Michelle Selvaggio

Principal & Bible (Middle School)

• Joined RCS in 2008

• B.A. St. John Fisher College

• M.S. Nazareth College

• 14 years of experience 

My passion for Christian education stems from my firm belief that all truth is God’s truth. I love working with our students as we all seek to think God’s thoughts after Him. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and losing myself in a great book.

Lisa Torrell

Preschool (3 year olds)

• Joined RCS in 2009

• B.S. St. John Fisher College

• Masters in teaching reading from SUNY Brockport

• 14 years of teaching experience

I love teaching preschool! I feel so blessed to be in a position to share the love of Jesus with our youngest students.

When I am not teaching you will find me helping my husband raise our four wonderful children! 

Lorraine Emmans

Preschool (4 year olds)

• Joined RCS in 2004

• B.S. Asbury University

• 12 years of teaching experience

• Masters in Teaching Reading - Canisius College

I love teaching Pre-K at RCS because I am able to teach the children about the Bible and God’s love for them.  I believe this is where the Lord has called me to teach to use the gifts he has given me.  I feel very passionate about Christian Education and especially RCS. I enjoy walking, swimming, gardening and reading.  I also help serve in various ministries at my church.

Andrea Messmer

Transitional Kindergarten

amessmer@rochesterchristianschool.org

• Joined RCS in 2016

• B.S. El. Ed./Psychology - St. John Fisher College

• M.S. Special Education - St. John Fisher College

• 6 years teaching experience

• 15 years working as a teacher's aide or substitute teaching

I feel very blessed to be teaching kindergarten at RCS. I have worked with children since I was a teenager and cherish the opportunity to educate young leaders of tomorrow. Being able to pursue my passion in a faith based environment is  very important to me. When I am not teaching I enjoy watching movies or swimming with my family. 

Kristen Jamison

Kindergarten

• Joined RCS in 2012

• M.S. Early Childhood Development

• 13 years of experience

Teaching Kindergarten has been my lifelong dream, since witnessing my Grandmother’s success as a teacher in a one room school house.When I am not in school I enjoy leading a community group with my husband, movie night with my kids and any musical endeavor.

Abbey Stoessel

1st Grade

• Joined RCS in 2017

• BA in Early Childhood/Childhood Education, working towards my MS Literacy Education B-12 (summer 2018)

• 3 years teaching experience

Working in a Christian school setting has been a dream of mine since I began my career endeavor 6 years ago.  I am excited to learn alongside your children and I look forward to growing spiritually, personally and professionally in the process. I am so blessed to have been called to this school and a cannot wait to see what God has in store!

Debra Taylor

2nd Grade

• Joined RCS in 2006

• B.S. in education:  Nyack College

• Masters in Childhood Literacy:  Brockport State University

• 26 years teaching experience

Second graders are like little sponges. They are so ready to absorb knowledge about the world around them.  This is the age when they begin to ask so many questions about God and the Bible as well.  I feel blessed to be at R.C.S., where I can show them God’s world through all subject areas in a fun way that keeps them learning and growing. When I am not in school, I enjoy spending time with my family.  We love going for walks in the woods, visiting local parks with our golden retriever, Amber, and swimming in our pool in the summertime. I also enjoy scrapbooking and baking.  

Sarah Hartman

3rd grade

•  Joined RCS in 2017

• B.S. Childhood Education and Students with Special Needs, Roberts Wesleyan College

• M. A. Special Education, University of New England

• 11 years of teaching experience

I am so excited to be joining RCS this year!  It has been a dream to teach in a school where the Christian fath is integrated all throughout the day.  I love everything about teaching, especially getting to know my students.  I also love spending time with my own two kids (who will be joining RCS with me) and my husband.

Wendy Zinnecker

4th Grade

• Joined RCS in 2016

• B.S. in Elementary Education, Bethel University

• M.A. in Early Childhood Education and Development, Wheelock College

• 4 years Teaching Experience

• 8 years Administration/Marketing experience in Adult Education

• 10 years Administration/Management experience in Christian Education

I am thankful and blessed to be part of the RCS family.  I love working with children and guiding them as they learn, grow and discover God’s world. I also enjoy administration, implementing best practices, and helping others succeed.  At home I keep busy with my husband Brad and our six children (college - kindergarten).  We enjoy hiking, being outside, reading, cooking together, playing games and watching movies. 

