Staff

Kara Bertles, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Art History
Our family (me, my husband, five children, and a dog) started out in California, stayed for a bit in Michigan, and moved to the Tyler area in 2011.  We still have many ties to our former states, but we have come to love the east Texas culture.
I’ve taught various math classes at King’s since 2018.  I appreciate the way that parents and teachers work together, and the importance that is given to family time.  I love seeing the siblings of former students show up in my classes every fall. It’s always exciting to teach the kids the amazing way that God has designed the universe.  Math is full of relationships between numbers, figures, and processes that point the way to Him.  Numbers do fun things!

Rhiannon Blair, 6th Grade Science and Math
Bio coming soon!

Holli Collins, 1st Grade 3-Day
Bio coming soon!

Jenifer DeFreece, Bible
I was born in Palestine, TX, but lived all over East Texas as a child. In sixth grade, I returned to Palestine where I lived until 2023, when I relocated to Tyler. I was saved by Grace when I was 23 years old. I am married to Richard DeFreece, Jr. and I have six children (three biological, two step children and one adopted daughter). I have served in ministry since 2007. Over the years I have served as a Sunday school teacher, children’s director at Evangelistic Temple for 12 years, an early learning center director, ladies bible study leader and director of Living Alternatives (a pro-life non-profit organization). I have been at King’s Academy since October 2022. I began a women’s ministry podcast called Ardently His in January 2024. I love to travel and have been to all 50 states. My biggest passion is sharing the astounding love of Jesus with others and helping the broken rest in the ardent love of the Father

Tavon Green, Bible, Lifetime Sports, and Study Hall
I graduated from Marshall High School in 2012. I graduated top 15% of my class and had all district honors through my years of varsity basketball! I attended East Texas Baptist University for two years where I began my collegiate basketball career! After a death in the family I took a red shirt Year and transferred to the University of Texas at Tyler. Instead of college basketball I began a semi-pro career which quickly came to an end and my true Ministry began! I got married to my beautiful wife Ke’Asha Green and began coaching travel basketball at a high level! I am extremely passionate about my relationship with Jesus Christ, I love my wife and 2 amazing children to life, and I love pouring into the lives of young people. Jesus is my everything and without him I’m nothing and can do nothing! I love my family, I love young people, and I love the game of basketball so I’m excited for the journey ahead! All the glory to God and thank you to Kings Academy for the opportunity!

Delaine Halferty, Fourth Grade 2-Day
Delaine Halferty is an elementary teacher who loves to engage with students to learn & grow into who God has gifted them & created them to be! She has taught 1st, 4th & 6th grade but really enjoys 4th grade, as it is a year of lots of learning, growing and fun.

Kayla Herman, Fifth Grade 2-Day
My name is Kayla Herman. I graduated from UTTyler with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2017, and have been teaching and tutoring alongside homeschool families in both the Christian University Model and Co-op setting in Tyler for over 6 years. I have worked at the Learning Enhancement Center for the past 6 years, as well as Kindermusik of Tyler for the past 2 years. My husband, Nathan and I have been married for 7 years and have a daughter named Josie, who will attend King’s Academy. I am praying for a wonderful year of teaching and learning more about our Creator, His love for us, and His Creation around us, through 6th Grade Life Science, Ancient History, and 7th Grade Pre-Algebra. I am so excited that the Lord has led us to King’s Academy!

Lea Holland, Second Grade 2-Day
This is my third year teaching at King’s Academy and I am so glad to be teaching 2nd grade. I taught at All Saints Episcopal School for twenty years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. It is a privilege teaching in a Christian school where children get an education about who God is and what he has done for them. I have a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Tyler and have lived in Tyler my whole life. Brian and I have been married since 2004 and have two rescue dogs. I have been involved with theater since I was a child and have volunteered in many different facets of the Tyler Civic Theater. For the past 10 years I have been taking Womenary classes. They are wonderful and have added understanding to my faith. I love the ministry of teaching and being a part of KACS.

