Our Staff
Teaching Staff:
Mrs. Tanya Hendrick, CYW
I am excited to be teaching Kindergarten Readiness again this year! I graduated with honours from the Child and Youth Worker Advanced Program at St. Lawrence College in 2013. I enjoyed studying psychology, strategies for teaching neurotypical and neurodivergent kids, as well as counselling techniques which included building a therapeutic rapport with kids, adolescents, and their caregivers. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working at the Ontario Early Years Centre in Schreiber, ON. I also happen to be a CCA alumna (2000)! My husband, Brian, and I have two beautiful children. We attend Evangel Temple in Napanee, where I am also on staff as the Children's Ministry Lead/Administrator. I enjoy music, reading, and connecting people with the body of Christ. It is a pleasure to return to the classroom here at Cornerstone where I can help prepare my students both for Kindergarten and assist in laying the foundations of their faith.
Teaches: Kindergarten Readiness
Attends: Evangel Temple (Napanee, ON)
Ms. Bethany Dunlop, RECE
I graduated from Mohawk College with an ECE Diploma in 2019. For seven and half years I worked at a daycare centre in Hamilton and, for much of that time, I lead a school aged group. In November 2021, I relocated to Kingston and began working as supply staff with the Limestone District School Board. Impact Church is my current home church where I serve as a lead children’s teacher every month and also help with the Ignite youth group. I am very excited to be at Cornerstone and look forward to do what I love, which is teaching and sharing the love of Jesus, His Word, and encouraging children in their growing and learning experience. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for this next school year as I endeavour to shape little hearts and minds.
Teaches: Kindergarten
Attends: Impact Church (Kingston)
Mrs. Melissa Somerville, RECE
I am thrilled to be teaching grade 1 & 2 at Cornerstone Christian Academy again this year! I graduated in 2010 from the Early Childhood Education program, at St. Lawrence College in Kingston. I have worked as an Early Childhood Educator/ Educational Assistant with the LDSB for the last 11 years. The Lord has been calling me in a different direction from the public school system, and I am so thankful and excited He has led me to Cornerstone. I am looking forward to be able to teach in a Christian setting where students receive an incredible education that is biblically based. What an honour and privilege it is to teach students about Jesus! I attend Kingston West Free Methodist Church and have been the Children and Youth Ministry Leader there for over 15 years! In our free time, my husband and I enjoy spending time at our trailer, fishing, and being with our friends and family! I am looking forward to being a part of this incredible community at Cornerstone!
Teaches: Grades 1/2
Attends: Kingston West Free Methodist Church (Kingston, ON)
Ms. Michelle Lamb, BA (Hons), BEd, OCT
I graduated from Queen’s University as a Concurrent Education student with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history. I then continued on to complete my Bachelor’s of Education at Queen’s in the primary/ junior division in 2019. I currently attend Impact Church in Kingston, Ontario where I work part time as the Children’s Ministry director. I am so excited to be back at Cornerstone this year! I love this school and the strong sense of community that is fostered here. It truly is such a blessing to be able to teach at a school where God is at the center of everything we do. Every day, I get to come to work and do what I have always dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. I absolutely love being creative and using my creativity to help students get excited about learning. It truly is such an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to pour into the next generation and see them grow both academically and in their walk with Jesus.
Teaches: Grades 3/4
Attends: Impact Church (Kingston)
Mrs. Bonnie-Lee O’Coin, BA, BEd, OCT
Hi! My name is Bonnie-Lee O'Coin. I graduated from Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in psychology and visual arts before completing my Bachelor of Education in the primary/junior divisions. I have been so blessed being a part of the Cornerstone family. It truly is a privilege to walk into this school every day and spend my time with the students and staff. The heart and creative mind of each child is so unique and exciting; it is incredible to see the gifts of each student blossom as they experience and learn new things. Walking alongside these students as they grow and become Christ-like leaders is such an incredible journey. God has gifted me with a love and passion for the students that I teach, and I consider it a great honour to be in a school where He is the center of our education.
