FACULTY
Mrs. Jan K. Wells, M.Ed.
Administrator
Part-Time Teacher: Grades 7 & 8
Latin Instructor
7 years at ACA
M.Ed. – Reading Specialist – Bloomsburg University
B.S. – Elementary Education, Music – Bloomsburg State College
Having dedicated her life to Christian education, Mrs. Wells seeks to bring excitement, rigor, and Christ-centeredness to learning at the academy. Over the past 30 years, Mrs. Wells has taught at Bloomsburg Christian School, Northeast Christian School, The Geneva School, and her own homeschool. She has also served as a literacy mentor, a homeschool evaluator, a vocal ensemble director, an assistant director of the Lackawanna Trail Marching Lions, and a flute instructor. What she appreciates about ACA are the students (“delightful”), the teachers (“dedicated, diligent, encouraging, Christ-minded”), the families (“supportive, caring, and friendly”), and the school board (“encouraging, supportive, and visionary”). She also loves the rich and varied curriculum and the freedom to point to Christ in every aspect of the school. Mrs. Wells’ favorite hymn is Charles Wesley’s “Arise, My Soul, Arise” because it returns her thoughts to Jesus. Mrs. Wells lives in Dalton with her husband, Kevin. She has two daughters. Someday, she would like to earn a doctorate and to visit Italy again.
Mrs. Annette Brush
Art
3 years at ACA
B.F.A. - Graphic Design (Minors: Photography, Art History, Spanish) - Marywood University
"To everything there is a season and a time and purpose under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). This is Mrs. Brush's favorite scripture. She comes to Abington Christian Academy following a 15-year career as a graphic artist and an artist manager. For the past 15 years she has also served in the children's ministry at Green Ridge Assembly of God, where she is currently the children's pastor. A native of Scranton, Mrs. Brush graduated from Bishop Hannan High School and Marywood University. Her favorite things are being a mom, pencil drawing, gardening, painting, and reading. She also LOVES Christmas. Mrs. Brush makes her home in New Milford with her husband, David, and their four children: Lynnea, Christina, Nathan, and Sam.
Mrs. Lily Bynon
Grades 5 & 6
8 years at ACA
M.Ed. – Education and Administration – Temple University
B.S. – Elementary Education, Spanish – Millersville University
(plus additional credits beyond earned degrees)
A veteran educator with over 40 years of experience in both public and private schools and at Wilkes University, Mrs. Bynon has actively dedicated her life to Christian ministry. She has been employed as the principal or assistant principal of several Christian schools. She’s glad to be part of ACA, where she enjoys the compassionate, friendly, Christ-centered environment. At various churches throughout her lifetime, Mrs. Bynon has served as lay minister, church treasurer, church secretary, Sunday school teacher, summer camp teacher, and missions director. Her favorite verses are Philippians 4:4-8, 13. A resident of Clarks Summit, Mrs. Bynon’s hobbies include reading Christian literature and the Bible and enjoying her 10-year-old daschund-beagle mix, Zachary. Her husband was the late John E. Bynon.
Mrs. Judy Jones
Music
2 years at ACA
B.S. -- Music Education -- Mansfield University
The academy is honored to have the experienced, joyful Mrs. Jones for a music educator. Prior to joining the ACA faculty, she spent nearly 25 years teaching middle school music in the Abington Heights school district. She began her music teaching career in the 1950s at Tunkhannock public school where she taught grades 1 through 12. She then spent six years teaching elementary students at Maine-Endwell public school in New York. To all of our delight, Mrs. Jones now generously volunteers her talent and expertise to ACA students. She and her husband, Ernest, live on West Mountain in Scranton.
Mrs. Dorothy Leach
Kindergarten
3 years at ACA
B.S. - Elementary and Early Childhood Education - Marywood University
"I love to teach and to study the Bible! I especially love to teach reading," says Mrs. Leach. Originally from Chinchilla, she loves to cook, go to the beach, swim, entertain, and play games, especially Pictionary. She homeschooled her three children--Nathaniel, Amanda, and Isaiah--for many years before coming to teach at the academy. Mrs. Leach lives with her husband, Bruce, and their children in Lenoxville.
