CDA, Child Development Associate Degree

When asked why she has chosen to work at CLA, Mrs. Kessman said, “I’ve taught at many different schools, none of which were Christian, and I instantly felt a peace at CLA from the staff, children and parents.  I support Christian education, because our children need a strong belief and upbringing in faith to prosper and succeed in God’s will for their lives!”

Favorite Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3: 5-6

Mrs. Re grew up in New Fairfield and graduated from Danbury High School. She has over 20 years experience working with children, and joined Christian Life Academy in 1993.  In her free time, Mrs. Re enjoys walking, swimming, crafting, shopping, playing tennis, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Re has been married to her husband Carlo for 38 years. They have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren. They are long time members of Brookfield First Assembly of God. Mrs. Re enjoys working with young children, especially in a Christian environment!

B.A. in early Childhood Education, Fayetteville State University

ACSI Certified, Education & Bible Studies through 2025

Favorite Scripture: “Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” 2 timothy 1:13

B.A. English Language & Literature, Smith College

M.A.T. Secondary English Education: English Language and Literature, Smith College

Favorite Scripture:  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6

B.S. in Music Education, Lancaster Bible College

B.S.  in Early Childhood Education, Western Connecticut State University, In Progress

When asked why she has chosen to teach at CLA, Miss Andrade said, “I love the environment at CLA, from the first moment I walked in to apply to work for the summer camp. I have made some of my greatest friendships there. It truly is a Christ-centered school. You can feel everyone’s heart and their love for the students and families, but especially their love for Christ shines through in every moment.”

Favorite Scripture: “Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

B.A. in early Childhood Education, Fayetteville State University

ACSI Certified, Education & Bible Studies through 2025

Favorite Scripture: “Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” 2 timothy 1:13

Mrs. Stefanko grew up in Danbury and has attended Brookfield First Assembly of God since she was a child.  She has been married to her husband for 39 years and has 3 grown children, Christopher, Emily , and Elizabeth—who have blessed her with 7 wonderful grandchildren! Mrs. Stefanko was a stay-at-home mother for 17 years before she began working at CLA in 2002. She has worked in K4, 1^st Grade, 3^rd Grade, and now Kindergarten for the past 6 years. She loves working with children and encouraging their own creativity. She has volunteered at First Assembly with the Missionettes girls’ ministries, the youth group, Vacation Bible School, and Children’s Church.  Mrs. Stefanko says she loves “the opportunity to pour God’s love into our students,” and considers CLA to be a mission field for the community.

Mrs. Cheryl Mitchell has been an educator for more than thirty years, teaching elementary, middle, and high school level students.  When asked why she has chosen to teach at CLA, Mrs. Mitchell said, “Christian Life Academy afforded me the opportunity to give my students the benefit of my experience.  I believe Christian education is important because we are called to train young people to be a light in a dark world, and we should give them the tools to be not just professionals, but Christ-like professionals!”

Favorite Scripture:  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12: 1-2

B.S. in Computer Science, Cornell University

When asked why she chose to teach at CLA, Mrs. Picon said, “God put His great love in my heart for this school.  I believe in Christian education, because teachers and students together can discover, by the study of any subject in the classroom, God’s incredible love for us, because His Love is displayed in every aspect of His creation. Christian Education provides freedom to use God’s Word to renew the mind and transform people,  community and even the environment as those involved learn to worship the Creator and respect the creation we are commanded to steward.”

