Leadership Team For The 24-25 School Year

Ami Adams received a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis on Language Arts and Social Studies from Malone University and her Master of Arts in Education from Muskingum University. She is dual licensed in Middle Childhood Education (4-9) and as an Intervention Specialist (K-12). She completed additional coursework to graduate with her Reading Endorsement certification and has earned HQT (Highly Qualified Teacher) status in the fields of math and science. Since her graduation from Malone, she has worked as a community educator for the Domestic Violence Project, a volunteer coordinator for Community Hospice, and as a teacher for the Stark County Educational Service Center and Plain Local Schools. Ami has lived most of her life in the Canton area where she currently resides with her husband, Jared. She finds joy and beauty in reading with a cat on her lap, spending time with friends, teaching kids, listening to music, and watching films.  

Mrs. Adams will be teaching Introduction to Writing and 9th/10th Grade Literature.

 Stacey Baker received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University with a focus

in Interior Design. She has taught art for many years while homeschooling her children. Currently all 6 of her boys attend Lake Center Christian School where she is actively involved in their school day. Whether it is decorating the showcases, volunteering at events, listening to Bible verses or running the school’s annual auction; her heart is to show the love and service of Christ in any way that she can. She loves to create beauty in every way possible whether it is in someone's home, painting a canvas, or in her flower garden. Her husband and boys love all things athletic and you can usually find her cheering on her crew wearing yellow and blue! 

Mrs. Baker will be teaching Elementary Art.

Betty Besse has been married to her husband, David, for 37 years. She is the mother of three homeschooled kids, all grown-up now, and grandmother to two sweet little boys. Betty has an Associates Degree in Banking and Finance and one in Business Administration and worked in the banking industry before kids came along. She has been serving as a tournament director and coach for speech and debate through an organization called Christian Communicators of America for 15+ years and is passionate about speech and debate and teaching! She loves to help young people sharpen their skills in the areas of public speaking and critical thinking and tries to make the subjects fun and engaging for her students. Betty has been a Christian from a young age. She loves God and loves to share His Word with others. She enjoys being a grandma, reading, leading Bible studies for the ladies at her church, and gardening.

Mrs. Besse will be teaching Speech Class and Second Semester Debate.

Evelyn Bullock will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in choral and vocal studies from Malone University this spring. Outside of the classroom she currently directs the St. John UCC Chancel Choir in Strasburg and is hoping to teach private voice lessons for students of all ages. Some of her hobbies include trying new recipes, creating charcuterie boards, and finding and listening to new records. She is so grateful that God has led her to Bridges and that He has instilled within her a passion for teaching music.

Miss Bullock will be teaching Music: The Art of Choral Performance

Stage Door's owner, founder and instructor is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but has made Ohio her home since 1998.  She has been involved in performing, teaching or directing for most all of her adult life. She attended Grace College in Indiana for her undergraduate work, and Rider University / Westminster Choir College in New Jersey for her Master's work in Vocal Pedagogy studying under the direction of Margaret Cusak & Garyth Nair.  She continued her vocal study with Mrs. Jacqueline Smith in Philadelphia.  Her professional musical theater credits span several states and include performances at the Forrest Theater-Philadelphia, Cherry Lane Theater-New York, The Bickford Theater-New Jersey, Wagon Wheel Playhouse-Indiana, Players Guild-Ohio.  She has performed as a soloist with several orchestras including both Philadelphia and Cleveland, as a background & touring vocalist with various Contemporary artists & composers and various commercial advertising agencies including jingles for "Huggies", "Trident", & "Sanka".

She has taught vocal music at Lake Center Christian School, Cairn University & Penn State University-Berks and directed over 100 musical theater productions and 22 different choirs or ensembles. Some of her favorite recent directing ventures include Sound of Music, Les Miserables, Guys & Dolls, Little Women, Songs for a New World, Pirates of Penzance, Music Man & Beauty and the Beast.  
Debbie's favorite role is being a mother of two awesome adults and now "Nana" to three wonderful grandchildren. She feels as though her students are like family as well, and she is grateful for the opportunity to work with them. She is thrilled to be working with her Bridges students this year!

Mrs. Cardy will be teaching Drama.

