Read about our wonderful teachers!
Mrs. Linda Apen
Linda has homeschooled with her children since 2006, and her family joined our Learning Center in 2017. As members of Mother of Divine Grace school, her family has enjoyed using the classical, integrated curriculum they provide for homeschooling students. She brings to the classroom her love of books, discussion and reflection, as well as the inspiration to strive for growth in virtue. After completing a BA in Media Study at SUNY Buffalo, she returned to school for nursing, and became an RN, shortly before marrying Eric in 1995.
​ Mrs. Diane Bartelo
Diane is a wife and mom of 4 sons, 1 daughter in law, and 1 dog. She is a lifelong Catholic and excited to be a part of GA. She is an educator– teaching students across the world about innovation, AI, and STEAM and is Executive Director of the WNY Invention Convention. She is a professor for aerospace business graduate students and textbook author on Radio Frequency Identification Technology. She works closely with the aerospace & tech industry and chairs a conference at Kennedy Space Center on satellite technology.
Mrs. Tracie Doty
Tracie has only been homeschooling since Jan of 2021. She is a wife and mother of 3 kids ages 20, 18, and 16. Her 2 oldest will be attending Fransiscan University while her youngest studies with Mother of Divine Grace and possibly some college classes. Tracie earned a BA in Education and Special Education from Niagara University in 2003. The Doty family resides in Wilson where they have 3 horses and 2 Golden Doodles. They love rodeos and camping and all things Catholic!
Mrs. Rebecca Kruszka
Rebecca is a homeschooling mother, who began her study of History at Canisius College as part of the History Honors program. She did two semesters of European History with a specialized Church Historian and returned to Canisius to specialize in local and American history, as well as taking multiple segments on Russian History. She received the Robert J. Sullivan Award for Excellence in Historical Writing for her thesis on Mark Twain's Buffalo Experience and has actively participated in local history groups- being a Board Member Emeritus of the Buffalo Lighthouse Association, and the South Buffalo Lighthouse Group. She lectures and teaches as part of this involvement as well as being part of our Learning Center for 13 years. She was employed at her family’s law office and worked as a filing clerk and paralegal, as well as being an assistant to the town prosecutor in Evans for several years. Her interest in mock trial came from her own participation at Immaculata high school.
Mrs. Shannon Lawson
Shannon is a former homeschool student and lives in Wheatfield with her husband and children. She graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Education and a minor in English from Niagara University and then completed a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education from Buffalo State College. Her teaching experience includes more than three years teaching at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School, over six years of private tutoring experience, and thirteen years of freelance teaching “a-la-carte” classes to homeschool students. Shannon has been playing guitar since childhood and has played in different folk groups in the area, teaching guitar since age fifteen.
Mrs. Victoria Levine
Victoria earned her Bachelor's Degree at Canisius College in Childhood and Special Eduction with a concentration in Mathematics, and then completed a Master's Degree in Differentiated Instruction. She taught for 5 years in a variety of roles, starting in middle school math for one year, then 2.5 years teaching second grade, and finally 1.5 years as a special education teacher. Victoria now enjoys being a stay-at-home mom, wife and homemaker, and is excited to start homeschooling her two young daughters.
Mrs. Chantel Muntain
Chantel started homeschooling her three children in 2014. In 1999, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities with a Minor in Latin and Greek at Indiana State University. In 2002, she received her Master’s Degree in Performing Arts at American University in Washington, D.C. Post college, she taught a variety of subjects at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland: Latin, Religion, World Religions, AP English, 7th grade English, and dance. After marrying Joshua, Chantel was the writer for the president at Savannah College of Art and Design for two years. Currently, the Muntains have devoted much of their time to fixing up an old house and maintaining a small farm with chickens, sheep, and two sweet cats. Chantel’s favorite hobbies include planning trips, reading out loud to the kids, crocheting, and making sourdough.
Mrs. Lisa Pietras
Lisa, a mother of 10 and grandmother of seven, has homeschooled with her children since 1995. She holds an Associates Degree in Business and is currently studying in the school of Life. She is a Household Engineer trying to survive everyday challenges. ;)
Mrs. Kristin Pratt
Kristin is a certified emergency RN/BSN with over 15 years of experience working in an emergency room. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and worked in various other hospital units. She is a mother of 6, and currently homeschooling some of her children. Her family has been part of Guardian Angel for many years. Her other children attend Chesterton Academy of Buffalo, and she is involved in many committees at the school. She enjoys teaching first aid, and is looking forward to next year.
Mrs. Paula Reese
Mother of 8 children and grandmother to 4, Paula began her Catholic homeschooling career in 2001. She focuses her homeschooling days on hands-on activities and experiences and brings these ideas to the classroom at Guardian Angel. Never shying away from an adventure, she and her family enjoy traveling, camping, gardening, small animal husbandry, arts and crafts, kayaking, skiing, sports and trying out new things. Paula has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Buffalo State College and an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from ECC.
Mrs. Judy Spira
Aide in Good Shepherd Atrium.
Mrs. Nadine Turner
Nadine has been homeschooling since 2016 and has taught in various roles over the years - tutoring, pre-K programs, religious education, high school, adult technology education and more recently, classes at Guardian Angel and Agnus Dei co-ops. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Buffalo State College.
Mrs. Maria Walker
Maria Walker is a wife, mother of 8 children (and 4 sons-in-law and 1 daughter-in-law), ages 33 through 17, and grandmother to six grandchildren with 3 on the way! Maria has been homeschooling her children for 28 years and counting. She and her family are very active in Quiet Waters Rosary Musicals, Children of Mary Home Schoolers/Soldiers of Christ and the March for Life. This final year of homeschooling is bittersweet! She loves to learn more about her Catholic faith and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business/Marketing from Buffalo State College.
Mrs. Richelle Weber
Richelle is a wife and mother of three, Isabella (9), Gianna (7), and Joseph (3). She began her homeschooling journey in 2024 and treasures the opportunity to guide her children’s education while fostering a strong Catholic faith. A 2012 graduate of Mercyhurst University, Richelle earned a Bachelor’s Degree with a tri-concentration in Hotel Management, Food & Beverage Management, and Restaurant Management before launching her own wedding company. She is also a New York licensed real estate agent and holds her broker’s license in Florida, working with Recckio Real Estate, her family’s business. The family-centered nature of the company is especially meaningful to her, as faith and family are at the heart of everything she does. Richelle and her family love to ski, ride bikes, travel, especially to Tennessee, and spend time together in the great outdoors.