Staff Spotlight — Meet Our Three New Pre-K Teachers — Ciara Altieri, Joelle Howard, and Jennifer Kelley

God’s timing isn’t always what we expect, but it’s always right.  That’s a spiritual reality that new Pre-K4 teacher Jennifer Kelley (pictured center) is enjoying this year.  With five children enrolled at ACS – Kaitlyn (12^th), Emily (10^th), Rebekah (6^th), Jason (3^rd) and Benjamin (1^st) – Mrs. Kelley says, “I spent so many years dropping off my kids and knowing I wanted to be here.  Now I am… in God’s timing!”

After seven years of teaching elementary classes at Gospel of Grace Christian School in Linwood and five years teaching PreK4 and Kindergarten at Son Catchers Learning Center, Kelley brings a passion to impact her students both academically and spiritually. “I want to see them grow in every area, not just in the classroom, but in the lunchroom, on the playground and at home,” she said. The Kelleys are part of the church family at Gospel of Grace Ministries in Egg Harbor Township where Jennifer’s husband of 20 years, Jason, helps lead the Wednesday evening programs.

It has been said that good things come in pairs. Such is the case with our two new PreK2 teachers, Ciara Altieri and Joelle Howard (pictured above left and right), who are both May 2017 graduates of Clarks Summit University with degrees in Early Childhood and PreK-4 Education.Howard first learned of a job opportunity at ACS through family members in the Egg Harbor Township area. Further encouraged by a fellow CSU student and ACS alumnus Jamie Zalman (’13), the college roommates decided to apply and have now become teaching colleagues.

Along the way, Altieri served three years with Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and Howard participated in various children’s ministries at Faith Bible Church in Vineland. Adding to their education and experience is a shared enthusiasm for their new roles.  “My favorite part of the day,” says Altieiri, “is hearing the kids singing about Jesus. That’s how I know I’m where I’m supposed to be.” Howard adds, “I enjoy seeing the children reach milestones that seem small, like sitting still or learning their letters.  Those things are huge to a two-year-old!”