OUR Staff
With more than 20 years of experience in Christian education in New York City, Naomi serves as Head of School and invests her time and expertise in teaching scholars, training teachers, and corresponding with the families of our Hope Academy scholars. Naomi holds a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. She has been a faithful member of The Bronx Household of Faith since 1988.
“I believe learning environments like Hope Academy are essential for struggling students to gain the hope, confidence, and skills to close the academic gap and to acquire a love for learning about God’s Word and His world. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this endeavor to hold out hope to students and families in our neighborhood.”
Jesse has faithfully served Hope Academy since the opening of the school in 2014. Jesse manages the school building, teaches history classes, disciples and disciplines students, and handles school finances. Jesse’s experience as a coach, a substitute teacher, a ministry coordinator at The Bronx Household of Faith, and an administrator in both ministry and office settings has equipped him to serve Hope Academy in a multitude of ways. Jesse and his wife, Jessica, are the blessed parents of seven children, including one in heaven.
“Hope Academy seeks to serve the community as a whole by impacting the children and their families alike. The work done at Hope Academy is indispensable not only because it meets the academic needs of our students, but because it works to meet the need that we all have – the need for a new heart in Christ.”
Jacob began teaching at Hope Academy in 2015. Jacob was born and raised a block from the school in the Bronx, only leaving New York City to receive his Bachelor’s degree in English and Communications at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Jacob’s love for literature and years of experience working with children help equip him to teach reading and writing to Hope Academy scholars with passion and perseverance. Jacob and his wife, Sarah, live in New York with their four children.
“My time at Hope Academy has been both challenging and instructive. Without a doubt, the most rewarding and encouraging aspect of my role as a teacher here is the opportunity to share the gospel. God can work in the lives of these scholars. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to teach His truth, to share His love, and to see His plan unfold in the lives of Hope Academy scholars.”
Hannah grew up in Washington state and came to New York City for college. She holds a Master’s degree from Teachers College. In God’s providence, she heard about Hope Academy after the school where she had been hired closed. She teaches Hope Academy middle schoolers Reading, Bible, and Writing. Hannah and her husband, David, are members of The Bronx Household of Faith.
“I appreciate the way HA values creativity in instruction and prioritizes equipping scholars with what they need for success, while consistently sharing the truth with them in word and deed.”
Laura has returned to Hope Academy as the full-time teacher, serving specifically in the role of Reading Specialist. She has taught a variety of grades in both public and private schools in New York City. Laura is a graduate of Cedarville University and holds Masters degrees from Lehman College and Regent College. Laura is married to Clint and has two children, Lucy and Julianne.
“I choose to work at Hope Academy as a Reading Specialist because I’m passionate about removing academic roadblocks for undereducated scholars so they can pursue their God-given curiosity to learn. Corrie Ten Boom writes that God doesn’t waste anything in our lives, each of our previous experiences set us up for his good will. My experience teaching in the Bronx and training in reading support prepared me so well to serve Hope Academy scholars now.”
Fernando Torres grew up in Albany, NY and has been living in NYC for more than a decade. The truth and power of the gospel was made evident in his life during the summer of 2020 and since then his passion for Christian education and evangelism has brought him to Hope Academy. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Music Education at Hunter College. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing piano, and having fellowship with his church family at Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship.
“The greatest need any person has is to know Jesus Christ, which is why I am thankful to work for Hope Academy which makes it their mission for our scholars. Pray that I can manage the time I have wisely and the responsibilities given to me at Hope Academy. Pray also that I can form meaningful connections with my students so that there would be multiple opportunities to share the gospel with them.”
Karen teaches high school math to our HA scholars. With over 35 years of experience teaching and administrating in Christian education, Karen brings a wealth of skill to our math instruction. Karen and her husband, Dirk, are career missionaries in Haiti who are currently serving here in The Bronx.
“After hearing about and praying for Hope Academy during its first nine years, it is a joy and privilege to be a part of this ministry of holding out help, healing, and hope while praying for God to work in scholars’ lives.”
Elissa teaches our high schoolers Ancient and Medieval Literature, Logic, supervises college courses for our upperclassmen, and co-leads our high school choir. She is a graduate of Wheaton College and is currently a doctoral candidate at Fordham University in The Bronx.
“As a member of the Bronx Household of Faith, I’ve seen Hope Academy’s commitment to the patient work of gospel-driven discipleship and thoughtful education. I am delighted and privileged to step into a more involved role with scholars this year.”
Part of the Bronx Household of Faith since birth, with a degree in Music, work experience in healthcare, and 5 years of missions in Asia, Amanda is very thankful for this opportunity to continue investing in the lives of Hope Academy scholars from a distance.
“To be a part of this team, daily holding out the glorious message of the gospel, is a weighty and joyous privilege. ‘…who is sufficient for these things?’ But, we have ‘confidence… through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.’ As the Lord has changed our hearts and brought us into His kingdom, so we pray and labor in the hope that He will do so for our scholars.”
Clara says: “During my time at Hope Academy, I have been so blessed and humbled to see and experience God’s ability to change me and the people around me. He is continually working through prayer and through relationships between scholars, staff, and administrators, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. I am thankful that He has seen fit to bring me here!”
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Hope Academy of The Bronx
2206 Andrews Ave Bronx NY 10453
(347) 762-2463
hopeacademy@bhof.org
Hope Academy of The Bronx
2206 Andrews Ave Bronx NY 10453
(347) 762-2463
hopeacademy@bhof.org
Site Design by CMD Graphic & Web