Instructors
Miss Emilee Concepcion
My name is Emilee Concepcion and I have been teaching at the Agape Arts Center for about 5 years! Before beginning my teaching journey, I was a student here at Agape since its founding in 2014 and before that, a competitive gymnast. After several years of growing as a dancer, I was given the opportunity to teach classes to help other young dancers grow as well. I have experience teaching styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, acro and improv/choreography. I was a part of the competition team with many successful seasons and have taken many master classes from well known teachers and choreographers. I have personally choreographed dozens of dances including solos, duets, and group dances that have been showcased at both recitals and competitions. While teaching over the last 4 years, I received a Bachelors of Arts in the field of psychology from Cairn University. I strive to be a positive influence in all of my students and help to instill not only proper technique, movement quality, and choreography, but also a love and passion for the art of dance!
Mrs. Jodi Gioello
I am a mom of three children. My husband and I have been homeschooling for the past 10 yrs. We started when my oldest was in preschool.
I am a licensed cosmetologist and have been operating under that license for the past 22 yrs. It would be an honor to pour into these young students and pass on my knowledge in this feild.
Mrs. Mariam Hegel
I graduated with a Masters Degree in Education from Rutgers University in 2002.
I have been homeschooling since 2009 when my eldest was in 1st grade. I have four children entering 10th, 7th, 5th and 1st grades in September 2018. Homeschooling has been the most challenging and most rewarding call I have ever been asked to meet. It is by His grace that I am honored to answer the call.
Mrs. Stacia Jacob
Educational Background: BA in Elementary Education and Psychology from Monmouth University in 1998.
Teaching Experience: I served as the Director of Children's Ministry at First Baptist Church in Red Bank NJ from 1998-2000 and taught first grade at Calvary Academy from 2000-2001. We began homeschooling when our oldest daughter, Emma was in kindergarten. This is our 12th year. We joined this co op, formerly named REACH, at the time we began homeschooling. I've taught a variety of classes over the years, some of which include: Show and Tell, Undercover Heroes of the Bible, Manners, Drama, How's Your Serve, Poetry, Handwriting, Public Speaking, and Personal Finance. I enjoy being in a classroom setting and sharing my gift of teaching with other homeschooled students. I also co-lead American Heritage Girls Troop NJ0001, which serves families inside and outside of Agape.
My family includes my husband of almost 20 years, Andy, two daughters Emma (15) and Genevieve (12), and a bad dog named Hazel. We attend church at Jackson Baptist and enjoy being involved in ministry there.
Mrs. Laraine Kauffman
LARAINE KAUFFMAN (Master class guest teacher)
Laraine has had extensive training in many forms of dance since the age of 8 which include ballet (pointe), modern (Graham Technique), lyrical, and jazz. Under the direction of Bonnii Gargano, she started out in a well-established dance studio in Brooklyn, NY. Her teacher's passion for pointe inspired her to continue training in the Arts to a more serious level. Moving on into her preteen years, she studied jazz at a studio that had been producing dancers for 40 years, Horizons Dance Center, located in Brooklyn, NY. It was there that she danced with famous choreographer Tyce Diorio from “So You Think You Can Dance.” During that time, she pursued her study of ballet in depth at The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City for several years, where she trained and was mentored under the direction of Dorothy Lister (Co-author of Conversations with Choreographers). While dancing with The Joffrey Ballet School, Laraine was accepted into The Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of Performing Arts and it was there Laraine gained her experience in the Art of Graham technique, ballet, jazz, improvisation, and drama under the direction of Michelle Mathesuis, James Moody (the actor), Penny Frank, Elisa King, Michelle Benash, and Bob Heath. While attending high school, Laraine was recognized for her ballet solos at several competitions in places such as The Waldorf Astoria. She had also entered and won competitions in Brooklyn, taking first place in known dance clubs for her free style dancing. Her passion for dance and her love for children was the driving force that lead her into teaching. From 2007-2015, she choreographed many ballets and intense modern pieces for performances which took place at the Algonquin and Strand theaters. It is her desire to continue to grow her students in the Arts and to pass on her love of dance to them. Laraine Kauffman is a believer & follower of Jesus Christ. Her love for her Lord and Savior is at the very heart of why she dedicates her life to teaching dance to children of all ages. Laraine enjoys teaching all forms of dance to children but more importantly shares with them that our greater purpose is to Glorify God through the art and not ourselves! Her love for Christ has also led her to volunteer her time in a local non-profit dance studio to children & families who struggle financially. She enjoys this because it gives her the great opportunity to share the love of Christ with others. There is nothing more rewarding than doing the work of the Father to serve him by serving others! It is her hope to instill a passion for dance as well as to share with the children they are cherished & loved by God and He has a purpose for & plan for every one of their lives.
Mrs. Toni Laforge
I have been homeschooling since my 2 girls, Sarah & Danielle since they were in pre-school and they are in the 8th grade. This is our 7th year at Agape. I've been a teacher 5 years out of the 7 years. We enjoy the coop very much and the girls have made friends through the experience.
Mrs. Dottie Lowsky
I have been a homeschooling mom for over 40 years. I have homeschooled all eight of my children, in whole or in part. Our family homeschools mostly for academic and religious freedom not found in any other system of education, but also because the public school system failed our family every time it was tried. We love the Lord, we love our neighbors, and we love our country.
Mr. Pat Necerato
Pat is a dad of 4, he has been homeschooling for 9 years, he's a business owner, a filmmaker, and has a theology degree from Whitefield Theological Seminary.
Mrs. Irma Sanchez
I am a wife of 14 years, a mom to two blessings, 10 year old boy and 4 year old girl. After High School, I attended a 9 month business school and received my diploma in Office Automation/Data Entry. I worked at IBM for about 10 years then was laid off. I have been a stay at home mom since 2007 when my son was born. I have been homeschooling since 2014 when my son was 7 years old in the 2nd grade and my daughter was just 1 year old. We are a musically inclined family .. my husband and I are salsa dance instructors and teach at Agape Arts Center. My son loves drums and has been taking lessons. My daughter loves dance - she takes ballet/tap classes at Agape Arts Center. We are a loving family, believers in Jesus Christ, showing our kids there is only one way and one mediator between man and God.
Mrs. Jeanne Thomas
I am the daughter of the King, a wife to Brandon and a mother of three children, Noah 13, Olivia 11, Gabriel 10.
I have been homeschooling since 2010. I am the children's ministry leader at Immanuel Bible Church and a Refit Instructor. I love to spend time with my family, read, dance, and share the love of Christ.
I attended college for Elementary Education/Special Education, Psychology, and Child Development.
I look forward to the year ahead at Agape! Thank you for allowing me to serve your families!