FACULTY & STAFF
Mr. Shane Lehman – Director of School
Mr. Lehman has served as Director since 2013. He has worked in education since 2006 serving in various roles including elementary P.E. teacher, middle school and high school math and Bible teacher, chapel worship leader, and Assistant Principal. He also served in various extra-curricular roles such as high school Boys’ Varsity soccer coach and Bible study leader for middle and high school boys. He has also helped lead various mission trips around the world. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 2016.
Mrs. Katie Lehman – Assistant Director & Teacher
Aside from teaching in the classroom, Mrs. Lehman oversees the broad scope of curriculum and instruction in all classes, ensuring continuity across grade levels, and assisting teachers with implementation of curriculum-related methodology and strategies in the classroom. Her educational background, her wide range in teaching experience in many grade levels, and her love for Christian education makes her well-suited for this position.
Mrs. Shawna Keller Lehman – Office Manager
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Keller this year to our team! Mrs. Keller has many years of experience in educational and administrative roles. She thrives on organization, communication, as well as being part of team to achieve goals. We appreciate her being an asset in running the daily tasks within the office.
Mrs. Nikole Burger – Admissions Coordinator
Mrs. Burger is returning this year within the office. With years of experience in administrative and event planning roles, she believes the Lord has given her the gift to cultivate and organize events for His glory. Her passion to serve the Lord in the gifting she has is evident and she is looking forward to growing at Grace Academy.
Mrs. Janet Dempsey – 7th & 8th Grade Teacher/Staff Advisor
Aside from teaching in the classroom, her role will also involve coming alongside teachers in the classrooms to provide general guidance and assistance as well as providing counsel related to the academic affairs of our school. She will also help with troubleshooting any student developmental or academic concerns. Janet had been the Principal of Grace Academy when it previously operated from 1987 until 2007. Her academic background, her years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, and her passion for Christian education have equipped her wonderfully for this role.
Mr. Steve Dempsey – 7th & 8th Grade Bible Teacher
Along with his role of Maintenance Manager for the church and school, he will also now be teaching Bible for the 7th/8th grade class. He has taught a variety of subjects such as middle school Bible previously at Grace Academy 1.0 and has also taught a variety of classes at church. He carries a love and passion for God’s Word and for helping people gain a deeper understanding
Mrs. Jill LaVenice – 5th & 6th Grade Teacher
Jill has an associate’s degree in early childhood education. The Lord has been stirring in her heart a desire to move up to higher grades, and now the opportunity has arrived! She and her husband, Steve, have three wonderful children: Isabella, Noah, and Sophia. We are excited to see how the Lord will continue to use her and for what she will bring to this class this year.
Mrs. Linda Chronister – 3rd & 4th Social Studies Teacher & 6th Grade Language Arts
We are very blessed to have Mrs. Chronister within our school. She has her Elementary Education degree from York College. Mrs. Chronister has worked extensively with the LIU as a reading specialist and as an ESL Program Specialist. She and her husband attend a local church where they are actively involved. She is passionate about educating and nurturing all aspects of children. It is a great pleasure to have her on our team and have her be a blessing to our school.
We are very blessed to have Mrs. Chronister within our school. She has her Elementary Education degree from York College. Mrs. Chronister has worked extensively with the LIU as a reading specialist and as an ESL Program Specialist. She and her husband attend a local church where they are actively involved. She is passionate about educating and nurturing all aspects of children. It is a great pleasure to have her on our team and have her be a blessing to our school.
Amber Andel – Middle School Teacher: 7th/8th Grade Science; 8th Pre-Algebra
We are excited to have Mrs. Andel a part of our staff this year. She has a degree from Millersville University and has been employed by Pennsylvania Counseling Services as a Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS) working in several emotional and learning support classrooms. She has a heart to teach children and incorporates the importance of Christ being the center of a child’s education, to bring Him glory for all things.
Mrs. Chantel Zimmerman – 4th Grade Teacher & Music Teacher
Mrs. Zimmerman will be the Music teacher as well as the fourth-grade teacher for the English language arts and math classes. She is originally from South Africa where she obtained her teaching degree. She has married an American and has lived in Lancaster County for almost ten years. She most recently worked at a Christian school in Lancaster County teaching fourth grade. She is excited to transition to Grace Academy, continuing to use God’s grace and calling in her life for education!
Mrs. Candy Frey – 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Frey has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood. She has worked as a substitute teacher for the past four years in various schools around York County. Candy and her husband, Wayne, have two wonderful children. She homeschooled her children throughout their schooling. Candy has received glowing recommendations from the teachers she has worked with over the past four years. She loves the Lord and loves teaching elementary-age children. We are excited to have her as one of our staff!
