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.”
Mrs. Benhamou received her Bachelor of Science in Education with certifications in Elementary and Special Education, as well as a concentration in Art History from SUNY Geneseo. She began her teaching career in the Rochester City School District, teaching first grade. She later moved on to utilize her special education training at Heritage Christian Services where she taught adults with intellectual disabilities. Mrs. Benhamou enjoyed being able to teach in a unique, individualized setting there. She also volunteered as a teacher in Children’s Ministry at her church for many years at various grade levels. Most recently, she developed curriculum and taught classes at a Homeschool Co-Op while also homeschooling her young children. Mrs. Benhamou’s two boys began attending Destiny Christian School in the beginning of 2018 and they found it to be a perfect fit. Their family is grateful to have found a school with high academic standards that is so warm, welcoming and most importantly Christ-centered. She is very excited to be joining the Destiny family to teach sixth grade this Fall! Mrs. Benhamou enjoys helping students build on their prior knowledge and skills and believes sixth graders are a lot of fun. She is looking forward to working with this grade level. When not teaching, she enjoys cooking, running, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family.
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 the 4th grade teacher at Destiny Christian School and Preschool since 2012. 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. “I truly believe that I was brought here to fulfill God’s purpose in your child’s life. Destiny Christian School and Preschool has shown me that God truly has a destiny for all of us and our school will do all that it can to help your children reach their Destiny!”
Michelle Barone began working at Destiny through BOCES #1 in 2009. Although she loved working with students at all grade levels, as well as working with many talented teachers, she began to desire her own classroom again, somewhere where she could settle down and plant her teacher-roots. Mrs. Barone had previously worked at Northstar Christian Academy, Ober Elementary (NV), Swainston Middle School (NV), Fairport Middle and Elementary Schools, McQuaid Jesuit, and Allendale-Columbia. She is dually-certified with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (pre-K to 6th -with a concentration in English Language Arts), and a Master’s degree in Special Education (K-12th). She teaches because it is God’s calling in her life for this season. She believes that God divinely appointed her here at Destiny, and she will stay here until God chooses otherwise. Many years ago, God’s word spoke to her regarding working at Destiny. (She was praying about accepting a job at RCSD Incarceration Unit –because she has a heart for all children). “The Lord told me to “plant my vineyard here” at Destiny, because I was going to “be here awhile.” I am so glad that He continues to grow us as we follow Him. We serve a mighty God! Bless the LORD!”
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Biology – as well as certification in Adolescent Education 7-12 from the State University of NY at GENESEO. I began my teaching career as a lab instructor with the Home School Academy. I then spent a year substituting in the RCSD and was blessed to obtain a long term substitute position at James Monroe High School the following year. I then became employed in the Victor Central School District as a Teacher’s Aide for 3 years. For the past 3 years I have taught 7th & 8th grade science at the Rochester Academy Charter School.When I am not teaching I am heavily involved in my church, Elim Gospel Church in Lima, NY as a Youth Leader for 6th-12th graders. On a personal note I love the Lord and have had a personal relationship with him from a very young age. I enjoy being able to teach Science and show the designed plans of God within the sciences. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to teach both Science and Math to the Middle School students. I enjoy working with this age group due to their inquiring minds and vigor. I’m looking forward to the great things God has in store for each of us this coming school year. See you in September!
Pam Rao began teaching at Destiny Christian School in 2017 as the High School Math Teacher. Mrs. Rao graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a bachelors degree in Mathematics and masters degree in secondary mathematics education. She also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She has taught math from the middle school level through the college level. She is actively involved in her church community and has served as a Sunday School teacher and Pioneer Girls leader.
