Staff Members

Aman, Andrew

Before working as Assistant Principal of Gervais High School, I spent 11 years as a teacher at Gervais Middle School, teaching primarily 7th grade Language Arts.  It is exciting working in a capacity in the Gervais School District that allows me to provide greater opportunities for the students of Gervais.

My wife, Fenya Aman, works at Gervais Middle School.  We enjoy spending time at our home in Newberg with our daughter Avery, son Benjamin, and two rambunctious dogs.  When we aren’t working with the students of Gervais we enjoy camping, traveling, watching movies, going to the park, and rooting on the Ducks, Seahawks and Blazers.

I grew up in Beaverton, Oregon and graduated from Southridge High School in 2002.  I then attended the University of Oregon and graduated in 2006 with a Major in Philosophy and Minor in English.  Later, I attended Lewis & Clark College to earn my Masters in Teaching in 2008. It was then I began working in Gervais.  11 years later I obtained my Administrative License from George Fox University and began my career in administration.

The community of Gervais is very special to me, as this place has given me so much.  We have amazing students, all of whom have the potential to be successful adults. It is one of my personal responsibilities to help them navigate their young lives so they can reach their goals.  I aspire to engage with students in order to learn about them individually – every individual is different, so every student learns differently.

I strongly believe in having an “open door” policy, so feel free to stop by, have some candy, and talk.  I welcome any and all conversation…thank you.

Atwood, Bonny

My Role(s):

• English Teacher

My Education:

• Kodiak Aleutian Regional High School,  Alaska
• BA in English
• MA in English
• Ed. D Education

Years at Gervais School District: 27

Classes I Teach:

• American Literature
• English 10
• Reading

“A writer only begins a book.  A reader finishes it.”
~Samuel Johnson

Berho, Benoit

My Role(s)

• Spanish Teacher

My Education:

• Liceo B-25/Escuela Etlancia, Temuvo Chile
• BA Religion Northwest Nazarene University 1991
• MBA Business George Fox University 2002
• Doctor of Education George Fox University 2008

Years at Gervais High School: 1

Classes I Teach:

• Spanish

Bettis, Sheena

My Role(s):

• Health Teacher
• Leadership Advisor

My Education:

• Cottage Grove High School, Oregon
• BS Microbiology/Chemistry Oregon State University 2016
• MPH OSHU – PSU School of Public Health

Years at Gervais High School:  2

Classes I Teach:

• Health A/B
• Wellness Occupations
• Medical Skills
• Leadership A/B/C
• Freshman AVID
• Community Health

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible”

~Audrey Hepburn

Bowman, Tim

My Role(s):

• Teacher
• Athletic Director

My Education:

• McKay High School
• BS Education WOU 2005

Years at Gervais High School: 23

Classes I Teach:

• Government
• Senior Survey

“Reason or Results”

Brack, Tucker

My Role(s):

• Physical Education

My Education:

• North Marion High School, Aurora, Oregon
• Lower Columbia
• WOU BS 2006
• WOU MAT 2018

Years at Gervais High School: 3

Classes I Teach:

• Weights and Conditioning
• Health A/B

“Do simple better”

Broadhurst, Sara

My Role(s):

• Counselor

My Education:

• South Albany High School, Oregon
• BA Communications Western Oregon 2000
• MA Liberty University

Years at Gervais School District: 4

Bustamante, Suzanne

My Role(s):

• FLC Special Education Teacher

My Education:

• South Salem High School, Oregon
• BA WGU 2008
• MA Ed WGU 2010
• MA Sped George Fox University 2019

Years at Gervais High School: 3

Classes I Teach:

• Functional Learning Center

“I am what I am”

Cruz, Mercedes

My Role(s): ELD

My education:

• BS Planning, Public Policy & Mgmt       University of Oregon                          2001
• MS Educational Administration             Kaplan University                                 2009

Years in Education: 14

Years at GSD: 1

Classes you Expect to Teach in 20-21:

• English Language Development 1
• ELD Academic Language

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement” ― Helen Keller

Dilson, Megan

My Role(s):

• Ag Teacher
• FFA Advisor

My Education:

• Crescent Valley High School
• BA Animal Science OSU 2010
• MA Ag Education OSU 2013

Years at Gervais High School: 4

Classes I Teach:

• Animal Science
• Intro to Ag
• Welding
• Forestry
• Food Science
• Veterinary Science

