My degree is in music education with a K-12 teaching credential and piano being my major instrument. I have been teaching for 31 years. I’m excited for this new opportunity to continue being a positive influence in children’s lives. No matter your musical background I love teaching children how to read and write music, singing, folk dancing, piano as well as beginning guitar and violin. I am married and have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. When not teaching music I enjoy raising livestock and growing produce for local farmer’s markets here in Kern County.
April Verhoef
Hello Friends! My name is Melissa Vlasic, I am very excited to introduce myself as Kindergarten Homeschool Coach for fall of the 2025 school year. I really enjoy helping children learn and grow their skills. I have a Liberal Arts degree with my focus in Early Childhood Education and the arts. I have more than 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience in public, private, and charter schools ages Tk-12th grade. I spent more than 3 years working with special needs children and children on the Autism spectrum in a school setting. I have a passion for making learning engaging and accessible for all students in a happy and positive setting. Outside of the classroom, I am blessed with a wonderful husband and a beautiful little boy. I enjoy spending time with my family, attending church and running. I am so excited to be part of the vision KRC has brought to Bakersfield.
Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Melissa Vlasic
I have been a teacher for over 13 years. I have taught Pr-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. I love hiking, being a part of my church and serving the Lord with my gifts. I have a cute doggie named Cooper who has been such a joy to me. I am passionate about Photography and also run a small business.I can’t wait to see what this up coming school year holds for us.
Mihaela Champion
I have 18 years of teaching experience in public schools. Subjects taught include Language Arts, English, and Spanish as a foreign language. I am a military veteran (Army) with a specialty in communications. I will be teaching conversational Spanish to our KRC students using the Total Physical Response strategy. My degrees are from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (BA in Sociology and Distributed Studies), Leslie University, Cambridge, Maine (MA in The Arts in Education and Curriculum and Instruction), and CSUB (Masters program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education). It is my joy to have the opportunity to be a part of Kern Resource Center and share the vision of a school that is “taking back control of our children’s education” along with having the freedom to speak the name of Jesus to our students and staff. I love spending time with family, watching faith-based movies, reading, and walking my fur baby, Max.
Senora Darrington
I am married with 3 children, two of them being over 18. I have been working with children and youth as a missionary abroad in my 20’s and 30’s and at my local church for the last 20 years. I feel privileged to be part of the KRC team and their vision to impart godly principles and values into the lives of the next generation.
I enjoy traveling, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Claudia Carlson
I’m entering my 11th year of teaching and am thrilled to continue serving as one of KRC’s homeschool coaches! I received my Bachelors Degree from San Diego State University, then earned my Credential from the University of La Verne. I have served a variety of roles throughout my educational career, and have experience in both public and private school environments with kids of all ages. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking/baking, and walking my crazy Labrador.
Lisa Apple
I am a proud husband and father of five children. I have worked with children the majority of my life, starting with teaching my first Children’s Bible Study class at the young age of 13. I worked with the Bakersfield School District for nine years, as an activity leader, classroom aid, and facilitator with a youth mentorship program. I have worked diligently in the community teaching children to read and offering tutoring services for free to less fortunate families. My greatest inspiration was my grandfather, who was a Pastor. One of his sayings was “It is important to feed the people: mind, body, and soul.” This is something I have lived my life by, and will continue this spirit of service as I help to build up KRC and make this the shining beacon of light in a dark world.
Coach J. Hickman
Cheyne Cowne
I am a proud husband and father of five children. I have worked with children the majority of my life, starting with teaching my first Children’s Bible Study class at the young age of 13. I worked with the Bakersfield School District for nine years, as an activity leader, classroom aid, and facilitator with a youth mentorship program. I have worked diligently in the community teaching children to read and offering tutoring services for free to less fortunate families. My greatest inspiration was my grandfather, who was a Pastor. One of his sayings was “It is important to feed the people: mind, body, and soul.” This is something I have lived my life by, and will continue this spirit of service as I help to build up KRC and make this the shining beacon of light in a dark world.
Ashleigh Blanton – Athletics Director
I’m married with 3 teenage sons. My husband and I both serve in ministry at the same church we attended as children. I am blessed with the opportunity to be a part of KRC’s team and help serve children and their families in an atmosphere that values character, morals, and Christian principles.
ChrIssy pratt
Ministry is my priority while coming alongside families and advocating parental rights simultaneously. I am a wife and mother of two incredible children. Youth ministry is something that brings me much joy at my church. I feel passionate about educating the next generation to thrive without all the background noise and unnecessary roadblocks that for profit learning institutions impose. Over the course of my time in the grassroots activism arena, I have learned how much our constitutional and parental God given rights have been infringed upon. It is time to take back control over Our children’s education and give Glory to God while doing it!
Director of Operations – Dusti McDaris