Lavonda Lofton has been the Principal of Destiny Christian School since September 2007. She previously worked for the Rochester City School District for 15 years as an intermediate teacher for grades 4th-6th. While teaching in the Rochester City School District, Mrs. Lofton held several leadership positions, such as Grade Level Chairperson, Urban Education Leader, Parent Teacher Association Representative, and School Improvement Board Member. Prior to working for RCSD, she worked as a Science teacher for New Covenant Christian School for 3 years. Mrs. Lofton earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Biology in 1988 from Delaware State University College in Dover, Deleware. After graduation, she worked for Eastman Kodak Company as a Chemical & Analytical Technician for 7 years. Mrs. Lofton then obtained her Masters of Education degree from Nazareth College in 2000, as well as her NYS Elementary Education certification. She then obtained a Masters of Education in Administration & Leadership from St. John Fisher College in 2009.
Paula Cox began working at Destiny Christian School in the Fall of 2007. Mrs. Cox has also directed two years of summer camp for Destiny as well as serving as the Cluster Team leader within the school. Mrs. Cox graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts with a BS in Elementary Education and an AA degree in Christian Education. She has continued to hone her skills as a Kindergarten teacher through workshops and conferences and independent study. She has taught Kindergarten in Kansas City, Missouri, Ephrata, Pennsylvania and West Chester, Pennsylvania before relocating to Rochester with her family. On the weekends, you will find Mrs. Cox actively involved in her local church where she leads a women’s Bible study and acts as Children’s Director, teaching in Children’s Church, the midweek kids’ program and directing Vacation Bible School. Mrs. Cox felt the call to teach while in college, studying in a different field of study. She continues to fulfill her calling, teaching, guiding and striving to inspire the youngest learners and their families. Family is a priority to Mrs. Cox and her husband. They have 2 young adult children who they enjoy spending time with. They are also share their home with a dog and three cats.
Heather Austin has been Preschool Teacher at Destiny Christian School since August 2015. Prior to coming to Destiny, she was the Preschool Teacher for the Head Start Program for 14 years. Ms. Austin has had several work experiences in the childcare/educational field including working with children with developmental disabilities at Mary Cariola Children’s Center, Toddler & preschool teacher, and substitute teacher in Elementary Schools in Berkshire County Massachusetts. She holds a BA in English Literature and is a volunteer at Jonathan Child Assisted Living-Bible Study Activities, Children’s Ministry Leader & Treasurer at her home church, Destiny Preparation Church. Ms. Austin loves working with children and is mother to one adult daughter. She loves nature, relaxing, and worshipping God. “I believe that God brought me to Destiny to expand my understanding of Him and how he can touch young lives, to enrich the lives of children by learning God’s word at an early age which will enable them to change the world by sharing His word and following His commandments.”
Bette Barber began working at Destiny Christian School in the fall of 2017. Miss Barber has taught first grade for 21 of the past 22 years. She taught for 8 years at Bradford Area Christian Academy in PA and 13 years at Webster Christian School. Upon WCS’ closure Miss Barber continued her work in education by long-term substitute teaching for kindergarten at East Palmyra Christian School and for UPK at Baden Street Child Development Center in Rochester. Miss Barber graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cedarville University with a BS in Elementary Education with minors in Bible and Social Science. Miss Barber is active in several ministries at her church. She serves as an Olympian leader in the children’s program on Wednesday evenings as well as being a deaconess, VBS leader and choir member. “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl and I believe God has given me the talents and abilities to be a dedicated teacher. I look forward to sharing my love for teaching and learning with the students at Destiny.”
Regina George joined Destiny Christian School in 2010. She considers it a privilege and blessing to teach in this school as she feels it is a calling from the Lord. Mrs. George believes that “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13). She especially appreciates Destiny School because, along with the teaching of all subjects, she can teach the students the Word of God and instill in them good Christian values. It is indeed a great joy for her to see her students shining for God’s glory, both academically and spiritually. Mrs. George has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, a Master of Arts degree in English Language and Literature, and a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. During the course of her career, she has participated in the Teacher’s Efficiency Training Course. Mrs. George has had wonderful opportunities to teach diverse groups of students of all age groups since 1985 and, by incorporating a hands-on approach to learning, has been able to keep students interested and focused. “I look forward to an exciting year filled with God’s grace. It is my goal to provide all students with an educationally challenging, yet fun experience, by incorporating student-oriented activities.”
