Faculty & Staff

Stacey and Scott Falkner had always believed that their paths were guided by the Lord. Their journey to Belleville Christian School is a testament to this belief, filled with unexpected turns and divine interventions.

Stacey had dedicated nearly three decades to the Burnham YMCA, where she found joy in serving the community through various programs. Her work was more than a job; it was a mission. She loved assigning teams, organizing summer camps, and helping in the YMCA Preschool program swim time. But as her children grew, Stacey felt a stirring in her heart, a call to serve in a new capacity. Ecclesiastes 3:1 resonated deeply with her: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." When the opportunity at BCS arose, she knew it was God opening a new door for her.

Scott, on the other hand, had spent years running his own IT business, Falkner Technologies and more recently, helping former Technology Director at BCS, Mr. Bob Zook, on occasion. Once Bob decided to retire last year, the opportunity became available for Scott to come on board at BCS on a part-time basis.

The couple's transition to BCS was seamless. Stacey quickly became a beloved figure among the students, bringing her passion for sports and community service to the school. She started elementary sports programs and launched an official Spring track and field initiative.

Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she’s always looking for new ways to inspire a love for sports. “Stacey is tremendous,” said Jill Ammon, board member and parent of a 2025 graduate. “Her ability to bring teams and folks in from the community and grow our athletic programs is so appreciated. We’re thankful for her caring heart and ambitious work ethic that are growing our relationships here at BCS and our partnerships throughout our communities.”

Scott, meanwhile, dove into the technical challenges at BCS. He enjoyed getting to know the staff and students, and his expertise in hardware and software systems proved invaluable. His problem-solving skills and dedication earned him the respect and admiration of everyone at the school. “Mr. Falkner is a problem-solver and a selfless doer around campus,” said Mr. Nick Wilson, superintendent, BCS. “His willingness to help where needed while mentoring students and modeling upstanding Christian character is deeply valued!”

Together, Stacey and Scott are pillars of the community. Their home in Belleville is a haven for their 3 sons—Christopher, stationed in Germany with the US Army; Benjamin, married to Gabby and living in Warren, PA; and Braxton, an 8th grader at BCS. Their 2 fur grand-puppies, Luna and Nova, add to the warmth and joy of their household.

“Stacey and Scott both have such big, caring hearts,” said Mr. Wilson. “Together, they are a rock-solid pair that our school community is beyond blessed to have!  Their passion for education, serving, and helping those around them is a real gift as we continue growing our school in new ways.”

The Falkners' story is one of faith, resilience, and service. They have embraced the new season in their lives with open hearts, trusting in God's plan. Their journey at BCS is a testament to the power of divine guidance. Stacey and Scott feel immense gratitude as they reflect on their journey to BCS. They’ve found a new purpose, a new mission, and a new way to serve. Their story is a reminder that for everything, there is a season, and for every purpose, there is a time under heaven.
 

While this is my first year serving as the high school English teacher here, BMS has been a part of my life - and a firm foundation for me - for much longer than that. I was in 6th grade when I started attending BMS, and I graduated from here in 2020. During that time, I developed lasting relationships with my classmates and teachers, both of whom taught me much about matters of academics and faith.

When I think of BMS, I think of discipleship. As a student here, the BMS community showed me how to walk closely with Christ. I still remember stories of faith that my teachers shared in Monday morning chapels that have become part of my foundation in the Lord, the things that I recall as reminders of what it looks like to live in daily devotion to the Lord. 

And because BMS showed me that spiritual discipline and academic rigor can go hand-in-hand, I was prepared to stand on this foundation when I started college in 2020. My four years of college happened to coincide with what felt like tumultuous seasons on the national and global level and that intimately affected our college campus, and in a season that could have easily unmoored me, my faith actually became more refined, in large part because of their example.

As I prepared to graduate from college this past spring and was considering what my next step would be, my main priority was to walk into a place where I would receive Christian mentorship. And teaching at BMS has multiplied whatever I thought that could be. 

I now get to be in the room with my former teachers and ongoing mentors and new members of the BMS community as they lead in the prayers and spiritual disciplines that meant so much to me as a student. I’m not sure that they realize it, but the very people who discipled me are now teaching me how to offer that to others and to our current students.

