Our Team
Amy graduated from Missouri Western State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She has several hours in post-baccalaureate education courses from Doane University and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Amy and her husband, Matt, have been married for 22 years and have two children and two dogs. They are members of Providence Baptist Church and enjoy serving there.
Most of Amy’s teaching career has been in a first grade classroom. Amy believes in being a lifelong learner and strives to learn from her students and constantly adapt her teaching to meet their individual needs. She is especially passionate about helping her students refine their character and love others well, providing a God-centered classroom culture. Her favorite subject area to teach is reading but she loves helping students make connections in all areas.
Amy says, “I am excited to be back in the classroom and whole-heartedly believe in the mission of Refine KC to develop academic and spiritual leaders in a Christ-centered community. I love seeing how God is moving in the community that He is growing at Refine KC.”
Matt has 29 years of experience teaching Math and Business to students from Middle School through College level. He graduated with a B.A. in both Math and Business Education from Wayne State College. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University. He has numerous hours in both graduate level education and math courses. Matt has had the opportunity to work on and lead curriculum and staff development committees.
Matt and his wife, Amy, have been married for 22 years and have two children.
Matt and his family attend and serve at Providence Baptist Church where Matt is a deacon and finance team lead.
As a teacher, he has always had a passion for helping children grow, not only academically but in their character as well. He has a natural ability to build relationships with students and connect with them.
Matt says, “I am excited to see how the students will grow from year to year both academically and spiritually. I’m looking forward to getting to know our new students and their families. I can’t wait to see how God will continue to work in Refine KC as we all step out in faith putting God first to do what matters not only for this generation of children, but for future generations until Jesus returns.”
Lori has over 30 years of experience working with and teaching children. Recently, she spent 7 years teaching Pre-K at Northland Christian School and served Refine KC in it’s inaugural year teaching a variety of elementary grades and subjects.
Lori graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Family Life and Human Development. Lori and her husband, Rob, have been married for 29 years and have two children. Her family attends a small home church, The Bridge, and have been involved since its inception 11 years ago.
She loves working with young children and believes God has gifted her with the ability to love, understand and connect with them on a personal level.
Lori says, “I am excited to be a part of Refine KC and provide a place where young students are able to be educated within a Biblical worldview. It's crucial for children to have a firm foundation in Christ so they will be able to stand firm in their faith as they grow and experience life in this world. God did amazing work during our first year, and I can't wait to see what He does, and how He will bless us in the year ahead!”
Joshua has a B.A. in Biblical Studies and a Master of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has previously served as the Youth Pastor of Hope Fellowship Church for five years leading middle school, high school, and young adults in their walk with Christ.
Joshua and his wife, Brenna, first met in the summer of 2017 and have been married since May of 2020.
Joshua has a passion for students both in the church and those outside the church as well. Including serving in the church for the past 9 years, Joshua has also coached youth hockey for the last 11 years from the time he was a sophomore in High School. This has been a great opportunity to reach students with gospel outside of the church and try to model Jesus for them.
Joshua says, “I am excited to be a part of the mission of Refine KC. I know that God had always put on my heart to teach in the context of a school, and I am thankful that he opened the doors to make that happen. The Lord has given me a great opportunity to speak truth to our students, to love them with the love of Christ, and to guide them in their conduct as they model our savior. There is no higher calling for us as believers than to make disciples and it is precious to me that I am able to say that disciple making is my vocation.”
Michele has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University California Los Angeles. Michele made the decision to homeschool her children in California when her youngest was going into first grade. She has homeschooled her children for 12 years and taught at a homeschool co-op for 10 years. One of those years she served on the leadership team as a teacher recruiter. During that time she has taught all grade levels of science, elementary and middle school history, cooking, physical education and pre-school. In many of those classes she designed and created the curriculum.
Michele and her husband, Matt, have been married for 19 years. They have 4 children.
Michele and her family currently attend Pleasant Valley church where they hope to start serving. In the past Michele has worked with youth a total of 9 years. She has been a volunteer, paid intern and youth director.
Michele truly enjoys teaching science to children and youth from a biblical point of view. Exploring science opens their eyes to who God is and how spectacular His creation is. She believes God created everything with such great detail so no matter what aspect of science is studied we would never lose interest in discovering His creation. Michele’s main priority in teaching is to make God known to her students and all the rest will fall into place.
Michele says she is excited to join Refine KC because she believes in the vision of this school and she loves exploring God’s creation with the next generation of leaders.
Amanda has a Bachelor of Science in History with a minor in Psychology from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. She also has a Master’s in Secondary Education from The University of Phoenix. After graduating, she worked in the corporate setting teaching business operations, sales strategies, as well as marketing and product information to customers all over the United States. God called her away from that career a few years ago and provided her with an opportunity to homeschool her children from a Christian worldview. At Refine KC, Amanda teaches secondary history, english, and yearbook.
Amanda and her husband, Ryan, have been married for over 17 years. They have 3 children.
Amanda and her family attend Providence Baptist Church.
Amanda is passionate about history, learning from it, and diving into the impacts of it. She believes equipping students with the skills to not only learn about history but to investigate it and align it with Biblical truths and lessons is just one way to equip them to be a light in the world.
Amanda says, “One of the greatest blessings I get to enjoy at Refine KC is watching students grow spiritually and academically. I love seeing how God moves in each child's life.”