Veritas Faculty

Mr. Charles Zaffini   Headmaster, World History (Grades 7 – 9), American History (Grades 10 – 12), Christ and the Classics Charles Zaffini has a B.A. degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Massachusetts. He has worked as an aide to Congresswoman Margaret Heckler of Massachusetts, and as a Christian educator in Columbus, Ohio since 1980. After 16 years as a teacher of History and Bible at Tree of Life Christian High School, Mr. Zaffini founded Veritas Academy as a Classical-Christian study center for home-school families. His passion is for the recovery of our civilization's heritage, particularly the religious and familial underpinnings of American freedom. Charles is married to Jana (Jenkins) Zaffini and has six children, all of whom have been educated within the context of home, church, and private school.

Mrs. Peggy Junker School Administrator, Music 5/6, Music Appreciation, Choir Mrs. Junker has a B.S. in Music Education from Elon University, with vocal music and woodwinds as her principal areas of study. She has taught Music classes at Veritas since 2002. Peggy is the mother of three grown sons, all graduates of Veritas Academy.  She is also a worship leader for the children's ministry at the Vineyard Church of Columbus. "There is nothing more exciting or fulfilling than helping students achieve goals they did not know, or believe, they could reach."

Mrs. Kit Race Secretary, Art Mrs. Race home schooled her two daughters, who both graduated from Veritas Academy and went on to college.    She has a B.F.A. in  Drawing and Painting with a minor in English Literature from OSU, plus two years of graduate work at OSU in Parks and Recreation Administration.   She was a pastor's wife for thirteen years, and her husband is currently a hospital chaplain.   "Veritas teachers did a wonderful job preparing my daughters for college."

Mrs. Laura Bettinger Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Spanish 4 Mrs. Bettinger was born and raised in Argentina where Spanish was her first language. She is a certified kindergarten teacher. Mr. & Mrs. Bettinger moved to the U.S. shortly after marrying in 1993. Mrs. Bettinger became part of Christian Fellowship Church of Bellefontaine and has been very actively involved with children of the church. When their daughter Melissa became school age, they decided to homeschool and Mrs. Bettinger became part of Logan County Co-Op where she taught Spanish. Mrs. Bettinger has taught at Veritas since 2005, which was also her daughter's first year attending Veritas.

Mrs. Kathleen Chrysler 7th / 8th / 10th Grade Literature and Grammar Mrs. Chrysler has a degree in Elementary Education (grades 1 through 8) from Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio). She taught for several years in both private and public schools, has homeschooled her four children since 1999, and has taught a variety of classes in a co-op setting. Kathleen and her husband Tom have served as middle school youth leaders at Agape Community Fellowship since 1993. Their children have attended Veritas since 2007.

Mrs. Sue Ellen Gualtieri Personal Finance and Economics Mrs. Gualtieri has a B.A. in French from the Ohio State University with an Accounting minor from Columbus State.  She homeschooled for 13 years and has been teaching at Veritas Academy since 2009.  "It is a wonderful blessing to be able to teach students about economics and personal finance, areas that will influence such a large part of their lives for years to come-and to be able to teach these subjects from a Christian perspective!  I believe that the verse "to whom much is given, much will be expected" (Luke 12:48) applies to Veritas students, and I count it a tremendous responsibility, and a humbling one, to help equip students at Veritas to be an influence to others for Christ, now and for the rest of their lives."

Mrs. Suzanne Hamilton Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus/Trig, and Physics Mrs. Hamilton joined the Veritas faculty in 2010 and comes to us with over 20 years of homeschool and traditional Christian education experience.  She holds a BS degree in Biology with a Chemistry minor from Bob Jones University. She grew up as the child of missionaries in Africa and serves the Lord with her husband, who is the senior pastor of a church in the Westerville area. Mrs. Hamilton is blessed to be the mother of four children and a grandson. "I really love teaching mathematics to my students and watching them 'get it' and progress in the study of math. I love the small class sizes at Veritas and the emphasis that all we do is really done to please our Savior - whether it be academics or social.  The kids at Veritas are great! I'm thankful God led me here."