Kenneth Offringa

5th Grade & History (Middle School)

• Joined RCS in 1978

• B.S. Calvin College

• M.S. Nazareth College

• 41 years of experience 

I have loved history since I was in fifth grade myself; I see it as God working out His plans for the world and our salvation. I enjoy teaching history to students because I can share knowledge with them.  I challenge students to understand their role in God’s Kingdom and grow in His service. In my free time I love to read.  I also enjoy traveling to places where I can see the beauty of God’s creation when I scuba dive.

Douglas DeJong

Science (Middle School) & Physical Education

Science 6-8

Physical Education 1-8

• Joined RCS in 1985

• B.S. Calvin College

• M.S. State University of New York, Brockport

• 37 years of experience 

I love to teach and coach at Rochester Christian School because I am able to encourage and embolden students to prepare them for their future lives to serve and honor God, through the discovery and development of their talents.  A school day filled with learning through fun, work, experiences, and challenges bring me blessings and joy. Out of school I enjoy my family, traveling (to see family), and many recreational activities.  I also enjoy going to various activities of former students, mostly sporting events they are participating in.

Laura Thiele

Math (Middle School) & Physical Education

Math 6-8

Algebra

Technology

TK & K Physical Education

• Joined RCS in 2015

• BA Secondary Mathmatics Education and Mathmatics

• M. Ed. Instructional Technology

• 3 years of teaching experience

This is my fourth year at RCS teaching middle school math and my first year overseeing and teaching Technology.  I have also taught Kindergarten PE.   I coach varsity volleyball at Webster Thomas and coach volleyball for a club, VolleyFX. I also coach freshman softball for Webster Thomas. and enjoyed coaching boys basketball at RCS last year.  

Ashley Uhlman

3-8 General Music & Band

• Joined RCS in 2016

• B.S. in Music Education, Roberts Wesleyan College

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to teach music at RCS!! God has truly lead me to this place in life and I am excited to serve Him through teaching. When I am not at RCS I enjoy camping, hiking, spending time outdoors, reading, completing DIY projects and crafts, yoga, and spending time with family and friends. 

Jane Hamway

Preschool - 2 General Music & Orchestra

jhamway@rochesterchristianschool.org

• Joined RCS in 2014

• B.Mus University of Newcastle, Australia

• B.A. University of Newcastle, Australia

• Grad.Dip.Ed. University of New England, Australia

• M.M.Ed Roberts Wesleyan College

• 8 years of teaching experience

Teaching music at RCS is a dream come true! I love sharing God's gift of music with children, and seeing them become musicians and connectors to the current of the power of Christ. I spend my free time with my husband and three children, Alexa, Lachlan and Olivia.

Heather Ames

Art Teacher TK-8

• Joined RCS in 2017

Monica Goodnough

Librarian

mgoodnough@rochesterchristianschool.org

• Joined RCS 2015

• A.A. Calvary Bible College, Kansas City, MO

• B.S.  Roberts Wesleyan College

Going to the Library has always been one of my favorite things.  There is just something magical about traveling to Narnia, Hundred Acre Wood, Rivendell, or traveling with Harriett Tubman on the Underground Railroad or canoeing down the Ohio River with a captive Mary Jemison.  I am looking forward to serving the RCS community and stirring up the hearts of students with a growing love for books.  Language began with God when he spoke and brought the world into being.  It is important for me to honor the word of God and to have our library reflect our faith community.

During my free time I love to be with my husband, Dana (Pastor at Pittsford Community Church).  We have four children.  Andrew and his wife Nicole live and serve in Colorado Springs, CO.  He is a Captain in the Army and Nicole serves in their church.  Emma is a first grade teacher in Rochester, NY.  Adam is a student at Finger Lakes Community College. It is always a treasured moment when we can all be together.  When we come home we are always greeted by our friendly Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel, named Molly.

Laura Passero

Enrollment Director

• Joined RCS in 2009

• B.S. Taylor University

Laura's life in numbers: Taught preschool at RCS for 3 years, married to Chris 17 years,

3 kids -  Andrew,  Danae and Katie (godchild Alaysia). Passion for Marriage, Christian education and outdoor activities (biking, hiking, kayaking).

Natasha Pitt

Administrative Assistant

• Joined RCS in 2018

Liz VanHarken

Business Manager

• Joined RCS in 2017 

• B.S. Nazareth College

I am so thankful to be part of the RCS Team! The school has been a part of my family history for many years, as my children are 4th generation RCS students.  I look forward to being a part of the school's future and seeing what God has in store for this wonderful community.

Kristen Luce

Lunch Server

• Joined RCS in 2017