“Takes all the running you can do to stay in the same place”

Enfield, Amber

My Role(s):

• AVID Teacher/Coordinator
• Social Studies Teacher

My Education:

• Molalla High School, Oregon
• AAOT Clackamas Community College 2007
• BS in History WOU 2009
• MAT WOU 2011

Years at Gervais High School: 9

Classes I Teach:

• AVID 11 & 12
• US History

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”
~Anne Frank

Figura, Ryan

My Role(s): Language Arts Teacher

My Education:

• Associate Degree in Liberal Arts  Moraine Valley Community College        2008
• BA in English Language & Literature Montana State University               2013
• MAT Teaching English Language Arts Lewis & Clark College                    2017

Years in Education: 2

Years at GSD: 1

Classes I Expect to Teach in 20-21

• English 10
• AVID 10

“Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.”
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Fike, Dawn

My Role(s):

• Instructional Assistant

My Education:

• Gervais High School Oregon
• AS & AA Chemeketa
• Certified Medical Assistant Concorde Career Institute
• Mental Health Tech University of San Antonio Health and Science Center

Years at Gervais High School: 5

Flores, Luz

Funderburg, Grant

My Role(s):

• Resource Teacher

My Education:

• Southridge High School, Washington
• BS Public Policy and Administration WOU 2012
• MA Teaching in Special Ed Pacific University 2016

Years at Gervais High School: 3

Classes I teach:

• Academic Assist

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started”
~Mark Twain

Guzman, Norma

Halter, Deborah

Hamlin, Holly

My Role(s):

• Math Teacher

My Education:

• Sprague High School
• BA in Math and Education Bethel University, Minnesota 1992
• MS Ed in ESOL WOU

Years Gervais High School: 2

Classes I Teach:

• Algebra 1
• Accelerated Algebra 1
• Accelerated Geometry
• Algebra 2

“Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity.”
~C.S. Lewis

Jones, Matt

My Role(s):

• Science Teacher

My Education:

• BS Stanford University

Years at Gervais High School: 2

Classes I Teach:

• Biology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Health

“How will  you use you gifts to make the world a better place?”

Joy-Koer, April

My Role(s):

• Science Teacher

My Education:

• Marshall High School, Oregon
• AAOT Mt Hood Community College 2004
• BA of Science (Biochemistry) PSU 2007
• Master of Education PSU 2012

Years at Gervais High School: 4

Classes I Teach:

• Into to Physical Science
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Biology

“If you haven’t made a mistake today, you aren’t trying hard enough”

Lader, Becki

My Role(s): Instructional Assistant

My education: Marshall High School

Years at GHS: 2

Ways that I expect to interact with students this year:

• Google Classroom
• Online Video Connections
• Phone Calls
• Hopefully in person

“Be an active participant in your own rescue”
-white water river guide guy

Liege, Lecia

My Role(s):

• Math Teacher

My Education:

• Cerritos High School, California
• BA Psychology  UC Irvine, Minor in Biology
• M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Concordia University

Classes I Teach:

• Geometry
• Pre-Algebra
• Algebra 2
• Essential Skills

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.  Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education.”
~Martin Luther King, Jr.

McCargar, Lindsay

• Western Oregon University

“It is what it is”

I am happily married to my wife Molly and together we have 4 beautiful daughters. I enjoy sports, the outdoors and hanging out with my girls.

Miller, Becky

I am a Gervais High School graduate- Go Cougars! I began coaching high school Volleyball in 1999 and started working full time in the GHS office in 2003. My fondest memories will forever be my own experiences on the athletic court/field and my time coaching some pretty wonderful ladies- who became part of my family. I live on a small farm outside of town with my husband and our 3 very busy boys. Our lives are consumed with their sporting events and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

“See a Need, Fill a Need”

Moreno, Estella

My Role(s): IA/Spanish Speaker

My education: Gervais High School

Total Years in Education: 19

Years at GSD: 19

Ways that I expect to interact with students this year:

I live in town, I run into students we chat and catch up.  I also do food deliveries.

O’Connor, Todd

My Role(s):

• Teacher

My Education:

• North Salem High School
• BS Secondary Education in Social Science WOU 1989

Years at Gervais High School: 24

Classes I Teach:

• Government
• United States History
• World History

“If not, why not?”

