Kimberly Seipel-Parks
YVCS – Administrator and Teacher
Kimberly Seipel-Parks was raised in Elkin. She received her BFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design and then worked in marketing and brand development for 15 years. While living in Beaufort, South Carolina, she also taught photography classes at USC-Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry. In 2015, with the help of many talented community members, she founded the Yadkin Valley Community School. Kimberly is married to Joe Seipel-Parks, an architect. Together they have three boys, Josh, Henry and Eli as well as a goofy dog named Lola.

M. Beth Shaw
PricewaterhouseCoopers/PRTM Management Consultants – retired Partner
Beth Shaw worked in the biotech and medical device industry for 20 years, advising companies on strategy and operations, and holds degrees from M.I.T. in engineering and business. She is now retired and spending time with her children and in the community. She has experienced three school districts and nearly 30 teachers for her children and is excited to bring these varied experiences to bear in designing the YVCS experience. Beth grew up in Illinois, lived on both coasts and in Europe as an adult, and has now been in Elkin for three years. She lives with her husband and their school-aged children Cameron, Leah, Dana, and Jesse.

Lani Cook
Lani Cook is a former elementary school teacher with the Wilkes County school system. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. The majority of her time in the classroom was spent teaching kindergarten. She recently resigned from teaching to focus more on her family and to assist her husband with his business in North Wilkesboro. Lani and her family have been a part of YVCS since enrolling their daughter the opening year. Lani enjoys riding her mountain bike, kayaking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Crystal Artis
First Baptist Church Preschool – Lead Teacher
Crystal Artis holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology. Her experience working with children began in 1998 when she served on the Children’s Department Staff of the Wayne County Public Library. For 10 years, she enjoyed working at the library, promoting early literacy. After the births of her own children and spending time with them at home, she began working at the First Baptist Church Preschool in 2013. She is currently the lead teacher in the two year old class. Crystal also began an after-school tutoring lounge in 2016. There she finds it gratifying to witness children grow and increase their skills.