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, as well as a high school (CCHS) up to grade 12. CCA offers both Junior and Senior Kindergarten on a part-time basis (3 days per week) or an extended program (5 days per week).
Christel Pryce – RECE
Christel Pryce graduated from Algonquin College in 1992 with a diploma in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in daycare centres and schools and ran her own home daycare for 26 years.
Christel is involved at her church with Sunday school and as a worship leader and pianist. She has served as director of the Cubbies program and leader of the Moms and Tots group.
She believes the foundation of learning begins at home with mom and dad and in the Preschool room. Together with parents and the Lord Jesus as our cornerstone, she teaches children the foundational learning principles through play in the various learning centers. This involves sensory experiences, science, letters and numbers and creativity through art, drama and music. Children learn socialization skills by learning how to cooperate with others, share, converse with others, independence and the feelings of inclusion and belonging.
She looks forward to working with you and your child.
Brittany Beckwith – Maternity Leave
Brittany Beckwith recently graduated from Carleton University with a Child Studies degree. She has had 8 years of experience with children working in a daycare center, school classroom, Sunday school teacher as well as being a nanny for the past 4 years. She has volunteered at Galilee Bible Camp for many years as a counsellor for overnight and day camps. Brittany has a desire to help children grow into their best potential selves. She is currently
working towards being an elementary school teacher by gaining experience in the preschool classroom, as well as observing other teachers lesson styles and talents to help teach children. Over the years, Brittany has noticed that each child develops and learns at different paces. She would like to be able to adapt a teaching style that meets the needs of each individual student by making sure all children are being included in the process. Brittany has a big heart for the preschool students and with God's help she is hoping to one day do her B Ed and work with primary students.
Kindergarten – Vice Principal
Christine Martel
Email: cmartel@calvaryca.com
Christine received her diploma in Early Childhood Education in 1991 and Early Childhood Education Administration in 2021 from Algonquin College, She has been actively working with Preschool and Kindergarten children and their families for over 25 years. She is a registered member of the College of Early Childhood Educators. Christine has also completed both Grade 8 piano and Grade Two theory with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She was Calvary Christian Academy's first teacher when the school 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. Even in Kindergarten we value attitude, effort and character over aptitude, ability and talent.
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 families to be a high priority. As it benefits each child individually, home and school are encouraged to collaborate closely together. Numerous opportunities to celebrate each child's strengths are provided. They are also equipped with tools to achieve their maximum potential. Parents can be comforted in knowing that their child is valued.
Christine has always believed strongly in Christian education. Her own son and daughter have graduated from post-secondary education but years ago they attended Calvary Christian Academy from Kindergarten to Grade Eight.
Diana Billings
Diana Billings graduated in 2005 from Kingswood University (formally
Bethany Bible College) with her B.A. in Christian Education, majoring both in music and Christian counselling. She is currenting studying to complete her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, through Yorkville University. With 14+ years of experience in church ministry, she has spent most of her ministry years working at Calvary Pentecostal Church as the Worship & Family Ministries Pastor. Diana has also been consistently involved in mission's work; recently returning from living in Malawi with her son, where they are still involved in ministry, as they are able to return.
In 2015 Diana began working part time in Appleseed Preschool at CCA, where she assisted the preschool teacher, and then moved on to assist with on-call teaching in the elementary grades at CCA, mainly in kindergarten. Her son has also attended CCA starting in preschool and is looking forward to his 7th grade year!
Diana strongly believes that the early formative years of a child's life are crucial for instilling important values such as kindness, honesty, gentleness, and self-control. She believes they are also the years where a child can discover that they matter and belong, when they encounter love and respect both in the home and at school. She is looking forward to working alongside parents and families to help facilitate this encounter, in helping children know they are important to God and important to those around them.
Kelley Mayhew
Kelley Mayhew received her diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2001 from Algonquin College. She is a registered member of the College of Early Childhood Educators. Kelley began at CCA with a short-term contract in the Apple Seeds Preschool program, taught kindergarten and now teaches in the primary grades. Kelley spent the first 7 years of her career as an ECE at KRP Family Centre in a full day Kindergarten program that had a partnership with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. She then took some time off to raise her daughter and son. For the past four years she has been on the occasional teaching list for the Upper Canada District School Board in the Full Day Kindergarten Programs. She has a passion for teaching this age group. She enjoys being there to support the children and their families in what is for many, their first school experience. Kelley enjoys building the children's character and empathy towards others. She is very excited to be a part of Calvary Christian Academy's faculty and share her love of the Lord and her love of learning with the children.
