Staff

Mrs. Walker with students.

Our Teachers, Staff, & Coaches

It is the goal of King’s Academy Christian School staff to partner with parents to develop the whole child through professional classroom instruction and guided home study.

Every teacher at KACS is a born again Christian and has a living, active relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only does the staff provide rigorous academics to challenge the student, but they engage in the Christ-centered discipleship of the child.

Steve Alberts

Steve Alberts, 11th & 12th Bible
I was born and raised in Colorado and came to Texas in 1995 after being called to ministry. God honed my calling while attending East Texas Baptist University and serving churches in Marshall, Texas. While in Marshall, I married the love of my life and Louisiana girl, Shannon Thibodeaux. Our first daughter, Hannah, was born in Marshall. In 2004 I received my Masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. During our time in Fort Worth, my family grew with the birth of two children. Annemarie, who passed away shortly after she was born, and later our first son, Marshall. After graduating, we moved to serve a church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, serving there for 11 years. Our fourth child, Wesley, was born. God called us back to Texas in 2015 to begin serving as Youth Pastor here at Colonial Hills Baptist Church. Since 1995, in my marriage and ministry, this one thing I KNOW is true: God’s love is an active and present love, and He brings us through every moment, the good and hard, all for His glory! I look forward to teaching upper campus Bible at King’s again!

Sandy Andrews

Sandy Andrews, Girls Basketball Coach
My name is Sandy Andrews. I was born and raised in Southeast Texas. I have been married to my wonderful husband, Wesley, for 9 years. I attended  East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, where I played volleyball and basketball. I started coaching in my hometown of Jasper, Texas, and I have been able to host several sports camps throughout the years. Since living in Tyler I was an assistant coach for about 2 years for a city league girls basketball team along with coaching girls volleyball. My love for coaching comes from wanting to help develop skills for on and off the court. This is my second year being a part of the KACS family!

Kara Bertles

Kara Bertles, Art History, Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus
Our family (me, my husband, five children, and two dogs) 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!

Danica Bielss

Danica Bielss, 3-Day 4th grade

I am so thrilled to be joining King’s Academy, and I can’t wait to get to know my students and families! I graduated from Stephen F. Austin in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have taught in the elementary classroom for 8 years. My husband Chance and I have been married for 10 years, and we have three daughters – Brynlee (9), Stella (4), and Emersyn (2). I am looking forward to becoming a part of the KACS family as a teacher, but also as a parent. I am excited for the upcoming school year and ready for the opportunity to teach the next generation about Christ and his love for us.
braswell

Sammie Braswell, US History Parts 1 & 2, Geography

It is my pleasure to serve as a teacher at King’s. My wife Gina and I were hoping for a University Model School before we knew it existed. I am a parent with children attending King’s. I can assure you I have the well-being of your child’s development in mind, coupled with ease of cooperation between parent, student, and myself as faculty. I am a Christian, Husband, Father, and Patriot of this great nation. I am a retired U.S. Army Officer and have a varied military background that involved teaching military leadership and tactics to Army Officer Candidates (OCS). This often involved looking at history to see what worked, what didn’t work, and what we can learn from it. I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel all over the world in my military service and as a result, geography is very real to me. I have taught criminal justice at the collegiate level and love our country and its constitution. Ultimately this is a partnership. I sincerely welcome input from you as a parent and co-educator.
Cody Browning

Cody Browning, Government & Economics, World History, Statistics, Computer Science, 6th grade Bible
Hi, I’m Cody Browning! I have been with KACS since the Fall of 2010. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Finance from Texas State University. I earned my masters in Instructional System Design and Development from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. I believe that education and experiences can and should strengthen and encourage our faith. I look forward to another year at KACS!

Kristin Broyles

Kristin Broyles, 3-Day 5th grade Math & English
This is my 2nd year at King’s Academy and it has been such a great experience! I taught in Tyler ISD for 15 years teaching 4th and 5th grades, as well as math and reading intervention. I loved teaching in public school, but began feeling God leading me to spend more time with my family. My two youngest kids have attended King’s for the past 4 years and I have seen how great the university model has been for them, and I am so happy to have finally joined the KACS community with them.  The kids and families at King’s have been so amazing to work with. It’s such a  blessing to be able to do what I love and also have extra time with my family!