Mrs. Kelly Burrows – 2nd Grade Teacher/ Educational Support Coordinator
Mrs. Burrows has a Masters of Education degree in elementary education, as well as her teacher’s certification in early childhood and elementary education. She comes to use with 13 years of teaching experience. She has worked with learning support students as well as co-teaching with a learning support teacher for many years. She has tutored and worked with ESL students and has had training with Intermediate Unit in her area. Mrs. Burrows is is part of the leadership team at her church in Lancaster, PA – Church of the Word, International. She is also the administrator of the LTS Bible school, a ministry of her church. She loves the Lord and feels a calling to work with children. We are blessed to have her as part of our staff community.
Mrs. Kristen Claybaugh – 1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Claybaugh has a bachelor of arts degree in Biblical studies and a bachelor of science in Education with a minor in Children and Family ministries. She has experience teaching in grade 3-8. She loves the Lord and has a passion to help disciple children in the ways of Jesus Christ. We are excited to have her join our school staff!
Mrs. Debbie Cross – 1st & 2nd Grade Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Cross has been with Grace Academy for over 18 years. She has taught preschoolers through 3rd grade students during her tenure at Grace Academy. She loves to provide hands-on, interactive opportunities for the children as they learn about the various subjects. Not only is she a seasoned educator with lower elementary students, but her love for her students is evident as well. She enjoys engaging them in the learning process so they develop not only a love for learning, but a love for Jesus in the process.
Mrs. Nichole Horvath – Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Horvath has taught in early education for many years. Her teaching experience, along with her fervent love for the Lord and for working with children, make her an exciting addition to our staff! She knows how to engage her students in the learning experience through a hands-on approach. Her love of creativity will make every day fun and educational!
Mrs. Sarah Nye – Kindergarten Aide
Mrs. Nye is excited to step back into the education field again! She has teaching experience in the elementary grades. She loves the Lord and what He is doing here at Grace Academy! She will be a wonderful blessing to Mrs. Horvath and the kindergarten class. She will have three children currently attending Grace Academy.
Mrs. Rachel Appleby – 5th & 6th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Appleby will be a new face to Grace Academy this year. She will be teaching 5th and 6th grade social studies and 6th grade ELA. She and her family attend Praise Community Church in York, PA. She has been a teacher for many years and carries a passion and calling for education. Her primary teaching experience has been with middle school students, but she also serves as a preschool teacher at her church. She has felt the Lord leading her and her family to Grace Academy and we are excited to have her be a part of what the Lord is doing here at Grace!
Mrs. Elicia Lentz – PK4 Teacher
Mrs. Lentz joined Grace Academy in 2015. She loves working with children and has truly blossomed over these years, demonstrating a grace and ability to effectively educate our PK-4 students, helping to lay a solid foundation for Kindergarten. Her teaching experience, along with her love for Jesus, helps ensure that students are not only impacted with academic knowledge, but with the love of Jesus.
Mrs. Jillian Strausbaugh – PK4 Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Strausbaugh will be stepping into the PK4 Assistant Teacher role here at Grace this year. She had taught preschool prior to her twins being born. Both boys will be in the Kindergarten class this year. Mrs. Strausbaugh is excited to step back into the preschool classroom again!
Mrs. Ruth Galinato – PK3 Teacher
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Galinato to be a part of the Grace Academy staff! She not only has over 14 years of years of experience teaching preschool, she carries a passion for Christian education. She loves helping children explore this great big world our God has created and sneaking in learning while having fun!
Miss Kathy Rainey – PK3 Aide
Miss Kathy has been with us since 2014. She loves working with the children and is a wonderful helper for the PK-3 class. The children love interacting with her as well. She is a very important part of why this class flows so well throughout the year.
Mrs. Corrine Van Belle –Physical Education Teacher
Corrine is thrilled to be coming back to Grace as our Physical Education teacher! Along with her passion for working with youth, she has carried a love for recreation and physical education for many years. She previously served as the Recreation Director for the Salvation Army church and has had much experience working in the recreation realm with children. We are excited to have her continue to use her God-given gifts to bless our students! Corrine and her family attend Church of the Word, International in Lancaster, PA. Her daughter will be in the Kindergarten class this year.
Miss Melody Scott– Art Teacher
Miss Scott will be stepping into the Art teacher role here at Grace Academy. She is a recent graduate from Lee University with a degree in education. The Lord has placed a desire and calling on her heart for education and she is very excited to step into this role here at Grace!