Post Tagged with: "Fusion Church"

Staff Spotlight — Meet Our Seven New Early Education and Elementary Teachers

ACS is pleased to welcome seven new Early Education and Elementary teachers to our school family — Heather Aspenberg, Samuel Gottschall, Dena Johnson, Olivia Leach, Holly McCrosson, Jessica Samuels, and Michelle Wheeler. Several of these teachers have previously served at ACS in different roles, including as aides, substitute teachers, summer camp staff, and coaching the cheer team. What they all share is a passion for Christian education and a desire to show love and encouragement to their students and be a light for Christ.

Faculty member Heather Aspenberg

Heather Aspenberg — Heather is our new PreK3B teacher. She first came to ACS last year to work as an Early Education Center aide and continued working over the summer in the Early Ed Summer Program. Two close family members who had previously worked at ACS encouraged her to apply — her mother-in-law, Patty Aspenberg, and her sister-in-law, Christy. Heather holds a BA in hospitality from Johnson and Wales, but after working for several years as a general manager at Sonesta in Somers Point, she decided to change direction and pursue a job in education. “I’ve been working with children since high school and really feel that’s my calling,” Heather said. Her life verse, found in 1 Peter 4:8, serves her well in her new position. “It’s easy to think negatively, but we have to love everyone, show them grace and mercy, and pray for them daily,” Heather said.  Heather and her husband, Brian, live in Egg Harbor Township and worship at Fresh Start Church. They have three children, and their son, Liam, is in the 7th grade at ACS.

Faculty member Samuel Gottschall

Samuel Gottschall — Sam is a native of Piscataway, but relocated to South Jersey some three years ago after meeting his wife, Elyse, who has deep roots in the area. His father-in-law is Kyle Huber, the lead pastor at Greentree Church in Egg Harbor Township. Sam holds an BA in music from Moody Bible Institute and a MA in elementary education from Grand Canyon University. Prior to coming to ACS, Sam was a special education aide in the Ocean City School District, and he is bringing that experience into the classroom as a new 5th grade teacher. Sam said his favorite verse is Hebrews 4:12. “This verse captures how I want to live my life,” Sam said.  “It describes the Word of God as living and active, with the ability to create real change.” Sam and Elyse live in Egg Harbor Township and co-lead the children’s ministry at Greentree Church.

Faculty member Dena Johnson

Dena Johnson — Dena has returned to the ACS faculty this year after teaching middle school and high school Spanish from 2016-2020. In her new position, Dena is teaching 5th grade grammar, spelling, writing, and Bible. “I love languages and I’m just moving from Spanish to English,” Dena said with a smile. Prior to serving at ACS, Dena taught Spanish in the Wildwood Crest K-8 school for 12 years. A Bible verse that has been especially meaningful to her in the last decade is Psalm 25:5 — “Guide me in your truth, and teach me, for you are God by Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Dena also serves in ministry at Mission Point, where she has been a preschool Sunday school teacher for 22 years. Dena and her husband, Rob, have one son, Samuel, who is in 7th grade at ACS.

Faculty member Olivia Leach

Olivia Leach — Olivia is a new 2nd grade teacher. She gained valuable experience serving at ACS over the past two years, as a substitute teacher and as a staff member for summer Cougar Camp and the Early Education Summer Program. She is a native of Boyertown, PA and holds a BS in early education and a MS in special education from Cairn University. She lives in Linwood and her brother, Chase, is an ACS 10th grader. She attends Coastal Christian and is also part of the Morning Star Fellowship worship team. Her life verse is 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Faculty member Holly McCrosson

Holly McCrosson — Holly is a South Jersey native who grew up in Upper Township and graduated from Ocean City High School. She has known of ACS for some years and even considered transferring to it for her senior year of high school because she wanted to grow spiritually. In 2021, she earned her BA in elementary education from Southeastern University and decided to use her time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic to earn an MA in trauma informed education from Columbia College.  As a new kindergarten teacher, Holly said a Bible verse that is meaningful to her is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “I want people to feel God’s love when they see me, and especially the children that I have the privilege of working with this year,” Holly said. Prior to coming to ACS, she worked as a preschool teacher at Tomorrow’s World in Marmora. Her home church is Calvary Baptist Church in Dennis, but this fall she has become involved with a church plant in Pleasantville, Rise City Church, started by several alumni from Southeastern University.

