School Staff

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Pastor Nicholas Russo
School Administrator
14 Years Teaching Experience

Testimony: As a young boy, I trusted Christ as my Saviour. The first time that I visited a church around the corner the Sunday school teacher changed his whole lesson to share the Gospel with me. I already knew what sin was, but he showed me that through the Bible Christ could save me from it. That afternoon in my bedroom as a ten year old boy I confessed my need for Christ and asked him to save me.

Educational Background: Bachelor of Theology

Family Life: Married to Sara in 2002
5 children and a dog

Hobbies: Running, Reading, Cooking (not necessarily in that order)

Favorite Quote or Bible Verse: 

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Why Do I Teach?: I have always loved learning, I believe the investment in the lives of young people for the cause of Christ is invaluable. To help a young person obtain a Biblical world view is very important. We don’t just teach academics, but Christian life skills; practical Christianity.

My Expectations of My Staff: What I look for in staff members is four fold. First, I look for a professional and seriousness about Christian education. Next, can they do the tasks daily that will be asked of them which includes having to be flexible and focused at the same time. Then, how do they work with others. As a staff member we need peace makers and problem solvers. Lastly, I evaluate the staff member’s Christian character. Their spirit is very important. It is that spirit that will be replicated so many times over in each of their students. A personal, genuine and sincere walk with the Lord is a must!

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Pastor Roy Sietmann
School Prinicpal

Family Life:
Married to Melanie Sietmann 10/21/2006
Children: 3 Daughters, 1 Son
Dog: Hound named Copper

Hobbies:
Board Games
Golf
Basketball

Education:
High School: Northstar Christian Academy, Graduated in 2000
College: SUNY College at Brockport, BS in Biology, Graduated 2005
Theology: King James Bible Institute, Graduated 2007

Favorite Quote or Bible Verse:
Colossians 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

Why Do I Teach:
God has entrusted us at LOBA with the hearts and minds of the young people in our ministry. It is my responsibility, privilege, and blessing to be able to guide them in both academic knowledge and spiritual wisdom. I’m often reminded of 1 Samuel 12:23 as Samuel addresses the people of Israel with these words, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way”. I love the families God puts in our school and there are few greater callings than to pray for and teach them the good and right way.
 
Testimony: 
My parents were saved and started attending Walker Bible Baptist Church right about the time I was born. I’m so thankful for the blessing of being raised in a Christian home by parents who sacrificed to give me every opportunity to receive and follow God. As a young child, I had prayed with a Sunday School teacher and wanted to be saved. But as the years went on, doubts weighed on my heart as I had no memory of that day. So in 1992, at the age of 9 years old, I came forward to the altar after hearing the word of God preached and asked God to save my soul. It’s good to know you’re saved! As the years went on, I was honored to have God call me to preach, and then later to the mission field. After serving in Mexico for 7 years, God has led my family back to our home church to serve as Associate Pastor and Principal of LOBA.

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Bro. Eric McDowell
10th - 12th Grades
Years Teaching Experience

Testimony:
Since I was a young child, I have been in church. My Grandma brought my five siblings and I to church any time the doors were open. Many times I would sleep through the service. However, on one occasion, I woke up just in time for the preacher to say something about hell that scared me. I don't remember who the preacher was nor what he said but I do remember the feeling of terror that gripped me. I stayed awake the rest of the service but the preacher didn't come back to the thought. After service, I ran to my Grandma. She showed me how to get saved. Many years later, I got assurance of my salvation at an old altar at Faith Baptist Church in Avon, IN.

Educational Background:
Graduated Eagledale Christian School, Indianapolis IN
Graduated Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola FL with a Bachelor Degree in pastoral ministries. 

Family Life:
My wife, Shannon, and I were married on June 2, 2012. We have a 5 year old daughter named Kaydence.

Hobbies:
I love watching and playing sports. I also enjoy playing board games with my family and friends.

Favorite Quote or Bible Verse: 

2 Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage and let us play the men for our pepe and the cities of our God and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.

Why Do I Teach?: 
I have a burden for our teens. I have the amazing opportunity to be their youth pastor and being their high school supervisor allows me to have a larger influence on their lives. Everyday I get to interact with them. Everyday I can do my best to point them to Jesus. That is what it’s all about.

My Expectations of My Students:
My expectations of my students are high. I expect them to strive to walk with the Lord. I expect each student to be the best they can be for the Lord.

