PCA Staff
The staff at Praise Christian Academy is compromised of women who love and serve God wholeheartedly. Each person on staff is active in their own churches and strive not only to help their students achieve their best academically but spiritually as well.
Mary Ann Jacobs
Principal
Mrs. Jacobs has been serving at PCA for 44 years. She began her career as a teacher and eventually took on the role as principal. She loves to teach grammar and enjoys reading in her free time. Mrs. Jacobs has been married for 26 to her husband Ken. One of Mrs. Jacobs favorite parts of being at PCA is having the privilege to share Jesus with the students and to provide them with the opportunity to accept Him as their savior.
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14
Donna Oswald
Secretary
Mrs. Oswald has been the secretary at PCA for 34 years. She has been married to her husband for 40 years and they have two grown sons together, Jonathan and Jordan. Mrs. Oswald also has a granddaughter, Chandler, and a grandson on the way! When she isn't working, she loves to bake, cook, garden in the summer, and play with her English bulldog, Dottie. Mrs. Oswald loves that at PCA she has the freedom to talk about God with the students and to pray for one another.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Allison Schmidt
Kindergarten
Mrs. Schmidt has been teaching kindergarten for the last 7 years. Her favorite subject to teach her students is reading! Fun fact: Mrs. Schmidt was a student at PCA herself! She has been married to her husband, Nate, for 8 years and they have two young sons, Oliver and Andrew. Mrs. Schmidt is an avid runner and also loves to swim and crochet. She often makes gifts for her students! What she loves most about PCA is that it is just like a family.
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23
Ashley Munshower
First Grade
Miss Munshower has been teaching first grade for the last 7 years. Her favorite subject to teach her second graders is reading. She also enjoys doing fun arts and crafts with the students. Miss Munshower has a shetland sheepdog named, Shelby and a cat, Misty. When she in't busy teaching she enjoys scrapbooking, painting, shopping, and reading! Her favorite part of being a teacher at PCA is being able to teach her students about Jesus!
"The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need." Psalm 23:1
Bobbi Jo Merkt
Second Grade
Mrs. Merkt has worked at PCA for 6 years, the last 2 years being our second grade teacher. Mrs. Merkt was also a former student here at PCA! She is a newlywed to her husband, Pastor Jeremy. Mrs. Merkt enjoys spending time with her family, and serving the youth of her church alongside her husband. Her favorite subject to teach her young students is Math, because it is an essential part of every day life! What Mrs. Merkt loves the most about being a part of PCA is the environment. She is grateful for the opportunity to give her students the same academic and spiritual foundation that she received as a student here.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Lisa Klipa
Third and Fourth Grade
Mrs. Klipa has been a part of the PCA family for the last 17 years. She loves teaching History to her students. Mrs. Klipa has been married for 11 years and has one grown son, Grant. She also has 3 yorkies that she adores, Gigi, Remi, and Bella. Mrs. Klipa loves to make crafts and paint in her spare time. She also loves to collect old buttons and spools of thread, because they remind her of her Mom's sewing kit when she was little. Mrs. Klipa loves being able to teach her students about the Lord in all subjects and in general life. She loves to be able to help our students build a firm foundation in the Lord to prepare them for life and loving others as Christ loves us.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5
Linda Bobbs
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Bobbs has been on staff at PCA for 10 years. Her favorite subject to teach is Math. Mrs. Bobbs is happily married to her husband, Richard. They have two grown daughters, Heidi and Whitney. They have a total of 9 grandchildren! She loves to sew, go camping, do word searches, play board games, and go to the beach. What Mrs. Bobbs loves most about PCA is being able to share her faith and love for the Lord with the students on a daily basis. She loves that PCA is one big family that support and pray for each other, teachers, staff, and students.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Angela Chamberlain
Sixth Grade
Mrs. Chamberlain has been teaching at PCA for 9 years. She loves to teach History and being able to bring it to life with visual aids. Mrs. Chamberlain has been married to her husband, Eric, since 2004. They have two children together, Bryce and Aubrey. Both of her children have attended PCA as students. Mrs. Chamberlain has a black belt in Karate and she loves to read and paint. What she loves most about PCA is making connections with her students and parents, and showing them God's love.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
Shan Wega
Seventh Grade
Mrs. Wega has been at PCA since 2006. She loves to teach Language. She has been married to her husband since 1992, and they have 3 children, and also one grandchild! An interesting fact about Mrs. Wega is that her sister, Mrs. Klipa, is on staff as a teacher as well! She loves art, puzzles, reading, and running, when she isn't teaching. Her favorite part about teaching at PCA is that she gets to nurture both intellectual and spiritual growth in the students.
