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 Tiffany’s 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 God’s 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.