Mrs. Hazel Kessler 11th / 12th Literature and Composition Mrs. Kessler earned a B.A. in English from The King's College, NY, with teaching certification in secondary education, and an M.A. in English from Florida Atlantic University. She taught in public and Christian schools for six years and homeschooled her children over fourteen years. For a short time she and her husband served as missionaries in Eritrea and Uganda. She has taught at Veritas Academy since 2002.

Mrs. Melody Long 9th Grade Grammar and Literature, Classical Recitations, Intro to Theater Mrs. Long holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toledo with a major in English and a minor in Theater and Speech. She also enjoys working with younger students, and has created curriculum for Sunday School and after-school theater programs for third and fourth graders.  She has taught at Veritas since 2006. Melody has two grown sons and enjoys community theater, knitting (handwork), and writing. "All I've ever wanted to do is teach!  I strive to encourage students to 'love to learn' and enjoy teaching students to 'logic out' answers, rather than just telling them the answers."

Mr. Paul Marinov Intro to the Trivium, Logic, Rhetoric Mr. Marinov joined the Veritas Academy teaching team in 2011 as our primary instructor for logic and rhetoric.  He is a homeschooling parent for his two daughters and has many years of experience teaching for homeschool organizations and mens' studies on Christianity and worldviews.  Paul's personal interests include philosophical apologetics, model trains, and college football. "My passion for teaching involves the desire to help students understand that faith and reason are allies, not enemies. The use of our minds is not a secular activity; it is part of living a spiritually devoted life to Jesus."

Mrs. Judy Miller 7th / 8th Grade Science, 5th / 6th Grade Math, Algebra 1   Mrs. Miller has a B.S. from The Ohio State University in Natural Resources. She has taught at Veritas Academy for over 9 years.  She has also taught outdoor education at the middle school level and served as a Naturalist for the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, as well as working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Judy and her husband, Mark, homeschooled their 2 children for more than 10 years. Both children were students at Veritas. "I love teaching middle school students and watching them begin to question and search for their own purpose and take ownership of their beliefs."

Dr. Moris Niknam Chemistry Dr. Niknam has earned his Master and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer chemistry from the University of Akron, Ohio.  He has been teaching at Veritas Academy for over five years. Moris has been married for over 30 years and has four children.  He is a proud Messianic Jew and attends Delaware Bible Church where he is involved in various ministries. "I thank God for giving me a passion for teaching chemistry and related hands-on science and creation courses."

Mrs. Elena Novak Latin 1, Latin 2, French 1 Mrs. Novak has a B.S. in History and B.A. in French language and Literature. She lectured and completed her graduate study at the Ohio State University. She also taught at the Columbus School for Girls and the Grace Brethren Home Educators Fellowship. Elena has been teaching French and Latin at Veritas since 1997.

Mrs. Dorothy Riggleman 5th / 6th Grade Grammar, Literature, and Social Studies Mrs. Riggleman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ohio State University in 1985 with a B.S. in Education. She homeschooled her two children for nine years, and has been a teacher at Veritas Academy since 2003.  She enjoys the outdoors, walking, cooking, and reading. "I enjoy helping students understand challenging concepts.  My desire is to foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime!"

Mr. Andy Scott 7th / 8th Grade Science Mr. Scott has a B.S.E. in Science from Ouachita Baptist University and a M.Ed. from Springfield College.  He joined Veritas Academy's science instruction team in 2011 and is also the diving coach at Kenyon College.  Andy is married and the father of a young daughter, and also serves on the worship team at Smoky Row Bretheren Church. "I love teaching to try and demonstrate to my students that the world is much bigger than them. I am excited to teach science in a setting where we can openly discuss God's design behind all that we see."

Dr. Lynda Titterington 5th / 6th Grade Science, Intro to Physical Science, Anatomy and Physiology Dr. Titterington has a Ph.D. in Science Education, a M.S. in Pathology, and B.S. in Genetics, a M.S. in Experimental Pathology, from the Ohio State University. She has taught physiology and anatomy at Columbus State Community College since 1993. Her family consists of a husband, son, and numerous dogs, amphibians, and reptiles! "I love seeing my former students be successful after their Veritas days.  I enjoy believing that just maybe I had a hand in this success!"