Mrs. Naomi Mascaro
PreK3 & PreK4
17 years at ACA
Mrs. Mascaro is well known in the Clarks Summit area for her skilled, compassionate education of preschool children. She estimates that she’s taught close to 250 area students over the past 15 years. During that time, she’s been continually supported by Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Mrs. Mascaro’s guiding classroom philosophy is that every child is an individual, and that every child matures at a different rate. Her most important piece of advice for parents of preschoolers? “Practice patience with your children and teach them to be as independent as possible.” Mrs. Mascaro’s hobbies are reading and being with her husband, Tony, and their two children, Brittany and Brian.
Mrs. Rachel Tajan
Grades 1 & 2
2 years at ACA
B.S. - Early Childhood Education - Messiah College
A graduate of Abington Heights High School, Mrs. Tajan enjoys beading, scrapbooking, volleyball, and taking walks. Mrs. Tajan holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Messiah College and previously taught at Christian schools in Maryland. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 37:4. Mrs. Tajan and her husband, Archie, and son, Gideon, reside in Peckville with their pet beagle, Griff.
Miss Emily Wilson
Grades 3 & 4
2 years at ACA
B.S. - Elementary Education - Baptist Bible College
A resident of Clarks Summit, Miss Wilson has always wanted to be a teacher. While a student at Baptist Bible College, Miss Wilson student-taught at ACA and then applied to teach at the academy following graduation. She is a motivated and caring teacher. During her first year at ACA, Miss Wilson initiated both a Ski Club and a Cheerleading Club. She lives in Waverly.
Mr. Timothy Zieger
Grades 7 & 8
1 year at ACA
B.S. - Sacred Music & Bible - Baptist Bible College
M.A. - Christian Apologetics (anticipated year of graduation 2013) - Biola University
"I love music, being outdoors, history, traveling, building, thinking, crafting, riding bikes, hiking, reading, not knowing everything, wood, art, space, good films, photography, bed and breakfasts, hydroponics, aquaponics, apologetics, philosophy, archaeology, the thesaurus, and much more (not necessarily in that order)!" Prior to coming to ACA, Mr. Zieger taught private brass and guitar lessons at Northeast School of Music and was a grower at Sun Aqua Farms in Dalton. He is awed by John 1:1-5, and some of his favorite hymns are "The Church's One Foundation," "Man of Sorrows," "How Sweet and Awesome," and "O Sacred Head." Originally from Wawarsing, New York, Mr. Zieger now lives in Dalton with his "beautiful, patient wife" Abigail Grace, his son, James, a Leopard Geko named Phinney, and two ornery cats: Lady and Jeepers.
STAFF
Ms. Louise Cator
Business Manager
7 years at ACA
Some coursework completed – Elementary Education, Special Education – Mansfield University
Ms. Cator—aka Miss Louise and Weezie—capably cares for many details of the academy. She appreciates that, at ACA, all subjects are taught from the perspective that God has created all things and that education can reveal His handprint in all areas. Ms. Cator has worked a variety of jobs all over the United States. In addition to her position at the academy, Ms. Cator is secretary at Clarks Green Assembly and clerk for the local Christian bookstore, Gifts from Above. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, Bible study, music, woodworking, travel, and getting to know people. She lives in Uniondale with her sister, her daughter, her four great nieces and nephews, and Gunther, the dog. She has a son, a daughter-in-law, and a daughter. Ms. Cator's favorite Bible character is Jehosophat because he was committed to the Lord. "When he was faced with a problem, he displayed his need for the Lord with prayer and fasting. When he heard from the Lord, he obeyed, calling the people to obey with praise. God won the victory!"
Mrs. Cheryl Hopkins
2 years at ACA
The friendly face at the front door and the front desk--and the helpful voice on the phone--belong to Mrs. Cheryl Hopkins. Having worked for over 20 years as a secretary, receptionist, and administrator in various organizations, she has a strong sense of organization and a welcoming personality. A Scranton native, Mrs. Hopkins moved to Florida in 2004 but came back to the area in 2010. She and her husband, Pastor Rick D. Hopkins, live in Scranton.
Mrs. Janet K. Wells, M.Ed.
Administrator
(See above for bio)