Tiffany Garcia
Office Manager/Daycare Director
[email protected]
Staff Profile:
A familiar face at HCA–having recently served as our office manager this last year–Tiffany’s passion for children led her to also become our daycare director year. She has not only proven herself through graceful professionalism and faithfulness to Christ through many challenges, but also has established herself as a firm and loving mother of two who is task-oriented and organized, and fluent in both English and Spanish. Tiffany truly helps bridge the needs of students, parents, teachers and the community.
Nicole Swanson
Preschool/PreK Teacher (3 and 4 Year Old's Class)
[email protected]
Staff Profile:
Nicole Swanson is also new to teaching at HCA, but has a background in public daycare serving on a team. Nicole is well known for her passion for drama, having recently showcased her skills to the community playing the detective in our High School’s comedy, The Play Where Everything Goes Wrong. Nicole has a unique backstory being the adopted daughter of a pastor in a family known around Hugoton for their notable roles in education, the arts, debate and public speaking. She also has unique college experiences including hosting a history radio show. Nicole’s unique talents and creative flair will be a huge asset to our four year old preschool class where learning is looking like it will come with a triple helping of fun and some great communication!
Annie Klassen
Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher
[email protected]
Staff Profile:
Annie Klassen is a hard worker with a German Mennonite background, a lot of grit and thick skin, and a gentle servant’s heart. She has been a part of the HCA community for quite a while, helping out with cooking, subbing and even janitorial work. Last year Annie took a long term subbing assignment for our combined Kindergarten and First Grade class, and did such a delightful job we just had to keep her in the classroom! She has previous experience teaching at a small German School, and ongoing experience helping out at her church’s children’s program. Annie's firm and gentle approach–ever expecting growth and maturity from her class– has been a huge asset in dealing with even strong willed and energetic students. We are excited to see Annie return to the classroom this year!
Elisabeth Farmer
2nd/3rd Grade
efarm[email protected]
Staff Profile:
Elisabeth Farmer is returning to the classroom this year teaching our combined 2nd and 3rd grad class. A gregarious and joyful worshipper of Jesus, Elisabeth is a grateful and growing mother of five who didn’t grow up in the church, but knows as an adult what it is to walk in the freedom and redemption of Jesus. She is very involved with the children’s and worship ministries of her church, and has previous experience in many stressful and adaptive jobs, such as working in management, food service, and even in an emergency room! She has helped HCA’s students grow academically, spiritually and musically, and has labored behind the scenes to make our Christmas and Spring programs such a delight! Elisabeth has grown immensely as a nurturing and motivating presence in the classroom since last year, and we are so glad for her return with more experience under her belt!
2nd/3rd Grade
efarm[email protected]
Staff Profile:
Elisabeth Farmer is returning to the classroom this year teaching our combined 2nd and 3rd grad class. A gregarious and joyful worshipper of Jesus, Elisabeth is a grateful and growing mother of five who didn’t grow up in the church, but knows as an adult what it is to walk in the freedom and redemption of Jesus. She is very involved with the children’s and worship ministries of her church, and has previous experience in many stressful and adaptive jobs, such as working in management, food service, and even in an emergency room! She has helped HCA’s students grow academically, spiritually and musically, and has labored behind the scenes to make our Christmas and Spring programs such a delight! Elisabeth has grown immensely as a nurturing and motivating presence in the classroom since last year, and we are so glad for her return with more experience under her belt!
Diane McDaniels
4th/5th/6th Teacher
[email protected]
Staff Profile:
Diane McDaniels is returning to the classroom this year teaching our combined 4th, 5th, and 6th grade class. Diane is about the easiest person to get to know, just ask anyone in town! She has a wealth of experience in education through a life spent serving in the classroom, from special education to directing a daycare, and teaching at elementary schools in Ulysses and Liberal. Though new to Christian education, Diane has naturally taken a mentoring role among us, and has made a big impact in helping her students start up a school newspaper, the Knights News, as well as helping coach the HCA First Lego League robotics team. Diane is a Texas native with deep roots in Kansas through her mother’s work with the local newspaper, and in raising up her beloved son here. She is gregarious, friendly, and forceful when the need arises, and has been a huge asset to HCA students with unique learning challenges, drawing from an assortment of methods to find what makes the difference. We are thrilled for her new and current students this year, as well as for the ways she encourages us at HCA to serve our students in new ways.
James Tower
Principal Administrator
[email protected]
Staff Profile:
Pastor James Tower began serving as Interim Principal of HCA last year to help bring stability during a tumultuous time of transition. James currently also serves as a pastor of a local country church, as well as working as an artist blacksmith for his small business making things, teaching classes, and doing demonstrations. He loves learning and problem solving, and has helpful prior experience as a youth pastor, adjunct college professor and campus ministry volunteer, substitute teacher, construction worker, and bus driver. Having learned a lot of new things last year, and with some experience under his belt, he is excited for an even better new year.
