middle school staff
Dave AllardiceI am a middle school youth coach. I was born in Hudson, New York. I have been married to my wife Wendi since 1993 and we have 4 kids; Jered, Jenna, Kobe, and Devin. I am an educator who has worked with middle school students for the past 14 years. I am currently employed at the Academy of Tucson Middle School as the principal. I absolutely love middle school students; I enjoy teaching them, goofing around with them and being around their energy.
Hobbies:
Fun Facts:
Maximillian Batchelder
I was born with a mohawk and I broke my arm before I was one year old. I grew up in the great back woods of some little town you will never know about. I do every thing like the zombies are coming... because they are. I became a youth leader because of my own youth leaders. They have done the impossible for me and continue to do awesomeness in my life. I hope to be just as legit as my past leaders by having a positive impact with the middle school group.
Fun facts:
Kaitlyn Dusek
I am a middle school youth coach and I co-lead the 6th grade small group. I am the oldest of four children. I am now
attending the Art Center Design College and working at Chick-Fil-A. I started working with the middle school group after I graduated high school in 2009. I wanted to be a leader in youth ministry because I wanted to give back into the program that helped shape me into who I am. I want to help teenagers discover who God really is and how that applies to their lives.
Hobbies:
Fun Facts:
Brian McClung I have been involved in various forms of youth ministry since shortly after being saved in 1997. I am joyfully married to Joyce McClung, who can be found most Sundays making the wonderful donuts at the VCC cafe. We've been married since 2005 and are still waiting for God to bless us with children. I am an electrical engineer at Raytheon, doing digital electronics design. I currently am part of the 7th and 8th grade small group on Wednesday nights at the Allardices' home. My motivation for doing youth ministry, particularly at the middle school level, is my own memories of the craziness I went through at that age and a desire to guide students through this difficult transition period of their lives, sharing with them the knowledge of God's grace which I was sadly unaware of at their age.
Hobbies:
John McKieI am married to Martee and have four children: Jazzmyn, Imani, Khalil, and Kaiya. I currently work as the Director of IT at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. I recently received my MBA in the Spring of 2009. I joined the youth ministry team because I believe in positive change for the better of society and I have seen first hand what can happen when you surround yourself with good people and you have faith in God. My family and I have found this in VCC and the members who we have formed friendships with over the last couple of years. We have noticed positive changes in our children in terms of attitude and character. God has worked through the MS team. I feel that God has moved me to be apart of this change and I am just following his lead.
Hobbies:
Random Facts:
Brooke Meyerswas born in Montana, but have spent most of my life here in Tucson. I met my husband on a youth group trip; I was a 16 year old student and he was a youth leader. We became very good friends up until I became a leader myself. Jim and I got married December 5, 1997; we have worked together with the youth as long as we have known each other and we would feel very empty if we didn't have a part in helping youth. I became a Developmental Specialist for Desert Survivors 11 years ago. I love my job very much! I work with kids who have disabilities or developmental delays; it is very challenging, but very rewarding. Jim and I had our first daughter in October 1999 and Taylor followed quickly after her, January 2002. Samantha was born May 2004; we had a little break and decided we wanted to even our family out so we had Emily in March 2008. These last few years for our family has been a big adventure. Emily was diagnosed with a very rare syndrome called TAR. We've had to be in and out of the hospital at least 2-3 times a month for platelet transfusions or surgeries. Our family has been blessed with so much with the joy and spirit our Emily brings.
Hobbies:
Jim MeyersI was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, moved to Tucson when I was four and have pretty much lived here ever since. I have been married to my beautiful wife since 1997 and have 4 wonderful children, Kylia, Taylor, Samantha, and Emily. I have been involved with youth ministry since 1991 and have done all different levels of it, from volunteer to Assistant Youth Pastor to Youth Pastor. I currently work for Arizona Youth Partnership as their IT Manager, where we teach teenagers life skills. My favorite part of youth ministries is taking a student that does not know Christ and walking them though the steps of accepting Him as their Savior.
Hobbies:
Random Facts:
Sal RodriguezI like hanging out with middle schoolers - really, I do! In addition to being involved in the Middle School ministry at VCC and attending the Wednesday night 6th grade small group with my wife, Susan, I am a Phys. Ed. Teacher and the Athletic Director at Desert Sky Middle School. I love sports (playing and watching - GO STEELERS!) and have coached just about every sport imaginable. I live with my wife and our blended family of six kids. I became involved in youth ministry because of the changes a relationship with Christ has made in my life, and because I am constantly inspired by seeing these same changes in the lives of kids.
Hobbies:
Fun Facts:
Susan RodriguezI am a mother to the masses. My husband, Sal, and I live in a home with a blended family of six kids (kind of like the Brady Bunch but with only one very lovely girl), two dogs and a lizard with an attitude. I was a stay at home mom for 12 years, but am now the HOA Finance Director for Cadden Community Management, a Tucson-based property management firm. Originally from the Northeast, I love living in the desert - where else can you go camping in January? I became involved in student ministry because it seemed a natural extension of my life surrounded by kids, whom I truly believe are some of the coolest people on the planet.
Hobbies:
Fun Facts:
Julie SpierI have always had a passion for students and began serving in youth ministry as a volunteer leader in 2001. I began working as a Middle School Director in 2004 while I finished classes at UofA. I earned a degree in Psychology and Sociology as well as a Master’s degree in Ministry from Hope International University. I was married in December 2009 to Dave Spier, who shepherds our community groups and leads worship. I had the great privilege of having wonderful youth coaches speak into my life as a teenager and I feel blessed to pass along that wisdom.
I feel called to live life with students, allowing God to work through me to impact young people. I excitedly pursue relationships to encourage, mentor and empower others towards fulfilling the gifts and passions God has placed on their hearts.
Hobbies:
Fun Facts:
Nason SimpsonI'm newly married and I work at Pima CC as an IT Specialist. I fix computers, maintain servers, and drink copious amounts of Mountain Dew. When VCC launched, I was invited to the HS Group which had an undeniable effect on my life and my walk with Christ. This inspired me to become a part of such a powerful and biblical thing. It brings me joy everyday to see these students making their faith their own and taking steps to live it out.
Another great passion of mine is music, and bringing glory to God with it. My wife and I lead the MS band; it is such an amazing thing to praise God and inspire others to praise Him.
Hobbies:
Fun Facts:
Rachel SimpsonI am a Psychology major at the University of Arizona, and I also work at Trader Joe’s. I am married to Nason Simpson. I love working with students and enjoy hanging out with them; its one of the highlights of my week. I want each student to know God and the things He wants for them. God has a plan for all of us, and a relationship with Him brings incredible peace, which is a peace I want everyone to experience.
Hobbies:
Lane TaylorBio Coming soon!!!
Gene WrightI am married to Cecilia and we have one daughter, Sherri. She is married to Mike Van Fleet and they have a daughter named Avery. I accepted Christ and was baptized in 1991.
I've been involved in youth ministry on and off since 1992. I have been a youth coach at VCC from the beginning of the program. My passion has grown to focus on middle schoolers. It's such a challenging time in their lives; I want to be available to them to help them understand how to live life biblically.
Hobbies:
Fun Fact:
Sarah YouvanBio Coming Soon!