Kim Hagerty
Kim Hagerty is first and foremost passionate about her Lord Jesus Christ, and making/nurturing disciples.
She felt called to care for the sick, while taking medical photos for a surgeon during a mission trip to Haiti in her OAC year. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa, in 2005, she went on to work as a Registered Nurse in General Medicine and the Acute Monitoring Area at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic campus. After completing an Intensive Care course in 2007, she transitioned to the CCU at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, where she worked until the birth of her first son.
Kim placed her nursing license on hold after making the decision to stay home and raise her four beautiful children, whom she has homeschooled until now. Together, they were heartily involved in their homeschooling community, Classical Conversations (CC) – Ottawa East, which is a vibrant academic program that follows a Christian Classical Model. She has served and worked as a contracted CC tutor for the past four years, specializing in ministering to students in grades 1 -2. She has thoroughly enjoyed gaining experience in modeling fun and interactive recitation exercises, leading hands-on science experiments following the scientific method, playing math drill games, teaching music theory, tin whistle, orchestra, and exploring various fine art media and projects. She has also been a lead-learner in the Institute of Excellence in Writing program.
Kim has her grade 8 piano, as well as grade 2 theory, in the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has adored teaching children piano lessons throughout her time in university and on the side over the last several years. She enjoys playing a few different instruments, especially her guitar, which she finds most portable! Leading worship for Sunday school, AWANA, and camp, have been some of her greatest ministry joys. She has served on staff at Camp Cherith for many years, and gets excited about bringing kids to Christ, especially if she has an opportunity to lead others' in worship.
Kim is a self-taught artist, and loves to knit! She has fallen off way too many horses, but always believes in getting back up again. She loves her polar bear-of-a-dog, Winnie, who punishes the children by sitting on them if she doesn't get enough attention 😊 She and her children are ecstatic about beginning this new chapter at CCA together.
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 was a devoted stay-at-home mother to her family for 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 hockey, skiing, walking and gardening. She loves working and playing with children and cherishes every moment with the CCA kids.
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.
Ainslee Macdonald – Maternity Leave
Ainslee began teaching at Calvary Christian Academy in 2017. As a 2008 graduate from the Queen's-Trent Concurrent Education program she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Chemistry from Trent University and a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Teachers and has taught for both the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. For the past several years, she has been actively involved as a teacher/leader at her church in both Sunday School and Summer Camp Ministries.
Ainslee grew up in Merrickville and met her husband at their current church. Family is a major focus for her. Ainslee and her husband, Aaron, have three children that attend CCA. In 2008, Ainslee was drawn towards Calvary Christian Academy as an occasional teacher and realized there was something unique about the environment, the staff, and the students. After having that initial experience, CCA increasingly appealed to her for furthering her teaching aspirations. Additionally, this God-centred, character focused, academically-thriving school would also be the prime choice for her children's Christian education.
As a teacher at CCA, Ainslee enjoys growing stronger relationships with students as she encourages them to achieve high academic standards while maintaining a strong Biblical foundation. She emphasizes the importance of a daily relationship with Jesus Christ as her students are educated.
Sheila May
Sheila comes to Calvary Christian Academy with a passion for Christian Education and a love for learning. Jesus is her centre, and He has brought her to many areas to serve Him. Before coming to CCA, she and her husband raised their four children in Peterborough, Ontario, and served as teacher at Rhema Christian School for many years. She was also the Director of Children's Ministries at their local church, and led women's ministry while her children were young. Sheila has a passion for people and leadership, which led her to serve most recently as Principal at Rhema Christian School. Moving "back home" to the area had been a dream of hers once their children were grown, and she's blessed to be among her family once again. Sheila holds a B.A in English and History from Trent University and a degree in Christian Education from Redeemer University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Bethany Cousins
Bethany Cousins has been teaching at CCA since 2017. She originally taught
piano lessons to our CCA students and has over 30 years experience along with a Teacher's Licence from Royal Conservatory of Music. Bethany graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Studies, Recreation Management and Music. This year Bethany will be teaching Grade 5. She is passionate about pouring into her students, encouraging them to become all that God has in store for them, and helping them to develop a love for lifelong learning.
