mEET OUR Teachers, Staff & Volunteers

All of our teachers, staff, and volunteers are fully vetted (DOJ-FBI)

Abner Labadan

3rd- 8th Teacher / school principal

Mr. Abner Labadan is a passionate and dedicated primary teacher originally from the Philippines. With a rich teaching career that has flourished in Macao, China, he brings a global perspective and deep commitment to education.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Labadan enjoys playing badminton and other racquet sports. He is also an avid traveler and photographer, believing that the best way to learn is by exploring the world. His journeys have taken him to 16 countries across 4 continents—each adventure enriching his teaching with real-world stories and cultural insights.

Driven by a dream to visit all 195 countries, Mr. Labadan is excited to share his experiences and inspire students to become curious, open-minded global citizens.

Nancy Danelson

K-2nd Grade Teacher

Ms. Nancy Danelson has dedicated her life to teaching for over 30 years. After grappling with her faith, she graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science in Education and from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Technology in Education. Her passion for learning made teaching a natural fit, and she currently serves as K-2nd Grade Teacher of Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary. Known to most simply as Ms. D, she has made a significant impact on her students.


A native of California, Ms. Danelson grew up in Southern California and attended Newbury Park Academy before continuing her education at Union College. Having been raised in the Adventist faith, her relationship with God has flourished, growing ever brighter through the smiles of the children she nurtures in their spiritual journeys. Her greatest joy comes from hearing back from former students about their successes and their deepening relationship with God, knowing she played a part in their lives.


Beyond the classroom, she has a passion for camping, which allows her to escape the hustle of everyday life and immerse herself in the beauty of God's creation. In her limited free time, Ms. Danelson enjoys reading, as it transports her to various places and times—an ideal pursuit for a dedicated teacher committed to fostering growth in her students.

Martha Morales

Administrative Assistant

Ms. Martha Morales serves as the Administrative Assistant at Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary School. She joined the school in February 2024 and is deeply committed to the mission of Seventh-day Adventist education. Martha holds a strong belief in the creation story, viewing the complexity and design of the human body and the world as too intricate to have occurred by chance. 


Passionate about her family, hobbies, and traveling, she is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the dedicated staff and students at RAE. Martha looks forward to continuing her efforts to make a positive impact within the community.

Dyan  Frohlich

home and school

Ms. Dyan Frolich holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from La Sierra University, which she earned in 2008. She and her husband relocated to Ridgecrest in 2010 and are proud parents of two beautiful daughters who keep them busy throughout the day. The family enjoys going on bike rides, taking walks in the park, and having occasional picnics in their yard. They also cherish quiet moments at home, reading books together or relaxing with a movie.

Evangeline Defluiter

Music Director

Ms. Evangeline Ellen deFluiter, affectionately known as Hud—short for Hud-a-bud—was always called this by her family during her childhood. As the youngest of four daughters, she grew up with a strong inclination to become a math teacher. However, God has led her to teach music for the past 20 years.


Hud has a passion for outdoor activities, enjoying hiking, waterskiing, rock climbing, and camping (as long as she has an air mattress). She also loves reading, cooking, and engaging in nearly anything related to music. Driven by a desire to be actively involved, she seeks God’s guidance in her life and looks forward to His return to take her home.

Dave Calvert

Robotics Instructor

Mr. Dave Calvert grew up in a small town in Montana with his three brothers before attending Walla Walla College, where he studied mechanical engineering and met his wife, who hails from Ridgecrest. During his college years, he discovered a passion for programming alongside his interest in engineering, which ultimately led him to Ridgecrest in 2006 and a career with the Navy. Over the years, Mr. Calvert has worked in various fields, including test engineering, modeling and simulation, and operations analysis. He finds that learning new things is the most enjoyable and engaging way to work, and he recently completed a Master’s in Electrical Engineering.


As a father of two wonderful children, he often finds himself involved in their projects. In his free time, Mr. Calvert enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors, as well as playing board games and card games with friends and family.

Henry frohlich

Robotics Instructor

Mr. Henry Frohlich is an alumni of Ridgecrest Adventist Elementary before going to get his Masters Degree in Business. He loves learning about new technology and playing with Legos.

Michael Bowlin

Robotics assistant  Instructor

Mr. Michael Bowlin grew up in Tehachapi, CA, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, laying the foundation for his engineering career. In 2016, he joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center, where he has worked ever since. For the past eight years, he has had the privilege of serving as a program manager, overseeing various engineering projects and collaborating with a talented team to drive innovation.


Outside of work, Mr. Bowlin is passionate about spending time in nature. He enjoys hiking through the wilderness, camping in the woods, and skiing in the fresh snow of the high mountains, finding both peace and adventure in these activities.


In May 2024, he took a significant step in his spiritual journey by being baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This decision has become a meaningful part of his life, and he looks forward to continuing to grow in his faith.

Jeremy Rood

Robotics assistant Instructor

Mr. Jeremy Rood was born and raised in Walla Walla, WA, a town similar in size and isolation to Ridgecrest. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering from Walla Walla University, where he also met his wife, Kristiana. The couple spent five years in Loma Linda so Kristiana could continue her education while Jeremy began working on base. This arrangement required him to drive back and forth between Ridgecrest for work and Loma Linda to visit family.


When their son Landon was born in Loma Linda, the importance of having the family together became clear. Once Kristiana graduated, they made the move to Ridgecrest and have been incredibly happy to call it home. In the evenings, Jeremy enjoys sharing the wonders of the world with Landon through STEM projects, or they work together to fix the cars that always seem to need repairs.

Pastor Brad Traxler

Chaplain

Pastor Brad Traxler is the loving husband of Cheryl for 45 years and the proud father of Kimberly and Ryan. He holds a BA in Theology and has had the privilege of pastoring churches for over 25 years. Throughout his ministry, his greatest passion has been sharing the love of Jesus with others. His dedication to faith and service has been a guiding force in both his personal and professional life. Brad is grateful for the opportunity to serve in his community and looks forward to continuing his work in spreading hope and inspiration.

Dina Morales

Janitor

Ms. Dina Morales is a devoted member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who strongly believes in the unity of families. She is passionate about cooking, card making, and decorating events, finding joy in expressing her creativity through these hobbies. Dina ensured that all four of her children attended Adventist academies, deeply valuing the importance of Seventh-day Adventist education. She advocates for families to provide their children with the opportunity to attend Adventist schools around the world, nurturing both their faith and academic growth.