalm 139 is her favorite passage of Scripture.
Emily Sheehan
Physical Education Teacher
Miss Sheehan joined the ACA team as the Physical Education teacher in the fall of 2021. Throughout her years of attending Dunmore high school and The University of Scranton, she played basketball. Emily studied exercise science and is currently the Director of Sports Performance at Riverfront Sports, training athletes of all different ages. She helps athletes to become faster, stronger, and overall better at their sport. As Emily has grown up with sports and fitness, health and physical education come naturally to her. Her hobbies include running and working out, especially when the weather is nice and coaching. Emily is also the assistant coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team at Scranton Prep High School. A favorite bible verse for Emily is Chronicles 15:7 – But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded – because it applies to the perseverance and determination needed while working through the challenges of sports and overall life. Emily says “When you persevere and put in the necessary work, God will reward you in all His good ways. I am thrilled to be a part of the ACA family and apply my knowledge in the teaching of fitness and health in our young community”.
Melissa Krauss
4th and 5th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Krauss joined the ACA family in 2021, teaching 3rd and 4th grade and she is in her 6th year teaching in Christian schools, previously at Holmesburg Christian Academy and Rock Solid Academy. Melissa received a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Bible from Cairn University. Mrs. Krauss enjoys spending time with her family, especially in the summer at the beach. She loves reading, cooking and drawing. Having traveled to Guatemala three times, Melissa loves doing mission work there and sponsoring two children who live there as well. She enjoys reading work of her favorite author, Ted Dekker and she enjoys listening to True Crime podcasts. Melissa’s favorite book of the bible is Romans.
Jennifer Michaels
1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Michaels is in her second year at Abington Christian Academy. Joining ACA in 2021, she taught both 1st and 2nd grade. Mrs. Michaels completed her undergraduate at Lancaster Bible College and graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Bible. She furthered her education at Eastern Mennonite University by earning a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in special education.
Jennifer taught first grade for 7 years at a private school in Lititz Area Mennonite School in Lancaster County and after moving to Northeastern PA, she taught at a private school for children with special needs for 2 years. In her spare time, you can find Mrs. Michaels traveling, camping, hiking, and spending time with her family! Her favorite passage of scripture is Galatians 2:20.
Nicole Fenton
Art
Mrs. Fenton joined ACA during the 2019-2020 academic year. Along with teaching at ACA, Nicole has been the owner of a small business, teaching private and group art lessons, since 2018. She has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies from Clarks Summit University, and has also had experience in the autism and intellectual disabilities field. When she is not teaching, she enjoys painting and dabbling in other art media, cooking, singing, gardening flowers, and being with her family. If asked about her favorite book, Nicole would tell you “the Narnia series never gets old and you can’t bee too old for it!”. Her favorite book from the bible is Romans 8!
Elizabeth Welman
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Welman joined the ACA family in the summer of 2022 as a lead teacher for the Summer Enrichment Program – Reach for the Stars, where she taught about the creation of Earth and the Solar System to students ranging from 3 – 9 years old. Growing up in Southern New Jersey, Beth attended public school through 8th grade and then attended a Christian high school. Her desire to be a missionary teacher led her to further her education at Clark Summit University. Beth was a single missionary in Durban, South Africa for 9 years and then lived with her husband in Johannesburg and Pensacola, Florida, where she was the C.E. director at her church for 4 years. After relocating to Northeast Pennsylvania, Beth was the children’s ministry director at Heritage Baptist church and a caregiver for her mother. On her free time, you can find Beth painting with acrylics and watercolor, crafting, quilting, baking and decorating. She loves coffee and tea, scrapbooking and teaching the Bible to children. Beth also enjoys traveling to Africa to visit with her family in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Jennifer Cohen
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Cohen has been a part of the ACA family since 2016. Starting out as a substitute with ACA, Mrs. Cohen has also taught the 1st and 2nd Grades, Physical Education and Pre-K. Jennifer and her husband have been in ministry together for over 13 years and she feels it brings great joy to see people come to faith and grow in Christ. A graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Jennifer moved from California to Pennsylvania to help with a church plant. In college, Jennifer worked with Light and Life Christian School. She was a social worker for over 6 years in Philadelphia and has traveled on multiple mission trips to different areas including Mexico, Peru, Montserrat and Maine. A love for being outside in the sunshine leads Jennifer to hiking, backpacking, biking, running, and camping as some of her favorite hobbies. She loves spending time with her family and friends and sharing her faith. Jennifer’s favorite bible verse is Matthew 22:37-39 – And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…”
Dorothy Leach
Kindergarten and All-School Aide
Mrs. Leach has been part of the ACA family for 25 years, as she was a substitute from 1997 through 2009, when she began teaching full time. Mrs. Leach taught Kindergarten for over 10 years and for the past 3 years she has been an aide in Kindergarten as well as a learning support aide for young learners in reading, writing, and arithmetic. In addition to her classroom experience, Dorothy homeschooled her own children. She has also worked at daycares and was a substitute in Tunkhannock and Mountain View. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Marywood University, with a concentration in early childhood education. Dorothy enjoys teaching, traveling, cooking, baking and being with her family, especially her grandchildren. Decorating and entertaining in her home or in the church fellowship hall is something that Dorothy also truly enjoys. Dorothy loves the beach and historical sightseeing, including biblical museums and historical reenactments. The Old Testament is Dorothy’s favorite to read and she likes Joshua 24:15 and claims it for her family (that they will serve the Lord).