She is married to Scott and they have two boys who attend CCA (Owen & Evan). Bethany grew up in New Brunswick as a 'country girl' and loved driving snowmobiles, tractors, and anything else that would go fast! Being a bit of a 'tomboy' she enjoyed everything from proving to the boys that a girl could get the highest grade in automotive and woodworking classes, to singing in the church choir and playing the pipe organ as a part-time job at church. She loves their family dog Emmy, baking, traveling, spending time laughing with friends and finds music to be the best medicine around!
Suzanne Reid
Suzanne Reid began teaching at CCA in 2004. 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 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 can be loved, cared for and nurtured in God's abundant grace.
Andrea Lee
Andrea Lee graduated from Carleton University in Criminology with a minor in sociology. Since then; she has furthered her education at Algonquin for Trauma and Addictions, attended Bible School and recently finished her Registered Behaviour Therapy (2020).
Andrea's past experiences include being a director of youth and congregational leadership, a business owner catering to children and new parents, and working in the education system at OCSB.
Throughout these past experiences Andrea has found a variety of ways to grow in faith, develop her natural leadership skills and utilize the gifts and skills the Lord has given her.
Her passion and zest for life, along with enthusiasm and creativity have often given Andrea opportunity to connect with children, especially during many times of helping to organize camps and church programs. Andrea enjoys interacting with children in large groups and also looks for opportunities to mentor and guide youth in a variety of ways.
Andrea grew up in the area and has 4 children with her husband, Kyle. She loves the outdoors and being active.
Jesse Enns
Jesse is joining us at Calvary Christian Academy after spending the last two years teaching at a Hutterite colony and Neerlandia Public Christian School in Northern Alberta. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a BEd in General Sciences and German. He has been involved with children's camp ministries and Sunday School for over 9 years. He is a father of a young family, enjoys rural life, reading, technology and the outdoors. Jesse is pleased to be teaching at the grade eight level again, and enjoys seeing the unique talents each student possesses being developed in the classroom. 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 God's creation!
French Teacher
Sandy MacFarlane
Sandy MacFarlane teaches French to grades 1 – 8.
Although her degree is in Physical Education and Psychology, she was born and raised in Montreal and was immersed in the French Canadian culture at an early age. As a result, she entered her elementary years already bilingual. Her passion for teaching also developed at this time. With this passion, coupled with her love for the French language, she aims to equip and prepare her students for high school and beyond.
Grade 9/10 and Academic Advisor
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 on to 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 11/12
Caleb Schilke
Caleb Schilke served as an Education Assistant for Calvary Chrisitan Highschool in the 2017/18 year. After spending a year working alongside both students and teachers, Caleb volunteered for three years in the organization Youth With A Mission, learning both cultural and education skills among a diverse audience. During this time, Caleb travelled to over 13 difference countries, learning skills in cultural-communication, teamwork, discipleship, and leadership.
Caleb is now attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Boston, MA), pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies. He is passionate about education, leadership, theological study, and sports.
Educational Assistant
Andrew Francom
Bio to come
Resource Teacher
Sharon Connor
Sharon is currently employed at Calvary Christian Academy as our Resource Teacher. Before coming to the school, she spent 9 years away from the workforce, home educating her three children, who now attend CCA and CCHS.
During her time at home, she was very involved with her homeschooling community, organizing events, co-ops, etc. Sharon has a love for the arts and encouraging young people to worship God with their talents and abilities. She volunteered alongside Northumberland Youth Unlimited for 3 years as music director for their musical theatre program, Created to Create. Sharon and her husband Jim have always been very invested in their church community in areas of youth, worship, and home groups.
Before taking time off for her kids, Sharon worked for eight years with Christian Horizons as a Personal Support Worker. She studied music and biblical studies at Northwest Bible College in Edmonton (now Vanguard) and spent a year with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Denver.
She loves the outdoors: hiking, cross-country skiing, gardening, etc. She also enjoys being creative any chance she gets!
Sylvia Bourne
Email: office@calvaryca.com
Sylvia Bourne has a vested interest in Calvary Christian Academy having 5 children attend the Academy for over 10+ years and being married to Tom Bourne. Her involvement began as a volunteer and over time her volunteering grew to a paid position at the Academy. Through her hard work, friendly demeanor and love of the staff and students Sylvia has assumed the new role of Operations Manager at the Academy. Sylvia looks forward to using her leadership abilities in a larger capacity at the Academy on the Operations side of the school.
Tom Bourne
Email: tom.bourne@calvaryca.com
Tom Bourne has been principal at CCA since 2010. He 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 15 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 all 5 of their children in CCA, spanning from grade 3 to grade 12, 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!
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