Christian Central Academy sees each teacher as the “living textbook,” the “living curriculum,” seeking to guide each student to maximize his or her God-given potential, to gain mastery over the subject matter, and to see the truth of what they are learning as another expression of the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He is the TRUTH. Therefore, all areas of intellectual pursuit come under His dominion and Lordship. All teachers know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, seeking themselves daily to model a life of obedience and excellence, reflective of Christ.

Grade levels are coordinated within divisions with a faculty head over each division. Teachers post homework accessible through each one’s profile page. Also, all teachers for grades K-6 write a weekly “parent letter” sent home with the student each Friday. These letters are also posted through the teacher’s profile page. Please see “HOMEWORK” under “Quick Links” on our homepage for directions on how to access all these resources.

PRIMARY DIVISION, Kindergarten-2nd Grade: Division Head, Mrs. Cheryl Smyth

Experienced, dedicated and certified teachers use a variety of teaching techniques to allow each student to enjoy success in learning. Smaller size classes (on average - about 18 students per class) pursue a fully integrated program of “core” subjects of Bible, science, social studies, math, and language arts enhanced by the “specials” of music, art, physical education, library, computer, and Spanish. The in-depth phonics-based language arts program balances and encourages each student to build a foundation to continue into the next grade as an eager, confident reader. Each grade enjoys its own fully equipped classroom where teachers aim to instill and lovingly reinforce age-appropriate mastery and enjoyment of the core disciplines. Students are involved in community service activities (e.g., annual leaf-raking-for-the-neighbors, sharing Christ’s love at a local retirement home) and field trips (e.g., farms, planetarium, Albright-Knox gallery, Buffalo Philharmonic and more).

Kindergarten:

Mrs. Nancy Basinski, nbasinskicca@gmail.com, phone ext. 105

Mrs. Ciara (Lang) Jentz, cjentzcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 106

First Grade:

Mrs. Sharon Backus, sbackuscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 112

Miss Rebecca Smith, rsmithcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 114

Second Grade:

Mrs. Cheryl Smyth, csmythcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 103

Mrs. Sue Koch, teacher aide

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION, 3rd - 5th Grade: Division Head, Mrs. Sandra Paul

Critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills become more developed. Teachers continue a strong emphasis on reading and writing. Fourth graders participate in several standardized tests throughout the year, including the New York State Testing Program. Teachers are always alert for new and unusual field trip experiences, with past destinations including Lockport Locks, Fort Niagara, Wilcox Museum, and the Genesee Country Museum. All fifth graders culminate their study of American history with a 3-day trip to Gettysburg, PA each May.

Sixth grade is regarded as an important transitional year in the life of our students on the road to greater independence and responsibility for their learning and lifestyle. CCA sixth graders continue with a classroom teacher as their main teacher for most of the core subjects, but begin to experience accountability to other teachers as they “trade classrooms” for science and math which are team taught by both sixth grade teachers. The teachers, therefore, get to know all the sixth graders. Also, the students begin to taste “changing classes” for social studies. Student discipline modifies in this grade, also. The first half of the year, discipline follows the elementary guidelines. (Please see Parent-Student Handbook for details.) For the second half of the year, 6th graders are eligible to experience “detention” if warranted. This gradual transition into expanded responsibilities and accountability to more teachers has proven very successful for this important developmental phase for students.

Third Grade:

Mrs. Mary Mittner, mmittnercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 213

Mrs. Kathie Stuitje, kstuitjecca@gmail.com, phone ext. 211

Fourth Grade:

Mrs. Katrina Szucs, kszucscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 204

Mrs. Kelly Lux, kluxcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 203

Fifth Grade:

Miss Gretchen Ertell, gertellcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 207

Mrs. Sandra Paul, spaulcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 209

Sixth Grade:

Mrs. Diane Wisto, dwistocca@gmail.com, phone ext. 206

Mrs. Lisa Wright, lwrightcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 210

Mrs. Sue Koch, teacher aide for 2nd and 6th grades

MIDDLE SCHOOL, Grades 6-8: Division Head, Mrs. Lisa Wright

Throughout the Middle School years, students continue to grow in thinking skills and responsible decision-making. Now into the typical schedule of changing classes for each subject, they enjoy a full schedule with field trips, competitive sports, assembly programs, with added responsibilities to earn community service hours as part of their Bible grade. (Number of minimum required hours are listed on the Graduation Requirements page in the Parent-Student Handbook.) Students are eligible to be elected as class officers. Eighth graders sit for the New York State Testing Program assessments. All middle school students enjoy the annual “Science Day at Darien Lake” each spring.

