Kayla Barger

TEACHER TRAINER & ROOM DESIGNER - Kayla was homeschooled from 1st grade through high school. She is now working full time at Meritrust Credit Union. She was proposed to by Seth Michaelson in November, and is keeping busy planning their April wedding! This is Kayla's fourth year on staff. She is very happy and excited to be helping with teacher training and set design. 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.

Laura Bergen

DRAMA DIRECTOR- Laura is very excited to be returning to the AIC staff after taking a break last year so she could focus on finishing school. This will be her third year as drama director and she is very grateful to the Lord for giving her a passion for working with children and directing Christian theater. She has been married to Justin since 07/07/07 and they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first baby in June (it's a boy!). Laura is a 2005 homeschool graduate and will graduate from Friends University with her degree in Music Theater in May!

Laura finished the majority of her degree requirements in December, so she is enjoying having time to do the activities she loves. Her primary focuses now are strengthening and growing in her relationship with God, improving and adding to her homemaking abilities, and preparing to become a mother. She pursues her passion for dance by teaching tap, ballet and jazz to K-6 graders at Central Homeschool Family Ministries one day a week. In November God provided the opportunity for she and her husband to become part of a committee dedicated to bringing an organization known as Christian Youth Theater to Wichita. The goal of CYT is to provide professional theater opportunities for students in a Christian environment. She is looking forward to this summer and fall when they will hopefully see the fruits of their labors through summer camps, classes, and shows!

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord." (Psalm 104:33, 34)

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

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 year, her position on staff includes organizing the materials needed for AIC and editing the teacher's curriculum. Her greatest satisfaction comes from teaching and working with children, and she believes that the Lord has called her to do that.

She is presently attending college and working towards her pediatric nursing degree. Her other academic interests are in the biological sciences and computer information systems. Cori has also received training in the emergency medical field. She believes that the Lord is calling her to study these fields to prepare her for His work in training His little ones. In the last several years, she started a photography business and created her own web site for the studio: Engravings From the Eye. The Lord has blessed her to live on a small farm where she 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 - Tiffany is excited to be serving on the AIC staff for her fourth year. As a 2004 homeschool graduate, Tiffany enjoys being able to serve the Lord and encourage like-minded young children!

After graduating from Wichita State University with a Communications major and Graphic Design minor in May 2008, Tiffany felt the Lord's leading to pursue her dream of starting her own business, called TJ Design. In addition, God provided a brand-new Macintosh computer for her to use!

Between working on her marketing/graphic design company and doing paperwork for her Dad's landscape business, Tiffany stays very busy. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys scrapbooking, reading and shopping. She is so grateful for God's faithful guidance and is looking forward to His provision in the future!

“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

Tyler Hiebert

WISDOM WALK LEADER - Tyler has served in AIC for several years as a teacher and in the drama. He is excited to be joining the staff as a Wisdom Walk leader this year! Tyler is a 2008 homeschool graduate. He looks forward to the opportunity of serving God and leading other children to Him as well.

As the current vice president of Student Government at Butler Community College, Tyler has had the opportunity to serve and represent the Christian cause to students. This experience has instilled in Tyler the desire to work in the legal or political field. He looks forward to attending Wichita State University next fall.

"'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" ~ Isaiah 1:18

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 6 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 children in a country where God sees fit.

Seth Michaelson

TEACHER TRAINER - This is Seth's fifth year on staff, and his eighth year to be involved as a teacher or actor. He has a heart for young people, and loves getting to work with the teachers each year. Seth is a homeschool graduate and enjoys getting to be a part of the TPA Convention. He shares a vision for equiping parents to teach their children at home. Currently he works in Wichita, and enjoys reading, keeping up with current events, spending time with family, and playing sports. He is engaged to be married to Kayla Barger in April, 2009.

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 God's plan for life.

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. Natalie is also the author of the book, Pajama School - stories from the life of a homeschool graduate.

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. 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.