Faculty
CCA recognizes the influence of the teacher in shaping the student’s attitudes and beliefs. Teachers are the “living textbook” who promote scriptural standards of right and wrong, teach the student to honor and love God and set an example in prayer. Our teachers, together with the rest of the staff, are committed to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and reflect that commitment in their interactions with colleagues, students, and parents, and in the integration of Christian principles in their respective areas.
All our faculty represent a variety of academic experiences and denominational backgrounds, with the majority having earned their masters, or have the masters degree in process.
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
PRIMARY DIVISION (Kindergarten - Grade 2), Mrs. Cheryl Smyth, division head, phone ext. 103
Beginning in kindergarten, CCA offers a full-day program featuring
- dedicated, experienced, certified teachers who use a variety of teaching techniques so each student can have success in learning.
- individualized attention with small classes.
- lots of exercise coupled with rest.
- fully integrated program of “core” subject areas of Bible, science, social studies, math, language arts, complemented with music, physical education, art, Spanish, and computer classes continuing through all grades. Library is a regular part of the weekly curriculum for grades K-6.
- an in-depth phonics-based language program that balances and encourages each student to build a foundation to move through all grades as an eager, confident reader.
- community involvement through several annual field trips.
There are two classes in each of these grades, each enjoying its own fully equipped room where the teacher aims to instill and lovingly reinforce age-appropriate mastery and enjoyment of the core disciplines. Kindergartners are embraced in a caring, nurturing environment that allows each student to understand the wonder of God’s truth revealed through their exciting learning.
First graders eagerly dive into learning of Bible, math, phonics/spelling/reading, language, history, science, and even penmanship, frequently enhanced by puppetry and drama, all so they come to understand God’s handprint in all they learn.
Second graders continue building on their strong reading skills and problem-solving abilities as they enjoy great children’s classic literature, phonics and extensive writing to coincide with the core subjects. Plentiful field trips include visits to a planetarium, art gallery, a senior residence, hospital, pet store, farm and new destinations each year.
Kindergarten faculty:
Mrs. Nancy Basinski, nbasinskicca@gmail.com, phone ext. 105
Mrs. Ashley Scibilia, ascibiliacca@gmail, phone ext. 106
First Grade faculty:
Mrs. Sharon Backus, sbackuscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 112
Mrs. Jennifer Ward, jwardcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 114
Second Grade faculty:
Mrs. Susan Koch, skochcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 110
Mrs. Cheryl Smyth, csmythcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 103
———————————————————————————————————————————
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (Grades 3-6), Mrs. Lisa Wright, division head, phone ext. 210
In these grades 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 Assessments. Fourth and fifth grade teachers team teach for science and social studies.
Teachers are always alert for new and unusual field trip experiences, with past destinations including the Lockport Locks, Letchworth State Park, Fort Niagara, Wilcox Mansion, and the Genesee Country Museum. Fifth graders culminate their study of American history with a 3-day trip to Gettysburg, PA each May.
An important year in preparation for the greater independence of middle school, sixth graders continue with a classroom teacher for all core subjects, with science and math team taught by our two six grade teachers. They are introduced to the discipline of “changing classes” with a separate teacher and classroom for social studies. They continue to go to “specials” as has been part of their routine since kindergarten. Students are expected to practice a higher degree of organizational skills and cultivate responsible independence, nurtured through a unique class, “Study Skills.”
Third Grade faculty:
Mrs. Mary Mittner, mmittnercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 213
Mrs. Kathie Stuitje, kstuitjecca@gmail.com, phone ext. 211
Fourth Grade faculty:
Mrs Katrina Szucs, kszucscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 204
Mrs. Kelly Lux,kluxcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 203
Fifth Grade faculty:
Miss Gretchen Ertell, gertellcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 207
Mrs. Sande Paul, spaulcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 209
Sixth Grade faculty:
Mrs. Lisa Wright, lwrightcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 210
Mrs. Diane Wisto, dwistocca@gmail.com, phone ext. 206
————————————————————————————————————————————
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8), Mrs. Kathy Burr, division head, phone ext. 208
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, seventh and eighth graders enjoy a full schedule with field trips, competitive sports, assembly programs and weekly chapel services. Middle Schoolers continue foreign language study. Eighth graders also sit for the NYS Testing Assessments in English language Arts, Math and Science.