Ashley Hollis, IT Director, Yearbook/Journalism, Computer Science, Media Layout & Design
Our family has been at King’s since 2012 when my oldest daughter began first grade here. We now have one graduated, two in high school, and one in elementary at King’s. I received my Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University in 2000. After working at Josh McDowell Ministry doing tech support and building content management databases on their website back-end, I returned to UT Dallas for my teaching certification. I taught at Bell Elementary in Tyler for 5 years before staying home after my second child was born. I have a love for yearbook, photography and videography, and love sharing my skillset through our yearbook and journalism newscasts. Fun Fact: I participated in Newspaper and Yearbook throughout high school as a photographer, including developing my own black and white film and photos.

Cathy Hugghins, Registrar
Bio coming soon!

Tricia Hunter, Elementary Aide
I have been teaching in some capacity for 14 years. I taught at a private school in New York City for 3 years and have been a teacher and tutor for the Learning Enhancement Center for the last 13 years. I look forward to working with your children in the classroom and helping them to understand the concepts in their assignments. I have 3 children enrolled in elementary. King’s Academy is a great school and I am very thankful that we are a part of it. 

Kelly Linahan, English I, Spanish 1, Spanish II, Bible – 9th grade
My name is Kellie Linahan. I am married to the love of my life, John, and we have six children; ages 16 (Kyle), 15 (Easton), 10 (Walker), 5 (Carli Mae), 4 (Stella) and 5 months (Elizabeth) along with two pups, Jake and Yogi! We live in the Tyler area and have been around here most of our lives!
I am entering into my seventh year of teaching! I have previously taught HS Spanish, First Grade and ELAR in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. I am looking forward to continuing my teaching career with King’s Academy Christian School for many reasons. Most importantly, I am free to talk about my God and my faith, daily. I am also passionate about the students in my classroom and I cannot wait to create positive relationships while sharing my love for the Spanish language and culture.

Kyla McEntire, Elementary PE

My husband and I came to King’s Academy in 2019 and have found it a wonderful place to work and partner with teachers for training our two children who are still at home.  I have worked as an Occupational Therapist, primarily with children, since graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1989.
At Hamilton Christian Academy in Lake Charles, LA, I established and worked in an elementary motor lab and served as the volleyball coach.  I have continued to do the same at KACS and have added elementary PE to that assignment.  I love the family atmosphere at King’s and hope to have a long relationship with the ministry!
Wayne and I are the parents of five children and have six grandchildren.  We are active members of Green Acres Baptist Church.

Mallory Mitchell, Volleyball Coach
Born and raised in East Texas and moved to Tyler in 2023. I graduated from Cayuga High School in 2023 and I went to Tyler Junior College to earn my associate in business management with an emphasis on real estate. I joined Kings Academy right after high school as the Upper Campus receptionist and assistant middle school volleyball coach. I am very passionate about volleyball and have been playing for as long as I can remember. My favorite part of being the receptionist is to sit, listen, and talk to the kiddos at my desk. I love the Lord so being here is a blessing, especially because I get to be around kids who love Him too. So grateful to be a part of the KACS family!

Brooke Overbeek, Fourth Grade 3-Day
I am a graduate of Stephen F Austin and Loyola Universities. Where I received a Bachelor’s in Speech Therapy and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I have taught Kindergarten and Second grade for the past ten years. I have three boys who have kept me busy with sports and other activities. Two of them are in college at Oklahoma University and one Is a senior at Bullard, so life is slowing down. I am excited to join the KACS family and looking forward to a new chapter.

Candace Quinney, First Grade – 2-Day
I graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, when our three children were in high school and college.  I taught second grade four years in the Dallas area and then moved to Tyler where I taught second grade 3 years and first grade for 10 in Winona ISD.
God moved my husband and me to the Tyler area to pastor a small church.  My husband of 46 years, and I have worked in many areas of the church from janitors to pastors and sometimes both!  He is now retired and seems to enjoy it most of the time.
I retired after 17 years of teaching, but missed the kids and the whole experience.  So after 2 years of retirement, I found KACS!  What an awesome model to get to bring your children! I love getting to partner with parents to teach little ones, not only academics, but how to be like Jesus and what that means!   I am honored to get to teach these children and can’t wait to see them learn and grow!

