About Carol Ford

Carol Ford began her career as an Elementary School Teacher in Welland, ON within the French Public School system.  While taking maternity leave for her first born, Carol ventured into sales on a casual basis, which enabled her to contribute to the family revenue while raising their first two children over the subsequent years.  When the two children were of preschool ages, and upon moving to Toronto, Carol returned to the workforce and directed a number of licensed childcare centres for several years.  Carol then ventured into the corporate world and climbed the ladder very quickly, attaining executive management roles for most of her career thereafter.

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In 2016, Carol and her husband decided to move from the GTA to the Niagara Region.  Carol continued to serve in the role of Vice President with an iconic Canadian company in Mississauga, until deciding in March 2018 to hang her corporate hat and return to her love for making a difference in young children’s lives. 

 

Over the next 4 years, Carol operated a home childcare, which she subsequently sold to put more time and focus into the ministry that she and her ordained minister husband, Garry, opened in May 2021. As part of their God-given call to minister to the people of Merritton (which is part of St.Catharines), Carol and Garry offered various community programs, including Sunday morning gathering time, Monday night Healing Journey and Tuesday night Men's Bible Study. It seemed just natural to also offer alternative schooling to the community during the global pandemic when many parents became dissatisfied with the mandates and restrictions placed upon their children in the public and separate school system. That is how Maranatha Schoolhouse came to be.  

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Carol's mission is to offer parents a safe, enjoyable and faith-based environment for their children to develop academically, physically, socially and spiritually.  Carol offers a quality structured program that makes learning fun while also instilling values and disciplines that are so important in developing a next generation of well-balanced and respectful citizens. Having all grades together in one classroom also helps to keep a warm family-feeling to the school.  Carol accepts Kindergarten to Grade 8 students, and offers programs year-round. Class is kept very small in order to provide quality time with each student individually, as well as nurturing quality group interaction.

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In addition to the above career path, Carol has been involved in children’s programs for many years through her community church, leading Sunday School, mid-week Kids’ Clubs and other such programs. Carol and her husband both have current police checks.  Carol also has her Food Handler Certificate, her Emergency First Aid & CPR Certificate and she is a Certified Therapeutic Counsellor. She is Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators, which has earned her the designation of RECE. ​

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Carol and her husband Garry have 4 adult children who each have 2 children, so they are blessed with 8 amazing grandchildren who are now all adults and carving their place in life. Sadly, on September 27, 2023, Carol's husband Garry went to his eternal Home, leaving Carol to carry on with her passion of teaching children through Maranatha Schoolhouse, but the church Haven of Hope was closed on June 16, 2024.  Maranatha therefore now has a new home, operating out of Life Together Church at 4 Lisgar Street in St. Catharines.

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Excellent references are available upon request, in addition to testimonials from current and former families that Carol has served.