MEET THE TEAM

Kate Bagley

(Co-Founder, Director of Program Development)

With a background in Human Development and Psychology, Kate is passionate about empowering individuals, families, and communities to thrive. She brings over 15 years of experience designing personal and leadership development resources, including her work with Jesus Culture School of Leadership, where she helped equip people to grow in spiritual maturity, relational health, and effective leadership.

At Apogee Sacramento, Kate oversees the team, organizational culture, and program development, ensuring health, quality and excellence at every level. She also plays a key role in nurturing students' spiritual and social-emotional growth, leading weekly Chapels as a space for worship, scripture, and connection with God. Additionally, she guides students in developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and communication skills through intentional discussions, conflict resolution coaching, and practices that foster empathy, resilience, and strong relationships.

Kate is dedicated to helping people expand their capacity, cultivate meaningful connections, and step into their God-given strengths and purpose. She finds great joy in investing in the next generation and their families, equipping them to flourish and leave a lasting legacy of impact and love.

Heather Lu

(Co-Founder, Director of Education, Spark Co-Guide)

Heather is a passionate educator with extensive experience in human development and teaching English as a Second Language. Her background spans private and public schools, global classrooms, and homeschool co-ops, where she has spent the past eight years personalizing learning as a homeschooling mom and co-op leader.

Dedicated to building strong literacy skills, Heather believes reading and writing are essential for lifelong learning. Her love for history shines through the library of songs she’s written and professionally recorded, making historical events engaging and memorable for students.

Heather is committed to integrating faith and academics, designing curriculum that connects traditional subjects to biblical principles. A lifelong learner, she shares her knowledge with enthusiasm and strives to connect others with the Holy Spirit, the ultimate teacher and guide.

Nadia McCarron

(Spark Studio Guide)

Nadia brings over seven years of classroom experience, known for creating joyful, purposeful, and relationship-centered learning environments. She holds a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education, a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Master's in Teaching with a focus on self-regulation.

Nadia is passionate about guiding young learners with warmth and intentionality, focusing on social-emotional learning and academic growth. She is excited to join Apogee Sacramento, where she sees her role as both a ministry and a mission—partnering with families to remind each child of their unique worth and divine purpose.

With a focus on building confidence, curiosity, and compassion, Nadia uses tools like the Zones of Regulation and multisensory literacy experiences to meet students where they are and support their growth.

Hailey Bellmer

(Ignite Studio Guide)

Hailey Bellmer is the dedicated guide for the Ignite Studio at Apogee Sacramento. Raised in the foothills of Shingle Springs after moving from the Bay Area, Hailey knew from an early age that she wanted to become a teacher. She earned her degree at William Jessup University while playing volleyball on a scholarship.

With eight years of teaching experience, including seven as a third-grade teacher, Hailey is passionate about fostering children’s social and emotional growth while nurturing their overall learning experience. As an elementary team lead for five years, she supported staff and students, creating collaborative solutions. She also enjoyed designing summer school programs, blending fun with learning in a relaxed environment.

Outside the classroom, Hailey loves spending time in nature, creating art, and gathering with her family for Sunday dinners. A middle child, she embraces her role as a peacekeeper and values creativity and connection in all she does.

Tiffany Bergman

(Wonder Studio Guide)

Tiffany is a passionate educator with over a decade of experience in the classroom. She is a credentialed teacher who has supported early literacy, phonics, and English language development, particularly with TK and Kindergarten learners. She currently serves as a Wonder Studio Guide and is pursuing her Early Childhood Credential through the American Montessori Society. Tiffany brings a beautiful blend of academic strength and creativity into every learning space she leads.

In addition to her educational background, Tiffany has served for many years in ministry—across children’s, youth, and worship teams. She and her husband co-led as Worship Directors, where she discipled teams and cultivated spaces for authentic encounters with God. Her heart for ministry reflects a lifelong devotion to building up the next generation in both truth and identity.

Tiffany believes that learning should be joyful, hands-on, and rooted in relationships. She values strong parent partnership, spiritual and emotional growth, and classrooms that inspire wonder and curiosity. Her warmth, intentionality, and deep faith make her a trusted guide for students and families. She sees every child as uniquely designed by God and approaches each day with a heart to nurture their purpose.

Ryan Masters

(Campus Support & Tech Manager | Whole Life Co. Coordinator)

Ryan brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for helping children thrive. His journey into education was shaped by his own struggles as a student in traditional settings, giving him a unique perspective on how to support children in their learning. With a B.A. in Teaching and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, Ryan has dedicated his life to serving families and teens. He has worked as a youth pastor, worship leader, and educator throughout the Sacramento area.

In recent years, Ryan has served as a coach, guide, and teacher for young students. His greatest desire is for every child to know they are deeply loved by God and created for a unique purpose. On campus, Ryan plays a key role in the day-to-day operations, offering studio and general campus support and ensuring everything runs smoothly, so that both students and staff can thrive. He is committed to creating an environment where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to grow.

Kristie Newton

(Campus Operations Director)

Kristie brings a wealth of experience in education, customer service, and community engagement, with a background that spans schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations. As a former small business owner, she is known for her strong work ethic, organization, and attention to detail.

At Apogee, Kristie oversees campus operations — coordinating logistics, events, communications, and systems that help everything run smoothly. She is passionate about creating welcoming environments where families feel supported, valued, and connected. With an eye for both detail and people, Kristie helps translate Apogee’s vision into daily excellence and care — supporting the team, families, and systems that make meaningful learning possible.

Brigitte Erwin

(Admissions Director)

Brigitte’s heart for people and love for Jesus shape everything she does. As Admissions Director at Apogee Sacramento, she walks alongside families throughout the enrollment journey — helping them feel seen, supported, and confident as they discover the Apogee experience for their family.

Brigitte has a deep appreciation for joyful, intentional parenting and is passionate about empowering families to embrace this journey. She thrives on helping families find belonging and loves seeing children grow comfortable, confident, and free to flourish in who God designed them to be.

In addition to guiding families, Brigitte also leads Apogee’s social media presence and supports key community events. Her creativity and passion for connection shine through in every story shared and every family welcomed into the Apogee community.

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