Counseling

COUNSELOR Bios

GENE BERGE, ELEMENTARY COUNSELOR

Mr. Gene Berge joined NCA’s staff in 2010. Mr. Berge is a certified school counselor with a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from City University. Before joining NCA, he was the school counselor at Bellevue Christian School for 5 years, and also worked in the public school system. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NCA. Mr. Berge actively serves in his church, and he and his wife have two children, one of whom is an NCA graduate.

CHELSEA GYAPONG, ELEMENTARY COUNSELOR

Chelsea Gyapong serves as the 3rd–5th Grade School Counselor at Northshore Christian Academy. She is completing her Master of Science in School Counseling at St. Cloud State University, where she also served as a Graduate Assistant supporting faculty with research and academic projects. Chelsea earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Russian, which laid a strong foundation for her passion for student development, cultural understanding, and emotional well-being. She has gained valuable experience supporting students in both middle school and clinical educational settings, where she strengthened her skills in social–emotional learning, behavioral support, and individualized student care. Chelsea has co-presented research at the Central Minnesota School Counseling Association conference, including Putting the Phone Down: Mental Health & Social Media (2024) and Developing a Healthy Relationship with Digital Technology (2023). She is passionate about creating a warm, supportive, faith-centered space where every child feels valued and empowered to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

KAYLENE WILLIAMS, MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Mrs. Kaylene Williams, M.S., CFLE-P, has worked on staff at NCA since 2017. Mrs. Williams is a Certified Family Life Educator, Mental Health First-Aid Responder, and holds a master’s degree in Family Science from Central Washington University. She is an NCA graduate and has worked with middle school students for the past several years in a variety of roles, which include classroom instruction, relationship education, sexual risk avoidance, and Biblical worldview formation. She has also been involved in the creation of NCA’s Growth and Development Curriculum since it was introduced in 2018. Before working at NCA, Kaylene taught graduate and undergraduate courses in relationships and personal development, as well as career exploration and professional skills. One of her favorite roles at NCA has been Assistant Director of the Middle School Musical. She and her husband met through a summer theatre program in 2013 and have a child in the EL program.