Teaches: Grades 3/4
Attends: Desert Stream Christian Fellowship (Belleville, ON)
Mrs. Jennifer Carpenter, BA (Hons), BEd, OCT
I completed my undergraduate degree at Queen's University where I studied French and Canadian Studies (History). In 2010, I graduated with my Bachelor of Education (Primary/Junior) and completed Additional Qualifications in French as a Second Language and Intermediate Division: History. Previously to working at Cornerstone, I taught for nearly a decade in the Public school setting for both Core and French Immersion classes. I also taught private piano lessons for many years, and I love to incorporate music into my daily classroom routines. My husband, Scott, and I have four lively children. I enjoy coffee, board games, puzzles, technology, and music, music, music! My husband and I are both quite active participants in many areas at church including Children's Ministries, youth, and leading in worship.
Teaches: Grades 5/6
Attends: Evangel Temple (Napanee, ON)
Miss Kimberly Cummings, BSc (Hons), BEd, OCT
Hi! I'm Kimberly Cummings, and I'm thrilled to be teaching Grade 7 & 8 this year! I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University in Kingston, along with a Bachelor of Education in the Intermediate/Senior division, with teachables in Biology and Chemistry. I’m passionate about teaching science and love integrating STEM into the classroom. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing sports, spending time outdoors, and reading. I feel incredibly blessed to be teaching at a school where God is at the center of everything we do. I'm excited to journey with the students this year as they grow both academically and in their walk with Jesus.
Teaches: Grade 7/8
Attends: Meadowbrook Bible Chapel (Kingston, ON)
Mrs. Maggie Marshall, BA, BEd, OCT
Hello! My name is Maggie Marshall. I graduated first from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later graduated from Potsdam University with a Masters in Science of Teaching. I am certified to teach from grades K - 10, and have extensive literacy training. For the last 9 years, I have been teaching with a local school board and offering reading instruction privately.
My husband and I, and our two beautiful children (who both attend Cornerstone) live in Napanee, and attend Evangel Temple. We love camping, exploring the outdoors, traveling to new places, and seeking new experiences. God has created such a beautiful world for us to cherish and discover!
Teaches: Resource
Attends: Evangel Temple (Napanee, ON)
Mrs. Shelana MacPherson, BSc (Hons), BEd, OCT
I am so excited to be returning for my seventh year at Cornerstone! Graduating from Cornerstone in 2006, I know the impact this school has on students. I am looking forward to helping students grow in the same way that my teachers helped me. I graduated from Queen’s University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science Honours, majoring in biology. I then earned my Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University for Intermediate-Senior divisions. After graduating, I taught grade 6-12 science at a Christian school in Pennsylvania. Two years later, God lead me back to Napanee. My husband, Mackenzie, and I have been married since 2019. Last year, we welcomed our first child, a son named Brooks. We enjoy exploring the outdoors and playing sports together as a family. I can’t wait to get to know all my students and grow together this year!
Teaches: On Leave
Attends: Evangel Temple (Napanee, ON)
Administration:
Mrs. Pamela Mutch, BA, BEd, OCT
I had the opportunity to grow up in a Christian home, and I have lived in the Napanee area my entire life. Becoming a teacher was my lifelong dream; I can remember having no other career ambition. My husband and I have three grown children, and we have recently taken on the exciting title of ‘grandparents’.
I obtained my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Queen’s University. I then spent ten years teaching in the public board. However, when my own children reached school age, I realised I wanted something different for them, so I resigned and co-founded Cornerstone Christian Academy. Serving as both teacher and principal has been busy but so very rewarding. No words can describe the feeling when you hear a child’s earnest prayer or witness an entire class break out in an unplanned worship song to the Lord.
I have seen the differences Christian Education can make in the lives of families. Some of our students are now second generation ‘Cornerstone kids’. It is exciting to have three of Cornerstone’s graduates back with us serving as teachers!
Throughout my teaching career, I have taught all grades from kindergarten to grade 8. Each grade has its own rewards and challenges. In the past few years, I have been using my Special Education training to assist children who have IEPs.
In an attempt to prepare students for secondary school, I enjoy talks with them about peer pressures, humanistic views, and our roles as servants for God. I am a firm believer that if we can teach children to become strong leaders, with a love for Christ, they are less likely to fall to negative peer pressure and false teachings. Each student that passes through the doors of Cornerstone becomes a part of my life. They are on my mind and in my prayers. God has a unique plan for every child, and it is an honour to help children find their way with Christ as their chief cornerstone.
Teaches: Administration, Resource
Attends: Evangel Temple (Napanee, ON)
Custodial:
Mrs. Dayna Montgomery
