Staff Archive - Choice Schools

Jacob Allen

Department: Human Resources, Payroll & Benefits

Joining the Choice Finance team in 2013, Jacob lends his expertise as Director of Payroll. He works closely with the finance department, implements/works on the SDS software, and assists our new Choice employees with any payroll needs. Jacob also assists finance and payroll with special projects, and is committed to perfecting audits for Choice Schools and its Academies.

Jacob graduated from Central Michigan University, receiving his B.S. in Business Administration and Economic Theory. A former U.S. Marine, he enjoys spending his time outdoors kayaking, hunting, and gardening. He also spends time on the weekends working on his family’s tree farm in Lake Isabella.

Kerri Barrett

Department: Area Superintendents, Executive Leadership

Position: Area Superintendent

Kerri Barrett is with the Central Office team as an Area Superintendent of 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 school 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.

Matt Bazen

Department: Human Resources

Position: Chief Human Resources Officer

Matt Bazen is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Choice Schools. Matt has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Human Resources and has held many diverse roles in Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, and, most recently, Director of the HR Business Partner Team. He holds a management degree from Grand Valley State University and earned his MBA at Western Michigan University. Additionally, he teaches a management class at GVSU, a role he’s enjoyed since 2018.

Outside of work, he and his wife, Katelynn, have four amazing children who keep them happily occupied. His family enjoys spending time near the water or at the beach, engaging in activities like boating, paddle boarding, and simply relaxing shoreside. As a hockey-loving clan, he also cherishes time on the ice. Last but not least, they share their home with Toby, their beloved 10-year-old Great Dane.

Brian Beaudrie

Department: Finance & Operations

Position: Director of School Finance

Brian Beaudrie is the Director of School Finance at Choice Schools Associates. He has been a member of the Choice family since 2014. Prior to joining Choice Schools, Brian worked with charter schools as an auditor and finance director. Brian graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in accounting. He became a CPA in 2003.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, volunteering in his community, playing golf and watching sports, especially football.

Jessica Carey

Department: Academic Excellence Team

Position: Academic Excellence Support Specialist

Jessica works at Choice Schools Associates as the Administrative Assistant for the Academic Excellence Team. Jessica has years of administrative experience in the finance, higher education, and technology sectors. Prior to Choice, Jessica worked at Grand Valley State University, providing administrative support to planned giving, endowments, scholarships, and major gifts.

Abby Cervone

Department: Human Resources

Position: HR Generalist

Abby joined Choice Schools Associates in 2021 as a Human Resources Generalist. She came to us from another large charter school company, where she worked as a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant. Abby received her Bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in Human Resources Management with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

She has worked in the education industry of HR for over five years and truly enjoys having a positive impact on our employees and students. Abby enjoys cooking, golfing, and spending time with her husband and two dogs Niko and Nora!

Kristen Crawford

Department: Academic Excellence Team

Position: Environmental and Montessori Model Behavior Intervention Director

Kristen joined the Choice Schools family in January 2020 as the Assistant Principal at New Branches Charter Academy and transitioned into her current role in August of 2023. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Liberty University, her Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Southern Wesleyan University, and is currently finishing up her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Prior to coming to Choice, she served at Success Virtual Learning Centers, opening and running learning centers in Grand Rapids and Lansing. Her transition to leadership came after a decade of teaching Health and Physical Education in both private and public schools. Kristen has a great passion for finding ways to support, engage, and meet the unique needs of all students so that they can grow to their greatest potential.

In her free time, Kristen loves to travel, read, run, and ride her bike.

Ali DuBois

Department: Area Superintendents, Executive Leadership

Position: Area Superintendent

Ali Dubois is the Area Superintendent for 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, and is also a two-time Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year finalist. Because of the MMAEC team’s efforts, the school is one of the highest-ranking schools in Muskegon County!

Amey Dryer

Department: Academic Excellence Team

Position: Director of Scholar Education and Development

Amey Dryer joined the Choice family in May of 2019. She previously worked as a Montessori teacher, Montessori school leader, and then Curriculum Consultant for charter schools throughout the state of Michigan. Amey has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s in Education with a Montessori Emphasis from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is excited now to join the Academic Excellence Team at Choice and support all of our wonderful office staff in the many processes and procedures they have in place.

Amey and her husband Todd live in Brighton, MI with their two energetic boys Cole and Noah and their mischievous dog, Ruby. The boys keep them both very busy with baseball, ninja warrior, swimming, and gymnastics.

Nice to meet you!

Paul Ezel

Department: Academic Excellence Team

Position: Director of Technology, Online Solutions and Data

As Director of Technology, Paul partners with each school to support their technology and data needs. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and began teaching at Dove Academy. During his 17 years at Dove, he served as a teacher in multiple grades, including second, third, fourth, fifth grade, and the media center teacher before launching into leadership as the Dean of Students and most recently a Vice Principal. Paul earned his master’s degree in teacher leadership from Oakland University with an education specialty. Paul lives in Grosse Pointe Woods and is married to his wonderful wife Carey and has two dogs.