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| Get to know our staff a little..... |
Our teachers are the heart of the Neskowin Valley School. They are imaginative professionals who use
their expertise to guide each child to enjoy learning and achievement through mastery of skills. The
school's integrated curriculum reflects the rich interests and diverse talents of its teachers. At NVS, each
child’s innate intelligence and natural curiosity is fostered in an environment where children can grow
confidently.
Amy Henderson: 6th/7th/8th Grade Teacher
Date of Hire: July 2007
Amy, a native Oregonian, spent her early years in Beaver Creek, Oregon. Her family lived
in China, Hong Kong and Mongolia for seven years and she graduated from the
International High School in Hong Kong where (among other things) she studied Mandarin.
Amy attended Houghton College in New York State, as a pre-med major, and graduated
from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in art. Amy is an experienced environmental
educator, leading trail crews for both the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire
and the Student Conservation Association in Denali National Park. She is an experienced
rock climber and cross-country runner and enjoys hiking, biking and gardening. Amy
brings many talents to the Olders class and will continue teaching Mandarin to our
students.
Jackie Farah: Curriculum Coordinator & 3rd/4th/5th Grade Teacher
Date of Hire: September 2005
Jackie brings to NVS many years of teaching experience in various settings and with a
wide range of ages, 2nd grade - adults. After five years in Ethiopia teaching English in a
rural junior/senior high school, Jackie returned to Oregon in 1996. Most recently, she
taught for five years at the Gardner School in Vancouver, Washington, which has added
even more to her solid grounding in curriculum development.
Education:
Jenny Case: Beginners Teacher
Date of Hire: September 2005
Jenny grew up in the Neskowin area and comes to us with ECE training at the Opal School
in Portland and the Helen Gordon Early Childhood center (the lab school located at
Portland State University). Prior to her outstanding job teaching the
Preschool/Kindergarten class during Lainie Koch's much deserved one-year sabbatical,
she assisted John Fiedler in his 1st/2nd/3rd grade class during the 2004-2005 school
year. Jenny was also the director of Child Care at the ASAP Treatment Centers in Portland
for five years.
Education:
John Fiedler: 1st/2nd-Grade Teacher
Date of Hire: July 2003
John has a varied background in teaching, including 12 years as a college instructor. He
has done summer professional development through the Riggs Institute (The Writing Road
to Reading) and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory’s Math Institute. John and
his wife Julie have taught the Learning Village’s Ancient World Summer School at NVS
each of the past three years.
Education:
Judith Schlicting: Art & Drama
Date of Hire: April 1996
Judith brings experience in art and a passion for drama to her position as our Art and
Drama teacher at NVS. Judith taught 2nd grade at DeLake Elementary School. She also
works as a studio artist and designs/creates hand-made ceramic tiles.
Education:
Kaileen Johnson: Administrative Assistant
Date of Hire: July 2007
Kaileen has recently joined us in the role of Administrative Assistant. She has spent much
of her time volunteering, coaching and coordinating youth athletic programs. She is a part-
time student at Portland Community College and is currently seeking a degree in Business
Administration. After spending only a few days volunteering at NVS, she immediately fell in
love. "I grew up in the foothills of the Cascades in Leavenworth, Washington. My
elementary school was a one-room schoolhouse, 1st through 4th grade, with class sizes
averaging five students. To me, NVS feels like home and I look forward to being part of this
community."
Education:
Lainie Koch: Head of School & Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Date of Hire: September 1979
Lainie has extensive experience in early childhood education and developmentally
appropriate practice as well as a keen interest in the project approach and schools of
Reggio Emilia. In a addition to working with the Preschool/Kindergarten children, Lainie
has taught a variety of subjects to different age groups. She is a co-founder of Kiwanda
Environmental Learning Program (K.E.L.P.) and an interpreter at the tide pools at Cape
Kiwanda in Pacific City. Lainie became Head of School in August 2006.
Education:
Shannon Sowle: Pre-K/Kindergarden Aid
Date of Hire: March 2004
Education:
We invite you to visit Neskowin Valley School and spend time in our classrooms with our students and
teachers. A visit is the best way for you to see this extraordinary learning community. To arrange a tour or
to receive an application form, please contact us. Financial aid information is available as well. We look
forward to hearing from you.
their expertise to guide each child to enjoy learning and achievement through mastery of skills. The
school's integrated curriculum reflects the rich interests and diverse talents of its teachers. At NVS, each
child’s innate intelligence and natural curiosity is fostered in an environment where children can grow
confidently.
