Stephanie Curcio
(Academy Staff)
“Miss Stephanie” is the mother of two and an active member of The Mission Church. She received her formal education at St. John’s University and prior to her appointment with the Academy she gained her field experience serving as both a Substitute Teacher and Teacher’s Assistant within the Carmel Central School District. Stephanie has been with the Academy since its very first session. Since joining the Academy staff, she has served in integral capacities within the 3 y/o and 4 y/o groups, as well as the Kindergarten program. As our Academy grew, she was assigned the responsibility of presenting our Enrichment curriculum as well as following any essential integration duties and methodologies. Elsewhere in our church, Stephanie has served in the Evangelism Explosion “home visit ministry” and as a Vacation Bible School preschool group teacher. Stephanie possesses a very kind and caring sprit that translates well to our students. She was deemed qualified for hire by the Academy’s Educational Advisory Council from the onset of our first session and subsequently appointed as a regular staff member. The Academy truly trusts in her ability to successfully serve the best interests of the Academy and its students.
Barbara Tonnesen
(Academy Staff)
“Miss Barbara” is the mother of three and an active member of The Mission Church. She possesses a well grounded understanding of Pre-Elementary Education. Barbara gained her Pre-Elementary Education field experience having taught a preschool group with another program, in hopes of eventually coming on staff with our Academy. In addition, she worked in the Wappingers Public School district, leading reading and math focus groups. Once on staff with the Academy, Barbara has served in the integral roles of a focus group and core curriculum reinforcement teacher at both the Kindergarten and Preschool levels. Elsewhere in our church, she served as a volunteer ministry leader for both the MPact Girls Club and Vacation Bible School program. Barbara has been blessed with a kind and patient spirit, which in turn blesses our students. She was deemed qualified for hire by the Academy’s Educational Advisory Council and subsequently appointed as a regular staff member. Her willingness to grow with the Academy and serve its students is a notable quality.
Laura Johnson
(Academy Staff)
"Miss Laura" is the mother of five and an active member of The Mission Church. She possesses a wealth of experience interacting with and presenting curriculum to various age groups of children, having served many years as a Sunday School Teacher and Vacation Bible School curriculum facilitator. (Laura also served for many years in the field of law). She is a very dedicated, committed and loving individual who brings her God-given gift of musical talent, which serves to compliment the "Music-in-Motion" component of our curriculum. Elsewhere within our church, she has served as an Adult Sunday School Teacher, a Worship Leader and a "Evangalism Explosion" home visit ministry member as well as being active in many other church ministries. Laura brings her structured yet warm style to the classroom environment, which allows her to focus on curriculum presentation while remaining sensitive to the individual needs of our students. Her love for and desire to serve the Academy and its students is evident. After awaiting an opportunity to join the Academy team, she was deemed qualified for hire by the Academy's Educational Advisory Council and subsequently appointed as a regular staff member.
Roxanne Keyishian
(Academy Staff)
"Miss Roxanne" received her formal education at Purchase College/S.U.N.Y. Purchase. She possesses extensive Early Childhood, Pre-Elementary and Elementary education teaching experience, having taught in both public and private educational institutions prior to joining the Academy's team. Roxanne possesses specialized knowledge in student relations and the instruction of both general and special education students. She has a sweet, kind and patient demeanor that compliments a creative, energetic, fun-loving yet, organized teaching style. Roxanne has also given of her time having volunteered within our church's annual Vacation Bible School program. After a time of serving as a substitute teacher with the Academy and awating an opportunity to "officially" join our team, she was deemed qualified for hire by the Academy's Educational Advisory Council and subsequently appointed to the Academy as a regular staff member. Her value to the Academy and its students is highly obvious and continually emerging.
Heather Duffelmeyer
(Academy Staff)
"Miss Heather" is the mother of three and an active member of The Mission Church. She received her formal education at S.U.N.Y. Westchester, Westchester Business Institute and The American Institute of Banking. (She has also undertaken theological studies through Global University). Heather has served as either the Director or Co-Director to the pre-school group during our church's annual Vacation Bible School program. She continues to develop her childhood teaching experience while remaining active within our curriculum and serving as the Ministry Head to our church's "Service-times" Nursery ministry. Heather also previously served as the Co-Director of the subsidiary "Two's & You" interactive Parent-Child program. Miss Heather also gives of her time while volunteering within our church's "Evangalism Explosion" home visit ministry, Angelfood Ministry, M.I.I.T.'s (Moms In It Together) Ministry and Dance Ministry. After having served in integral capacities within our church and school (including Substitute Teaching with the Academy), she pursued the opportunity to become an Academy team member. She was deemed qualified for hire by the Academy's Educational Advisory Council and subsequently appointed to the Academy as a regular staff member. Her wholesome, loving and giving spirit is an asset to the Academy and its curriculum.