 Ashley received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Spanish Education from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. Mrs. Cole taught for five years at Chapel Hill Christian School before deciding to stay home with her kids. Ashley and her husband have two awesome boys whom she has homeschooled for the past nine years. As a family, they enjoy spending time reading, playing games, traveling, camping, soccer, and exploring new places. Mrs. Cole has traveled to many different countries all over the world and even studied abroad in Costa Rica. She loves making learning fun, tea, staying healthy, the outdoors, experiencing different cultures, and teaching many different subjects. It is a joy for her to see and learn how God’s hand has been evident throughout the history of the world.  She looks forward to teaching Elementary History and Jr. High History this year! 

Mrs. Cole will be teaching Elementary History and Jr. High World History & Geography and is the Bridges’ Executive Director and Teacher Liaison.

 Linnea Cook received her Bachelors of Science degree in Middle Childhood Education from Malone University and her Masters of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University. She taught in Canton Local Schools for 11 years. For the last five years she has taught and tutored part time online while homeschooling. She enjoys the hands-on approach to science that she used while working for the National Inventors Hall of Fame through teaching the Camp Invention Summer Program. She has been married 17 years to her husband Ryan, who is a Family and Marriage Therapist as well as a professor at the University of Mount Union.  They have 5 fabulous kids between the ages of 12 and 1. Linnea and Ryan both love sports and have enjoyed the opportunity to coach their children in basketball, baseball, and hockey. As a couple, they have done pre-marriage counseling with engaged couples for many years and have helped run parenting and marriage seminars. Her desire is to bring light to those around her by reflecting the love of Christ in practical ways. Linnea loves reading with her kids, being outside, sudoku puzzles, playing the piano, traveling, eating blizzards and cheering for the Cleveland Guardians. 

Mrs. Cook will be teaching Junior High General Science and Algebra 1.

 Erica Fill received a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Bowling Green State University for grades K-12. Mrs. Fill taught art for three years at Waterloo Local Schools before her girls were born. She enjoys learning about health and fitness and is constantly looking for ways to improve the health of her family. She is currently teaching flag classes through Simply Praise, a dance ministry she started with a friend. She and her husband, Dan, homeschooled their two daughters - Jocelyn graduated in 2021 and Mischa graduated in 2023!  She enjoys being outside soaking up the summer sun, spending time with her cat, Linnycat, and doing crafty things like card making and crocheting. This is her tenth year being a part of Bridges. She looks forward to getting her students to move!

Mrs. Fill will be teaching Physical Education.

 Catherine Marx received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance with an emphasis in Accounting from Malone University.  She was employed by ComDoc, Inc. and Diebold, Inc. as a purchasing agent before leaving to stay home full-time with her children.  After 2 years of being home, her husband thought it would be fun to start his own business. Mrs. Marx kept the books, ran payroll, invoiced customers and handled taxes for that business and to this day she does similar bookkeeping work for another small business. She and her husband, Derek, have 4 amazing children and they have been homeschooling for 12 years. This is her sixth year as part of the Bridges co-op and her fifth year teaching.  She looks forward to teaching her students financial responsibility as good stewards of all that God has given them.   

Mrs. Marx will be teaching Financial Literacy, Pre-Algebra and is the Bridges’ Executive Director and Bookkeeper.

 As a former missionary kid, Julie Moledor lived in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, Africa until the age of 20; thoroughly enjoying any adventures the continent had to offer such as scuba diving, hiking, safaris, camp-outs on the beach, outdoor markets, and most importantly the opportunity to serve others. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Malone University. She has worked as an RN in a variety of hospital settings, including medical surgical, infectious disease, and the emergency department but is currently a stay-at-home mom. Julie and her husband Joel have four boys and have been homeschooling for 13 years. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her boys, and nurturing their love for science. She loves tea, all things health and fitness, baking, and of course teaching and working at Bridges!

Mrs. Moledor will be teaching Biology and Elementary Science and is the Bridges’ Executive Director and Registrar.

 Caleb Norrick received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Sport Management from Malone University as well as a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. Caleb spent five years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations at Malone where he oversaw all 18 varsity sports, including their home games, travel, equipment, and budgets. Caleb currently works at Faith Bible Church where he oversees the student ministries and helps with missions and operations. He is well-traveled and enjoys visiting new places, reading a good book, and trying his best to play along with Jeopardy! He has a passionate interest in history and government and loves a good discussion about them. His favorite books are historical biographies and memoirs, especially those on post-World War II American leaders. Caleb and his wife Lexy live in Plain Township with their daughter Selah and are expecting another daughter in June 2024. 

