At Calvary Christian Academy, we value the impact teachers and volunteers can have on our children. We recognize the importance of role models in children’s lives. Staff members and volunteers at our Academy are expected to express a sincere commitment to Jesus Christ. They must be in good standing, and regularly attend a Bible-believing church. We view their personal character, qualities, gifts and abilities as a silent teaching witness to our students.

CCA offers a program beginning in Preschool continuing to Junior Kindergarten through grade 8. CCA offers both Junior and Senior Kindergarten on a part-time basis (3 days per week) or an extended program (5 days per week).

Early Childhood Educator – Preschool

Abby Mearns

As a previous volunteer and supply teacher at Calvary Christian Academy, Abby is thrilled to become an official member of the staff and community. Abby has recently finished her Early Childhood Education program at Algonquin College and is a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators. This past summer she enjoyed supply teaching at the Child Development Centre in the toddler, preschool, and kindergarten rooms. She is also certified in Standard First Aid and CPR Level C + AED.

Abby enjoys working in a school environment and for the past four years she has volunteered at several different schools. She is excited to be combining the school environment with the opportunity to be working with the preschool age group. She finds particular inspiration in teaching  younger age groups, as not only are there many things that can be taught to children that are at such an impressionable age, but there is also much that can be learned from them as well. (“…a little child shall lead them” Isaiah 11:6)

Abby believes that a classroom founded on the love of Christ will have an invaluable impact on the relationships that are built between the educators, parents, and the children. She is looking forward to building these relationships, knowing that each individual is preciously unique in God’s eyes.

Kindergarten and Preschool

Christine Martel

Christine received her diploma in Early Childhood Education in 1991. For the past twenty-one years, she has been actively working with preschool and kindergarten children. She is a me

mber of the College of Early Childhood Educators and is certified with grade eight conservatory training in piano and in grade two music theory. She was Calvary Christian Academy’s first teacher when it opened its doors in 1997.

Teaching this age group has always been one of Christine’s passions. She finds their energy and enthusiasm inspiring. She considers positive early learning experiences with school to be important for young children as it influences their development and their future interests in life-long learning.

At Calvary Christian Academy, Christianity is interwoven throughout the fabric of each child’s learning experience. The kindergarten program offers a safe learning environment while nurturing the whole child. Christine considers regular communication with family to be of paramount importance. As it benefits each child individually, home and school are encouraged to collaborate together closely.

Numerous opportunities to celebrate each child’s strengths are provided. They are also equipped with the tools to achieve their maximum potential. Parents can be comforted in knowing that their child is appreciated for who they are as individuals.

Junior and Senior Kindergarten Assistant

Kim Vala

Kim Vala has an Honours Degree in Urban Geography from McMaster University. After university, she worked for the Ministry of Environment before leaving to raise her family. Her three children keep her extremely busy as they are all very active in sports. She has been a devoted mother to her family for the last 13 years, while providing some home daycare, volunteering in the community and teaching Sunday School at her church.

Kim enjoys being active and participates in yoga, hockey, skiing, walking and gardening. She loves working and playing with children and cherishes every moment with the CCA kids.

Grades 1 & 2

Laura Barkley

Laura is super excited to be part of the Calvary Christian Academy staff for her first year. She graduated from Lakehead University with a BA in Sociology and a BEd in Primary/Junior. Laura has enjoyed serving God as a youth director at Bethel Church in Kingston and most recently as Camping Coordinator at Camp IAWAH. She looks forward to bringing her camping experience into the classroom.

For the past year she has been supply teaching for the Upper Canada District School Board as well as the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.

She enjoys traveling, both coaching and playing many different sports, as well as scrapbooking. She looks forward to being part of her students journey in education as well as creating a loving, Christ-centered classroom.

Grade 3

Jessica Hamelin

Jessica graduated with a BA in Sociology with a background in Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston. She went on to achieve her Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Canterbury Christ Church University College in Canterbury, England.

Jess has worked in schools in England, as well as many Public and Catholic schools in the Beckwith area, but found CCA to be the only school which embodies everything she loves about education.

She is deeply committed to CCA’s philosophy of well-rounded education. From “day one” children are immersed in literacy in her classroom because it is the cornerstone to success. She provides a safe classroom environment that allows each child to gain the confidence needed to learn from mistakes and be independent thinkers.

Jess is passionate about celebrating each student as a unique individual and feels it’s important for each to embrace their own strengths and weaknesses to meet their full potential.

