Kim Barber – Director & Lower Elementary Teacher
Kim served as both a teacher and, later as E-Kids Coordinator, for Emerge Church from 2015 – 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of North Texas. She holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Penn State University as well as a Director’s Credential. While working on her second Master’s program at Penn State, she had to imagine a program where she would be the director, designing an entire portfolio about the program she was envisioning. It was at that time that the idea for a school at Emerge began. Kim is excited for the future of Emerge Academy and is looking forward to the positive impact it will have on our local community. Kim has four children and lives with her husband Craig in Hanover.
Renatta Brice – Upper Elementary/Middle School Teacher
Renatta Jones-Brice (Mrs. Brice) was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. She recently moved to Hanover, PA with her family. She is a dedicated mother, minister, educator and wife.
Mrs. Brice currently holds an Associates of Arts in Business along with a Bachelor and Master of Science in Psychology. She began her teaching career with National Heritage Academies in 2011 as a substitute teacher and has since worked as an intervention & special education paraprofessional, tutor, coach and most recently classroom teacher. She has a passion for differentiated learning as well as assisting at-risk youth and families in achieving academic and life skills success. She truly believes that even though every child learns differently, every child can learn.
In addition to Renatta’s educational accomplishments and ministerial endeavors, she is a published author and poet. In 2020 she released her first children’s book entitled, “The Easter Skunk.” She has been blessed to travel to several African countries and Paris, France. Her favorite hobbies include reading, gardening, playing board games and going for walks.
Jamie Taylor – Upper Elementary/Middle School Teacher
From the construction site to the classroom, Jamie Taylor’s journey reflects a lifelong connection to Northern Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania, where he has lived since his Baltimore birth. Armed with a Business Administration and Accounting degree from Mt. Saint Mary’s University, Jamie spent years building a career in the construction industry. However, a growing involvement with Emerge Church and a deep-seated desire to teach, honed through years of coaching, led him to ECA. He is thrilled to dedicate his energy to helping children learn and develop. In his leisure time, Jamie enjoys golf, lacrosse with his son Jimmie, cherished family time with his wife Kristen, his amazing children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. In his spare time he is exploring his artistic talents in colored pencil, with hopes of sharing his work in the Hanover community.
Sammantha Cooke – Administrative Assistant
Sammantha Cooke was born in San Diego, California, and grew up in Pennsylvania. She is a licensed pastor and has worked for Emerge Church since 2022. She has been involved in various roles that have allowed her to learn extensively over the years. Sammantha is passionate about acquiring new skills and supporting the needs of those she serves. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, running, practicing MMA, creating various projects, and discovering new hobbies.
Sammantha is a hands-on learner. Piano was the first instrument she learned when she was 8 years old. Since then, worship has always been an important part of her life and continues to be her favorite way to spend time with the Lord. Sammantha’s hope and prayer for all the students and families is for them to know and love Jesus; He is so kind.
Kelly Simpson – Transitional Kindergarten
Kelly is a cum laude graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s University, holding a degree in Fine Arts
with a concentration in theater, and a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she
worked at a radio station where she managed commercial traffic, was an on-air show host, and
assisted with on-site promotional events.
After the radio station sold, she started working at a large financial institution. She was quickly
encouraged to apply for their leadership development program. Once she completed the
program, she went on to complete a leadership program through the local chamber of
commerce that focused on service leadership. Kelly was passionate about helping people find
financial success through individual lending and counseling as well as leading group seminars
on financial wellness. She was on a fast track for growth within the organization.
In 2011, Kelly’s career path made an abrupt and unexpected detour to stay-at-home
motherhood after the birth of her first child, Delainie, who was born with a rare genetic condition.
After four beautiful years, Delainie was called to Heaven. With a sense of loss of what to do
next, Kelly briefly re-entered the financial industry. But, in 2017 her daughter, Piper, was born!
With her second child and COVID, life changed dramatically. And so did Kelly! She decided not
to return to the workforce. The family bought a home with a little land and Kelly followed a lofty
dream she’d had for years–living on a farmette. They now have goats and chickens, flower and
vegetable gardens, and a small budding orchard.
Kelly’s decision to homeschool Piper was something she never intended. Her decision was
driven by a desire to provide safe, inclusive learning opportunities for Piper; while encouraging
Piper’s independence and facilitating meaningful peer interactions and relationships. She began
assisting and teaching in co-ops, and coaching soccer! And, upon enrolling Piper in ECA, Kelly
volunteered to assist with lunch and recess, and anything else that was needed! Piper thrived
with the combination of group classroom instruction and homebased instruction.
While at ECA Kelly discovered MAE. She was slowly drawn into a group of women who love
Jesus and support each other in this wild journey of motherhood. Those women, softly, yet
intentionally, guided her in a new connection and relationship with Jesus. With her desire to get
closer to Jesus, she began to learn to listen for His will rather than her own. This spring, she felt
a surprisingly strong pull to fulfill a purpose–teaching and leading a classroom of students. Kelly
is loving this journey and is very excited to see what is in store for her and her students this
year. God is so, so good!
with a concentration in theater, and a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she
worked at a radio station where she managed commercial traffic, was an on-air show host, and
assisted with on-site promotional events.
After the radio station sold, she started working at a large financial institution. She was quickly
encouraged to apply for their leadership development program. Once she completed the
program, she went on to complete a leadership program through the local chamber of
commerce that focused on service leadership. Kelly was passionate about helping people find
financial success through individual lending and counseling as well as leading group seminars
on financial wellness. She was on a fast track for growth within the organization.
In 2011, Kelly’s career path made an abrupt and unexpected detour to stay-at-home
motherhood after the birth of her first child, Delainie, who was born with a rare genetic condition.
After four beautiful years, Delainie was called to Heaven. With a sense of loss of what to do
next, Kelly briefly re-entered the financial industry. But, in 2017 her daughter, Piper, was born!
With her second child and COVID, life changed dramatically. And so did Kelly! She decided not
to return to the workforce. The family bought a home with a little land and Kelly followed a lofty
dream she’d had for years–living on a farmette. They now have goats and chickens, flower and
vegetable gardens, and a small budding orchard.
Kelly’s decision to homeschool Piper was something she never intended. Her decision was
driven by a desire to provide safe, inclusive learning opportunities for Piper; while encouraging
Piper’s independence and facilitating meaningful peer interactions and relationships. She began
assisting and teaching in co-ops, and coaching soccer! And, upon enrolling Piper in ECA, Kelly
volunteered to assist with lunch and recess, and anything else that was needed! Piper thrived
with the combination of group classroom instruction and homebased instruction.
While at ECA Kelly discovered MAE. She was slowly drawn into a group of women who love
Jesus and support each other in this wild journey of motherhood. Those women, softly, yet
intentionally, guided her in a new connection and relationship with Jesus. With her desire to get
closer to Jesus, she began to learn to listen for His will rather than her own. This spring, she felt
a surprisingly strong pull to fulfill a purpose–teaching and leading a classroom of students. Kelly
is loving this journey and is very excited to see what is in store for her and her students this
year. God is so, so good!
Jeff Toal – Volunteer
Jeff currently volunteers in our Kindergarten and First grade hybrid classroom. He is a member of Emerge Church and regularly volunteers for the Sunday School program. He has added so much to the program through his musical talent and love for the children.
