Education
- Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree in progress
- Association of Christian Schools International Member
Kayla Brannon joined Excel Christian School as a preschool teacher in 2016. She has over a decade of experience in early childhood education. She has been happily married to her husband Aaron for 6 years and have 2 children. Kayla attends Living Waters Christian Fellowship and Horizon Christian Church. Her favorite Bible verse is Provers 31:25. She enjoys painting and bowling. When asked what she loves about working at Excel, Kayla stated, “Pouring into our students, the relationships with staff, students, and parents, and being to both give and receive prayers.”
Education
- B.A. Elementary Education
Certificates/Licenses
- Nevada State Teacher License
- Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teacher Certification
Karen Briggs joined Excel in 2013 when Legacy Christian School merged with Excel. She has been in education for more than 20 years. She has been happily married to her husband Robert for 42 years. They have three grown children, 10 grandchildren, and 1 dog. Karen attends Mt. Rose Evangelical Free Church and her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 1:1-3. She enjoys reading and playing with her grandkids. When asked about what she loves about Excel, she stated, “We are motivating students to find joy in the pursuit of excellence!”
Education
- B.S. Degree in Biology
- Certified Dyslexia Specialist
Karen has been working at Excel since 2021 and as a reading specialist for 10 years. She has three children and has been married to her husband, Steve, for 29 years. She loves animals, horseback riding, reading, and traveling. Karen loves working at Excel because she loves seeing all children become successful readers. Her favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6.
Education
- Licensed Practical Nurse Certification Program
Certificates/Licenses
- State of Nevada Licensed Practical Nurse
Diane has been working part-time at Excel as a school nurse and Pre-K support staff since 2018. She has worked in various settings as an LPN for over 40 years. Diane has been married to her husband Earl for the last 13 years. She has two grown children and 2 grown step children. Diane attends Christ Anglican Church and her favorite verse is John 3:16. She enjoys exercising, singing, and traveling. Diane loves working with the “littles” at Excel!
Education
- B.S. Elementary and Special Education
- Trained in Robotics by RAN, the Robotics Academy of Nevada
Certificates/Licenses
- Nevada State Teacher License Qualified
- Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teacher Certification
Juliana Fehr is an Excel Christian School alumnus, and after graduating from UNR, she returned to teach for us. She has been teaching here since 2013. She has two cats that are named Gnome and Wade. Juliana attends Living Waters Christian Fellowship and her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 139:13-18. When asked what she loved about working at Excel, Juliana stated, “Friendly staff.”
Education
- A.A. General Studies
- B.S. Elementary Education
Certificates/Licenses
- Nevada State Teacher License
- Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teaching Certificate
Jonah joined the Excel team in 2015, and has been an educator for 18 years. He has been happily married to his wife Emily for 13 years. They have 2 children and a dog. Jonah attends Holy Cross and Our Savior Lutheran Church and his favorite Bible verse if John 3:16. He enjoys music and movies. When asked what he loved about working at Excel, Jonah stated, “I get to teach! After working in the public schools for years, I know the difference.”
Education
- B.A. Music Administration, Vocal Performance
Certificates/Licenses
- Association of Christian Schools International Specialist Certification
Diahn Gilpin has been working at Excel since 2016. Prior to joining Excel’s team she held simultaneous careers in dental administration and ministry based music performance. Her previous careers provided excellent training opportunities in computing and led her to enjoy being a self-proclaimed computer nerd. In 2016, she made the decision to move away from office administration and music performance. Shifting her focus towards family needs, she began her journey with Excel. She has served in the areas of teacher, Educational Support, ACSI accreditation assistant, chapel speaker and more. She loves her family life with husband Carey, their 2 children and their pets. Diahn attends Horizon Christian Church and her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 1:5. When asked what she loves about teaching at Excel, Diahn responded, “Faith based education and the freedom to share Christ’s love with students and colleagues.”
Education
- A.A. Science
- B.S. Natural Resource Management
- Teacher Certification Program at Sierra Nevada College
Certificates/Licenses
- Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teacher Certification
Laura Harper first started teaching at Excel in 2005. She has been an educator for 19 years. Her previous career was in forestry, and she still enjoys being outdoors. She has one grown child. Laura attends Sparks United Methodist Church and her favorite Bible verse is 1Peter 5:7. She enjoys hiking, baseball, and the company of her wiener dog Penny. When asked what she loved about teaching at Excel, Laura responded, “The freedom to be authentic with my coworkers and students as a child of Christ.”