Sixth Grade faculty (see above)
Seventh Grade faculty:
Mrs. Kathy Burr, kburrcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 208; Math 7-8, Bible 8, Dean of Discipline 6-8, Faculty Mentor
Mrs. Gail Conschafter, gconschaftercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 205; Computer K-12; Student Activities Coordinator
Mrs. Sandi Emser, semsercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 212; Science 7 & 8; Middle School Health; High School Health
Mrs. Alice Frederick, afrederickcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 202; Bible 8; English 7-8
Mr. S. Kevin McNamara, kmcnamaracca@gmail.com, phone ext. 113; Boys Physical Education, K-12
Mrs. Jennifer Schuh, jschuhcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 215; Art 2-8; Studio Art; Bible 7
Mrs. Joyce Pontrello, jpontrellocca@gmail.com, phone ext. 401; Library K-6
Mrs. Stephanie Stehlin, sstehlincca@gmail.com, phone ext. 200; Social Studies 6 - 8
Mrs. Cathy Tom, ctomcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 131; Girls Physical Education K-12
Mrs. Lynnette Wrigglesworth, lwrigglesworthcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 403; Bible 7; Journalism/Yearbook
——————————————————————————————————————————
HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 9-12 ), Mrs. Deborah Wade, division head, phone ext. 311
CCA’s primary goal for the high school is to bring together all the students’ previous learning for a culminating experience to prepare them to excel in college. As a college preparatory school, all CCA students follow a program of study that leads to the Regents diploma as the minimum standard of academic achievement. Motivated students fulfill graduation requirements beyond the Regents for a CCA High School Honors or High Honors diploma. All high school students are enrolled in Bible and Regents courses. Capable students pursue college credit through Advanced Placement courses. Extra-curricular activities include a variety of clubs, Council of Prefects and other student leaders, various athletic teams, Homecoming, retreats, class trips, yearbook, and more.
Mrs. Suzanne Allen, sallencca@gmail.com, phone ext. 309; Spanish I, II, III and IV; Bible 11
Mrs. Donaday Chapman, Drama Coach
Mrs. Gail Conschafter, gconschaftercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 205; Computer K-12; Student Activities coordinator
Mrs. Sandi Emser, semsercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 212; Biology
Mrs. Julie Fallin, jfallincca@gmail.com, phone ext.___; High School Art
Mrs. Monica Fronczak, mfronczakcca@gmail.com, High School Science Lab Assistant
Dr. Alan Graffam,agraffamcca@gmail.com, phone ext., 216; College Advisor, Bible 12
Mr. Robert Kiekbusch, rkiekbuschcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 130; Athletic Director
Mr. Winston Martey,wmarteycca@gmail.com, phone extension ___; Pre-calculus, AP Calculus
Mr. S. Kevin McNamara, kmcnamaracca@gmail.com, phone ext. 113; Boys Phys. Ed K-12; High School Health
Miss Ciara Lang, academic support, Bible 10
Mrs. Melissa O’Connor, moconnorcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 310; English 9 and 12
Mr. James Ornella, Global II; Government & Economics; Study SKills (grade 7)
Mr. Richard Phillips, rphillipscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 312; Chemistry; Earth Science; Physics, AP Physics; Coordinator - National Honor Society
Mrs. Joyce Pontrello, jpontrellocca@gmail.com, phone ext. 401; Library; Communications (Grade 12)
Mrs. Melody Shipley, mshipleycca@gmail.com, phone ext. 116; Elementary, Middle School and High School Bands
Mr. David Stehlin, dstehlincca@gmail.com, phone ext. 313; Bible 10; Global Studies I, US History & AP US History; Mock Trial team advisor
Mrs. Cathy Tom, ctomcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 131; Girls Physical Education K-12; Middle School Health
Miss Desiree Van Alstine, dvanalstinecca@gmail.com, phone ext. 310; Biology; AP Biology; Bible 10
Mrs. Deborah Wade, dwadecca@gmail.com, phone ext., 311; high school (9-12) division head ; Algebra I, Algebra II/Trigonometry; Bible 11
Mrs. Lynnette Wrigglesworth, lwrigglesworthcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 403; Art 9-12, Journalism/Yearbook; Bible 7
Mrs. Elizabeth Ziegler, ezieglercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 109; Spanish K-6, Spanish I; Bible 9
Miss Christina Zima, czimacca@gmail.com, phone ext. 315; Bible 9; English 10, 11, 11 Honors
—————————————————————————————————————————
“Specials” faculty
Music
Mrs. Beth Kivett, bkivettcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 117; General music K-5, Elementary, Middle and High School choruses
Mrs. Melody Shipley, mshipleycca@gmail.com, phone ext. 116; High School Chorus; Elementary, Middle and High School Bands
Art
Mrs. Jennifer Schuh, jschuhscca@gmail.com, phone ext. 215; Art 2-8
Mrs. Lynnette Wrigglesworth, lwrigglesworthcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 403; Journalism I, Journalism II, Yearbook; Bible 7
Foreign Language
Mrs. Suzanne Allen, sallencca@gmail.com, phone ext. 309; Spanish I-IV
Mrs. Elizabeth Ziegler, ezieglercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 109; Spanish K-6, Spanish I
Computer
Mrs. Gail Conschafter, gconschaftercca@gmail.com, phone ext. 205; Computer K-8, Advanced Computer (high school elective)
Physical Education
Mr. S. Kevin McNamara, kmcnamaracca@gmail.com, phone ext. 113; Boys Physical Education K-12, High School Health
Mrs. Cathy Tom, ctomcca@gmail.com, phone ext. 131; Girls Physical Education K-12; Middle School Health
Library
Mrs. Joyce Pontrello, jpontrellocca@gmail.com, phone ext. 401; Library K