Mr. Kirk Barnum
School Administrator
Mr. Barnum earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from SUNY College at Fredonia; his Master of Science in Secondary Mathematics from SUNY College at Brockport, where he also earned his permanent NYS teaching certification in Secondary Mathematics; and his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
He has taught in public and private schools and has even homeschooled his own children. He’s taught many different subjects including math, English, P.E., and arts and crafts; he’s taught elementary, middle, and high school, and as a teacher's assistant at Regent University. He’s taught in New York, Virginia, Tennessee, and Norway. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Barnum even served as principal at CAWNY's predecessor, Victory Christian Academy.
Mr. Barnum currently resides in Medina with his wife, Cindy. Together they enjoy hiking, canoeing, ice cream, watching movies, and spending time with their 4 children and spouses, and with their 7 grandchildren. They are active members of One Church in Medina.
Mrs. Naomi Kasprzak
Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Kasprzak homeschooled her five children for thirteen years before beginning as a substitute teacher here at CAWNY. After earning her degree, God led her to accept a full-time teaching position here with our Kindergarten/First Grade class in the Fall of 2020.
She lives with her husband and five children in Tonawanda. They attend Bethesda Full Gospel Tabernacle where they work in the children and youth ministries.
Ms. Wendy Engert
2nd/3rd Grade
(Head Teacher, K to 5th Grade)
Ms. Engert earned her Associate degree from NCCC in Liberal Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education from Roberts Wesleyan College. She joined the Academy staff in 1998. She resides in Gasport and attends First Baptist Church in Medina.
Mrs. Christina Poeller
4th/5th Grade
Mrs. Poeller earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Buffalo State College. She lives with her husband (a graduate of CAWNY) and their children. One of her three children attends CAWNY and the other two are graduates. They attend Grace Bible Church in Newfane, where she has taught Jr. Church for ten years.
Mr. Anthony Adamo
High School Geometry, Computer Coding I,
Computer Coding II (Coding and Animation),
High School Botany and High School Bible
Mr. Adamo has earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Buffalo State College and has an A.A.S. in Horticulture from NCCC. He has served in his church's Sunday School, teaching 5th to 8th Grade. He has also served in Youth Group and now facilitates the newly-formed College Ministry at Bethesda Full Gospel Tabernacle where he attends church.
Pastor Salvatore Ciffa
Middle and High School Bible,
Middle and High School Gym and
Boys Basketball Coach
Pastor Ciffa received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Houghton College and then his Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Canisius College. Since 2011, he has been the Youth Pastor at Bethesda Church.
Mr. Ciffa is also currently serving the Lord at a school other than our own: he is the Elementary Gym Teacher at St. John Lutheran School. (He is also the Quarterback Coach at Kenmore West.)
He lives in Tonawanda with his wife and two children.
Mr. Doug Doores
High School Biology
High School Personal Finance
and High School Soccer Coach
Mr. Doores received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University. He began his career working with NASA on the Space Shuttle program and then worked as a Systems Engineer with General Motors. He currently lives in Pendleton with his wife, Amy, and attends Evangel Assembly of God.
Mr. Doores is also our Soccer Coach.
Mr. Arthur Evans
Middle School World History, Global History I, Global History II,
U. S. History, American Government and
Economics, Literature: A Handmaid to History
Mr. Evans earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hiran College in Ohio. He taught at Christian Heritage School in Tyler, Texas from 1980 to 1987. He was on the faculty at Charles Finney High School from 1991 to 1993 and Covenant Academy from 1993 to 2008. (He served as principal at Covenant from 1989 to 1991.) He currently lives on Grand Island with his wife and they attend New Covenant Tabernacle.
Mrs. Tammy Farrington
English 6/7, History 6/7, Science/Health 8
and Special Education Resource
Mrs. Farrington earned her Bachelor of Science at Baptist Bible College in Pennsylvania. She received her Master's degree in Special Education in 2016 and is fully certified by New York State in Special Education. She previously taught at Christian Heritage School. She joined our staff in 2010. She lives in Tonawanda with her husband and son. They attend Calvary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Kali Morrow
English 8, English 9, English 10, American Literature,
Literature and Composition, Middle School Art and High School Art
(Head Teacher, 6th - 12th Grade)
Mrs. Morrow has an Associate degree in Art in Pre-Elementary Education and a Bachelor's degree in Cultural Studies with a concentration in Creative Writing and Literature from SUNY Empire State College. Mrs. Morrow and her family attend Bethesda Full Gospel in Tonawanda.
