Hiring Godly, qualified teachers and administrators is crucial to fulfilling our mission as a school.  Our staff must exemplify the highest Christian character as they reflect Christ's love and encourage each child's own obedient response to God.  Our staff meets the educational requirements as established by the State of Ohio and are licensed to teach in their area.
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, her husband Russ, and daughter Emily live in Orwell.
Mr. Russ Gifford, Troy Campus Administrator
Mr. Gifford has been serving as administrator of the Troy Campus Middle School/High School since its opening in the 2010-2011 school year. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Math from Heidelberg College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Mr. Gifford serves as board chair and is husband to our Academy President Mrs. Gifford. They reside in Orwell with their daughter Emily.
Mrs. Heidi Curtin, Preschool Teacher
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Mrs. Curtin holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University and earned her Early Childhood Education license at Hiram College. She served as co-teacher for Burton Congregational Preschool prior to joining Agape for the 2006-2007 school year. Mrs. Curtin, her husband Tom, and children Abby and Brendan reside in Burton.
Mrs. Havilah Southern, Kindergarten Teacher
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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 and Aaron reside in West Farmington.
Mrs. AnnMarie Phillips, Kindergarten Teacher
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Mrs. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Reading Specialization from Kent State University. She holds a teaching license for Grades First through Eighth with a Reading Endorsement for Kindergarten through Twelfth. She brings 18 years of experience teaching at multiple grade levels in a variety of school districts including Ohio Virtual Academy and serving as Reading Coach for the Trumbull County Educational Service Center.  Mrs. Phillips resides in West Farmington with her husband Tim and sons Joshua and Zachary.  Mrs. Phillips joined Agape for the 2012-2013 school year.
Mrs. Clarissa Dearth, First Grade Teacher
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Mrs. Dearth holds a Bachelor of Science in Bible with an emphasis in Elementary Education from Baptist Bible College in Pennsylvania. She brings more than 10 years of Christian School teaching experience to Agape. Mrs. Dearth, her husband Ken and daughters Makayla and Dakota reside in Huntsburg. Mrs. Dearth joined Agape for the 2011-2012 school year.
Mrs. Tami Morrison, Second Grade Teacher
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Mrs. Morrison earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Youngstown State University with a major in Early Childhood Education. She holds a license to teach Preschool through Third Grade with a Reading Endorsement and Fourth/Fifth Grade. Prior to teaching at Agape, she taught at Maplewood Elementary School for two years as a Title One Math Coach and Title One Reading Coach. Mrs. Morrison and her husband Dave reside in Bristolville. Mrs. Morrison joined Agape for the 2011-2012 school year.
Mrs. Noel Passerell, Second Grade Teacher
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Mrs. Passerell is a graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She holds a teaching license in Early Childhood Education (Preschool thru Third Grade), an Early Childhood Generalist license (Fourth and Fifth Grade) and a Multi-Age Spanish license (Grades Preschool through 12). Mrs. Passerell resides in Madison with her husband Paul and has been with Agape since the 2010-2011 school year.
Mrs. Sonya Ng, Third Grade Teacher
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Mrs. Ng earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible/Theology and Elementary Education from Appalachian Bible College. Prior to joining Agape, she taught five years in Christian Schools. She earned a license in Elementary Education Grades 1 through 8 and an Association of Christian Schools Teaching Certificate. She has also taught English as a second language in China in 2003. She and her husband Pastor James Ng of New Mercies Church reside in Burton with their daughter Sophia. Mrs. Ng has been with Agape since the 2010-2011 school year.
Mr. Daniel Hurd, Fourth Grade Teacher
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Mr. Hurd holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ashland University with a minor in Religious Studies. He has an Early Childhood Education License with a Fourth/Fifth Grade Endorsement. Mr. Hurd served as a substitute teacher since graduating from Ashland.  Mr. Hurd and his wife Lauren reside in Bedford.  He has been with Agape since the 2012-2013 school year.