Education
- B.S. Degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education
- ACSI certification Qualified
Certificates/Licenses
- Association of Christian Schools International Waiver to Teach in the Arts Department
David has been a part-time employee at Excel for 13 years. He’s part-time because he’s a working entertainer with decades of stage experience. David has been happily married to his wife Karen for 34 years, and together they have two grown children. He attends Outlook Christian Church and his favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13. When David isn’t on a stage or at school, he enjoys busking (street entertaining) and bringing joy and happiness to people. He is a variety musician who plays the alto saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, trombone, piano, drums, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Why he is at Excel: “I love inspiring and motivating the young people to find their talents and develop them!”
Certificates/Licenses
- Licensed childcare provider
- Association of Christian Schools International Member
Mrs. Hebert is in her second year here at Excel, but she has been teaching for 40 years in Christian schools. She has taught everything from PreK through elementary, including special education. Yvonne has a rich family heritage in Nevada history, and enjoys hiking in the Sierras. The mother of 3 grown children, she enjoys time with her grandchildren because children are her greatest love. She has missionary experience in Japan, and currently attends Summit Church.
Education
- B.S Education
Certificates/Licenses
- Nevada State Teacher License
- Association of Christian Schools International All-Levels Physical Education certified
- U.S.P.T.A Tennis Teaching Certification
Mark has been a P.E. teacher at Excel since 2012, and has over 27 years of teaching experience. He has been happily married to his wife Bonnie for 7 years. They have 2 children and a cat. Mark attends Summit Christian Church and his favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. He enjoys exercising at the gym, hiking and playing drums for a worship band named “Manna.” Why does Mark love working at Excel? “I love teaching the students about the Lord and praying with them. I love our staff and administration; they are always so helpful. Teaching physical education to our students and helping them to understand how to keep their bodies healthy is one of my passions.”
Education
- B.A. Spanish
- M.A. Teaching
- M.S. STEM Education
Certificates/Licenses
- Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teacher Certification
- Nevada State Teaching License
Victoria (Tori) is enjoying her 2nd year at Excel teaching 4th grade. She has been happily married to her husband Robert for 4 years. Tori attends Horizon Christian Church, and her favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. When she’s not teaching she enjoys camping, reading, exercise, and playing games. She loves Excel because Jesus is at the center of everything we do.
Education
- B.S. Degree in Elementary Education
Certificates/Licenses
- Association of Christian School International Teacher Certification Qualified
- Nevada State Teaching License
This is Mrs. Martin’s second year at Excel. She started with us in the fall semester last year as a student teacher in the 5th grade. She graduated in December, and came back to be a long-term substitute. We are all thrilled that she is now teaching 6th grade for us. Newly married, Olivia enjoys going on walks, drinking too much coffee, and spending time with her husband Tyler, friends, and family. When she’s not teaching at Excel, you can find her ministering to college students at UNR through her church Resonate. She moved from Idaho last year to help start this church, so she is still exploring all that Reno/Sparks has to offer. She’s loving it so far! Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10. She loves Jesus and she loves that she gets to teach the next generation about the hope and life we can find in Him!”
Education
- A.A. Music and Liberal Arts
- B.A. Music and Liberal Arts
Certificates/Licenses
- Nevada State Teacher License Qualified
- Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teacher Certification Qualified
Marci Mayzes has been a teacher at Excel since 2012, and has been an educator for 20 years. She has been happily married to her husband Randy for 20 years. They have 2 children. Marci attends Horizon Christian Church and her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 100: 1-2. She enjoys worshiping Jesus, exploring color, and creating. Why does she love teaching at Excel? It’s simple; “Jesus!”
Education
- B.S. Commerce
- B.S. Education, Early Education Administration, PreK Specialization
Certificates/Licenses
- Pre-K Specialization
- Association of Christian Schools International Member
Edwina McCamey has been teaching young children at Excel since 2011. She has been an educator for 30 years. She and her husband Joseph have been happily married for 12 years. They have 2 grown children and a dog. Edwina attends Spirit Filled Church and her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. She enjoys cooking and entertaining guests. Why does she love Excel? “I love the people; all of the students, all of the staff and administration, and the relationship we have together.”
Kristi is in her second year as a kindergarten here at Excel. She is in the process of obtaining her license through the Association of Christian Schools International and finishing up her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education through Grand Canyon University. She has a 13 year old son, who is a 8th grade student at Excel, and she enjoys all outdoor activities. Kristi attends CONVO church and her favorite Bible verse is 2 Timothy 1:7. She loves teaching in a school where God is at the center of its purpose.
Education
- B.S. in Education
Certificates/Licenses
- Association of Christian Schools Internal Elementary Teacher Qualified