Leadership Team For The 25-26 School Year

Monica Andreski earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walsh University in 2009 and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Benedictine University in 2015. She has held various nursing roles, from bedside care of pediatric oncology patients to staff development and education. For the past 10 years, Monica has taught future nurses, and currently teaches at Walsh University. Monica met her husband Matt at a college praise and worship service, and they have been married for 15 years. They have four wonderful daughters, ages 2-12, whom they have homeschooled for the last 6 years. They consider themselves a dynamic team where both "mom and dad" are teachers. The Andreskis are active in their church’s music ministry, with Matt serving as the director. They are passionate about helping others grow closer to God through music and praise. As a family they enjoy reading, games, and outdoor activities like camping, horseback riding, raising chickens and turkeys, swimming, and biking. Monica is excited to bring her love of science and learning to Bridges next year!

Mrs. Andreski will be teaching 8th Grade Science.

 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 assisting with  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 38 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 interesting 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 grandma, reading, leading Bible studies for the ladies at her church, and gardening.

Mrs. Besse will be teaching Speech Class and Debate.

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 Cole 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 ten years. As a family, they enjoy spending time together, 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 Jesus, making learning fun, tea, staying healthy, the outdoors, experiencing different cultures, eating new foods 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 Math Enrichment, Elementary American History and Jr. High American History & Geography and is the 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 five years she 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 19 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 14 and 3. 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 7th Grade Science, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2.

 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 eleventh 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 13 years. This is her seventh year as part of the Bridges co-op and her sixth year teaching.  She looks forward to teaching her students financial responsibility as well as being good stewards of all that God has given them.   

Mrs. Marx will be teaching Economics and Pre-Algebra and is the 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 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 daughters Selah and Emersyn.

Mr. Norrick will be teaching World History and Government.

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 sixteen 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. 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.

  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 Masters in teaching in June of ‘06.  Mrs. Smith taught in a Resource Room as a special education teacher 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 fifteen years.  All four of their children have graduated high school; three are currently in college, and one has graduated. While staying at home, she completed her Master's Degree in teaching and kept up her teaching license in Ohio.  She has been involved in other homeschool groups and has taught various classes, but she has always loved teaching literature and finding that one book to open up a student's enjoyment for reading. 

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

Cindi Starkey holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kent State University and a Master’s of Science in Teaching Language Arts 7-12 from the University of Akron. Mrs. Starkey taught English for nine years at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron.  In 2020, she earned her ALTA Certification and is now a Certified Academic Language Practitioner.  She and her husband Todd have two children and have been homeschooling for five years.  Mrs. Starkey is also involved in other homeschool groups and has taught various courses in spelling, reading, grammar and vocabulary.  She has been tutoring and teaching ACT prep classes in her community for 10 years.  She loves teaching and helping every student reach his/her fullest potential.  Mrs. Starkey loves Jesus and a good cup of coffee.  She also loves reading, camping, playing games and attending sporting events with her family.  She is very much looking forward to working with students at Bridges.

Mrs. Starkey will be teaching ACT Prep.

Jessica Tester received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Language Arts Education, Adolescent to Young Adult, from Miami University. She also received a Master of Education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Curriculum and Instruction. Jessica worked as an English Language Arts teacher in both the Olentangy Local School DIstrict and the Jackson Local School District before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her two children. She was born and raised in Jackson Twp. and continues to live there with her husband, children, and two dogs. She enjoys crocheting, golfing, hiking, and volunteering at her children’s schools, but reading a book on her back patio with a cup of coffee is her favorite pastime. Having the opportunity to work at Canton Bridges is something Jessica is very excited about. She is looking forward to working in a strong Christian environment while challenging her students to sharpen their writing skills. Writing is a passion of hers because it is an integral part of almost every other subject area and also of life. She looks forward to both encouraging and getting to know her students this year!  

Mrs. Tester will be teaching English Composition.

Angie Waters was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She graduated with a BA in Interior Design. Later, she taught kindergarten in a Christian school for two years, along with art class 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 married and raised a family of five children. She has homeschooled her children for 18 years. She has taught Spanish and art for many years at Bridges and also outside of Bridges.

Mrs. Waters will be teaching Jr. High/Sr. High Art and Spanish 1 and Spanish 2.

  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 one grandchild and they have been homeschooling for 20 years.  Melissa has taught a variety of classes in homeschool groups over the past 16 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 both Essentials for Writing classes.