Our Team

Kerri Barrett joins the Central Office team as an Area Superintendent. She is responsible for supporting our Montessori model schools. Kerri earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Michigan. A year later, she joined the Choice family at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science as a high school social studies teacher. While teaching, she earned her master’s at Michigan State University in educational leadership. In October of 2012, she was given the opportunity to lead the elementary at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.  Kerri is eager to partner with school leaders and boards to achieve their visions for their schools. Kerri lives in the West Michigan area with her husband Colin and their two beautiful children.

Ali Dubois joins the Central Office team as an Area Superintendent supporting our Environmental model schools! Ali comes to us from Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change where she served as the School Principal for 6 years. Ali was instrumental in growing the school as well as improving their test scores. Because of the MMAEC team’s efforts, the school is one of the highest-ranking schools in Muskegon County! Ali is a two-time Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year finalist. 

Ross Hinkle is our Chief School Finance and Operations Officer. Ross oversees school finance, operations, safety and facilities. Ross recently served a local school district as Executive Director of Finance and Operations, and earned his Bachelor's degree in Accounting Information Management and a Master's in Business Administration from Davenport University. He played hockey at Davenport and loves to camp, travel and experience new things with his wife and two kids. He is excited to join the Choice Schools family and has a personal mission to make a difference in our communities.

Laura Moellering has spent nearly all of her career in education working in charter schools. She started her career with Choice in May of 2017. Starting her journey as a High School English and Psychology teacher, she moved into leadership roles first as a Curriculum Director and then as a charter High School Principal. After that, Laura moved to a Central Office position where she oversaw curriculum and instruction and mentored school leaders within a diverse portfolio of charter schools. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Eastern Michigan University, and it was during her master’s program in Curriculum and Instruction that Laura truly came to appreciate the opportunity that charter schools presented for students and families who desired a different educational experience. Laura finds great satisfaction in designing programs that met student’s educational and emotional needs. She is excited to be with Choice where she is able to be part of a community that genuinely respects families and believes in every student’s ability to achieve at high levels. When she isn’t engaged in work, she can be found on Lake Michigan, ideally with one of her three daughters, or curled up with a good book or podcast.

Kristin joined the Choice Team with a background in teaching. In 2004, she was a Kindergarten Aide with West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, and then took a teaching position at the Academy and then taught for eight years. In 2013, Kristin became Choice’s Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, and in June of 2022 she became Senior Director of of Academic Excellence and Environmental Education. Her role involves multiple facets of curriculum: Oversight of the mentoring program, author and oversight of the Character Choices program, oversight of all of the preschool programs (both tuition and Great Start Readiness Program), supports and sets up training for curriculum, and compliance oversight of the Teacher and Administrator Evaluation system. Kristin graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. Kristin and her husband have been married for over 14 years and have two blissfully beautiful children. Her family is very involved in their church and loves to spend time with family and friends. She enjoys taking her family to different parks, traveling, and visiting exciting places. It is always a learning moment in the Molyneux household.

Sara Mooney joined Choice Schools Associates in July 2018 as the Chief Communications and Development Officer. In this role, she oversees central office communications, marketing, development and strategic planning. Sara comes to us from Davenport University where she was the assistant director of alumni communications and development. Prior to Davenport, she was at Van Andel Institute, where, as an intern in 2008, she established the grassroots fundraising program ‘Purple Community,’ which empowers individuals to raise awareness and money for cancer and Parkinson’s disease research. Sara earned her master’s degree in business administration and her bachelor’s degree in business administration in international business and sports management from Davenport University. She is in the process of completing her second master’s degree in education with an emphasis in adult learning and higher education at Grand Valley State University. She was a recipient of the 2014 Davenport University Outstanding Young Alumni award. In her free time, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, and her dog Woody.

Kurt has lived a life of serving kids in charter schools. He started his career teaching in 2001 at a charter school in Big Rapids. After serving as a middle school and high school math teacher and a K-8 principal and executive director, he has come to Choice with an enthusiasm to lead our classical schools. He has joined our area superintendents team starting in July of 2019. He received his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and his masters from Jones International University. In Kurt's spare time, he loves spending time with his wife Kathy and 2 sons (both of whom are attending WMAES).

Bio Coming Soon!

Caryn joined the Choice Schools family in March of 2017. She comes to us from the non-profit sector. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Kuyper College. She previously worked as a teacher and administrative assistant in an early childhood center where her love for helping children grow and develop flourished. She enjoys working for Choice because of their strong core values and vision to see each and every child succeed. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family and two dogs. She loves DIY projects, traveling, and exploring her city.

Sarah VanderBaan started with Choice as the Special Education Supervisor and is now the Senior Director of Specially Designed Instruction and Student Services. Previously, Sarah was at National Heritage Academies as a middle school Resource Program Teacher and West Michigan Special Education Content Leader. She also worked for Benton Harbor Area Schools and Wyoming Public Schools. Her teaching experience includes early childhood through high school general education and special education. Sarah received her bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College in Learning Disabilities and Early Childhood Education. Sarah received her Master’s degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from Grand Valley State University. Sarah also received her Educational Leadership-Special Education Administrator endorsement from Grand Valley State University. Sarah lived in Hong Kong for three years and taught at The American School there. She has traveled all over Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Free time for Sarah includes traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family relaxing in Northern Michigan. West Michigan is where Sarah calls home. Volunteering is important to Sarah as she serves on the Executive Board of Family Hope Foundation. Sarah is excited to work at Choice and collaborate with general education and special education staff to meet the needs of all students.

Sarah joined Choice Schools Associates in 2001 as the Director of Human Resources and transitioned to the executive leadership team as Vice President in 2013. Sarah stepped into the role of CEO in 2017 where her main role is to keep the company focused on the culture and values that have given Choice Schools a strong track record of success. She moved to the position of President in 2021, and now oversees all function areas within Choice Schools Associates. Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the School of Education and Human Development at Brenau University and completed her Master's degree from the School of Business at Michigan State University.