My name is Anielka Mather and I am so excited to be your child’s fifth grade teacher! To start off, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself personally and professionally. I am from Nicaragua and my husband is from the Bahamas! We have four awesome children together, 3 boys and 1 girl! We love going on vacation anywhere there is a beach/ocean. I am very competitive and love playing sports, particularly basketball, baseball and field hockey. This is my first year teaching at Destiny and I’m grateful to be a part of the family. Before my time here, I had the opportunity teaching in the Rochester City School District for 14 years, so I am a veteran teacher who’s had plenty of experience. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree at SUNY Brockport where I was certified in Elementary Education with a Bilingual Extension, and earned my Master’s Degree at St. John Fisher College where I obtained my Educational Administration certification as well.
Tina Auble has had the privilege of being a teacher at Destiny Christian School and Preschool since 2012. Mrs. Auble anchored our fourth grade classroom for 7 years before transitioning to our Middle School and now High School mentor position. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s of Education Degree in General/Special Education (1-6). Mrs. Auble began her teaching career in 2004, when she joined the teaching staff at Northstar Christian Academy as a Preschool Teacher. She absolutely loved it and realized that this was truly what she wanted to do. In September 2007, she accepted a position at French Road School in Brighton as an Academic Instructional Support Teacher, specializing in reading and math. In the five years she was there she worked in many different classrooms and collaborated with a variety of teachers and students in grades 3-5. Although she loved the job she had, God had other plans for her (Jeremiah 29:11), and He brought her to Destiny Christian School. Since being here at Destiny, God has given Mrs. Auble the ability and desire to make a difference in the lives of her students and their families.
Adam Carman joined Destiny Christian School as our High School History teacher at Destiny in 2018. Mr. Carman earned his Bachelors in History from Houghton College in 2006, a Masters in American History from the University of Rochester in 2008, and his education degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2018. He will be teaching History to our Middle School students. Our students enjoy his dry sense of humor, his passion for his subject and his infamous Escape Room review sessions. In his spare time, he reads even more history, watches historical documentaries and drinks lots of coffee. Adam lives in West Irondequoit with his wife and three kids, Leah, Eli and Hannah.
Kamilah Ellis has been an educator for over fifteen years. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California, she has been afforded the opportunity to teach at multiple levels (general and special education, pre-K through high school), and serve in various ministerial capacities for many years. Dr. Ellis will be serving as our anchor teacher for Middle School ELA.
Dr. Ellis has received various recognitions, including the America’s Choice Model Classroom teacher in the Rochester City School District, recipient of the 2013 Teacher of the Year award at ICEF Public Schools in Los Angeles, California, and the recipient of the Southwest SELPA Excellence in Education award in Southern California. Likewise, she is a professional development seminar trainer, leading elementary and secondary educators alike, through a host of topics including special education and culturally relevant pedagogy.
Dr. Ellis attended all Christian schools from preschool through post graduate school. Therefore, she strongly believes in the value of Chrisitian Education. Her teaching philosophy is that all students can learn, through a Christ-centered environment; where individual educational needs are met in student-focused classrooms, while supporting students in becoming intrinsically motivated to attain academic achievement. Dr. Ellis is the Middle School English Language Arts teacher here at Destiny Christian School, which was always one of her favorite subjects growing up . She also serves as the Events Manager for the POP (Parents, Our Partners) Squad (parent teacher organization) at Destiny. When she is not teaching, Dr. Ellis enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, and extended family, planning and organizing events, serving in ministry, shopping, and watching 80’s 90’s sitcoms and movies. She is an active member of Faith Church and she is proud to be a teacher at Destiny Christian School.
Rhonda Marie Jackson began working at Destiny Christian School in November 2019. She currently teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students in math and science. She received her Bachelors from Buffalo State College in 2005. She is actively pursuing her Masters in Education at Roberts Wesleyan College. She has a love and affection for the education of children. She has homeschooled her children for five years to ensure excellence in their training. She has experience in substitute teaching through the public school system in Gwinnett County and Rush-Henrietta Central School District. Prior to working at Destiny Christian School, she was a Youth Advocate at Hillside Work Scholarship Connection through Rochester City School District. While there, she managed and advised a caseload of 35 students. She provided assistance with tutoring programs, career workshops, service projects, and college scholarships. She partnered closely with teachers and counselors to bridge the gap between students, parents, and administrators. She also worked on projects that connected students with their community through performing arts. She states, “Children are a blessing from God and my passion is educating our youth to ensure a better future”
