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Becky Lukens
Social Studies, Health, Student Governance and Administration
B.S. University of Oregon
M.A.T. Lewis and Clark College
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 be seen playing the banjo with students and teachers in the main office.
"The brilliance that is potentially in every student who walks through the door should be supported. Our job as teachers is to pull students out of their comfort zone in a really safe way so they're willing to take risks and find where they want to go."
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Ann Ricketts
Community & Administrative Assistance, Computer Support, Ad Hoc Guru
Microsoft Certified Professional
In addition to her administrative work, Ann has lent her skills in beadwork to Native American Studies class. Her other interests include seeking out wild hot springs, nutrition and health, perma-culture gardening, cob construction techniques and crafts.
"The goal is to teach kids to know themselves, trust themselves, and then learn the impact they have. This is done best in a small community where the ripples can be felt; when teaching moments occur, a small school like ours can respond."
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Jenny Osborne
Mathematics, Language Arts, and Administration
B.A. Santa Clara University
M.A.T. Lewis and Clark College
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.
"A lot of kids are used to taking a passive role in their education. It's important to get them out of that role so they can take ownership of their learning. We're good at giving kids some direction so they can take the wheel."
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Tigerin Peare
The Sciences
B.S. Cornell University
Ph.D. Ohio State University
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.
"I would like kids to learn that in order to achieve something, you have to work hard. As a science teacher I think it's important for students to question things, develop analytical skills and build their knowledge base."
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David Raish
Spanish
B.A. Emory University
M.Ed. Harvard University
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.
"It's important to see Spanish as a real language people use everyday. If you're motivated to have fun and learn and do creative things, this is a good place."
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Jeffrey Struck
Language Arts and Philosophy
B.A. University of Colorado at Boulder (Magna Cum Laude)
Institute Francais d'Annecy, France
M.A.T. Lewis and Clark College
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.
"The intimacy of Pacific Crest eliminates many of the barriers between teachers and students so that it's much closer to the ideal collaborative model where you can be creative and personal and an advocate for students."
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Julie Whipple
Writing
B.A. University of Oregon
Post-graduate studies, University of Paris VII
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.
"Innerspace, outerspace, and everything in between; writing is your admission to a great adventure. All you need is a pen, some paper, and your mind. If I could convince kids of one thing, it's that writing is an incredible power — a power they have."
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Jordia Blumenstein
Language Arts & Service Learning Coordinator
B.S. OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY 2002
M.A.T. LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE 2004
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.
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Penny Kavan
Art & Art History
DIPLOMA OF ART & DESIGN, ULSTER COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN,
NORTHERN IRELAND 1969
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.
"Art is such an incredible way to learn all kinds of things about yourself. For me, there is no 'correct art.' There are methods and techniques you can show students, but the point is to work and express things in your own manner, let go of expectations and go for the excitement and joy of art." [spoken with her delightful Irish accent]
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Tamara Lasnover
German, Spanish & PEAKOUT Outdoor Program
B.A. LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE
M.A.T. PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
Tamara is a tri-lingual bundle of energy and drive who has launched three new programs at Pacific Crest: the German language department, also our German/American student group exchange through the German American Partnership Program (she organized and led our first exchange with Thomasschule in Leipzig in 2006). She also designed, founded and directs the PCCS outdoor adventure program called PeakOUT, which offers students climbing, kayaking, caving, hiking, animal tracking, skiing, outdoor survival expeditions, and more. She also teaches Spanish and psychology. She says her approach to teaching very much mirrors the spirit and flexibility of Pacific Crest itself, which focuses on being "hands-on" and willing to "change and flow with the times, the individual, and with new opportunities."
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Barry Hunt
Theatre Arts
B.A. INDIANA UNIVERSITY
BILL ESPER STUDIO, NEW YORK
FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SOWELU THEATRE
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 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."
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Robin Hampson
Social Studies, Humanities
B.S. University of Montana, 2003
M.A.T. Lewis & Clark College, 2007
With degrees in history and social studies, a personal history of VW bus road trips as a child and several sessions of outdoor school counseling as a young adult, Robin embraces the opportunity to explore, be it the past, present or future. Her “wonderlust” and openness also drive her approach to teaching, which aims at reaching out to the whole person, and encouraging confidence and self-esteem. “My goal is to invite into the classroom everything that students have and already are.” This is also what attracted Robin to PCCS, where she says, “classes are lively and comfortable, and learning is such a natural part of the day.” An avid backpacker, runner, and lover of gospel singing, Robin’s message to students is: be who you are, sing your song
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Richard Malena
Mathematics
B.S. University of Oregon, 2006
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).
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