Faculty & Staff

Our Faculty & Staff

Ben Nelson

Ben graduated from Kansas City College and Bible School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. During his 21 years at Overland Christian Schools, he has taught sixth grade, junior high, and high school. He has also held various administrative positions during that time. Currently, he teaches high school science and Bible courses as well as elective courses. He has also been the yearbook advisor for the last nine years. Additionally, he serves as Vice Principal of Academics. Ben has attended the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness) for the last 21 years. He serves as church pianist, secretary/treasurer, and director of technical ministries.

Carolyn Harris

My name is Carolyn Harris and I have two amazing kids, Hailey (15) and Connor (13) This is my 11th year at OCS. For 10 years I taught various grades: Preschool to 2nd Grade. Currently, I serve as the Early Childhood Director. I graduated from Kansas Christian College with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and will graduate this May with my Master's in Education. I am a born-again Christian and blessed to be able to pour into the lives of young people on a daily basis. Over the years, I have seen God do amazing things and know He has much more for OCS.

Denise Mason

My name is Denise Mason, and this is my fourth year teaching for OCS. I spent 27 years teaching Technology to students in grades K-8 at Holy Cross School here in Overland Park. I will be teaching 6th-grade English, 6th-grade Science, 7th-grade English, 7th-grade World History, 7th-grade Keyboarding/Computer, and 8th-grade English. My family consists of my husband Kevin, 3 grown children, and 6 grandchildren. Directly out of high school I attended the University of Central Missouri and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Recreation/Education. Later, after having a family, my love for teaching sent me back to Aviila University where I received my Teacher's State Certification for both Missouri and Kansas. I became a born-again Christian when I was 15 and became deeply involved in church activities. In my adult years, I held several leadership roles which centered around teaching kids and youth about Christ. Prayer, Bible reading, and Christian music are "musts" for me on a daily basis. I believe that God has an incredible plan for each of our lives. Truly, "with God, all things are possible"- Matthew 19:26. I love GOD…I love KIDS…and I love EDUCATION. That is why I am here:)

Suzannah Meyers

Suzannah Meyers is a graduate of Kansas City College and Bible School with a Bachelors in Elementary Education. She is currently working on her Master's of Education at Webster University. She also attended Overland Christian from Preschool through 12th Grade. Suzy has taught at Overland Christian Schools for 16 years and has taught 3rd through 6th Grades. She attends Two or More Church in Overland Park. She is an aunt to 12 nieces and nephews and a great aunt to one adorable niece and two handsome nephews! She loves to spend time with her family and friends. Her favorite pastime is to curl up with a good book in her library.

Kara Gibson

My name is Kara Gibson, and this is my second year teaching for OCS. I will be teaching all Prek - 12 music classes, including band, choir, and worship team. I have been married for 10 years to Sam and we have two boys, Edmund (5) and Harold (4). We are expecting another little boy in October of 2023. I graduated with a Bachelors in Music in 2013 from MidAmerican Nazarene University, and then furthered my education by graduating from Liberty University with a Masters in Music Education in 2019. Before becoming a teacher at OCS I taught music privately for 17 years running my own music studio, and worked as a music substitute for a few local private schools. I accepted Christ into my life when I was in Kindergarten. I have grown up in the church and been a part of many church plantings here in the Kansas City area. My parents went through seminary and my dad pastored a few churches during my teenage years. I have had the great privilege of knowing God for most of my life, and have seen Him move mountains in ways that only He can. My faith has especially grown over the last few years as my husband and I fought with fertility issues, and I have seen His hand working in and through our struggles. My goals for my students is to provide a high quality music education with a worldview centered on Christ. I want my students to feel like they have learned something valuable from my classes, but have also grown in their Christian faith. I use both the Praxial and Aesthetical Educational approaches in my curriculum, because I believe that Music should be both appreciated and experienced!

Kimberly Triplett

Kimberly Triplett is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of The Art Institute with a Bachelors of Art in Graphic and Web Design. She also teaches English as a second language for two years now in her spare time. She is a published photographer who has won many awards and is the owner of iBelieve Studio. This is Kim’s fifth year teaching at Overland Christian Schools in the art department. She has two sons that attend Overland Christian and her husband who is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Army.

Michelle Dudgeon

My name is Michelle Dudgeon, and this is my first year teaching for OCS. I have been active as PTF President and other roles as a parent at OCS. I will be teaching 6th grade Bible, 7th grade History, Cultural Geography, U.S. History, and World History, and National Honor Society. I have been married for 23 years to David and we have two boys, Bryce (22) and Brody (14). I graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in 2003 in Criminal Justice-Corrections from KCKCC and then went back to college in 2017 to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice-Public Administration from Liberty University and graduated in March of 2020. This was a great accomplishment for me as this was something I wanted to finish. I am a believer in accomplishing your goals you set out for yourself. Some come easy, some take an incredible amount of time and effort, but the reward of accomplishment is always a great feeling. I accepted Christ into my life when I was in 3rd grade. As I have grown my faith in the Lord, I have been able to see all the BIG things God has done in my life. He has shown me that life is not always going to be easy, but he will provide, he will show you the right way to go, and he will never leave you. My goals for my students are to provide a true Christian path in this very secular world we live in today. I want them to understand that God’s way is the right way, even when it seems to be the hardest. We live our lives for Christ, and not for the next fad that comes along. God is forever and will never fade away!

Cheryl Carpenter

Mrs. C is a graduate of God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Bible and has a Master of Education degree from MidAmerican Nazarene University. She has taught at New Bethlehem Wesleyan School in Pennsylvania, Liberty Bible Academy in Ohio, B E Smith Family Center of Advent Health of Shawnee Mission here in Merriam and Kansas Christian College as an adjunct professor. In 2010, she was instrumental in opening the Overland Christian Preschool and Child Care Center, has taught in both its preschool and kindergarten, and is currently the part-time elementary librarian at OCS.. Mrs. C attends Overland Park Church of God (Holiness). She and her husband Harold have two children and four grandchildren.