Faculty member Jessica Samuels

Jessica Samuels — Jessica joins the ACS faculty as our PreK4B teacher, bringing a wealth of experience with young children. She worked for eight years as a PreK4 teacher at the Gospel of Grace Christian School, formerly located in Linwood, and has been a stay-at-home mom for the past six years with her two children, Saylor, 3, and Shiloh, 6, who started attending ACS this fall. A talented musician, Jessica loves incorporating music into the classroom. She has been a worship leader for over 17 years with Gospel of Grace Ministries in Egg Harbor Township. She also enjoys working in the ACS Early Education Center alongside her sister-in-law, PreK4A teacher Jennifer Kelley. “Christian education is a top priority for my husband, Jake, and I and originally I was planning to be a flex aide in the Early Education Center, but God had other plans and I have learned over the years that no matter what we think, God is in control,” Jessica said. A Bible verse that has been meaningful to her in the past three years is Isaiah 55:8, where the Lord declares – “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Faculty member Michelle Wheeler

Michelle Wheeler — Michelle has been an ACS parent, cheer team coach, and preschool aide, and is now excited to join the faculty as our PreK2A teacher. Michelle said she loves being part of a school where children are learning about God and His Word every day to help them follow the right path for the rest of their lives. Michelle holds an Associates degree from Wilmington University, where she was also on the Wildcats Cheer Team. Michelle and her husband, Sean, live in Mays Landing and have two children, Adrianna and Sean, who attend ACS. “My children love to pray and I’ve seen them grow so much spiritually since attending ACS,” Michelle said. She said her life verse found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 encompasses how she tries to be an encourager in her daily life, at home, in the classroom, and elsewhere. “We all have some sort of goal in life and maybe all someone needs is just a few words of encouragement to give them the push that they need,” Michelle said. She and her family worship at Fusion Church.

ACS Families Come Together to Send Relief to Florida in Aftermath of Hurricane Ian

ACS families generously donated food and supplies this week to bless those in need in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. On Friday, October 7, members of the Varsity Boys Soccer team, along with their coach Chris Lopez, helped load a large box truck with the donations, which included over 30 cases of water bottles and nearly a dozen large bins and boxes filled with paper towels, laundry detergent, cereal, canned goods, diapers, baby wipes, and more.

The idea for the donation drive came from ACS parent Jennifer Domsic, whose parents live in Fort Myers. She reached out to Elementary Principal Gail Alford and ACS families responded swiftly to the appeal.

“We’re so grateful for the way our families responded to donate urgently needed items for those who have lost so much in the hurricane,” Alford said. The list of items needed was obtained from Samaritan’s Purse, who is actively ministering in the region.

Domsic will be driving the truck down on Sunday to Fort Myers and is partnering with several churches in that area to distribute the relief items. Thank you also to Fusion Church who responded to the appeal and also dropped off donations on Friday.

 

 

ACS Faculty, Staff Got Ready for School Year at August In-Service

It was Back-to-School for our teachers and staff on August 29-30 as they attended Professional Development sessions focused on integrating a Biblical worldview into everything students will learn in the classroom, led by Dr. Bryan Smith and Becky Teruel of Bob Jones University Press. ACS school nurses Carrie Jorgenson and Angela Lushina led training sessions on first aid and other medical topics, while other sessions focused on communication, discipline, school safety, technology in the classroom, office procedures, and professional development.

Dr. Bryan Smith, of BJU Press

“As a teacher you are shaping hearts and minds to see everything through the lens of a Biblical worldview, which means that everything is done in relation to who God is and what it says in God’s Word,” said Dr. Smith, who has been working for 20 years with BJU Press in the area of Biblical worldview.  He noted during his presentation that everything students will face in life can be linked back to the creation, the fall, and redemption.

In break-out sessions, ACS elementary and upper school faculty members dug deeper into the BJU curriculum that will be used in classrooms this year to facilitate integrating a Biblical worldview into every subject.

On Monday, August 29, Fusion Church in Egg Harbor Township blessed ACS with a donation of 60 gift bags filled with school supplies, delivered  by outreach volunteer Christine Schrum. The Parent-Teacher Fellowship also showed their appreciation for the faculty and staff by hosting lunch that day. On Tuesday, August 30, the ACS Board of Directors treated faculty and staff to a continental breakfast,  with Board member Andy Macpherson sharing a devotion from Ephesians 2:8-10.

Following devotions, Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen welcomed and introduced new faculty and staff for this school year and named a number of staff who have changed positions since last year.  Fourteen new teachers (pictured above) have joined the ACS family — Evelyn Altier (6th grade); Heather Aspenberg (PreK-2B); Samuel Gottschall (5C); Dena Johnson (5A); Paul Jones (Middle School); Kelly Kirchhhoff (Middle School); Olivia Leach (2C); Christopher Lopez (High School); Holly McCrosson (PreK-4B); Mary McNulty (6th grade); Laura Mills (7th-8th Grade); Jessica Samuels  (PreK-4C); Daniel Vasquez (7th-9th);  and Michelle Wheeler (PreK-2A).  Eight new preschool and kindergarten aides have joined the staff, some full-time, some part-time, and two who are ACS alumni — Lauren Harmon (’22), Lesli Lopez, Jessica Matos, Amber Ramos (’22), Grace Staples, Sierra Thomas, Melissa Trejo, and Alissa Wolcott.