Kristen Clifton

Kristen Clifton, 5th grade Science & English, 7th grade Texas History
I am so excited to be joining King’s Academy this year along with my 4 children.  A fun fact about me is I come from a family of educators; in fact I am a 4th generation teacher, with my great grandmother, grandmother, mom, dad, and brother all in education. I attended East Texas Baptist University where I met my husband, Mark, and we were married in 2008. I graduated with my degree in Elementary Education in December of 2009, and quickly began my teaching career in January of 2010. I varied between teaching and staying home with my children over the years during the birth of our children.
Our two older boys attended a local UMS model school in the town we lived in until we moved to Tyler in 2019.  We began a journey into full time homeschooling then, and remained there until 2022.  Now we are in a new season, and the Lord was kind enough to lead us back to the UMS model through King’s Academy, this time with me as a classroom teacher! I am so excited to be here and can’t wait to see what all the Lord has in store this upcoming year.

Daniel David

Daniel David, 9th grade Bible

I am excited to be at King’s again this year! I am happily married and have three children which attend KACS. We have been in Tyler for four years now and have loved the friendly hospitality of this community. I completed a B.S. at Texas A&M (Cum Laude) and an M.A. at Dallas Theological Seminary (Honors). Following my gifting in teaching and a calling to minister to youth, I served as a high school Bible teacher at Pantego Christian Academy from 2015-2017.

During my undergraduate studies, I worked as a counselor at Pine Cove Christian camps and an intern at Christ United Methodist Church, College Station. I then worked in a professional non-profit organization for eight years as a Program Manager and Solutions Trainer – getting to train teams in Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Jerusalem. I have served as a student and adult teacher, discipleship leader, and class director within his churches in Irving and Tyler and my wife and I worked (on the side) with a ministry in DFW called Apartment Life. I currently work for Pine Cove as a Business Analyst.
Heather DeVille

Heather DeVille, 8th grade Bible

More information coming soon!

Lori Elizondo

Lori Elizondo, 9th grade Biology
I am very excited to be beginning my 3rd year of teaching Biology at King’s Academy!
I graduated from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, in May of 1999 with a biology degree with teacher certification and then got my Master’s in Biology from SFA in Nacogdoches in 2000 before going to PA School at UTMB in Galveston, Texas, and graduating in 2003. My husband, Joe, and I have been in Tyler since 2003 and we have four kids, Bethany, 25, Hannah, 15, Noah, 12 and Ethan, 9. Our youngest 3 attend King’s and love it. We are active members of Green Acres Baptist Church. Besides teaching I also work as a full time PA in various roles in Tyler including internal medicine, occupational health, and the emergency rooms.
I have taught Biology and other science courses in high schools, middle schools, and colleges for 20 years and I love helping students learn to appreciate all forms of life in God’s world that He has created. I also love doing hands on projects with the kids and making them think outside the box.

Natasha Ellis

Natasha Ellis, HS Physics, MS STEM
This will be my first year at King’s Academy and I am thrilled to be where I can encourage students in their walk of faith while teaching content that I love! My previous two years I was a high school math teacher with Tyler ISD. I first moved out to East Texas when I attended LeTourneau University where I studied engineering, mathematics, and education. This is also where I fell in love with my husband and East Texas! We have been married and living in Tyler about two years and have loved putting down some roots and getting plugged into the community.

Sandra Ferris, Study Hall & Lunch
I moved from California to Tyler, Texas, with my husband and four children 29  years ago. I graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2000 with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. I went back that year to Region 7 to get my alternative teaching certificate after subbing in the Tyler Independent School District. I realized that my calling was to be a teacher and work with children as I have always loved to do . I love to teach with a passion! I have taught for 22 years just about every grade level and subject. I love to form a strong relationship with my students and teach them that learning can be very fun.  This year I will be in the Study Hall which I love. I enjoyed the students in Study Hall and their projects. Teachers wear many hats, and one is mentoring. I have been a mentor to several students in my teaching career. I love getting involved in their learning and assisting in any way possible. I am very thankful and grateful to be a part of this wonderful school! I feel God has opened the door and placed me right where I should be. I am very excited for this year to start!

Dr. Glover

Aaron Glover, 10th grade Bible
A Tyler-area native, Dr. Glover graduated from Whitehouse High School (2005) as a distinguished scholar, award-winning athlete, and was voted “most talented” by his classmates. After High School, he achieved a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing (2009) from the University of Texas at Tyler. Feeling led by God to further his academic pursuits, Dr. Glover later earned a Master of Christian Ministry (2016) and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Ministry Leadership (2020) from Dallas Baptist University.