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Miss Amy Colopy
1st - 4th Grades
18 Years Teaching Experience

Testimony: I grew up in a Christian home. My mom led me to the Lord when I was four years old. I remember it was in church on the backroom steps. I wanted to teach at a very young age. We lived in Batavia since I was a little girl and I grew up in a very good church. I went through the ACE program and graduated their Christian school. I went to college then returned to teach in the Christian school of my church. In 2012 my dad, sister and I began attending Walker. I was very concerned that my job as an activities assistant was cutting hours and I no longer taught at the school at the Batavia church. Unbeknownst to me the school at Walker was transitioning, they were losing one teacher to marriage and the mission field and another to having a baby and the mission field. The academy also just “happened” to use the ACE curriculum which is the curriculum wherein I was trained and taught children for nearly a decade. It was such a wonderful experience realizing that God had planned my transition to LOBA. A year later my dad bought a house in Brockport and I moved here with my dad.

Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Crown College of the Bible
ACE Teacher’s Convention Certifications

Family Life: Single, live with my dad, and have two cats

Hobbies: 
Piano, reading, spending time with my niece, spending time with church kids

Favorite Quote and/or Bible Verse: 
Philippians 1:6 and Acts 20:24

Why Do I Teach?:
I believe it is what God called me to do.  I desire to influence the generations behind me to live for Christ.  I love watching how much they grow over the years in my class

My Expectations of My Students: 
To always give their best effort even when things are difficult.  That they would grow to love and desire to live God’s Word in their own lives.  To have a positive attitude toward their work.  That they would learn to love and enjoy learning

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Mrs. Jennifer Huber
8th - 9th Grades
9 Years Teaching Experience

Testimony: I attended youth camp the summer of 1982. On the last day, during the last service, the Holy Spirit touched my heart and I went forward to talk with my camp counsellor. The verses I knew and had previously memorized became real to me and my eyes were open to my need to ask Jesus Christ to be my personal Saviour. I am so thankful for godly junior and teen summer camps.

Educational Background:
Graduated North Star Christian Academy, ACE Teacher Certified

Family Life: 
I have four children, a dog and a cat.

Hobbies: 
Piano, reading, sewing and gardening

Favorite Quote or Bible Verse: 

Psalm 71:14  "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more"

My Expectations of My Students:
The age and levels of my students in my class lends to the ability to make decisions for themselves. Habits of studying, preparing, looking ahead and making appropriate plans as well as setting right priorities are all becoming part of my students’ character and reputation. It is my goal to plant a desire to follow wisdom, ask questions and thirst for knowledge from God’s Word and their PACES. Dare to be different.

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Mrs. Amy Buck
Kindergarten
​10 Years of Teaching Experience

Testimony: I grew up in a Christian home. At a camp meeting the Lord convicted me concerning my salvation so I reconfirmed my salvation with my dad. I was eleven years old. I was active in church ministry as a young person but it wasn't until my recent missions trip (Zacatecas 2015) that I now can say that I am fully surrendered to the Lord. He has shown Himself faithful in my day to day living but it was that missions trip that increased my faith to the level of confidence I need to be the teacher I believe the Lord has appointed me to be. He showed me in a very practical way that I can trust Him implicitly and I now know that whatever He calls me to do He will equip me to handle.

Educational Background: Graduated North Star Christian Academy, ACE Teacher Certified

Family Life:  Married to Chris Nov 7 1998.  We have 3 children.  A tortoise named Dozer

Hobbies:
Going for walks, reading, baking, organizing

Favorite Quote/Bible Verse:

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Why Do I Teach? 
I see now where the Lord has graciously directed my footsteps to my teaching job here at LOBA. It is amazing how the Lord orchestrated my service at school. I recently found an old paper that I wrote in fifth grade where I said I wanted to be a wife, mom, secretary and/or teacher. Looking back I can see that God ignited a desire in me even at that very young age to teach. He gently eased me into a staff teaching position as an adult with children of my own. He also graciously led the way so I was not overwhelmed by the awesome responsibility that it is to influence young people each and every day. I believe I have been called to do what I do as I mentioned in my testimony. It is God's will for my life and I endeavor to do my very best with His help.

My Expectations of My Students:  
To learn to listen, think and then obey with a good attitude. To do their best for the Lord, in all things Ecc. 9:10 & I Cor 10:31