Meet Our Staff

Champions For Children

 

Staff Members:


Kristin Omo, B.S., ECI-EIS
Child Development Specialist
Kristin is a Professional Trainer and Child Development Specialist with Champions for Children. In addition to providing training, she assesses children for behavior and learning challenges and works with parents, directors and teachers to develop intervention plans for the success of the child. She received her B.S. from UTEP in Pre-Clinical Lab Science. She is a licensed Nurturing Pathways® Instructor and a licensed Brain Gym® Instructor/Consultant. She teaches the Child Development Associates class and is an adjunct professor for Tyler Junior College. She is a certified Go Napsacc TA and a train the trainer for ASQ3 and ASQ-SE. She has worked as a pre-school teacher, a certified PAT Parent Educator for TISD for the Teen moms and as an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist for ECI. Kristin is a published researcher and assisted with both the development of Champions' All Ready to Learn and the Social/Emotional curriculums.
Becky Swindall, M.S., CHES
Child Development Specialist

Becky is a Professional Trainer and Child Development Specialist with Champions for Children. In addition to providing training, she assesses children for behavior and learning challenges and works with parents, directors and teachers to develop intervention plans for the success of the child. Becky received her M.S. from UT Tyler in Health Sciences and obtained her Certified Health Educator Specialist credentials from NCHEC. Becky has worked as an early childhood educator for 23 years. She has experience in teaching birth through twelve year olds, as well as music, physical education and drama. For 9 years she was the director of a licensed child care center followed by another 9 years as the owner of a licensed child care home. She is a Professional Developmental Specialist for the CDA Council for Professional Recognition. Becky understands the importance of the early childhood years and works towards building a better childhood through education opportunities for children, parents, caregivers and educators. Because children matter!

Alicia Zavala
Family Care Coordinator

Alicia was born/raised here in Tyler and received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Studies from the University of Texas at Tyler. She also obtained her Certified Health Educator Specialist credentials from NCHEC and is CHES certified. Alicia’s love of working with children started at a young age with teaching nursery and preschool age children at her local church. She was also a preschool teacher at a local preschool for many years with experience with children 18 months to 5 years old. She understands how important early childhood development is in laying a strong and healthy foundation for children’s future. Alicia is excited to be working with Champions for Children to help set that foundation for young children to make a difference in their lives. Because Children matter!

Andria Horton, M.A., NMC
Executive Director

Andria Horton has been working in the area of community outreach since 2001, primarily serving in Tyler, TX. After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University with a BA in Biblical Studies and Sociology, she returned to East Texas (having grown up in Longview) and spent the next 17 years serving in Local Missions for Green Acres Baptist Church, where she developed a local multi-housing ministry, served in various community outreach efforts, and helped plan and coordinate both local and international missions. During this time, Andria completed a Master of Arts degree in Ministry-Based Evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In September 2019, Andria joined Champions for Children as the Director of Development and completed a Certificate in Non-Profit Management in 2020. In 2021, Andria began serving as Executive Director of Champions for Children, where she is passionate about preparing the next generation to be strong leaders and making Smith County a safe and nurturing community for children to grow and learn.

Jan Johnson (JJ)
Front Office Manager

JJ is Champion's front office manager. She assists with the website, calendar schedules, mailings, conference registrations and curriculum sales.  She also helps with our Resource Room and Lending Library.  JJ received her Child Development Associate credential from the Council for Professional Recognition and has over 31 years working in the child care field.

JJ has served as a Director, Assistant Director and Preschool teacher of all ages during that time. She has worked with children in her church as the Children’s Coordinator. She has also served as Vacation Bible School Director and as a Children’s Discipleship Training teacher.   JJ believes if a child is taught the basic essentials for development of life at a very young age, they will be able to conquer any obstacle throughout their life and succeed.

Julee Renfroe
Autism Education and Resources
Kira Smith
Medical Billing Specialist

Kira completed the Medical Coding Professional Program at Tyler Junior College and has 16 years of medical billing experience. She has experience with billing and collections for Home Health, Dermatology, and Urgent Care. Kira also currently serves as the church secretary at her church. Kira is excited about joining the Champions for Children’s team. She believes that every child deserves the opportunity to be great!

Michelle Kenyon
Director of Development

Michelle Kenyon has had the privilege to work with children of all ages, beginning with young children in 1997 as a pre-school teacher and as a Special Education Assistant at a local school district in East Texas. Her career then transitioned to school photography where she was in management and sales. In 2016 she began working in the Children's Ministry at Marvin UMC and Pollard UMC, while working in the Children’s ministry she worked on various mission projects with children and families.in Tyler and the surrounding counties. In 2019, she spearheaded the sports zone at City Fest, in downtown Tyler. Michelle studied journalism and photography at Troy State University, Women in Leadership, and Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Certifications and Continuing Education include; Ethics and Boundry Issues, Diversity and Inclusion, Foster Care, and Kinship Writing. She has had the opportunity to be a Docent at the Tyler Museum of Art and volunteer for several local charities in East Texas. Working for an upstanding organization such as Champions for Children is such an honor to Michelle and she is incredibly excited to be a part of the growth and development of Champions.

Rachel Ashcraft, B.S.
Director of Marketing

Rachel helps to ensure the continued success of the specialized programs to help children succeed through her marketing and graphic design skills. She has been working with nonprofits since 1997 in various capacities including marketing, public relations, grants, special events, graphic design, and donor/volunteer recruitment. She has a BS in journalism and an AA in commercial art. Rachel believes that early intervention is key for special needs children. Rachel’s goal is to spread the word about Champions for Children’s mission and the importance of its great programs.

Sarah Moore
Operations Manager

Sarah has a BA in Sociology with an emphasis on family and marriage dynamics from Arizona State University. She has a varied professional background to include adult mental health case management, foster care case management, college administration and merchandising/retail. A native of Tempe, Arizona, Sarah has lived in the Tyler area since 2009 and now feels like a local. Sarah is a strong believer in the ability of education and lifelong learning of all kinds to improve one's life and provide personal fulfillment. Champions for Children provides a place to help those early educators to establish the foundation for children to reach their potentials. She is excited to be able to be a part of this organization in being successful with its mission and goals by supporting all those involved inside and outside of Champions.

Mission

Champions for Children empowers children to reach their full potential by providing education, mentoring, tools, and support to caregivers, teachers, and families.

Our Goals

  • Promotion of healthy caregiver relationships
  • Prevention of adverse childhood experiences
  • Intervention as needed
Learn More AboutChampions For Children

Upcoming Events for
Childcare Providers

April 2024
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Upcoming Events for
Parents and Guardians

April 2024
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