Dr. Glover previously served as a High School Bible Teacher at King’s Academy and Pastor of Outreach & Missions at Colonial Hills Baptist Church. His professional background and ministry experience also include pastoral leadership, over 15 years as a marketing professional, and traveling across the nation as an evangelist/public speaker with “The Power Team” (an evangelistic group that performs feats of strength and shares the Gospel with people of all ages).

Dr. Glover loves studying the Bible, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and inspiring others to fulfill God’s callings in life. He also enjoys serving in music ministry alongside his wife, Emily.  The Glovers are blessed with the joy of four children: Mia (14), Carter (9), Luna (5), and Gracie (<1). His hobbies include playing bass guitar, working out, reading a good book, writing, and drawing.

Brittany Harmon

Brittany Harmon, Athletic Secretary
I have been married to my best friend, Tyler, for twelve wonderful years.  We have two daughters, Bridgett (11) and Tinley (9), who will be attending King’s this year.  I am thrilled to be joining the King’s Academy Athletic Department.  Sports have always played a huge part in my life and something I have always enjoyed.  I think sports have a beautiful way of bringing kids together, teaching healthy competition, sportsmanship, accountability and providing a lot teachable moments. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for the Lord, children, and sports with you all.  Let’s have a wonderful 2022-2023 school year.

Diana Hernandez

Diana Hernandez, Elementary Aide
¡Hola! ¡Es un placer ser parte del equipo de KACS!  This is my third year as a Teacher’s Aide/Spanish Aide at KACS. My daughter and son are also enrolled at the school.
Prior to transitioning to KACS, I was a homeschool teacher for several years. I am honored to join as an aide at KACS. I love seeing what God is doing in the lives of those involved in this University Model School.  I’m excited about this new year!

Shayla Hinkeldey

Shayla Hinkeldey, 2-Day 1st grade
This is my 4th year at King’s! Working with children has been my passion and calling since I was young. I am so blessed to get to be a part of this amazing school and can’t wait to get to know my students and families. I graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2012 with a degree in Education and taught second grade for three years. I really enjoy giving students a strong foundation and teaching them that learning is so much fun! Aside from being a full-time teacher I have worked with children in almost every other capacity, including daycare, tutoring, and children’s ministry. I have been a stay at home mom for three years and I am so excited to be back in the classroom. My husband, Chaz, and I have three children.

Ashley Hollis

Ashley Hollis, IT Director, Yearbook/Journalism
Our family has been at King’s since 2012 when my oldest daughter began first grade here. We now have an 11th, 10th, and 8th grader attending school here, and a 5 year old starting kindergarten here this year. 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. I participated in Newspaper and Yearbook throughout high school as a photographer, including developing my own black and white film and photos.

Tricia Hunter

Tricia Hunter, Elementary Aide, Childcare, Wednesday Tutor
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. 

Jeanne Jorash

Leslie Huval, 5th grade Math, History, & Bible, 7th grade Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Lifetime Sports
Hi, my name is Leslie Huval, Jesus follower, wife, mother, friend and fitness enthusiast.  I have been in education for 20 years, with a combination of public education, private education and at home instruction.  Each season God has revealed His purpose for my life and has been faithful to His Word during times of struggle.  I am excited to connect and come along side each of the KACS families as we grow in faith, knowledge, character and understanding through a biblical world view.  Gal 5:22-23

Jeanne Jorash

Jeanne Jorash, 6th grade Math, 7th grade Bible, Earth Science, Drama, Speech, Creative Writing
I have been at King’s since 2017. Before coming to Tyler, my family had lived overseas in several countries. I have had a variety of  teaching experiences, including Speech and Drama in public school, leading a Homeschool Drama troupe in Budapest, Hungary, various classes in Kiev, Ukraine, and English in China, along with homeschooling my own 8 children. KACS has an amazing group of teachers, staff, students, and parents!  We were new to Tyler in 2017, as well as KACS, and everyone made us feel welcome and part of a family. As the Drama teacher here, the students, staff, and parents have risen to the occasion each time, and with the Lord’s graciousness, we have had productions not less than miraculous! That’s how God works at this school, and I am anticipating MORE from Him this coming year!

