
THE 2008 AIC STAFF TEAM
Kayla Barger
TEACHER
TRAINER & ROOM DESIGNER - Kayla was homeschooled from 1st grade through
high school. She is now working full time as a teller at BWCU. In her spare
time, Kayla's favorite things to do are take weekend trips to the lake, go
camping, canoeing, and riding on wave runners.
This is Kayla's third year on staff and she is very happy and excited to be helping with teacher training and the designing of sets. Kayla believes that God has called her to work with children, teaching them about his wonderful love and how to live a life fully committed to Him.
Mark Bradshaw
STAGE LEADER - Mark has participated in AIC as a student, Assistant
Teacher, Teacher, drama actor, Staff Assistant and stage leader. Mark is extremely
excited and blessed to be a part of AIC as he returns as stage leader again.
Mark has dedicated his life to the Lord. He graduated in 2007, after being
home schooled for all of his formal education. Mark is working towards becoming
a Master Electrician.
Mark has a heart for children. He has demonstrated this by leading in several
mission trips, VBS, and children's church. Mark has a desire to teach others
about Jesus. Mark sees a need for children to build their foundation on Jesus,
since they are the future leaders of our country and world.
Mark is involved in Bible studies with friends and family and loves to read, play basketball, soccer, and hang out with his family and friends.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Aaron Brooks
DRAMA DIRECTOR- Aaron has been blessed with a love for people and a desire
to serve God with everything he has. He graduated from high school in May
2007. In 2005, he had the opportunity to be in the AIC drama, and has been
involved ever since. Aaron has served in AIC as a main and a supporting actor,
teacher, and this year as the Drama Director. With his God given love of music,
Aaron has had many opportunities to lead worship for children and youth.
Also in 2005, he began to be involved in the Sedgwick county EMS explorer post, and has since received his First Aid and CPR certifications, and various other hands on emergency medicine training. In the fall of 2006, he attended Equip International training academy in North Carolina. The purpose of the academy is to prepare missionaries for the field. While there, he received training in third world construction techniques, and Community Health Evangelism.
"I believe God has called me to the medical field and to be involved in missions and, above that, to serve and show HIS love to the world. Missions has interested me my entire life, and I believe that is what God has called me to do, though in what way, I am not sure. This I am confident of: that God is continuing the good work that HE has begun in me." ~Aaron
Cori Brooks
MATERIALS SUPERVISOR - Cori is a 2005 homeschool graduate and has served AIC
in the past as a supporting actress, assistant teacher, and teacher. This
is her third year on staff, and her position includes organizing the materials
needed for AIC and editing the teacher's curriculum. Cori has a love for teaching
children and the Lord has given her the opportunity to tutor several elementary
aged children and teach Sunday School.
She is presently attending college and working towards her pediatric nursing degree. Her other interest is in the biological sciences and she plans to start a green house someday. This past year, she started a photography business and created her own web site for the studio: Engravings From the Eye. Cori has also received training in the emergency medical field and is going through the process of becoming a certified EMT-B.
Cori loves science, medicine, photography, and working with children, and
believes that the Lord is calling her to study these fields to prepare her
for His work, though at the moment she doesn't know what that work may be.
She also enjoys reading, playing the piano & hammer dulcimer, and being
outdoors - mainly hiking, fishing, canoeing, or being with her dogs and horse.
Tiffany Hiebert
STUDENT WORKBOOK DESIGNER - This is Tiffanys third year as an AIC staff
member. She is a 2004 high school graduate. A former homeschooled student
herself, she enjoys being able to help and encourage like-minded young children!
Tiffany is now attending Wichita State University and will graduate this May! Her major is Communications and minor is Graphic Design. She hopes to be able to use the skills she is learning as a strong communicator for the Lord. Her dream is to be able to own her own business or do freelance work, where she would design and write newsletters, mailings, brochures etc for clients. Most of all, though, Tiffany wants to be available for Gods leading and direction. Some of her hobbies include scrapbooking, reading, shopping and working on the computer.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:1-2
Emma Johnson
WISDOM WALK LEADER - Emma was a 2007 graduate and was home schooled for 13
years. She is the second eldest of 10 children and finds great joy as a nanny
to an adorable 19-month little girl. She has been involved in AIC as both
an assistant teacher and teacher for 5 years. She is very excited to be joining
the staff team this year and looks forward to growing through the many opportunities
that lie ahead. Emma's favorite activities include: reading , babysitting,
cooking, and playing the piano. This past fall Emma completed the fall semester
with Character First! Education in Oklahoma City and counts it an invaluable
time of training in working with children as well as teaching character to
kids in public schools. Learning to rely on the Lord for His wisdom and strength
enabled her to teach. Her heart's desire for the future is to work in an orphanage
with infants to toddler children in a country where God sees fit.
Seth Michaelson
TEACHER TRAINER - This is Seth's fourth year on staff and he is excited to
be filling the role of the Teacher Trainer.
Lisa Mickey
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS - Lisa has been actively involved with Adventures
in Character since it began ten years ago, helping out in many different areas.
She has served as an assistant teacher, teacher and staff member.
As a home school graduate, Lisa is always on the move! She found her knack at the Riverside Cup of Tea where she is currently serving as the manager. Lisa has been a part of the Derby Invasion Athletic Association for several years where she assists with the Jr. High basketball team. She is actively involved in her church were she teaches younger children about the mission field.
Lisa loves to cook and is always trying new things. She also enjoys reading,
writing and staying organized. She has hopes of owning her own business in
the near future and following Gods plan for life.
Joel Strain
WISDOM WALK LEADER - Joel has enjoyed serving in AIC for the past several
years and this will be his first year serving on staff. He has also been involved
in many programs involving children at the church he attends. He is currently
attending Friends University, where his major is Music Business. He is praying
for the Lord's direction as he contemplates switching majors, perhaps to Health
Management or Sports Administration. Joel may have the opportunity to move
to Salt Lake City for nine months next December. While there he will ski full-time
and work part-time if finances dictate. During the summer season he will enjoy
kayaking and fishing in the beautiful Utah outdoors. Joel lives in Andover
with his father and older brother. He has two more older brothers who live
in Wichita with their wives and baby daughters. Joel is excited to see what
God will do in his life as well as the lives of everyone involved in AIC this
year.
Natalie Wickham
DIRECTOR - Natalie was part of the core group of young people that dreamed
and prayed and planned and finally saw AIC become a reality. She was homeschooled
from 4th grade through college and has a passion for equipping and challenging
upcoming generations of homeschoolers to be Godly leaders in the world. This
same passion led her to develop a Drama And Public Speaking course which she
has offered to highschool students.
In addition to her involvement in the homeschool sphere, Natalie operates her own business as an Independent Music Teacher, where she maintains a studio of around 30 piano students. She enjoys being involved in her community and is actively involved in state and local music teachers associations.
Natalie enjoys working on computer projects in the fields of desktop publishing and website design. She is blessed to reside at home with her parents and three of her younger siblings and loves spending time with them, studying the Bible, discussing current issues, playing games, and learning and growing together.