Mrs. Morrow is also our Cheerleading Coach.
Mr. Michael Stephenson
Math 6, Math 7, Math 8 (Pre-Algebra), Algebra I,
Science 6/7, and MS Bible
Mr. Stephenson earned his Bachelor’s degree in Bible from Lancaster Bible College in 1983. He has served Christ for over 30 years as a Youth Pastor and Pastor. He also taught Middle School Bible and Math for five years at Covenant Academy.
Mr. Stephenson and his wife Diane have three children and six grandchildren. They are members of The First Baptist Church in Medina, NY.
Mrs. Marcela Willmore
Middle School/High School Spanish,
Elementary Introduction to Computers,
Middle School Computer Applications
Athletic Director and Volleyball Coach
Mrs. Willmore earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology from Liberty University in 2002. She was born in Columbia and is fluent in Spanish.
In addition to teaching electives, she assists the administrator with our technology needs, such as Google Classroom. In her spare time, she is Co-President of CAWNY’s PTO. She also co-coaches Girls Volleyball.
Mrs. Willmore lives in Buffalo with her husband and two children. Both of her children attend CAWNY and the family attends The Tonawanda Church of Christ.
Mrs. Daisy Ambrusko
Elementary Gym Teacher
Mrs. Ambrusko was trained in Elementary Education through Pensacola University. In 2012, she joined the staff at The Baptist School as the 1st and 2nd Grade teacher and held that position until the school dissolved in 2017. She has since earned her associate degrees in social sciences and humanities at Erie Community College. She is currently working toward her Bachelor of Social Work at Buffalo State College.
She and her family attend the Chapel at Crosspoint in Getzville, where she is a leader for Middle School girls in the Shine ministry.
Dr. Cindy Barnum
Kindergarten - Middle School Music Teacher
Dr. Barnum received her elementary education Bachelor of Arts degree at Mount Union College and her Master of Science at SUNY Brockport with a permanent NYS teaching certification. Her Doctor of Education from Regent University is in Christian Education Leadership. Dr. Barnum was a part of CAWNY’s start-up in 1993, when it was called Victory Christian Academy. She has served in education for over 30 years and, in addition to teaching music at CAWNY, currently works for the Association of Christian Schools International as the Senior Coordinator for Early Education in the eastern division.
She lives in Medina with her husband, Kirk. They have four grown, married children and seven grandchildren. They are actively involved in ministry at One Church Medina.
Mrs. Patricia Poeller
International Student Administrator
(Principal Designated School Officer for our International Student Program)
She has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Daemen College and did her graduate work at the State University of Buffalo. She has also completed studies through Bob Jones University in Greensville, South Carolina.
In the past, she has been administrator and teacher at Faith Christian School in Lockport and Dodge Elementary in Williamsville. She was also director of Faith Christian Home School and has held teaching positions at Amherst Christian Academy and Starpoint Elementary. Mrs. Poeller was actively involved in the research and development committee during the early years CAWNY. She also served as our main Administrator for many years and now serves on our School Board.
She resides in Lockport with her husband, Jay. Their two sons and their daughter, as well as four grandchildren, are CAWNY graduates. Their family attends Freedom Church in Lockport.
Mrs. Poeller also serves on our School Board.
Mrs. Stephanie Gifford
Office Secretary
With her warm smile and kind disposition, Mrs. Gifford is a wonderful asset to our Main Office.
Mrs. Gifford has had many children educated at CAWNY through the years. She currently has a grand-daughter in our Elementary School. She lives in Wilson with her family. She and her husband attend Grace Bible Church in Newfane.
Mrs. Sandy Meyers
Business Administrator
Mrs. Meyers received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993. After raising her children, she worked for the Newfane Central School District as their District Clerk, working directly with the Board of Education. In 2009, she joined CAWNY as Bookkeeper and in 2019, was promoted to Business Administrator.
She resides in Barker with her family. (Her sons are graduates of CAWNY.) Mrs. Meyers and her family attend The Chapel at Lockport.
Our school is well-maintained by a dedicated volunteer staff. Without their assistance, our school couldn't have the professional appearance we value so much.
Our special events and fundraisers are organized by volunteer members of our PTO and what a great job they do! Thank you especially to Mrs. Susan Woodward, Mrs. Marcela Willmore and Mrs. Brianna Sansone.
Our school could not have the sports programs that we enjoy here at CAWNY without our volunteer coaches.
May God bless them richly for their willingness to make CAWNY the best experience possible for our students!