Amy Henderson: 6th/7th/8th Grade Teacher
Date of Hire: July 2007
Amy, a native Oregonian, spent her early years in Beaver Creek, Oregon. Her family lived
in China, Hong Kong and Mongolia for seven years and she graduated from the
International High School in Hong Kong where (among other things) she studied Mandarin.
Amy attended Houghton College in New York State, as a pre-med major, and graduated
from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in art. Amy is an experienced environmental
educator, leading trail crews for both the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire
and the Student Conservation Association in Denali National Park. She is an experienced
rock climber and cross-country runner and enjoys hiking, biking and gardening. Amy
brings many talents to the Olders class and will continue teaching Mandarin to our
students.
Jackie Farah: Curriculum Coordinator & 3rd/4th/5th Grade Teacher
Date of Hire: September 2005
Jackie brings to NVS many years of teaching experience in various settings and with a
wide range of ages, 2nd grade - adults. After five years in Ethiopia teaching English in a
rural junior/senior high school, Jackie returned to Oregon in 1996. Most recently, she
taught for five years at the Gardner School in Vancouver, Washington, which has added
even more to her solid grounding in curriculum development.
Education:
- BA in literature, University of Oregon
- MA in Teaching, George Fox University
- Post Graduate Study, Counseling Psychology, Lewis and Clark College
- Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), Portland State
University
Jenny Case: Beginners Teacher
Date of Hire: September 2005
Jenny grew up in the Neskowin area and comes to us with ECE training at the Opal School
in Portland and the Helen Gordon Early Childhood center (the lab school located at
Portland State University). Prior to her outstanding job teaching the
Preschool/Kindergarten class during Lainie Koch's much deserved one-year sabbatical,
she assisted John Fiedler in his 1st/2nd/3rd grade class during the 2004-2005 school
year. Jenny was also the director of Child Care at the ASAP Treatment Centers in Portland
for five years.
Education:
- Associates Degree, Portland Community College
- BS, Arts and Letters; Major: Early Childhood Education, Portland State University
John Fiedler: 1st/2nd-Grade Teacher
Date of Hire: July 2003
John has a varied background in teaching, including 12 years as a college instructor. He
has done summer professional development through the Riggs Institute (The Writing Road
to Reading) and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory’s Math Institute. John and
his wife Julie have taught the Learning Village’s Ancient World Summer School at NVS
each of the past three years.
Education:
- Education Course work, Hope College, Holland, Michigan
- PhD studies in English (ABD), University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- MA, English, University of Washington, Seattle WA
- BA, English, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA
- Credential: Elementary Education, Middle School Language Arts
Judith Schlicting: Art & Drama
Date of Hire: April 1996
Judith brings experience in art and a passion for drama to her position as our Art and
Drama teacher at NVS. Judith taught 2nd grade at DeLake Elementary School. She also
works as a studio artist and designs/creates hand-made ceramic tiles.
Education:
- BA in Elementary Education, Oregon State University
- Credential: Elementary Education
Kaileen Johnson: Administrative Assistant
Date of Hire: July 2007
Kaileen has recently joined us in the role of Administrative Assistant. She has spent much
of her time volunteering, coaching and coordinating youth athletic programs. She is a part-
time student at Portland Community College and is currently seeking a degree in Business
Administration. After spending only a few days volunteering at NVS, she immediately fell in
love. "I grew up in the foothills of the Cascades in Leavenworth, Washington. My
elementary school was a one-room schoolhouse, 1st through 4th grade, with class sizes
averaging five students. To me, NVS feels like home and I look forward to being part of this
community."
Education:
- Degree in Progress, Portland Community College
Lainie Koch: Head of School & Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher
Date of Hire: September 1979
Lainie has extensive experience in early childhood education and developmentally
appropriate practice as well as a keen interest in the project approach and schools of
Reggio Emilia. In a addition to working with the Preschool/Kindergarten children, Lainie
has taught a variety of subjects to different age groups. She is a co-founder of Kiwanda
Environmental Learning Program (K.E.L.P.) and an interpreter at the tide pools at Cape
Kiwanda in Pacific City. Lainie became Head of School in August 2006.
Education:
- BS in Growth and Development, University of Wisconsin
- Attended Kenyon College
- Credential: Early Childhood Education
Shannon Sowle: Pre-K/Kindergarden Aid
Date of Hire: March 2004
Education:
- AMS Early Childhood Credential, Montessori Education Center of the Rockies
We invite you to visit Neskowin Valley School and spend time in our classrooms with our students and
teachers. A visit is the best way for you to see this extraordinary learning community. To arrange a tour or
to receive an application form, please contact us. Financial aid information is available as well. We look
forward to hearing from you.