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." Psalm 91:1-2
Rebekah Pais
Eighth Grade
Miss Pais is our newest teacher at PCA. This is her second year teaching. Miss Pais enjoys teaching Math the most. She has 2 cats at home, Beast and Belle, and also a turtle named Spike. Miss Pais enjoys being outside. In 2021 she biked from Pittsburgh all the way to Washington, DC! Her favorite aspect of teaching at PCA is being able to share her faith with the students and having smaller class sizes.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4
Shanna Alfer
Physical Education
Aleta Stegner
In-house Tutor
Mrs. Stegner has been tutoring at PCA for 19 years. She has been married to her husband for 34 years, and they have two grown children, who both attended Praise Christian Academy. Her favorite subject to tutor on is math! In her spare time, Mrs. Stegner loves to go shopping for antiques and vintage items to use in her very old farm house. Her favorite thing about being a part of the PCA family is the closeness between everyone and the ability to share ones needs/concerns and to be able to prayer together and with the students.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
Amanda Koedel
Art
Mrs. Koedel has been with us for 2 years as the art teacher. She also helps out in the lunch room as well! Mrs. Koedel has been married to her husband for 10 years and they have a daughter together. Their daughter attends PCA! When Mrs. Koedel isn't being creative with her students in the art room, she likes to paint, read, play video games, and make miniatures out of clay! What she loves the most about being on staff at PCA is being able to help the students reach their creative potential, getting to know each student and being able to share the love of God with them.
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he has planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10
Ruth Hodges
Computer
This is Mrs. Hodges first year teaching Computer at PCA. Funny enough, her favorite subject to teach is, Computer! Mrs. Hodges love to travel, bake, and spend time with her family. She has been married to her husband, Dan, for 40 years and they have 1 daughter, Meredith. She also has two grandsons, Camden and Cayden. Mrs. Hodges can't pick one thing that is her favorite about working at PCA. She loves it all, especially the students.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart: do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 4:5-6
Haley Shakoske
Music
This is Mrs. Shakoske's first year teaching music at PCA. She has been married to her husband for 7 years, and they have two kids together. Obviously her favorite subject to teach is music! She enjoys helping the children learn the basics of music comprehension in a fun, loving environment. While she isn't teaching music class, Mrs. Shakoske also enjoys playing video games! What she loves most about PCA is that the students are safe, and provided with a real education taught in a genuine Christian environment.
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:17
Suzanne Lloyd
Cafeteria Manager
Miss Suzanna has been helping to prepare delicious lunches for our students for the last 4 years. Suzanne has been married to her husband for 8 years and they have one daughter, Allison. Allison is on staff as the Kindergarten teacher! Suzanne enjoys being in her garden when the weather permits. Her favorite thing about PCA is bar far the kids.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Betty Coltogirone
Cafeteria Assistant
Mrs. Coltogirone, is fondly known as Aunt Jane to our students. She has been helping in the kitchen for the last 8 years. Even though she does not teach, she loves to encourage kindness and respect in the students. She has been married to her husband for 61 years and has two grown sons, Donald and Daniel. She loves to sew and make crafts when she isn't busy. Her favorite part about PCA is the students and teachers.
"For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son, so that none shall perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Bella Fulton
Cafeteria Assistant
Miss Bella has been on staff at PCA for 3 years. Bella does a little bit of everything, she helps in the lunch room, she helps with bus duty at dismissal, and she also cleans! Bella enjoys reading and taking care of her plants. She has a golden doodle at home named, Bentley. Bella loves getting to know the students and being a part of PCA.
"For I know the plans I have you, declares the Lord, plans to proser you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11