Linda Titus
Chapel Teacher
Miss Titus has been a part of the ACA family for many years as a chapel teacher and substitute in the classrooms. She has been consistently teaching chapel weekly since the fall of 2021. A graduate of the University of Scranton and Clarks Summit University, Linda has also been a missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Lackawanna County since 1991. She taught chapel and bible class in several of the schools in Lackawanna County over the years. Some of Linda’s greatest joys are spending time with her niece and nephew, her cats and teaching children about Jesus. She also loves to read mysteries. When she isn’t reading mysteries, her favorite books of the bible are Isaiah and Acts. Linda’s 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 and After Care Coordinator
Mrs. Antolick joined the ACA family in 2021 as a Pre-Kindergarten aide and all-school aide. She brings with her a wealth of life experiences and wisdom gained while leading the children’s programs and activities in her local church. Martha enjoys traveling to Utah every year with her sisters, where they hike. She believes Utah to be one of the most beautiful states. Martha loves to crochet, make jewelry and read. Mrs. Antolick has a servant’s heart and is willing to assist in any way she can. Along with her love of the Psalms, Martha’s favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 – 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.
Bob Montgomery
Learning Support Aide
Mr. Montgomery has been part of the ACA family since April, 2022, when he joined the team as an advisor and aide. Bob comes to ACA with over 35 years of teaching in public school special education classes, after earning his Master of Education degree from Penn State University. During his time at Penn State, the field of special education was undergoing the change from providing arts and crafts and life-skills training to making the commitment to special needs students to provide the kind of education that would help each student to learn academically to their personal potential. Bob has felt he has been on the cutting edge of how to teach students that did not learn in a traditional manner, which led to his need to get his M.Ed. Bob shares that his greatest joy is his family. He enjoys time with them and is thankful that they are local to him. He likes to vacation in warm places. Bob is involved in Bible study and discipleship groups with his local church and has had the privilege of being discipled by and ministering with the Navigators for nine years. He enjoys golfing, which was evident at the inaugural ACA Golf Tournament for the 2022-2023 school year. Bob’s favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Mike Hauser
Music Teacher
Mr. Hauser has joined the ACA family in the fall of 2022. He has been a worship pastor at The Grove Church since 2011. Prior to planting The Grove, Michael also served in various churches volunteering in leading worship and playing in the band. He and his wife both attended Cedarville University and he completed his Master’s work at Spring University. Michael loves to spend time with his family watching movies, playing games, or taking a walk. His favorite place to go is to his family’s cabin in central Pennsylvania. He enjoys riding his motorcycle as well as playing guitar and songwriting. Michael’s favorite authors are Dallas Willard, C.S. Lewis and Stephen Lawhead. His favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28.
Lily Bynon
Learning Support Aide
Mrs. Bynon has been working with ACA for several years. She was on staff from 1992 through 1996 again in 2006. She has taught several grades, substituted, and volunteered throughout the years. She has joined the Learning Support team in the fall of 2022. Lily earned her Bachelor of Education in 1965 from Millersville and her Mater of Education from Temple University in 1968. She has been taking additional courses throughout her teaching career. Lily has taught students from kindergarten through college and has started Christian schools. She taught at Wilkes University for 7 years, supervising student teachers and instructing educational courses. Lily has also worked in business through the SS Bureau, restaurants, and offices. Among touring the United States, Lily also enjoys reading her Bible as well as books that provide more understanding on the Bible. She loves teaching children or Bible classes and helping others. Lily also plays the piano. Her favorite books to read in the Bible are the Psalms and her favorite verses are Philippians 2:1-14 and 4: 4-13.