Grade 4

Kathryn Chapman

Kathryn has been teaching at CCA since 2007. She received her Bachelor of Arts (major: History, minors: English, World Religions) from Carleton University. She went onto receive her Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University in 1997, and has been teaching ever since. Before coming to CCA, Kathryn taught in both the Renfrew and Upper Canada District School Boards. Within her first year at CCA, Kathryn transferred her own children so they could be part of the school’s amazing program. She found that one of the many appeals of CCA, as a teacher and a parent, is that children are loved for all they are and all they will someday be. Children at CCA are encouraged to be the person that God created them to be and to explore the gifts and abilities that he bestowed upon them. Character education happens constantly at CCA as the school endeavours always to teach the whole child. Kathryn appreciates the many “out-of-the-box” learning opportunities that CCA is famous for. School life should be chalk full of amazing memories – that definitely happens at Calvary Christian Academy.

Grade 5

Andy Chamberlain

Andrew is looking forward to his second year at Calvary Christian Academy. He graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BA in Biology and went on to complete his Bachelor of Education there as well. He has enjoyed occasional teaching with the Renfrew County Public and Catholic School Boards in the past, and been involved with children’s camp ministries and Sunday School for over ten years.

He is a father of a young family, enjoys rural life, reading, and the outdoors. Andrew is pleased to be teaching at the grade one level, and enjoys their energy and enthusiasm for learning. He recognizes the importance of the individual and the many different ways, and speeds, at which children learn. He looks forward to leading students as they continue to gain knowledge and develop their skills in a Christ-focused setting and will encourage their natural tendency to explore and discover!

Grade 6

Suzanne Reid

Suzanne Reid is in her eighth year teaching at CCA. She graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours, majoring in Child Psychology. In 1992, she graduated from York University with her Bachelor of Education degree. From 1992-1997, Susanne taught in the Upper Canada District School Board (previously known as Lanark County Board) teaching children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7/8. She stayed home full-time raising her three children until the fall of 2004 when she began her teaching career at CCA.Suzanne loves being a teacher, surrounded by children, and using the gifts/talents that God has given her. Seeing the children grow and improve in many different ways is a joy to her. Her love of sports and being active is evident in her teaching and how she presents herself to her class.

Suzanne is passionate about CCA and how the school not only teaches the child excellent academics but how it molds the character of the child. The idea of an extended family comes to her mind when she thinks about CCA. It is not only a building, but a family where children came be loved, cared for, and nurtured in God’s abundant grace.

Grade 7

Coralie Gardiner

Coralie Gardiner has been involved with CCA for eleven years, ten as a parent. She joined us as a teacher in 2010, and this year is delighted to be teaching Bible and Literacy at the Grade 7 and 8 levels.

Coralie grew up in Nova Scotia and received her Bachelor of Education from McGill University in 1992, majoring in English as a Second Language. From 1992-1996 she taught middle school and adult education in Quebec. During her children’s younger years she stayed home to care for them, with occasional supply teaching, until she joined our staff last year.

Coralie now lives on a farm and enjoys the wide open spaces of God’s creation near Carleton Place! She has a passion for music, literature, learning and people, and is excited to get to know each new child God sends into her care. CCA has been a great blessing to her family and she feels privileged to serve the Lord in a place where He is exalted.

Grade 8

Nathan Rice

Nathan earned his Bachelor of Physical Education from Brock University, with Biology as a second teachable. He went on to achieve his Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University.Nathan believes that God calls us all to serve Him first and secondly serve one another. As a teacher he looks to be of service to his students. He strives to create a learning environment that is tailored to the academic, as well as the spiritual development of the students. He strives to create learning experiences that are applicable to the world outside of the classroom through interactive, real life adventures.

Nathan was born and raised in Westport, and apart from the years away at University, has spent his entire life in that beautiful part of the world. He loves being active. He enjoys playing and also coaching various sports and recently took up snowboarding and wakeboarding. God has also gifted him with many opportunities in music. He likes playing guitar, drums and piano and listening to many genres of music.

French Teacher (Kindergarten to Grade 6)

Mihaela Mihis

After completing a 5- years B.A. in French teaching, Mihaela obtained her Teaching Certificate from the Ministry of Education in Romania. During her seven years’ experience with grades 3 to 8, she had the opportunity to serve as an interpreter for a Romanian-French Sister Cities Association. Four months spent in Paris with a French family and another 10 months spent in Montreal offered her the best opportunity to strengthen her language skills. After relocating from Montreal to Ontario, she has worked as a supply teacher for YMCA day-care and taught French for one year in a Montessori school in Kitchener.

Mihaela’s passion for French enables her to always look for new strategies to teach through fun and relaxing activities. She hopes to continue to find more ways to provide kids with exciting learning experience in French that brings closer to their heart God’s message of grace and love. Since moving to Canada, God has also offered her the great opportunity and gift of teaching grade 6-7 Sunday School.

Mihaela is thankful to God every day for CCA, an exciting and enriching place to be part of, for the staff and the students through whom God constantly teaches her life lessons. She looks forward to growing more and more every day professionally and spiritually and continues to pray for the wonderful present and future God has in store for CCA.

