Word of Life Christian Academy and Preschool

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OUR STAFF AND FACULTY AT WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Each member of our staff at Word of Life Christian Academy believes teaching is more than a job, it is a ministry in which we can serve the Lord. Our preschool teachers have a degree and/or credentials in early childhood education or have extensive experience and training in the field. Our elementary teachers hold their degree in elementary education. Each one is dedicated to making WOLCA a program of academic excellence. Our student to teacher ratio is 15:1.

	Administrator Carmen Durst Carmen Durst was born in Queens, NY. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish. She has a passion for education and is determined to continue WOLCA's high standards for academic excellence. She has three young children who all attend the academy. Her husband is the clinical director for Emerge Ministries NY.		Becky Mason Administrative Assistant Mrs. Becky Mason grew up in the Adirondacks and has her BA degree from Oswego State. She has taught preschool for 11 years and this is her 7th year with WOLCA. She enjoys walking her puppy, hiking, kayaking and spending time with family and friends. She resides in Baldwinsville with her husband of 26 years Bob. Her daughter Robin is a special education teacher and Andrea is studying Math education. If you think you have seen her around, watch out - it might just be her twin sister!
	Colleen Race 3 Yeard Old Preschool Teacher Colleen Race is the 3 year old preschool teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in education. Colleen passion for educating the children is such a blessing to the school. She was a sub for WOLCA last year and we are excited to have her on staff with us. Colleen lives in Liverpool with her husband Steve and two children Sophia & Geoffrey. Colleen loves to cook, take her children to soccer and enjoys teaching at WOL Kingdom Kids program on Sunday mornings.		Karen Levanti 4 Yeard Old Preschool Teacher Karen Levanti started teaching in the preschool classroom here at WOLCA in 2006. She lives in Baldwinsville with her husband John and two sons, Gabe and Frankie. Karen is involved in children's ministry here at Word of Life Church where she teaches preschoolers on Sunday mornings. Karen loves to be active and spends a great deal of her free time coaching youth soccer.
	Sharleen Butterfield Kindergarten Teacher Sharleen is our kindergarten teacher. She graduated from Nyack College with her Bachelors degree in Childhood Education. She received her Masters degree from Binghamton University in Literacy Education. She and her husband Aaron were married in the summer of 2009 and live in North Syracuse. They both attend North Syracuse Baptist Church and they serve on a leadership team for their Sunday school class. She loves visiting family, reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband.		Becky Dyke First Grade Becky is our first grade teacher. She has been teaching for eighteen years and has loved every minute of it!Becky recieved her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree from Mansfield University in PA. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Master's Degree in Special Education. Becky has been happily married to the same man for 33 years. She has three grown children and two grandsons. Becky loves to spend time with her family and her church family, she loves good books, and to be able to praise God continually for all of the many blesses that He has provided.
	Ann Lincoln Second Grade Ann has been teaching in Christian schools for twenty years. She believes that giving our children a Godly world view is the way to help them influence their generation. Ann has her Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Reading plus her NY State Permanent Teaching Certification. She and her husband, Alan, live in Manlius and attend Eastern Hills Bible Church. They have two grown children.		Karen Carr Third Grade Karen Carr teaches third grade at the academy. Karen earned her Bachelors in Education as well as a Masters Degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. She and her husband Neal were married spring 2010. Karen's family lives in East Syracuse and attends Eastern Hills Bible Church. She loves to read and spend time with family and friends.
	Jeremy Czyz Fourth and Fifth Grade Jeremy is the fourth and fifth grade teacher at Word of Life Christian Academy. This is his second year at the school. He completed his Bachelors of Science in Education at Oswego State University and graduated cum laude. He is currently completing his master’s degree in mathematics at Walden University. Jeremy is also the worship and technical director for Word of Life Assembly and he brings his technical and musical knowledge to the classroom. He is married with two boys and they both attend WOLCA. In his spare time he likes to play guitar, fish, and work on his house.		Carly Moore Music Teacher Carly Moore is a Syracuse native and graduate from Syracuse University with a degree in Music. She has taught violin in her home studio for 9 years. She is now currently teaching private violin lessons at the Northside Academy of Fine Arts at Northside Baptist Church in Liverpool, NY, where she also attends church.
	Chrissy Primrose Physical Education Teacher Chrissy Primrose is our physical education teacher and grew up in Rochester. She graduated from Cortland with a B.S.Ed degree in Physical Education and Masters' in Health Education. She has 3 years teaching experience and is excited about teaching in a warm Christian environment. Chrissy resides in Baldwinsville with her husband and their three children. Chrissy and her family attend church here at Word of Life. She enjoys camping, reading, and any outdoor activity.		Katie Mills Art Teacher Katie Mills holds her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Oswego State. Upon graduation she went on to join the interior decorating and sales department at Stickley Furniture. She worked there until staying home to raise her children. She has taught children’s classes in Sunday schools, camps and co-ops. She is married and has two children. In her time outside of teaching, Katie loves to spend time with her husband and children and extended family, work on creative projects around the home, read and be outdoors. She is looking forward to sharing her love of being creative with the children at WOLCA.