Mr. Mike Southern, Fifth Grade Teacher
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Mr. Southern holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Kent State University and earned a Middle Childhood teaching license with specialty areas in Social Studies and Language Arts. He currently serves as Associate Pastor of Christ Covenant Church and has also served as their Youth Pastor for seven years. Mr. Southern is husband to our Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Havilah Southern. They reside in West Farmington with their sons Elijah, Abram and Aaron. Mr. Southern has been with Agape since the 2010-2011 school year.
Mrs. Mary Carr,
Sixth Grade Teacher and Yearbook Advisor
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Mrs. Carr holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and a Masters in Reading and Literature from Baldwin Wallace College. She holds a Teaching License in History Grades 6 thru 12 and Language Arts for Grades 4 thru 9. Mrs. Carr has six years experience teaching in public and private schools in Florida and Ohio working with Fourth through Eighth Grade students teaching Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Computers. She has also been involved with extracurricular activities such as chess club, student leadership and yearbook, and has served as faculty advisor for technology. Mrs. Carr and her husband Mike reside in Sagamore Hills. She joined Agape for the 2011-2012 school year.
Mrs. Alicia Barton,
Fifth Grade and Middle School Teacher
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Mrs. Barton holds a Bachelors of Science in Middle Childhood Education from Ohio University. She has six years experience teaching in Arizona's public schools which included teaching Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade and Science for Eighth Grade. She has also served as girls' soccer coach, taught gifted classes, was yearbook sponsor and served on the curriculum committee. She grew up in Burton where she served as a camp counselor at Camp Burton. She joined Agape for the 2011-2012 school year. Mrs. Barton lives in Cleveland with her husband Zack.
Mrs. Lorna Chavez,
Language Arts and Spanish Teacher
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Mrs. Chavez attended Grove City College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Minor in Spanish. She holds a Grade 1 thru 8 teaching license, and Association of Christian Schools International Educator’s Certificate and a State of Ohio Non-tax Supported School Certificate. Mrs. Chavez brings 25 years of teaching experience to Agape all of which was at Warren Christian School where she taught Middle School Language Arts, Social Studies and Spanish, High School Spanish and Bible. Mrs. Chavez and her family reside in Southington. Mrs. Chavez has been with Agape since the 2010-2011 school year.
Pastor Michael Garrison,
Middle/High School
Literature and Economics Teacher
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Pastor Garrison holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Angelo State University and a Master’s Degree in English from Clarion University. He also holds a Bible degree certificate from Portland Bible College. Pastor Garrison brings 20 years teaching experience with the Department of Defense schools, Community College of the Air Force and Clarion University in Pennsylvania. Pastor Garrison also served as Pastor on Chaplain’s Staff with United States Air Force Special Operations and is currently pastoring the Evangelical Congregational Church in Southington.  Pastor Garrison, his wife Crystal and their son Ethan reside in Leavittsburg.  Pastor Garrison has been with Agape since the 2012-2013 school year.
Mr. Dan Itschner,
Middle/High School
Guidance Counselor and Teacher
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Mr. Itschner holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Administration and Counseling from Kent State University. He brings over 30 years of educational experience with the Berkshire School District where he served as a teacher, principal and counselor. He also served at Geauga Christian School prior to his college graduation. Mr. Itschner and his wife Mim reside in Burton.  Mr. Itschner has been with Agape since the 2012-2013 school year.
Mr. John Lookabaugh,
Social Studies, Bible and Phys Ed Teacher
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Mr. Lookabaugh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. He also holds a Masters of Education from Kent State University. Before joining Agape he and his wife taught at Sojourn Christian Academy, a missionary school in Costa Rica. Mr. Lookabaugh, his wife Katy and their two children, Lydia and Levi, reside in Mantua. Mr. Lookabaugh has been with Agape since the 2009-2010 school year and also serves as an Agape Basketball coach.
Miss Ashley Ronschke,
Middle/High School Math & Science Teacher
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Miss Ronschke holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University with a major in Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4 thru 9) with concentrations in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and a Generalist with a Reading Endorsement. Miss Ronschke resides with her family in Chardon and has been with Agape since the 2012-2013 school year.