Meet our Staff and Board of Directors

We’re a tight-knit team with a deep passion for language education. Our mission is to increase literacy for all children and adults by using THE SPALDING METHOD® to develop skilled readers, critical listeners, and accomplished writers and spellers.

Spalding Staff

Dr. Rebekah Baker

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Rebekah Baker is a distinguished educator with a long-standing commitment to Spalding schools, where she has been an integral part of the educational community since 2005.

With a wealth of experience spanning nearly two decades, she has held various key positions within the educational landscape, from classroom teacher to site administrator and district-level administration. Most recently serving as a Deputy Superintendent and Director of Compliance since 2019, she continues to demonstrate a keen understanding of educational policies and practices while spearheading initiatives to ensure organizational compliance and excellence.

In addition to her administrative roles, Dr. Baker shares her expertise with future educational leaders as an Adjunct Professor, a position she has held since 2014, enriching the academic landscape with her insights and experience.

Throughout her career, she has exemplified a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and student-centered leadership, making a lasting impact on the Spalding school community and beyond.  

Dr. Rebekah Baker holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University, a Master of Education degree from Northern Arizona University, and a Doctor of Education degree also from Northern Arizona University

kerri porter

Kerri Porter

Chief Financial Officer

Kerri joined the Spalding team in Feb. 2014 working in the business and financial area. Kerri has worked with many Arizona schools in assisting them in the business management area for over 25 years. Kerri has experience in creating budgets, cash flow projections, and assisting in strategic financial planning and analyzing company financials.

Kerri attended GCC, Mira Costa College and The University of Arizona and continues to maintain current business practices by joining webinars and business courses on nonprofit accounting and auditing in order to maintain current and fiscally sound financials.

mckenzie hawkins

McKenzie Hawkins

Co-Chief of Operations

McKenzie has been implementing Spalding for over twenty years. She has more than ten years of experience as an elementary school teacher and academic coach, and she has been working in the curriculum department of Spalding Education International for ten years.

McKenzie has been a Spalding Certified Teacher Instructor and Executive Trainer for thirteen years and has been teaching Spalding courses for thirteen years as well.

McKenzie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, and a Master of Arts degree in Multiple Subjects Education from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

kia spilsbury

Kia Spilsbury

Co-Chief of Operations

Kia began teaching Spalding in 2000. She has 17 years of classroom experience implementing Spalding as an elementary teacher and academic coach. She has been working full time for Spalding since 2017.

Kia was certified as Spalding Certified Teacher Instructor in 2013 and an Executive Trainer in 2015. She enjoys teaching courses and coaching teachers new to implementing The Writing Road to Reading program.

Kia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University.

Spalding Staff Bio Pic Angel

Angel Mayes

Outreach/Marketing Specialist

Angel Mayes began teaching Spalding in 2012. She has over a decade of classroom experience implementing Spalding as an elementary teacher in grades 1-6 and as a school administrator. She has been working full time for Spalding since 2024.

Angel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Ottawa University. Areas of concentration and endorsement include Middle Grades Language Arts, English as a Second Language, and School Leadership.

As an Arizona native, Angel enjoys all outdoor activities, such as: hiking, camping, and swimming. Coaching swim programs, volunteering with youth organizations, and serving at a local non-profit coffee shop are her interests.  

kelli adams

Kelli Adams

Education Specialist

Kelli has more than 10 years of experience as a middle school and elementary school teacher. She is the mother of 5 children who all have attended a Spalding Accredited School allowing her to be involved with Spalding either as a parent or teacher for 16 years.

Throughout her career, Kelli served as a district mentor teacher for four years as well as a campus lead teacher for six years at Benjamin Franklin Charter School. She was a Spalding Certified Teacher for four years before becoming a Spalding Certified Teacher Instructor and Executive Trainer.

Kelli holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University.

chris kalmbach

Chris Kalmbach

Education/Business Services Specialist

Chris joined the Spalding team in August 2021. He previously spent seven years as an elementary school teacher in Las Vegas, including three years teaching THE SPALDING METHOD®.
When Chris is not at the Spalding office, he enjoys going to concerts, watching the Suns and Diamondbacks, and spending time with his family, friends, and pet Chihuahua.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Central Washington University, and a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Phoenix.

carol lewis

Carol Lewis

Business Services Specialist

Carol joined the Spalding team in October of 2020 and has over 30 years of experience managing her own business with her husband and provides customer service and data management, she is methodical and likes to keep things simple, develop routines and has a place for everything and puts everything in its place. When Carol is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring back road trails in her all-terrain vehicle.

tracy lewis

Tracy Lewis

IT Specialist

Tracy has been in the Information Technology field for over 35 years and has a strong knowledge of network topologies and protocols, Tracy joined the Spalding team as an IT Specialist in early 2014 and continues to provide the best possible IT solutions for the company. When Tracy is not working, he enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle in the pines. Tracy holds a degree in Computer Science from Arizona State University and stays current with the latest technologies.

Spalding Board Members

ron sipus

Dr. Ron Sipus

President of the Board

jim north

Jim North

Board Member

linda ash

Linda Ash

Board Member

allen nahrwold

Allen Nahrwold

Board Member

jarred muller

Jarred Muller

Secretary

susan toohey

Dr. Susan Toohey

Board Member