Favorite Scripture:  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23:6

B.A. English Language & Literature, Smith College

M.A.T. Secondary English Education: English Language and Literature, Smith College

Favorite Scripture:  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6

B.S., Biology and State of CT Secondary Education, Southern Connecticut State University

Professional Teaching Certificate, Central Connecticut State University

M.S.,  Technology Education (pending thesis) with Vo-Tech Administration

When asked why he has chosen to work at CLA, Mr. O’Neil said, “The more I learned about science the more convinced I became that this world could ONLY have come about by God’s handiwork, which erased any doubt in my mind about his existence. This required a response on my part – accepting his free gift of salvation through Jesus for my sins and gladly serving him wholeheartedly with my life as an act of worship. CLA is an amazing little school where real education takes place every day, and to God’s glory. It is an honor and pleasure to serve my Lord and Savior at CLA with the gifts, talents and skills he has supplied me for this purpose. I cherish being able to openly show kids who God is through science and I don’t go to work at CLA: A man who finds a job he loves never has to work a day in his life! (Mark Twain)”

Favorite Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord… Jeremiah 29:11 – 14

B.A. Elementary Education, University of Valley Forge

When asked why she has chosen to teach at CLA, Mrs. Duncan said, “After I graduated, I knew I wanted to teach in a Christian school because I wanted to the freedom to teach a Christian worldview.  I strongly support a Christian education because apart from God there is no wisdom. Now more then ever, it important to lay down a foundation of Biblical truths for our students to build on.”

Favortie Scripture: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:18-19

Ms. Lundberg is Christian Life Academy’s Admissions Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. She serves as the friendly voice on the phone and a smiling face in the school office. She has worked at CLA since 1998 and her energy and efficiency keep administrative matters running smoothly. Ms. Lundberg grew up in Danbury. She is the mother of two grown children, both of whom attended CLA. She loves spending time with the Lord, and attends First Assembly of God Church in Brookfield, where she serves on the Nursing Home Ministry.  She enjoys taking her three little Chihuahuas to dog obedience class; whether they listen or not is another story.

Pastor Al and his wife Louise have lived in Southbury since they were married in June of 1977.  They have two adult sons, Aaron and Joshua. They have two grandchildren; Aria who is one year old, and Isaac who is four years old, who attends Christian Life Academy.

Al trusted in Christ for salvation on October 10, 1981.  He worked at Southbury Training School as the Power Plant Chief Engineer, retiring on January 30, 2009 after 34 years.  He served as a Deacon in his former AG Church for 22 years and, during that time he took courses at the Berean School of the Bible.  He became a Certified Minister in 1988, became a Licensed Minister in 2005, and was Ordained in 2011.  

He became a full time Minister of Missions and Pastoral Care at First Assembly in February of 2009.  He became a part of the board of Christian Life Academy in April of 2019. He is active in C.L.A. Chapel services, teacher devotions, and is a Kid’s Church worker for Brookfieldfirst.

His passion is preaching in churches, prisons, and on the street; teaching, evangelism, and serving God’s people, especially kids.

Phil Morgan has pastored churches in both Australia and the United States for the past 23 years. A graduate of Commonwealth Bible College, both his father and grandfather were Assemblies of God ministers, and Phil’s own call to preach came when he was just a teenager.

Phil’s great passion is preaching and teaching God’s Word, and in any spare moment he enjoys reading. During the summer months he can often be found floating around on the lake near their home fishing for Bass.

He and his wife Alli have 4 children: Ben, Sam, Bethwyn and Ewan–all who attended Christian Life Academy.

Currently Phil serves at First Assembly of God in Brookfield, Connecticut, USA, where he has been the Senior Pastor since June of 2003.

Rod graduated from St. Lawrence University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He has served on the CLA board since 1985. He is a retired Realtor and mortgage originator.  He has served on the deacon board of First Assembly of God Church, and serves as a commissioner on the Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals.  Rod is the proud grandpa of two granddaughters who live just a little too far away to attend CLA.  Looking to the future through their eyes, he realizes more than ever how important a solid Christian education is to them and all our children and grandchildren. 

To quote Dr. Alan Pue, a noted Christian educator, we want to “pursue God’s purpose in making disciples of our young people – not just fully devoted disciples, but fully developed disciples, disciples who not only act passionately and graciously but who also think deeply, wisely, and biblically.”

• A never at home, stay at home mom
• Married since 1995
• Mother of 3, all who attended CLA
• Member of the CLA Board since 2009
• Member of Walnut Hill Community Church, Bethel CT