FAITH Academy A Fruition of 40-Years of Prayer

By Sharon Mager

GLEN BURNIE, Md. — There were tears at FAITH Glen Burnie as parents kissed their little ones goodbye at their classrooms on September 3, the first day of the church-sponsored FAITH Academy — a historic moment for the church. Of course, the students were excited, finding their name markers on the wall, hanging their book bags (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back), finding their desks, and meeting soon-to-be friends.

Principal Linda Taylor, stood at the door greeting and directing the nervous moms and dads and new students, some exuberant, some shy. Parents were allowed to walk students into the classrooms and help them get situated. FAITH member Alayna Drope was taking photos of her daughter Blakely, who was entering kindergarten. “I’m super excited. She’s never been to any other school before. I’m over the moon!” said Alayna.

One little girl in the kindergarten class had a huge smile on her face as she colored a photo of a bus. Asked what subjects she thinks she’ll like, she immediately said, “Science! I love Science!” Other children were playing with LEGO’s™ and showing off their new creations. Kindergarten Teacher Judy Gracie started her class by telling her students to put away the papers and toys. She said with a smile, “I have lots to teach you!”

Talking about the new school, FAITH Lead Pastor Tim Byer said he’s “overwhelmed, blessed and unworthy. I’m a graduate of the CDC (FAITH’S Child Development Center), or nursery school that we called it then — valedictorian class of 84,” he laughed.

“God opened a lot of doors,” The dream goes back over four decades, Byer said.

“It has been a forty-year prayer!” added Taylor, next to Byer. Taylor agreed that God overcame all of the challenges they faced.

The church began moving forward on the school project five years ago. Byer said, “We were considering partnerships with other churches, but that didn’t work out. Then Covid hit, and the demand spiked for Christian private education.” Byer said God financially blessed FAITH in the midst of the pandemic.

“It was like fish and loaves. We cut back on expenses, and our people still gave. We never had the money in the bank before to start the project, and now we do.” The church already had the land, and God gave them a principal. Taylor just retired from teaching in Anne Arundel County schools and was happy to come on board.

Classes are meeting in the church building now, but in September, that will change. They’re expanding the school to fifth grade with a new modular building. Byer said the modular structure is much less expensive than a traditional building and will allow them to move quickly and to be good stewards.

Principal Taylor, who has been a member of FAITH for 15 years with her husband, Albert Taylor Jr., and their son, Albert Taylor III, said in addition to basic subjects, the school offers a cultural arts program with Music, Physical Education, Art, Spanish, and STEM. They’ll also have chapel twice monthly, with FAITH pastors leading.

“The enthusiasm is amazing,” the principal said.

The school has a staff of six. In addition to Linda, the staff includes Kindergarten Teacher Judy Gracie; First Grade Teacher Laurel Laberdee; Teaching Assistant Fernando Alvarado, who will split his time between the two classes; Financial Administrator Deanna Lechowicz; and Educational Engineer Deb Chiodo.