Earlier this school year, we were asked to consider what has been entrusted to us. I immediately thought of the students that I now teach and the things that I want them to learn from me, the intentional steps that I’m trying to take so that they can see what it looks like to live a life of faith from someone a few steps ahead of them. And then I thought of how many times my own teachers must have done the exact same thing. 

This is a new season for me, and I know that every school year brings a new season for BMS and for the people here, but these disciplines that the Lord grows in and through us are not. They are, and more accurately, Christ is the firm foundation that guides us in the purposes of His heart through all generations. I have loved every opportunity to get to know the students here and truly to learn alongside them. It is a blessing to be a part of the stories of discipleship that God has written.
 

For eighty years, Belleville Mennonite School has been a place where education goes beyond the classroom, and the impact of its teachers, staff members, and coaches is felt deeply in the hearts of students. These dedicated individuals have not only imparted knowledge but have also shaped lives through their words of encouragement, affirmations, and inspiring personal testimonies.

Teachers, staff members, and coaches at BMS have been a vessel of God's work, guiding students with wisdom and compassion. Their influence is evident in the moments of support and guidance, where a simple word of encouragement could spark a student's confidence, or a heartfelt affirmation could reassure them of their worth.

Through their personal testimonies, they have shared their faith and experiences, providing students with a sense of hope and direction. These stories have been a source of inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance, faith, and dedication.

As we reflect on the rich history of BMS, we honor the legacy of those who have served here. Their contributions have created a nurturing environment where students can grow academically, spiritually, and personally. 

Mr. Herb Zook was one of those who served at BMS. He was a constant in the classroom and on the sidelines of several sports over the decades he served BMS. Mr. Zook’s experience shared here, tells the story of his time at the school, ministering to the lives of many.

“My growing up years occurred in the rural area of Columbiana, Ohio which is about fifteen miles south of Youngstown. This conservative Mennonite farming community gave me an opportunity to work on farms in my youth and pick strawberries for fifty cents per carrier before that. 

Following high school graduation, I attended Eastern Mennonite University (EMC at the time) and between my sophomore and junior years went into voluntary service in Buckeye, Arizona. It was there that I met a young lady, Marlene Peachey, who was from Belleville, Pennsylvania. A year later we were married. 

After graduating from EMU in 1976, I taught 2 years in Viriginia and 3 years in Ohio. I then became acquainted with Gerald Peachey, a former teacher at BMS, through a combined soccer camp that we hosted together at the school. 

It so happened that Gerald was leaving his post at BMS in 1981 to go into the ministry and I was hired to fill his teaching position. Marlene and I trusted God as we made plans to move our two small girls to Belleville for a new job. We brought along our desire to raise strawberries which we did from 1982 until both girls left for college. 

From 1981 until the Spring of 1989, I coached boys’ basketball and also coached boys’ soccer for several years during that time. From 1989 until 1992 our family was in Swaziland where I served with Mennonite Central Committee as Sports Master at The Mbabane Church Youth Center. A young Swazi boy who watched me play basketball asked, ‘Is there anyone in America that can play basketball better than you?’ 

BMS did not hold a position for me during that time. But when I began planning our return home, a position opened again for me at the school. God is faithful. In the fall of 1992, I began coaching field hockey. Then in 1993, I started coaching girls’ basketball. In the spring of 2008, I retired from teaching and coaching at BMS to become Associate Pastor at Maple Grove Mennonite Church. I served in that role for 9 years. 

Some of the different roles I have held at BMS during those years have been teaching middle school Math, Driver’s Education, Health, and of course, Physical Education. I was also the Business Manager and Athletic Director during some of those years. 

I have fond memories of my time at BMS. Some of those would be, taking students to the par 3 golf course, archery, juggling, teaching middle school Math, the comradery of the teachers, chapels, the games that we won in the different sports and basketball camps both at BMS and at Messiah University. Devotional time with the players before practices was inspirational and a good time to keep our focus on what is really the most important thing in life. Another good memory was seeing the girls’ basketball program improve to the point that we were competitive with many of the small public schools in the area. We often qualified for district play during those years. 