Seven ACS faculty and staff members returning from last year are wearing new hats this year.  Former PreK4 teacher Teresa Bird is the new Early Education Center Assistant Director. Other position changes include:  Ashley Brossman, moving from 1st to 2nd grade teacher; Karissa Costello – from PreK3 aide to be the KA teacher; Ruby Lewis – from PreK2A teacher to PreK3A teacher; Alyda McKee – from PreK3B teacher to PreK3B aide; PJ Santos – continuing as IT Help Desk coordinator and adding K computer teacher; and Amy Williams – from 2nd grade to 5th grade teacher.

Please keep each of our new and returning faculty and staff members in prayer and may God be exalted and honored in everything we do.

 

High School Students Challenged to Stand Firm in their Faith at October Retreat

What does it mean to stand firm in your faith? ACS students were challenged to answer that question at our day-long High School Spiritual Emphasis Retreat on Friday, October 23 held at the school campus.  A variety of speakers, including Crossroads Fellowship Pastor Matt Mouliert, shared their personal faith journeys with the students in small and large group sessions.

The speakers encouraged the students that spiritual growth comes when we hold fast to the truth in God’s Word and are not swayed by the influences of pop culture, internet influencers, and what friends and other people have to say about you.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale said the one-day retreat was focused on giving the students time to explore more deeply the meaning of our spiritual development theme verse from 1 Corinthians 16:13 — Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. The speakers and agenda for the retreat were organized by Upper School Vice Principal Drew Carney.

“We felt there was a need to recalibrate our hearts and reprioritize who God is in our lives because we see our students being pulled in a lot of different directions,” Carney said. “Our speakers did an excellent job of reaching our students in a very personal way. There was a lot of valuable interaction, especially in the small groups.”

Gabe Connelly, the Youth Director at Coastal Christian, led a time of prayer, worship, and devotions to start off the day, and also led worship before lunch and at the conclusion of the retreat. Six different speakers, three men and three women, led small group sessions in various classrooms, with boys and girls in separate sessions. The six speakers were Pastor Matt Mouliert, head pastor at Crossroads Fellowship Church in Pleasantville; Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen; Pastor Christian Ragland, who is the Operations Pastor and works with the youth ministry at Lighthouse Community Church in Pleasantville; Ariel Richvalsky, a 2005 ACS alumnus and former high school faculty member; Tanner Rigdon, the Youth Director at Fusion Church; and high school faculty member Gina Wilson.

During one small group session, Pastor Mouliert talked about the impact of “labels” — ones that other people place on you and ones that you place on yourself. In another session, Pastor Ragland focused on the importance of staying on guard against the enemy and encouraged the young men to surround themselves with people who will help you stay on guard. In the final session of the retreat, Pastor Mouliert presented a closing devotion that encouraged the students to reflect on what they had learned and to take concrete steps to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Employee Spotlight – Teachers’ Aides Serving in Early Ed, K Classrooms

New to the ACS staff this year as full-time teachers’ aides are, from left, Mrs. Kristin Scull, Mrs. Ashley Vaccaro, and Miss Sarah Getty.

Every day is an adventure — that’s how three of our teachers’ aides describe their work day, smiling as they describe the joys and challenges of working with our youngest students in our Early Education and kindergarten classes. Mrs. Kristin Scull, Mrs. Ashley Vaccaro, and Miss Sarah Getty, pictured from left to right, all began last September as full-time aides and at this half-way point in the school year they are grateful and excited to be a part of the ACS family.

Vaccaro, an aide to kindergarten teacher Hayley Price, first came to ACS as a school parent, enrolling her now 6th grade son, Austin, in kindergarten seven years ago. Her son, Asher, is now also enrolled in PreK4. “As a parent, I saw how everyone here was part of a family and it was inspiring to me; I wanted to be a part of that,” Vaccaro said. She holds a BA in elementary education from Liberty University and is certified in special education and early childhood development. Prior to joining the ACS staff, she worked in the Northfield Community School as a special ed para-professional. She attends Fusion Church and helps with preschool care on Sundays.

Getty, who is an aide in Mrs. Nicole Warriner’s PreK2 class, said she has always loved being with children, and gained valuable experience helping for many years with Kids Club, VBS, and children’s Sunday School at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Egg Harbor Township. “The favorite part of my job is seeing the excitement the children have whenever they learn something new,” Getty said. “Little accomplishments make they happy, like when I teach a child how to put on their shoes and socks, they get so excited when they are able to do it on their own.” 

Scull, who has three adult children and three grandchildren, enjoys loving on our youngest students as an aide in Mrs. Chambers’ PreK1 Infant classroom. “Every day is an adventure and it’s never boring,” Scull said. “I love working with children at this age because they grow so much and you can have such a big impact on them.” Scull attends Fusion Church, where she is part of the media production team, runs small groups, and teachers in kids’ church.