Mr. Norrick will be teaching American History.

 Janice Pahl graduated from Saint Anselm College with a B.A. in Natural Sciences.  While working at Dartmouth College, she completed additional college courses in biology and published her research on peripheral nerve injury. Throughout her thirteen years of homeschooling, she has regularly taught a variety of group science classes, nature studies, and Spanish courses. Some of her fond memories include exploring vernal pools, blowing up water bottles with dry ice, and taking a medical mission trip to Argentina.   Recently, she worked at an afterschool program as the math intervention lead. She believes games are an effective way to learn, so she tries to incorporate them whenever possible!  

Mrs. Pahl will be teaching Intro to Spanish 1 and 2, and Physical Science.

 Jenny Petersen earned a doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University. She has worked as a professional advisor and adjunct professor in Anatomy and Physiology, as well as, Exercise Science at Walsh University and as a part time instructor in Exercise Science at Kent State University. Jenny is certified to teach biological science grades 7-12 and taught at Canton South High School while serving as the district Athletic Trainer before returning for her Master’s at Akron University. Jenny currently serves as a youth pastor at the East Canton Church of God. Jenny, her husband Dean, and their two daughters live on a hardwood tree farm and also raise pumpkins.  

Mrs. Petersen will be teaching Advanced Biology: Anatomy & Physiology

Daniel Semelsberger  holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Master of Arts in History from Miami University, and a Master of Arts in Apologetics from Houston Christian University. He and his siblings were the recipients of a classically-oriented great books education during their own homeschooling–an experience that imparted a lifelong love of history, literature, language, writing, and many other aspects of the humanities. He holds that good reading, thinking, and writing skills are not only practically important for becoming well-rounded, functional adults, but are in fact also essential to human flourishing, and is therefore excited to help develop those skills, virtues, and dispositions in his students. He and his wife Lauren live in Akron, Ohio, where they seek to lead faithful, rooted lives in their communities, seeking and cultivating joy, beauty, and learning.

Mr. Semelsberger will be teaching Great Books and Great Writing

 Darby Smith received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Malone University for grades 1-8 and Special Education K-12 and finished her Master in teaching in June of ‘06.  Mrs. Smith taught in a Resource Room for grades 5 and 6 in Northwest Local Schools for 7 years, focusing on Language Arts and Math.  She and her husband, Bruce, have four children and have been homeschooling for thirteen years.  While staying at home, she completed her Masters's Degree in teaching and kept up her teaching license in the state of Ohio.  She has been involved in other homeschool groups and has taught various classes. Mrs. Smith loves to read and wants to share that love with her students. 

Mrs. Smith will be teaching Elementary Literature and Jr. High Literature.

 Angie Waters was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She graduated college with a BA in Interior Design. Later, she taught kindergarten in a Christian school for two years, and art and fifth grade for a year. She returned to college during that time and studied two years of Early Education until she relocated to the United States. Upon her arrival in the US, she attended college and received an associate’s degree in Art and Early Education. Upon graduating, she got married and raised her family of five children. She has homeschooled her children for 18 years. She has taught Spanish and art for twelve years, nine of those years with Bridges.

Mrs. Waters will be teaching Jr. High/Sr. High Art and Spanish 1 and Spanish 1B.

 Melissa Weimer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and an English minor from Malone University.  She has worked for The Press-News and The Repository and has held multiple corporate positions writing press releases, speeches, articles, and advertising for both radio and print.  She and her husband Jared have four children and they have been homeschooling for 19 years.  Melissa has taught a variety of classes in homeschool groups over the past 15 years, but writing has always been her passion. She believes writing is fundamental for success in just about every subject, and thoroughly enjoys instilling confidence and developing skills in Bridges’ students.

Mrs. Weimer will be teaching two Essentials for Writing classes

Heather Yoder received her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Stark State University. She enjoyed a 14-year nursing career working at Akron City Hospital as an R.N., but chose to suspend her career to care for her growing family. Heather and her husband Don have 7 children and live in Paris. They love caring for animals on their small farm and participate in 4-H. Heather and her husband have been homeschooling their children for 13 years. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and anything outdoors with her family. This is Heather’s family’s fourth year at Bridges. She has been in teaching roles at past co-ops and always looks forward to teaching Health.

Mrs. Yoder will be teaching Health.