Jordan Kulaga

Jordan Kulaga, 8th grade Physical Science
This is my third year teaching at King’s Academy. I love being a science teacher because kids are naturally curious about the world around them, and it’s easy to get them excited about the subject matter. The Bible makes it clear that God designed the universe in an orderly manner and I believe He affords us the opportunity to understand His design and His nature through scientific principles. I am so thankful both as a teacher and a parent to be surrounded by others who agree that our focus should be primarily on raising children to love the Lord and our neighbors, with academics as a secondary endpoint.

Kyla McEntire

Kyla McEntire, HS Volleyball Coach, Elementary PE, Wednesday Electives
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 four grandchildren.  We are active members of Green Acres Baptist Church.

Kathy McGraw

Kathy McGraw, Music
Hello, I am Kathy McGraw, this is my first-year teaching music at the lower campus. I retired from public education after 28 years in the classroom. My grandchildren attend King’s and I have seen the impact the Christian education and partnership with families has on the home. I am excited and looking forward to an amazing year.

Laura McKeand

Laura McKeand, English III, English IV, Dual Credit Psychology, MS Keyboarding & Intro to Office
My husband Tom and I moved our family to Tyler from Houston in 2005 for his job. We have been married for twenty-three years and have three wonderful daughters (all grown), plus one grandchild. I have thirteen years of experience teaching upper school English and six years of experience teaching Latin I. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in educational psychology from the University of Houston and a Master of Arts in humanities and education from University of Dallas. I worked at KACS for the first time in 2008 teaching English for 5th and 6th grades and am thrilled to be back teaching high school English this year. What a blessing to be part of the KACS family again!

Megan McKeand

Megan McKeand, Elementary Aide
I grew up in homeschool co-ops and I think Kings Academy really stands out. I’ve worked at a Christian private school and I’m really excited to start at Kings!

Rachel Montgomery

Rachel Montgomery, 2-Day 4th grade
I am so excited to be a part of King’s Academy. After college I taught for nearly 3 years in a small school in Mexico City, Mexico. When I returned to the United States, I taught in bilingual and dual language programs in public schools in Texas for 12 years. After 15 years of teaching, God made it clear that I needed to turn my attention to my family and their spiritual and educational growth. God has opened a door for King’s Academy to be an avenue for that growth. I get to teach, which is something I love, and I get to be with my family more, which is something I want. Our family is excited for the opportunity to grow with the KACS community. We look forward to what God has in store for us as we journey with Him through this adventure.

Bobby Perry

Bobby Perry, Sports Conditioning, Football Coach, Track & Field Assistant Coach

More information coming soon!
Candy Quinney

Candace Quinney, 3-Day 2nd grade
This will be my second year to get to teach at Kings!  I taught first grade last year and get to teach second grade this year.  I am excited to get to teach this grade again!
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

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

Nikki Reese, Elementary Aide & Childcare
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.

My family has been involved at KACS in one way or another since 2009 when my husband taught a Bible class for several years.  Our daughter started attending classes in 2015 and our son began in 2022.
I enjoyed working in several areas last year and am grateful & excited to return this year helping in classes with your younger children.
Shannon Reynolds

Shannon Reynolds, Track & Field Coach
I am very excited and energized about my coaching position at King’s Academy. I love everything about the university model and the impact Kings Academy has had on my family. I originally began my career as an engineering specialist in the plasma tech area at Dallas Semiconductor teaching fitness part time for fun. I then promoted myself to mother after my son was born and have since been teaching some type of fitness for nearly 21 years. My current certifications include: crossfit level1, pilates mat, strength training, sculpt, cardio kickboxing, ballet barre, Zumba, zumbatomic (kid Zumba), Zumba toning, bolly X and a certified personal trainer. I currently teach classes and train at All About Dance Studio, I am the wellness coordinator for Smith County and I also partner with Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine and Joint Sports Medicine Department on special projects. I also serve currently on two boards: New Creation and 1:3 Foundation and serve as a Leader of Light for Refuge of Light.

Tammy Rickelman

Tammy Rickelman, 3-Day 3rd grade
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!