Mihaela enjoys taking quiet walks and has on her heart to be used as much as possible in her free time to lift up to God the nations that still live without the light of the Gospel  and the millions who hopelessly suffer without the wonderful truth that it is our joy here at CCA: God loves us and knows us by name.

Mihaela finds it a professionally enriching experience to teach French through AIM or Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM), a modern approach that uses gestures, music, dance, and theater to help students learn.

The basic premise of AIM is that students learn and remember better when they do something that goes along with the words they are saying. For example, while the students say regard (to look), they hold their hands in front of their eyes in the shape of binoculars. This “Gesture Approach” includes defined gestures for hundreds of essential French words, known as “Pared Down Language.” The gestures are then combined with theater, storytelling, dance, and music to help students remember and use the language.

Teachers have found great success with this integrative approach to language learning; in fact, some students achieve results comparable to those in full immersion programs, even when the AIM-educated students only study the language for a few hours a week.

Drama

Jessica Marshall

Jessica Marshall graduated from the Queen’s Concurrent Bachelor of Education Program in 2006. She has a medial in Mathematics and Drama and is qualified to teach Kindergarten to Grade 10. Jessica has taught drama, resource and Kindergarten at CCA over the past 5 years.

Jessica has directed many Christmas concerts, year-end celebrations and plays for CCA as well as other schools and churches. Jessica enjoys working with children by encouraging them to use their imaginations and creativity to explore the world of theatre through acting, singing and movement.

Last school year, Jessica was off on maternity leave and has decided to work part-time for 2011/2012. Currently, she teaches drama bi-weekly at CCA, as well as supply teaches at various schools and instructs an on-line course for Algonquin College.

 

Art Teacher (for all grades)

Amy Atkinson

Amy is a busy mother of five, whose children attend CCA. She is also an active artist, and her artwork is displayed in several local galleries. Amy has always been a highly creative and expressive person. As a child, she spent countless hours experimenting with drawing, painting, sculpting and cooking. Amy pursued these interests by studying Fine Art at the University of Guelph.

Amy took over the Art program at CCA in 2005, teaching all the children in grades 1 to 8. She is dedicated to continually improving the program and excited to see all children tapping into the joy and creativity that God put into each one of us.

Amy’s approach to teaching art is to introduce the students to every medium, because there is something for every child. Exposure to new media, complemented with skill and technique development, allows each child to find their individual strengths, build their confidence and provide a positive learning experience. The curriculum also introduces the students to classical artistic styles and artists.

Amy’s personal interests include cooking, reading, painting and spending time with her family.

Music and Intermediate French Teacher

Joanna Werner

Joanna Werner was delighted to begin teaching music at CCA in the spring of 2012 and currently teaches SK to Grade 8 music and Grade 7/8 French.  She received a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University where she also completed undergraduate studies in the Concurrent Music and Education program.  She has studied both voice and piano at the professional level and has extensive experience as an accompanist, composer, chorister, orchestral member, and conductor.  

Joanna studied French through the post-secondary level and has put it to use over several summers working in French communities.  She has worked with children of all ages at various Bible camps in Canada and overseas and loves being a part of her local church.

She believes that each child is precious, made unique by God and learns differently.  Combining an engaging study of music or French with an acknowledgement of the Lord Jesus will contribute to fun and effective learning, a life-long appreciation of these subjects and most importantly, the opportunity to be “made wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Joanna enjoys the joys of the outdoors: running, skiing, geocaching, wildlife and tamelife. She takes every chance to learn new instruments, new languages and to spend time with her 9 nieces and nephews.

Principal

Tom Bourne

Email: tom.bourne@calvaryca.com
Tom Bourne brings education and ministry experience to CCA. He has a strong education background, graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education and a Master’s of Education. His love for God flows into every area of his life, and is evident by his involvement in church, camp and youth ministries over the past 10 years. Tom is an enthusiastic, energetic man who is excited to bring his gifts and talents to a school that is committed to “developing minds, building character, and nurturing faith”.

Having enrolled 4 of their 5 children in CCA, Tom and his wife Sylvia have a sincere desire to see the school thrive and are committed to seeing CCA continue to pursue excellence. Tom enjoys being a part of the wonderful CCA family and staff. CCA is a huge blessing to his family – thank you!

Administrative Assistant

Trish Irwin-Kitt

With a degree in Communication Studies, many years of experience in the business world and 10 years of involvement at CCA, Trish brings a wealth of experience to the CCA office. She loves the busy-ness of the office and the constant challenge to her multi-tasking skills.

Two of her three children are CCA grads, while her youngest is in grade eight this year. She and her husband consider CCA to have been instrumental in the lives of their children, building and nurturing their faith through the years.

When not in the office, Trish enjoys spending time outdoors and marvels at God’s creative beauty. Running, cycling, skiing and swimming are among her favourite pastimes. She also loves word games such as crosswords and Scrabble!