Lori Rice – President
Lori Rice has over 14 years of experience in the classroom and is excited about joining the YVCS board for the second time!   After receiving a Masters Degree in Gifted Education from Converse College and a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Presbyterian College ,and an Early Childhood Credential, she began her work in the classroom, teaching all disciplines to elementary students and teaching middle school Language and Biology.  When her own son began kindergarten, she decided to make the Montessori transition. Both of her children attended the Montessori school where Lori taught.  While holding a Primary, Lower El , and Upper Elementary Montessori Diploma, Lori continues to pursue her passion for education by training teachers and taking new training herself all of the time to keep her updated on new educational research based ideas on learning.

Whether directing a preschool program, teaching parents in Parents As Teachers, or teaching migrant children in Shanghai, China, Lori enjoys creatively getting information presented to  her students or adult learners.  That creativity also finds expression when participating in local theater productions or an Escape the Room with her kids.  Her hidden talent is being given a word and being able to sing a few bars of a song with that word in it.  Word suggestions are welcome!

Heather Macy – Vice President
Hugh Chatham Health Auxiliary Thrift Shop
Heather Macy has a heart for service and leadership in our community. She has served as Executive Director for Tri-C, volunteered with Jonesville Public Library and spent countless hours helping YVCS. Heather also served as a volunteer firefighter. When not at work or giving her time to support the community, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, Keith, her children and her beautiful new grandchild.

Crystal Artis – Secretary
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.

Krystle Stamps – Treasurer

Krystle grew up in North Raleigh and attended college in Winston-Salem at the UNC School of the Arts, where she met her husband. After graduation, her career took her to Florida, where she worked at The Walt Disney Company’s costume shop, patterning costumes for park entertainment shows. This role evolved into a position with Walt Disney Imagineering, where she managed the creation of new walk-around characters for all Disney parks and locations globally for 12 years.

In 2013, Krystle and her husband, Jeremy, were married in Elkin, a place they frequently visited to escape the hustle and bustle of Florida. Feeling homesick for North Carolina, they relocated to Elkin in 2017 and chose it as their new home. After opening a small business and experiencing the challenges of managing business finances, Krystle returned to school to study accounting/bookkeeping. Her goal is to help other small businesses focus on what they love, without the added stress of financial management. When not supporting the family business or working on financials, Krystle can often be found on Saturday mornings at the Elkin Farmers Market with one of her two Newfoundland dogs.

Kimberly Seipel-Parks
YVCS – Head of School 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 and a goofy dog named Lola.