What a joy it is at this stage of life to see where God has taken many of my former students to great heights in academia, business, family life, church life and places of involvement in the communities where they live. I am very thankful for God’s leading to be involved with BMS for those years. God has been faithful to BMS and will continue to lead many students to serve Him in many areas at home and around the world. 

Today, Mr. Zook and Marlene reside in Belleville. Their daughters, Michelle Kline and Kim Showalter, are both BMS alumni. The Zooks have 5 grandchildren. 

Thank you, Mr. Zook, for your dedication to your students and for your commitment to Jesus Christ. You have made a lasting difference, and your legacy is cherished.

Hello, my name is Michaela Yoder. I did not grow up in a Christian home, but I attended church with my brother wherever we were able to go. I had to make the choice during the week whether I was attending church or activities because I didn’t have the guidance or direction from a Christian leader in my home. There were times that I chose not to go to church or activities, but I never gave on my faith journey, and I am forever grateful for the people who I have met along the way who were guiding, leading, and preparing me for who I am today. 

I have been married to my husband Michael for 5 years. We have two children; Miles is two, and Meredith is five months. We currently attend Allensville Mennonite Church where we have been for about two years. I am the Learning Support teacher here at BMS where I work with students from elementary up to high school. 

This is my sixth-year teaching and two of those years have been here at BMS. I graduated from southern Huntingdon County School District in 2015 and then went to Lock Haven University. I graduated in 2019 from LHU with a dual degree in PreK – 4th Elementary Education and PreK – 8th Special Education. Once I graduated, I landed a job at my alma mater where I was the Special Education teacher there serving students K-5th grade at one of the three elementary schools. 

My first year of teaching in the classroom was cut short because of covid, but I still called, checked in, and sent work home for each of the students that I worked with. The following year I moved to another of the three elementary schools where I was still the Special Education teacher, but I was only working with K-3rd grade. I stayed at this school for three years. Along with my students in grades K-3rd grade, I also worked with two students in the home setting due to various medical restrictions. 

After four years in the public school, I knew I needed a change. Even though it took three years of individuals sending me texts about various positions that were open at BMS, I finally took the leap of the faith to fill out the application to apply. 

The first time one of the people who sent me a text about an opening at BMS, I was excited because I knew I want to be closer home, but I also wanted to be in an educational environment that displayed the same Christian values I had. When I went to look up the application I filled out the first few parts with ease and no questions or hesitations. 

Then we get to the statements of Christian faith and commitments, and I fell apart. These questions made me question if I am even worthy of teaching at BMS because I couldn’t answer the questions based on what I already know as a Christian. I was still learning and growing as a Christian even though I was older I didn’t have the greatest foundation in Bible learning and understanding of truth that God has for us. 

I gave up on that year on the questions and then another year went by where I gave up on the questions. Then the third time that someone sent me message, I finally was ready for a change from public school and took a few weeks of talking through and reading and praying for the questions that were on the application and submitted it. I couldn’t be happier with where I am today teaching at BMS. 

There was a lot to think about considering I taught in a public school for four years. I was familiar with the people who I was working with, and I knew the area and what to expect. With one more year of teaching in public school I could have had my student loans paid in full. This would have been a financial blessing, but what meant more to me than paying off my student loans was the time I would get with my son after work from not having to travel or not getting home from work till 5:00 or 5:30 and the environment in which I wanted to teach students. 

Being at BMS has been a place of nurturing not just students to where they are at but also us as teachers. We start every day praying, having devotions, and talking about how each of us are. We pray for each other and if we have something to talk about there is always a listening ear and someone to pray with you when things can just be too much. 

BMS has been a place where I can grow as a teacher and help students who need that little extra help and support to get them to be the best version of themselves. I have been fortunate to be able to be here and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me here at BMS and the future of the students who I work with. 

As the learning support teacher, I work with a variety of ages of students and the academic ability of students. I love that I can work with students who need that little extra boost or reteaching from what was already taught in the classroom. I can work alongside my co-workers on what would help each student be successful in their subject. I try to build self-confidence and independence in my students to complete assignments on their own but still ask for assistance when things get difficult. In my experience as a learning support teacher, BMS teachers are willing to go above and beyond to help every student succeed in their academics.