Ralph Ramirez, Facilities
I am the Facilities Director for Colonial Hills and King’s Academy. I am retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber company after 35 years. My wife, Deborah, and I have been members of Colonial Hills since 2004. I am also part of the church tech team. We have a son, Ralph Jr., and a daughter, Alicia. We have 4 granddaughters!

Nikki Reese, Elementary Aide
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from Multnomah Bible College, majoring in Bible/Theology and Educational Ministry.  I’ve worked with kids as a Children’s Ministry Director, Sunday School & Children’s Church teacher, VBS director and subbed in preschool classes at a local daycare.

Tammy Rickelman, Third grade 3-Day
I am so happy to be teaching at King’s Academy. We have been a King’s family for 12 years. I have 24 years of teaching experience, including public school, Classical Conversations, homeschool co-ops and five years at KACS. I have been a stay at home mom and am a grandmother. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas and a Masters in Education in Math and Science from the University of Central Florida. I am very excited to be on the KACS team!

Ashley Van Deventer, Volunteer Coordinator
I am excited to be a part of KACS staff this year! My husband and I are from West Texas and moved to Tyler in 2009! We have four boys, Liam, Caleb, Oliver, and Ethan, two of which attend school at Kings Academy. We are thankful for our school and the heart behind the discipleship model. It is a gift to be a part of the community.
I graduated with an Associates Degree in General Arts with a focus on music in 2009 and then graduated from UTTyler with a BA in Speech Communication in 2011. I’ve been a stay at home mom for 10 years and I’ve spent my extra efforts serving in our church in the areas of hospitality, women’s ministry, and worship. I am passionate about building up the local church, growing to know and love God through His Word, and faithfully mothering my children… all by His grace. 
I am a hopeful realist, a science fiction time travel fan, and lover of dark chocolate, bubble baths, and good conversations. 

Kimball Young, Athletic Secretary, Culinary Arts, and Bible
My husband and I moved to Tyler in 2022 with our 4 children. 3 of our 4 attend KACS and we all love it so much! I earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Communication in 2002. I have taught nutrition, wellness, and culinary arts courses since 2010. In 2014, I went back to school to earn a certification in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition. I have been a contributing writer for several cookbooks and multiple health, wellness, and food websites. Much of my adult life has been spent in ministry roles. I have been the Women’s Ministry Director at two churches. My husband and I currently serve as the Student Ministry Leaders at Bethel Bible Church. I am passionate about teaching the next generation to be good stewards of the health God has given them. I love to do this by teaching them that preparing nutrient-dense food can be easy and delicious!

Jennifer Zimmerman,  Fifth grade 2-Day
My name is Jennifer Zimmerman. I hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, but don’t hold that against me! I moved to Texas 18 years ago, and although I miss the Cali weather, I LOVE the people in Texas. They are “my” people, God’s people. I have taught in private Christian schools and I have taught in public elementary schools. While teaching in public schools, I found myself wondering why we go to school 5 days a week – especially with so much wasted time. I dreamed of a school where the parents and teachers worked together to raise these children to be God-loving people – one that wasn’t a 5-day program. And that’s when God led me to King’s Academy. I had to learn what a “University Model School” was and how it worked, but once I did, I was hooked. What a beautiful way to help raise these sweet little souls. It has been my *joy* to come alongside our families and help raise these children up in the way that the Lord has asked, to pray alongside our families, to help these parents learn to be teachers, to teach our students about God and His Goodness, and to be a part of the KACS Family. I am truly blessed and I thank God for it everyday.

PS I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fresno State University with an emphasis in Early Childhood Reading. I have taught or subbed almost every grade level. (I like to change it up some!) I have found 1st grade to be my favorite – so far. This year I will be taking on a new adventure! Some health issues have limited my mobility and so I plan to hang out with some “old friends” this year – I’ll be teaching two-day fifth grade. Looking forward to new adventures with y’all!