Elementary Grades 1-6

Elementary School

Building Blocks for a Firm Foundation

Ambitious Academics

Our elementary school provides an encouraging environment where students can blossom into eager learners. RCCA uses a mixture of the BJU Press & A Beka curriculum. Class schedules include core subject classes, enrichment classes, daily Bible class, and weekly chapel. Students are held to high expectations, with compassionate teachers guiding them to reach their goals.

Individualized Learning

With small class sizes and teacher-student ratio, our students are able to receive a more thorough education. We utilize a variety of educational strategies to be sure that all learning styles are addressed. Our teachers are able to provide the individual support that the students need in order to reach new goals and prepare them for the future of their academic career.

Faith Focus

Faith is integrated into all of our learning here at RCCA. With daily Bible class, scripture memorization, and weekly Chapel services, our elementary students benefit from an environment that encourages spiritual growth. Additionally, we aim to teach our students the importance of doing good for others through service projects and community outreach.

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Elementary Teachers

Jeanettee Weaver

BS, Education, Clearwater Christian College

First Grade

Mrs. Jeaneattee Weaver has been teaching elementary students since 1995.

She graduated from Clearwater Christian College (Florida), and brings decades of Christian school teaching experience to RCCA. She loves to discover creative ways to teach early elementary students to fall in love with reading.

Mrs. Weaver taught at Seffner Christian Academy, Faith Christian School, Heritage Christian School, Valley Christian Academy, and most recently at North Spencer Christian Academy. As a military wife, she lived in various cities and states which gave her the opportunity to teach in a variety of Christian schools.

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver serve in their local church, Calvary Baptist Church in Athens, PA. where she is the Church Nursery Coordinator.

Jennifer Dutcher

MEd Early Childhood Education, SUNY Albany

BS, Early Childhood Education, SUNY Cortland

Second Grade

Prior to coming to RCCA, Mrs. Jennifer Dutcher taught Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 1st Grade, 4th Grade and Preschool in the Harpersville Central School District. She brings over a decade of teaching experience to RCCA. She is a passionate educator who loves the "light blub" moments when her students understand the concepts that were taught. She enjoys talking with children about the love and promises of Jesus Christ, and looks forward to using a biblical worldview curriculum at RCCA.

She has been married to Mr. Justin Dutcher for 13 years and they have four (4) children ages 1-9. Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher serve in their local church, New Venture Christian Church, as the Heads of Sunday School, and Sunday School Teachers. She is excited to teach students in a Christ-centered school system.

Melanie Hovancik

BS Elementary Education, SUNY Cortland

Third Grade

Mrs Hovancik has been teaching at RCCA since 2019. She is married to Rich and they have three children. She earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland. Prior to coming to RCCA, Mrs. Hovancik worked as an early elementary classroom teacher for the Rochester Central School District for several years. She also served as the Assistant Director at Tutor Time (Vestal), and taught in multiple elementary classrooms for the Braided Cord Cooperative (Vestal).

Mrs. Hovancik has a love for teaching reading and literacy. With her experience in early elementary classroom management, multi-level teaching, and a desire and heart to be an instrument of Jesus Christ in children's lives, she is an wonderful member of the teaching team at RCCA. The Hovancik family attends Grace Point Church in Vestal, NY.

Jill Smith

MS Elementary Education, BS Music Education Pensicola Christian College

Fourth Grade

Mrs Smith grew up here at RCCA. She attended RCCA for PreK through 12th grades. She went on to Pensacola Christian College in Florida, where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Music and History Education. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Smith taught PreK4 at RCCA in 2016-2019, and has been RCCA's 4th grade teacher since 2019.

Mrs. Smith and her husband have 3 children. All three children attend RCCA. She feels "blessed to have their children attend RCCA where they know the Bible is being taught to them on a daily basis."

Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend First Baptist Church of Newark Valley and are very active in serving in music ministry at church. They love to garden, tend chickens, and can their own produce, as well as fish as often as they can.

Jill MacFadden

M.Ed., Elementary Education, Grand Canyon University

B.R.E, Church Ministry, Missions and TESOL, Davis College

A.A., Church Ministry & Bible, Columbia International University

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Jill MacFadden has been a faithful substitute teacher with RCCA since 2008. She began teaching 5th grade full time in 2023 at RCCA. Prior to this, she also served as a long term elementary substitute teacher in the Union Endicott Central School District. She taught ESL for many years in private and public schools. Mrs. MacFadden and her husband, David, served as full-time missionaries in East Africa and Germany for nearly 10 years. Mr. and Mrs MacFadden are members at Gracepoint Church in Vestal, NY.

Lisabeth Colton

M.Ed. Curriculum Design and Mathematics, Concordia University

BS Early Secondary Math Education, Faith Baptist Bible College, SUNY Cortland

Sixth Grade

Mrs. Colton began teaching 6th grade at RCCA in 2020. She graduated from Concordia University with a Master of Education in Curriculum Design & Instruction and Mathematics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Secondary Math Education from Faith Baptist Bible College and SUNY Cortland. Mrs. Colton served as Assistant to the Registrar and Faculty at Davis College while she coordinated the Davis College "Teacher Prep Emphasis Program" in collaboration with SUNY Oswego.

Prior to coming to RCCA, Mrs. Colton taught college courses in Mathematics, Mathematics for Elementary, Philosophy of Education, Child Development, and Applied Research and Statistics, and she brings with her many years of experience in Learning Management System applications and distance learning. Her authentic passion for Christian community in her classrooms is a gift and blessing to her students.

Mrs. Colton also taught 5th grade at Faith Christian School in Sterling, VA. She has been married to Dr. Charles Colton for 34 years and they have three grown children.

Educating Minds... Transforming Hearts for Christ