Megan Ridenour

Megan Ridenour, 2-Day 2nd grade
Teaching is an immense privelege for me, not only because I get to help children learn and grow, but as a Christian educator at a Christian school, I am also able to impart knowledge and learning experiences through the lens of God’s love for each of us and the amazing world He has created. I pray that the students’ hearts and minds would deeply know the God who created them, loves them and desires a relationship with them.
I’m a mom of three boys who all attend King’s Academy. We love being part of the KACS community and are excited for the year to come! I have my BA Degree in Russian and served in an American Russian Church for two years. Since moving to Tyler in 2013, I have served at my church teaching 3-5 year olds. I’m grateful for the opportunity to now serve KACS!

Heidi Shorts

Heidi Shorts, Art, Wednesday Electives
This is my third year teaching art at King’s.  I previously taught 15 + years in both private and public schools, for homeschool groups, special needs students, preschoolers, women’s groups & private lessons, as well.
I love art and I love the creative process!  One of my greatest joys is helping students feel successful.  I believe we are all equipped by our great Creator to reflect Him in our own creative work…and it’s going to be different for each of us.  I’m thankful to be teaching in a school where we can make those connections and develop life skills that begin with art and touch so many other areas into the future!

Kira Smith

Kira Smith, 6th grade English, 7th grade English, 8th grade English, English I & English II
This is my second year teaching at King’s Academy, and I am thrilled to be returning to this wonderful community! Before teaching at KACS, I taught 4th grade in Bellingham, WA. My husband and I moved to Tyler with our son (now 15 months old) in August of 2021 in order to be closer to family. My favorite thing about teaching is helping to kindle a lifelong love of learning in my students through the written word, always pointing toward the greatest story written by God our Creator.

Scott Spier, Cross Country Coach, Track & Field Coach
More information coming soon!

Kristen Springer

Kristen Springer, Athletic Director & Cheer Coach
I have been involved in athletic administration and/or coaching since 2013. I have a passion and vision for an athletic program that develops student-athletes, not only in their sport but in their walk with Christ as well. At King’s Academy our mission is to develop Championship Character in our athletes which will help to prepare them for life. I am blessed to work with staff and coaches who share the same mission and vison! Go Knights!

Lonna Stewart

Lonna Stewart, Spanish I & II

It is an honor to be a part of King’s Academy and to share my love of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.  I grew up in San Diego, California, and had many opportunities to travel to Mexico both for fun and on mission trips.  After moving to Alabama and receiving a B.A. degree in Spanish from Auburn University, I began my teaching career back in California in 1997.  During those first few years of teaching, I also obtained a Master’s degree in Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara.  The Lord called my son and me to Tyler in 2008 where I have continued to teach at both the high school and college levels.  In 2017, I graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am currently a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor.  I love both teaching and counseling, so I continue to do them both!
In my free time, I enjoy traveling to Spanish-speaking countries and experiencing other cultures, and I desire to spread this passion to my students!
Cindy Swinney

Cindy Swinney, 3-Day Kindergarten

Hello KACS Families! My name is Cindy Swinney and I am so excited to be teaching Kindergarten here at King’s Academy! I have a degree in Elementary Education from UT Tyler. After a fulfilling career of 36 years in public education, where I taught 1st grade, Kindergarten and students identified as dyslexic, I am thrilled to be teaching here at KACS. Being a teacher has always been a calling for me and I am delighted that God has called me here. I look forward to not only teaching academics, but Biblical principles as well.
My husband of 34 years, David, and I live in Whitehouse with our dog Lulu and our cat Phoebe. We have one grown son, Seth who is married to Sadie. They live in Shreveport, where he is a urology resident .
Josie Taylor

Josie Taylor, Elementary Aide & Art
I am a King’s Academy 2016 alumni and a graduate from Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Art degree. King’s has been such a blessing for me and my family, and I am very grateful for the love and dedication they have shown us over the years. This will be my second year working as an elementary teacher’s aide, but I have also had the privilege of teaching art alongside the primary art teacher as well as assisting her with the King’s Academy Art Camp for the past two summers. I look forward to getting to know new students, seeing the dear faces of familiar ones, and sharing the love and kindness of Christ with them so that they may see and grow in the truth of His goodness through a biblically-based education.

Pam Tindel

Pam Tindel, Algebra I
More information coming soon!

Ashley Van Deventer

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. 

Ashley Velligan, Receptionist
More information coming soon!

