Patty Cridland

FCA Director

Patty@ncftoday.com

Patty Cridland has an Associates Degree in Child Development and a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education from the University of Idaho. She was an Early Childhood Special Education Preschool teacher in Idaho for two years before the military moved her family here in 2015. In the Fall of 2017, she began teaching at Little Promises. She enjoyed working, learning, and growing with New Covenant Fellowship's preschool ministry and is excited to help FCA grow in their mission. 

Patty is a military spouse and lives near Vass with her husband and two children: Lila and Oliver. Patty's daughter enjoys learning at FCA and her son is loving growing in the Lord at Little Promises Preschool. She is eager and thrilled to begin using her training and experience at the elementary level to support the teachers, parents, and students.

Alexa Gearhart

FCA Admissions Director

Admissions@ncftoday.com

Alexa Gearhart has served in many roles at FCA and Little Promises Preschool in the last six years. From teaching in the preschool, to directing our schools, to teaching Bible and Art, our community has kept her busy and given her a heart that is passionate for Christian Education and Discipleship.  Her background is in Elementary and Special Education with a Bachelor's degree from Messiah College in 2013.

 Most recently Alexa has transitioned into the role of Admissions and Advertising for our schools, as she moved to Aberdeen where she supports her husband’s role in ministry and is raising her two daughters.  She is part of the church family here at NCF and is looking forward to getting your family connected to FCA.

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Kriste Howerton

Kindergarten Teacher

Kriste@ncftoday.com

Lorin Brown

First Grade Teacher

Lorin@ncftoday.com

Kriste has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. She also has special education certification in the areas of learning disabilities and behavior disorders from University of Kansas. Kriste taught K-5 special education in Kansas City, KS and 6th grade reading in Killeen, TX, before coming to FCA.  

Kriste is a military spouse, and moved to North Carolina spring of 2018. She lives near FCA with her husband, and three children: Kayla, Carter, Makenna. Kriste’s family stays active at New Covenant Fellowship, and with Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. In her free time Kriste enjoys gardening, reading, the great outdoors and helping her children with their many activities. Kriste is looking forward to a busy, fun filled year ahead with our Kindergarten eaglets.

Lorin Brown led our first two kindergarten classes to success and then was promoted to first grade.  She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Wilmington and a Master's Degree in Technology from Lesley University. Lorin taught eight years in the public education system, and one year at our very own preschool, Little Promises before joining us at FCA!  

Lorin lives in Cameron with her husband and two daughters.  The Brown family has been attending New Covenant Fellowship for eleven years now, and Lorin loves the fact that it is also her place of work. Lorin is greatly enjoying teaching our eaglets in first grade. Go eagles!

Katie Baumgardner

Second Grade Teacher

Katie@ncftoday.com

Patricia Coble

Third & Fourth Grade Teacher

Patricia@ncftoday.com

Katie Baumgardner is so excited to join FCA this year as our 2nd grade teacher! She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Katie is coming to us from a Christian Preschool in Southern Pines and is eager to grow her faith, passion, and knowledge here at FCA!

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Katie lives in Vass with her husband and three children, Lily, Jackson, and Connor. They are a military family who moved here 4 years ago from Colorado.  They have fallen in love with Moore County and love to visit the beach and soak in all of God’s beautiful creations here in North Carolina! In her free time, Katie enjoys coffee on her front porch, reading, taking walks, and spending time with her family. She feels blessed to be joining the FCA team!

Patricia Coble is a career educator who comes to FCA with a background in teaching English, algebra and Bible to both elementary and high school students. She has a B.R.E. with a major in Christian Education from Foundations Bible College, and an international certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the Caledonia Language School in Prague, Czech Republic. She has experience in curriculum development and is a published author of a book of short stories.

Patricia was born and reared in South Africa where her parents were missionaries, and she has fond memories of many happy days spent in the churches and classrooms where her parents were teachers. She attended a British high school in Pretoria before coming to the United Stated to further her education. "Here at FCA, I immediately felt a connection with the spirit of building and growing God's Kingdom. I love the excitement of knowing children are being taught not only the skills to succeed in life, but also the eternal truths of God's Word that will anchor them and guide them on the right path."

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   Patricia and her husband Stephen, a retired school administrator who currently teaches history in Chatham County, live in Sanford and have three adult children, all of whom are Christian school graduates.

Jessica Diver

Classroom Assistant

Jessica Diver is overjoyed to join FCA as our floating classroom Assistant and teach FCA's Missions Special. Jessica was a substitute teacher for Moore County Schools for the past three years and this last year was a teacher's assistant at Little Promises Preschool.  She loves baking in the kitchen and spending time with family.  Jessica believes it is going to be a great year of growing and serving together.

Be Inspired