Daniel J. Linick

My name is Daniel J. Linick, and this is my sixth year teaching at OSC. I teach all the high school English courses and Spanish electives (just me, the language guy!). I attended OCS as a student from fifth grade through my senior year and then went to Oklahoma for university. I graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2017, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education. While in school, I also tutored reading and math at Wayside Elementary in Bartlesville, OK, for grades K-5. I later student-taught in the Bartlesville Public School system. I attend Fellowship Olathe Church. I enjoy a close-knit relationship with my immediate family: my mother, father, two brothers, and sister-in-law. I grew up in the church and consider myself indebted to Christian education as a contributing factor in making me who I am today. I teach at OCS not just because I have been called here but also because it is my effort to give something back to the educational system to which I owe so much.

Katie Smith

Ms. Katie has been on staff at OCS for 5 years. She enjoyed being a preschool teacher for 4 years. This year she enjoys her new role as staff support and tutoring. She continues to further her education at Kansas Christian College, studying elementary education. In Mrs. K’s spare time she enjoys fishing and being outdoors with her family. She also enjoys being active in church ministries such as children’s church. She is happily married to her husband of seven years and is blessed with her 3 daughters, Sofia, Charlotte and Luna.

Valerie Biswell

This will be Valerie’s second year teaching at Overland Christian. She is a graduate of Kansas Christian College and worked in the Blue Valley School District for 10 years before spending the last seven years leading children’s ministry at a local church. She and her husband Curtis have been married 17 years and lived their entire adult lives in the Kansas City area. They have three children: Loralei (11), Quincy (8), and Jameson (6). Valerie enjoys spending time with her family, and wants to continually point others toward a closer relationship with Jesus.

Jovanna Gomez

Hello my name is Jovanna. I was born in Mexico and moved to the state of Oklahoma at a young age. After living there about a year we moved to Kansas. My father is a pastor, I have loved being part of church my entire life. I have worked with lots of kids growing up. It’s something I enjoy doing. My husband and I currently serve in our church as youth leaders. We have two beautiful daughters. One was born this summer. My oldest is going to be in first grade here at OCS. Their names are Adalynn and Jimenna. I look forward to working with preschoolers this semester, and cannot wait for what God has in store me.

Justin Elliston

My name is Justin Elliston, and this is my first year teaching for OCS. This year, I will teach 6th grade Bible, 9th grade Bible, 10th grade Bible, 11th grade Bible, Pre-Algebra, and ESL. My wife, Melinda, and I have been married for over three years. Although we do not have any children, we are licensed as foster parents. I hold two degrees and am working on finishing up a third. I received a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies from Indiana Wesleyan in 2019. I received a Master’s in Divinity from California University. While pursuing my educational degrees, I served in the United States Army Reserves for eight years and worked in transportation logistics. For the last year and a half, I have worked as a Children and Youth minister at a small church in Stilwell, Kansas. Earlier this year, I felt God telling me it was time for a change and time to leave that position, which led me to the opportunity I now have at Overland Christian Schools. I have been an avid church member since before even entering into this world. I came from a long line of missionaries and ministers. Even so, my relationship with Jesus did not become truly mine until later in life, and he has given me a passion for scripture. It is a joy to get the opportunity to teach the youth.

Cherie Green

Cherie is a first year teacher! She will be teaching 3rd Grade at Overland Christian. She attended Kansas Christian College for Elementary Education. She has spent the last year and a half leading 3-11 year old ministry at The Light KC Chuch. And she attends 2orMore Church in Overland Park, Kansas. Outside of OCS Cherie spends her free time kayaking with her fiancé, Thiago, reading a good book, or watching TV shows! She played softball from age 8 until her college graduation, and she is a big fan of volleyball and basketball season! You will definitely see her cheering on the Eagles!

Patti Velazquez

This is Patti’s first year back at Overland Christian. She attended Hobe Sound Bible College and received a bachelor's in music education. Patti also received a bachelor’s in elementary education from Kansas Christian College. Patti has previously taught at Overland Christian for 20 years in various capacities. She is attending Clarksburg Church of God Holiness where she is the pianist. Patti will be teaching history subjects in high school. She has one son, Matthew (Salma) and a grandson, Benjamin. Patti loves teaching and ministering to children. She loves, music, crocheting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Kaytlynn Sprowl

Ms. Kaytlynn is enjoying her first year teaching in 4th grade. While this is her first year in her own classroom, you may have seen her helping out around the preschool, or teaching music, art, and P.E. for the past couple of years. Kaytlynn graduated with her B.A. in Elementary Education in May of 2022. She has always had a passion for children, from volunteering, to babysitting, to being a counselor at Harmony Hill Kid's Kamp. She is a member at New Journey Church of God Holiness in Belton, MO and serves on the worship team, as an assistant youth pastor, and as a children's ministry worker. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, watching Disney movies, and writing. She feels extremely blessed and ready to continue in educating young minds.

Ashley Williams

This is Ashley’s second year teaching at Overland Christian. She attended Kansas Christian College taking Leadership and Ministry courses. Ashley has spent three years as a leader in high school ministry and spent the previous five years leading preschool/elementary ministry. She attends 2 Or More Church in Overland Park, Kansas. Ashley teaches high school Math and a few Science classes. She and her husband, Chris, have four children: Christopher (16), Grey (11), Colten (8), Nolen (5). Ashley has a passion for youth ministry and discipleship. She loves art, pranks, crocheting, reading, cars, and lake life. Ashley’s favorite season is baseball, football, and soccer, where she can cheer on her four boys.