Teacher and Staff Profiles

A co-founder of Pacific Crest, and two-time winner of Teacher of the Year Award in the West Linn School District, Becky teaches a variety of classes at Pacific Crest and is a co-director of the school. She has also been seen playing the banjo with students and teachers in the main office.

A co-founder of Pacific Crest, Jenny brings a commitment to youth and education that goes back to her early work as a crisis intervention counselor with Harry’s Mother. She loves teaching math and Shakespeare, and playing the guitar and mandolin in an “old timey” music band.

Jordia’s passion for teaching language arts is firmly grounded in her equal passion for learning, creativity, and in her conviction that there is “adventure to be found in reading and writing.” In the classroom, she encourages students to mobilize their curiosity, and desire to explore the world, through a variety of literary studies and writing projects. Outside the classroom, she set up volunteer opportunities for students to share the adventure by working with S.M.A.R.T. In addition to classroom teaching, Jordia leads the PCCS Service Learning Program, which offers students yet another way to explore - and shape - their world through a range of service learning projects connected with Habitat For Humanity, Tryon Farm, Oregon Food Bank and City Repair, among others.

Between the magenta-tinted hair, the Pippi Longstocking striped socks and her community “quilt” of an art car covered in 300 unique squares created by an extended family of friends and relatives, you might get the idea that Myriah is the poster child for whimsy at Pacific Crest. But when you add her eclectic resume including three years living in Germany, then Australia, and her academic endorsements: the yin and yang of chemistry, German and English language teaching, plus the zing of creative community building and performance art, you realize that she is the definition of Pacific Crest.  It’s a formula her students respond to, maybe because they recognize in Myriah’s multi-faceted personality and skills something of themselves; or maybe because she makes it her mission to “know her students well, to scaffold and grow together, and to connect curriculum to their lives in a meaningful way.” Or maybe it’s just that, as a PCCS student journalist reported recently, “Myriah is an excitement engineer,” whose tag line reflects her approach to education and life: “Why not try something?”

As a busy theatre professional, Barry brings a wealth of experience to his work at Pacific Crest where he has taught theatre arts since 1997. His extensive background in stage, film and TV acting, along with his work as director in independent theatre companies here in Portland (Stark Raving Theatre and Sowelu Theatre) give his classes both artistic and practical depth. His approach to theatre is socially engaged, (he also teaches workshops in the community for professional adults, at-risk youth and incarcerated women), and committed to creative collaboration that “comes from a position of truth.” Whether he’s running a production of a student-authored experimental play or Music Man, Barry says his mission is to “awaken the truthful artist in the individual, and to create an uncensored environment that encourages personal expression in dialogue with others.”

Penny is an exhibiting artist with more than 15 years of teaching experience in art for both children and adults. In her classes at PCCS, she offers a broad range of creative opportunities in drawing, painting, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media projects in the hope that students will be empowered to discover for themselves the joy and self-discovery that comes from an open-hearted, fearless approach to art.

Richard is an expert in finding a way - literally. A master orienteer, wilderness survivalist and experienced youth leadership trainer, Richard is well accustomed to using a combination of imagination and solid skills in his work with students. This is also his objective in teaching math, he notes. “I want students to understand math and show them what it can be used for.” To do this, he says you have to “figure out what kids are interested in and then how to help them.” In addition to his degree in mathematics and secondary education, Richard was director of the service-learning program at the University of Oregon, has an extensive background as a summer camp instructor, as well as experience in acting for theater, and a fondness for science fiction (because of all the math in it).

Tigerin directs the science program at Pacific Crest using a hands-on approach that includes projects, field trips and natural resources service work. Her classes emphasize solid scientific skills combined with a strong sense of ethics and community service. She also offers natural sciences classes at the Youth Employment Institute, and enjoys canoeing in her rare moments of free time.

Having spent two years living and teaching in South America (Ecuador, Chile), David brings a real-world, cultural perspective to his work as Spanish teacher. His holistic approach to language teaching includes music, films and special projects designed to bring Spanish to life for students.

A passion for literature-based Continental philosophy, a writer’s enthusiasm for the power and potential of the written word — and a wacky sense of existential humor (if that’s even possible) — that’s our Jeff. Oh, and he’s a pretty good bicycle racer, too. That’s what he says anyway.

Julie brings more than 20 years of real-world experience as a writer to the classroom. She has worked as a translator, foreign correspondent in Africa, U.S.-based magazine editor, business journalist, feature writer, advertising copywriter, high-tech public relations & marketing writer and website content developer. She is also busy raising a son, chickens and an organic garden in her home a few blocks from Pacific Crest.

Passion and practicality go hand in hand in Justin’s classroom, thanks to his own worldly adventures which have included hurricane salvage in the Caribbean, cell tower construction in Puerto Rico, study abroad in The Netherlands, alfalfa farming in Southern Oregon and river guiding throughout the American West. His students are encouraged to ‘bring on’ their enthusiasm in their exploration of history and world affairs, and then learn how to analyze everything – including their own opinions and assumptions. He calls it “information activism:” the ability to think critically, identify bias, take a position based on a clear understanding of all sides and then express it intelligently. These are teachable skills, which Justin feels are vital to harnessing personal power and making a difference in the world.  “My philosophy is utilitarian. I want what I teach my students to be useful - not only that they have the power to make change but how to do it.”

Founder of two local Montessori elementary schools, Sue has been passionately involved with alternative education since 1992. In addition to serving as the Administrator of Odyssey Montessori and SE Montessori, Sue served on the boards of Whole Child Montessori and SE Montessori schools.

Sue’s interests include fine arts and crafts, food and wine, performing arts and chickens.