K-8 Faculty & Staff
Mrs. Angelina Bachman
Mrs. Angelina Bachman is half-day Kindergarten Teacher. She has been married to her husband, Keith, for 32 years and resides in Butler. Her family includes two adult children--a daughter, Holly and her husband Josh, a son, Mitchell, as well as two dogs, Sophie and Nash. Mrs. Bachman graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Her hobbies include walking with her dogs, reading, playing pickle ball, and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One of her favorite Bible verses is Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Half-Day Kindergarten
Mrs. Stacy Fanton
Mrs. Stacy Fanton is our Kindergarten Teacher. She has been serving God and teaching at St. Luke for 21 years. Mrs. Fanton began at St. Luke as a part-time preschool teacher when her own 3 children (who are now young adults) were young. After 11 years, she switched roles to full-time Kindergarten Teacher. Mrs. Fanton has been married to her husband Mark for almost 29 years. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, traveling, reading a good book and spending time with her children. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from California University of Pennsylvania.
One of her favorite Bible verses is “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
Kindergarten
Miss Haylie Rupnow
Miss Haylie Rupnow is our 1st Grade Teacher. She attended Duquesne University where she got her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, as well as an endorsement of grades 5-6. She enjoys all things Disney, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love.”
1st Grade
Mrs. Judye Abernathy
Mrs. Judye Abernathy is our 2nd Grade Teacher. She is a St. Luke alumna. Mrs. Abernathy completed her undergraduate studies in elementary and Lutheran education at Concordia College- Bronxville and received her Master's in Special Education from Slippery Rock University. Mrs. Abernathy and husband Joshua are blessed with three sons and one daughter. She enjoys raising pastured livestock, with sheep being her favorite.
One of her favorite Bible verses is Psalm 37:3-4, "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
2nd Grade
Mrs. Brianna Jones
Brianna Jones is our 3rd Grade Teacher. She has a passion for teaching, serving, music, and crafts. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Elementary Education.
Her favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
3rd Grade
Mrs. Tamie Malencia
Mrs. Tamie Malencia is our 4th Grade Teacher. She is a graduate of Grove City College and Slippery Rock University. Mrs. Malencia has a BA degree in Business Administration/Marketing and BS degree in Elementary Education (K-6). After meeting at GCC, She and her husband, Ken, have been happily married for 35 years. They have two wonderful sons, Austin and Sean. When Mrs. Malencia is not teaching, she loves to travel, to hike and to jet ski.
Her favorite Bible verses are Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
4th Grade
Mrs. Garcia-Bish
Mrs. Shayne Garcia-Bish is our 5th grade homeroom teacher. She works with our 5th and 6th grade Reading and English classes. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Education from Westminster College and earned her Master’s of Science degree in Education and certification as a Reading Specialist from Duquesne University. St. Luke has a special place in her heart, as both of her children attended St. Luke from preschool-8th grade.
A Bible verse that guides her life is Micah 6:8, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
5th Grade
Ms. Robinson
Ms. Rachel Robinson is our 6th grade homeroom teacher. She teaches Algebra, 6th grade Math and grades 5-8 Science. Ms. Robinson graduated from Grove City College with a degree in Elementary Education. She is also certified with Middle Level Math, Social Studies, and Science. She enjoys going to camp with her three kids.
Her favorite verse is Psalms 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
6th Grade
Mrs. Sims
Mrs. Deneen Sims graduated from Waynesburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She is also certified in English as a Second Language and Family Consumer Science. Mrs. Sims is married with three daughters and 2 cats. She looks forward to going to the Big Foot Festival with her family and enjoys visiting historic locations. In her spare time, Mrs. Sims likes to listen to music and watch movies with her family. She also loves to read, crochet, sew, cook and bake.
Mrs. Sims’ favorite Bible verse is John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
7th Grade
Mr. Kroll
Mr. Troy Kroll is our 5th - 8th grade Social Studies Teacher along with Pre-Algebra. He and his wife are both teachers and has a daughter who attends St. Luke. He has a Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in Social Studies and is a certified in both Pennsylvania and holds an advanced certificate in Maryland. In addition to teaching at St Luke, Mr. Kroll is also the Head Swimming and Diving Coach at Butler High School.
His favorite verse, and one he leans on everyday is Psalm 18:2. "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
8th Grade
Mrs. Jennifer Baker
Mrs. Jennifer Baker is our new Computer Teacher for grades 5-8. She enjoys traveling with her husband, Mike, and their two children. She also enjoys reading historical non-fiction and biographies. Mrs. Baker attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education.
One of her favorite Bible verses is Matthew 10:30: "Even the hairs of your head are all numbered."
Computer
Mrs. Diane Beckstead
Mrs. Diane Beckstead received her B.S. in K-12 Music Education from Lebanon Valley College and her Master’s Degree from The College of St. Rose in New York. She’s been teaching at St. Luke School since 2006. In addition to teaching music classes and chorus at St. Luke, she also teaches piano lessons, is a director for the Knoch High School musicals, and writes children’s musicals for her company, Musicals for Change.
Her favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Music
Mrs. Megan Kelly
Mrs. Megan Kelly attended St. Luke from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and has been a lifelong member of the church. She attended Grove City College where she received her Elementary Education degree and met her husband, Bryan. They have one daughter who was born in April 2022. Teaching art class is a dream come true for Mrs. Kelly!
One of Mrs. Kelly’s favorite Bible verses is Colossians 3:23 which reminds us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men.”
Art
Mrs. Melissa Kenton
Mrs. Melissa Kenton is the instrumental music teacher/band director/handbell director at St. Luke. She received her music degree from Duquesne University where she studied the clarinet with Thomas Thompson and Louis Paul both of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Melissa has been teaching privately in the Sarver/Saxonburg and surrounding areas for over 35 years. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and crafting.
Mrs. Kenton’s favorite Bible verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Band and Handbells
Mrs. Kelly Sickenberger
Mrs. Kelly Sickenberger is our Gym Teacher. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she received a degree in Health and Physical Education K – 12. She has been married to her husband for 13 years and has an 8-year-old son PJ.
Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 19:26, “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Gym
Mrs. Doyle
Mrs. Heidi Doyle has been with the school for over five years. She is a teacher’s aide, primarily for the younger grades, but helps wherever she is needed. She loves to bake and be outdoors.
Her favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” God will renew us and give us strength for any situations we need only put our hope in Him.
Classroom Aide