Angela Vrba

Angela Vrba, 2-Day Kindergarten
Hello, my name is Angela Vrba. This is my second year teaching Kindergarten at King’s Academy and I am looking forward to another great year. I retired from Whitehouse ISD in 2016.  I have 30 years teaching experience, 5 in first grade, 15 in Kindergarten, and 10 in reading intervention.  Teaching in a Christian environment and working in partnership with the parents of my students has been a wonderful experience. I am blessed to be a part of the King’s Academy family. 

Robin Walker

Robin Walker, 2-Day 3rd grade
I have been so moved and impressed by the quality and depth of thinking that I see from these students.  I attribute this to the beautiful commitment of our parents to our precious Lord, but also to the Godly atmosphere that permeates throughout King’s Academy.  In my 36 years of teaching, I’ve seen how our youth are being attacked from all sides.  We are slowly seeing the effects of a secular world and how these negative influences and teachings are subtlety entering our public school programs.  No longer are our public schools looking out for the child’s spiritual welfare, they are consumed with test scores.  When this happens, our children become departmentalized and seen as numbers, not as a beautiful creation of God.  At King’s Academy, we are placing God and His teachings first.  Through the eyes of our creator, we then journey into His wonderful world of knowledge.  This in turn then enables our students the freedom to grow and understand God’s truth.  This then unlocks their spirits so they discover their God-given gifts.  I believe that is the essence of a Godly education.  We are equipping young children to be God’s mighty warriors in an ever-changing world. 

Allyson White, Head MS Cheer Coach
Hello! My name is Allyson White and I’m so excited to be the Middle School Cheerleading Coach! I have an extensive experience in High School, All-Star, and Junior College Cheerleading. My mission is to provide a positive Christ-centered environment for each girl to develop and further their skills, and overall love of the sport.
My husband Christopher and I live in Tyler with our three children (Lucas, Levi and Madison). We were called to King’s at the beginning of Lucas’s Kindergarten year. I am thrilled to be a part of the KACS team and ready for an exciting year ahead. *Go Knights!*

Natalie White

Natalie White, 2-Day 2nd grade
I graduated with a BS degree in Elementary Education, with a specialization in math and reading, from Howard Payne University in 2001. I went on to earn my ESL and G/T certifications, along with my mentoring teacher qualifications. I have been teaching for 13 years in public education schools in Texas. I am particularly excited about having the opportunity to teach at KACS though, because of the loving, Christ-centered, flexible atmosphere. My goal is for my 2nd grade students to master every mandated objective for grade level graduation through interest-based, engaging lessons, while also instilling biblical truths in all of my students. My desire is for my kids to know who God is, what He has done for them, and who they are in Him once they accept His salvation. I look forward to an amazing year!

Vickie Williams, Upper Campus Curriculum Coordinator, Academic Advisor, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry
I am teaching and also serve as the Dean of Curriculum & Instruction and Academic Adviser. I am a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and I am beginning my 36th year of teaching, 26 of which have been in the Christian school setting. This is my 6th year at King’s.   I have served in many capacities, but most of my teaching experience is in the math and science classrooms.

Kristen Wright, 3-Day 5th grade Bible, History, & Science, Grade 6 History
I’m Kristen Wright. I’ve been married to my husband, Todd, for 23 years. We have two children. Our son, Jonah, is 20 and our daughter, Finley, is 16. My husband is the worship pastor of Bethel Bible Church, South Campus. I’ve been been an elementary and middle school teacher, an educational therapist and a special education teacher. I cannot wait for the new school year and look forward to a whole new group of kids to love and lead as they discover who Christ created them to be.

Tamara Young-Lowery, Hot Lunch
More information coming soon!

Jennifer Zimmerman

Jennifer Zimmerman,  3-Day 1st grade, Wednesday Tutor & Electives
Hello! This is my 16th year teaching in Texas. I have had the privilege of teaching at King’s for the past two and a half years. I began as a part-time music instructor, then moved into working with Mrs. Hinkeldey in first grade, while also teaching music and drama, and last year I taught Tues/Thurs first grade, Monday music & drama, and Wednesday Study Hall. This year I’ll be dropping music and drama to allow for 3 day first grade, something I am VERY excited about! My time at King’s is a true blessing because it is my ministry. God has blessed me time and again, for which I am so grateful. I just want to honor and thank Him for loving us by sharing His Love with our “littles.” What a joy it is to be at King’s Academy!