Burton Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Susan Gifford, Academy President
Mrs. Gifford has been serving as the Administrator for the school since its opening in the 2005-2006 school year. She brings more than 20 years of business experience to her position. Mrs. Gifford holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Bowling Green State University, a Master’s from Cleveland State University and has completed coursework in Early Childhood Education at Lakeland Community College. Mrs. Gifford and her husband Russ live in Orwell.
Mrs. Susan Petrick, Three/Four Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Petrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University with a teaching license for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.  She also served as a Kindergarten Teacher and Tutor at Agape. Mrs. Petrick, her husband Shawn and daughters Rachel and Lindsey reside in Middlefield.  Mrs. Petrick joined Agape for the 2012-2013 school year.
Mrs. Rebecca Yost, Four/Five Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Yost holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Kent State University in Art Education. Before teaching at Agape, she taught art classes for the Grace Home School group. She resides in Middlefield with husband Neil and children Keegan, Deacon, Corah and Claire. Mrs. Yost has been with Agape since the 2005-2006 school year.  
Mrs. Bridget Cole, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Cole earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lake Erie College and taught for three years at Painesville Christian Academy. Mrs. Cole joined Agape’s teaching team for the 2018-2019 school year and resides in Chardon with her husband and six children.
Mrs. Amy Taddeo, Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher
a.taddeo@agapeca.com
Mrs. Taddeo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lake Erie College with a teaching license for First through Eighth Grade with a concentration in reading.  Mrs. Taddeo, her husband Al and daughters Isabella and Maddy reside in Chardon.  Mrs. Taddeo joined Agape for the 2015-2016 school year.
Mrs. Amy Minor, First Grade Teacher
a.minor@agapeca.com
Mrs. Minor is a graduate of Geneva College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. Mrs. Minor has served at Burton Public Library as Children’s Services Assistant and as a Special Education teacher in the Knightsen Schools in California. She also served as a substitute teacher in the Kirtland School District elementary schools before moving to California. Mrs. Minor resides in Burton with her family and joined Agape for the 2023-2024 school year.
Mrs. Havilah Southern, First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Southern has been with Agape since our first school year in 2005-2006. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University. Prior to joining Agape, she was a teacher at Head Start. Mrs. Southern, her husband Mike, and sons Elijah, Abram, Aaron and Caleb reside in Hiram.
Mrs. Rachel Snedeker,  Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Snedeker holds a degree in Elementary Education from Nyack Christian College in New York. She has served at Agape as a long-term substitute teacher for the Three/Four Preschool and worked with our First Grade students during the 2016-2017 school year teaching small groups in Reading and Math.  She resides in Burton with her family and joined Agape for the 2021-2022 school year.
Mrs. Melissa Babic,  Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Babic holds a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood Education with concentrations in Language Arts and Social Studies.  Mrs. Babic first joined Agape’s teaching team in the school’s second year – the 2006-2007 school year. She taught combined classes of Third/Fourth Grade and Fourth/Fifth Grade for three years prior to moving to North Carolina.  While in North Carolina Mrs. Babic taught for eight years at Neuse Christian School teaching both Fourth and Fifth Grades.
Mrs. April Westover, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Westover earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Youngstown State University with a teaching license for Preschool through Third Grade. Mrs. Westover resides in West Farmington with her husband Brian and her two sons. Mrs. Westover joined Agape for the 2018-2019 school year.
Mrs. Bethany Brown,  Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brown earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University and her Master of Arts and Consumer Sciences, Child Life from the University of Akron. She has served at Agape as a Tutor working with students in grades First thru Fourth in addition to serving as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Brown served as a Preschool teacher for three years at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Preschool. Mrs. Brown resides in Burton with her family and joined Agape for the 2021-2022 school year.
 Supporting Staff
Mrs. Katie Arnold, Tutor 
Mrs. Arnold earned her teaching degree from Kent State University and has served at Agape over the years in a variety of roles including Elementary Phys Ed Teacher, Middle School Art Teacher and Barton Tutor. Mrs. Arnold resides in Chardon with her husband Amos and two children.  She joined Agape for the 2009-2010 school year.
Mrs. Karen Coley, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Coley earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Gordon College and her Master of Arts in Old Testament Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She resides in Parkman with her family and joined Agape for the 2021-2022 school year.
Mrs. Esther Geletka, Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Geletka holds a degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Masters in Reading from Kent State University. She specializes in students who process information differently or are on the Dyslexia spectrum and in the Barton Reading and Spelling Program. Mrs. Geletka joined Agape in 2005.  
Mrs. Bethany Majetich, Music Teacher
Mrs. Majetich holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education from Oral Roberts University. During her career she taught music in a Christian school with more than 200 students, served as music director for churches, and served the Lord as a missionary. At Agape, Mrs. Majetich teaches music class and produces the school’s Elementary Christmas program and the end of the school year program’s Middle School and High School performances. She resides in Burton with her husband Bob. Mrs. Majetich has been with Agape since the 2005-2006 school year.  
Miss Sarah Rowley, Tutor/Teacher’s Aide
Miss Rowley earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Preschool through Sixth Grade) from Liberty University and taught Fifth and Sixth Grade Math in Virginia for one year before returning to Ohio. Miss Rowley resides in Garrettsville with her family and joined Agape for the 2018-2019 school year.  
Mrs. Christina Walsh, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Walsh assists the President and holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Lakeland Community College.  Mrs. Walsh resides in Middlefield with her husband Joe and their son and Isaiah.  Mrs. Walsh has been with Agape since the 2010-2011 school year.
Mr. Alan Skeen, Bus Driver
Mrs. Rebecca Yost, Art Teacher
Mrs. Yost holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Kent State University in Art Education and teaches art class at Agape. Before teaching at Agape, she taught art classes for the Grace Home School group. She resides in Middlefield with husband Neil and children Keegan, Deacon, Corah and Claire. Mrs. Yost has been with Agape since the 2005-2006 school year.  
Miss Rachel Zurick, Three/Four Preschool Teacher’s Aide
Miss Zurick is a senior at Cardinal High School and plans to go on to college to study Early Childhood Education. Miss Zurick resides in Middlefield with her family and joined Agape for the 2023-2024 school year.