Mrs. Sandra Emser, semsercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 212, Health, Science 7-8

Mrs. Corrie (Ingraham) Barrett, cbarrettcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 215, Art 2-8, Bible 7

Mrs. Jessica Manns, jmannscca@gmail.com, Spanish K-7; Bible 8

Mr. James Ornella, jornellacca@gmail.com, phone ext. 312, Study Skills 7, Global Studies II (high school), Government and Economics (high school)

Mr. Daniel Peltier, dpeltiercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 200, English 7, 8

Miss Elizabeth Spoth, espothcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 208; Bible 8; Math 7,8, Algebra for accelerated 8th graders

Mrs. Stephanie Stehlin, sstehlincca@gmail.com, phone ext. 202, Social Studies 6-8

Mrs. Lynnette Wrigglesworth, lwrigglesworthcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 403, Bible 7; Journalism/Yearbook (high school); Digital Photography

HIGH SCHOOL, Grades 9-12: Division Head, Mrs. Deborah Wade

CCA’s primary goal for each student in the high school is to bring together all the student’s previous learning for a culminating experience to prepare him or her for admission to the college of his or her choice and the excel there. CCA’s college advisor works with high schoolers and their parents to assist in the college selection and application process. High schoolers are able to meet and talk with numerous colleges and universities representatives who visit campus each year. Seniors travel on a week-long mission trip to the Dominican Republic each May, each student having raised his or her support through the preceding years’ various fundraising events. CCA seniors have been blessed over the years with 100% college acceptance rate.

As a college preparatory school, all CCA students follow a program of study that leads to the Regents diploma as the minimum standard for academic achievement. Motivated students fulfill requirements over and above the Regents for a CCA diploma with Merit, with Honors, or with High Honors. (Requirements for more advanced diplomas are outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook.)

All high school students are enrolled in Bible and Regents courses. Capable students may pursue Advanced Placement courses which may lead to college credit (granted by the college or university the student attends, not by CCA.)

Mrs. Hana Asirwatham. hasirwathamcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 214, Biology, AP Biology

Mrs. Tina Burgett, tburgettcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 404, Art 9-12, Senior Class Advisor

Miss Briana Ciffa, bciffacca@gmail.com, phone ext. 310, Bible 9, English 9, 12, AP English Literature

Ms. Angela D’Angelo, Spanish III, IV

Dr. Deone Drake, Bible 12

Mrs. Monica Fronczak, mfronczakcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 502, high school science lab assistant

Mrs. Sara Galda, sgaldacca@gmail.com, phone ext. 315; Bible 9; English 10, 11; AP English Literature

Dr. Alan Graffam, agraffamcca@gmail.com, ccacollegeadvisor@roadrunner.com, phone ext. 216, Bible 12, College Advisor

Mr. Winston Martey, wmarteycca@gmail.com, phone ext. 314, Geometry, Pre-calculus, AP Calculus

Mr. James Ornella, jornellacca@gmail.com, phone ext. 312, Global Studies II, Government & Economics, Study Skills 7 (middle school)

Mr. Rich Phillips, rphillipscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 501, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, AP Physics, National Honor Society advisor

Mr. David Stehlin, dstehlincca@gmail.com, phone ext. 313, Global Studies I, US History, AP Us History, AP European History

Mrs. Deborah Wade, dwadecca@gmail.com, phone ext. 311, Division Head, grades 9-12, Mathematics 9-12; Bible 11; Faculty Mentor

Mrs. Lynnette Wrigglesworth, lwrigglesworthcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 503, Journalism/Yearbook, Bible 7 (middle school); Digital Photography

Mrs. Elizabeth Ziegler, ezieglercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 109, Bible 10, Spanish I, II; Senior Class Advisor

SPECIALS and ELECTIVES:

Mr. John Cammarano, Biblical Financial Planning

Mrs. Gail Conschafter, gconschaftercca@gmail.com , phone ext. 205, Computer K-12, Student Activities Coordinator

Miss Shannon Firth, sfirthcca@gmail.com, phone ext., 126; academic support

Ms. Amber Hord, strings teacher

Mr. Robert Kiekbusch, rkiekbuschcca@gmail.com , phone ext. 130, Athletic Director

Mrs. Beth Kivett, bkivettcca@gmail.com , phone ext. 117, Music K-5, Middle School Chorus, High School Chorus

Mrs. Brandy Marshall, academic math support

Mr. Kevin McNamara, kmcnamaracca@gmail.com, phone ext. 113, Physical Education K-12

Mrs. Joyce Pontrello, jpontrellocca@gmail.com, phone ext. 401, librarian, Communications (senior elective), Research Skills (senior elective)

Mrs. Melody Shipley, mshipleycca@gmail.com, phone ext. 116, Elementary, Middle School, High School Band, Music Theory

Mrs. Cathy Tom, ctomcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 131, Physical Education K-12; Senior Class Adviso,