Orschel, Sarah

My Role(s):

• Visual Arts Teacher

My Education:

• Sprague High School
• Bachelor of Arts/Art History PSU 2009
• Master of Arts: Teaching Concordia University 2006

Years at Gervais High School: 3

Classes I Teach:

• Art: 2D Design
• Art: Color Theory
• Photo 1 &2
• Graphic Design

Palmer, Samantha

My Role(s):

• English/AVID Teacher

My Education:

• Tacoma School of the Arts, Washington
• Bachelors of Arts in English 2015

Classes I Teach:

• English 10
• English 12
• AVID 10
• English Composition

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.”
~Kahlil Gibran

Pizer, Tami

My Role(s): Instructional Assistant

My education: Tigard High School

Years in Education: 17

Years at GHS: 1

I provide instructional and behavioral support for students.  I look forward to getting to know new students each year and building stronger relationships with students that are coming back.  I enjoy going to sporting and community events, and seeing my students’ there.

“Find your strength in flexibility”

-Maureen Joyce Connolly, Little Lovely Things

Powers, Julie

My Role(s): Attendance/Athletics Secretary

My education:

• Skagit Valley Community College
• Chemeketa Community College

Years at GHS: 9 years

Ways that I expect to interact with students this year:

• Helping engage students in classes
• Assisting our AD and coaching staff with workouts and games

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new”

-Albert Einstein

Schockelt, Valerie

My Role(s):
Mathematics Teacher

My Education:

• Silverton High School
• Bachelor’s  Sustainability
• Bachelor’s Mathematics

Years at GHS: .5

Classes I Expect to Teach in 20-21:

• Credit Recovery
• SBAC Readiness
• Financial Algebra

Schultz, Ben

My Role(s):

• Instructional Assistant
• Boys Basketball Coach

My Education:

• Gervais High School
• AA General Studies Chemeketa Community College 2002
• BA Education Western Governs University 2020

Years at Gervais High School: 4

“Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live for today!”

Simmons, Brad

My Role(s):

• Math Teacher

My Education:

• South Salem High School
• Bachelor’s degree: Business Econ Willamette University 1988
• Teaching Credential  Cal State University 1996
• Masters in Science of Teaching Math PSU

Years at Gervais High School: 20

Classes I Teach:

• Pre-Calculus
• Algebra 2
• Financial Algebra
• Geometry

“He has told you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
~Micah 6:8

Stott, Ken

• Stanford University – 1979 BS, Biology
• UCLA – 1980 Teaching Credential
• Portland State University – 2000 Masters in Curriculum and Instruction
• Lewis and Clarke College – 2000 ESOL Endorsement
• Portland State University – 2001 Initial Administrative Credential
• George Fox University – 2008 Continuing Administrative Credential

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Married with six kids, 5 of whom have graduated from Gervais HS. I taught in Pittsburg, CA. for nine years before moving to Oregon. I’ve been in the Gervais SD since 1989. I’ve taught Science, Math, and Driver Training at Gervais HS. I’ve also coached baseball, been a vice-principal and been the Athletic Director. In addition to teaching I currently work as a Data Specialist for the district. My hobbies include most outdoor activities (gardening, sports).

Aha moment in education: When former students come back to tell you that what you taught them was worthwhile, then you know you’re on the right track.

Please also look under the “Staff Directory”, then “Administration” tabs for a letter welcoming all students to Gervais High School.

Talbot, Kate

My Role(s):
College and Career Program Coordinator

My Education:

• Lake Oswego High School
• Linn Benton Community College – AAS in Horse Management
• Oregon State University – BS in Speech Communication

Years at GHS: .5

Ways that I expect to interact with students this year:

• Help upperclassmen get excited about their futures
• Work with seniors on scholarships and college applications
• Provide job and internship opportunities to students
• Encourage students to set post-HS goals for themselves

Vega, Adriana

My Role(s):

ELD Instructional Assistant

My Education:

• Woodburn High School, Oregon
• AAS- Human Services Clackamas Community College 2006
• Certificate in Childhood Education

Years at Gervais High School: 2

“Be kind and be respectful always!”

Weidemann, Pam

My Role(s): FLC IA

My education:

• Gervais High School
• BA Interdisciplinary Studies   WUO       2008

Total Years in Education: 20

Years at GSD: 5

Ways that I expect to interact with students this year.

• Working with them through zoom.
• Working with them in person when available to do so

I never lose, I either win or learn.”  – Nelson Mandela

Do or Do Not, There is No Try.” – Yoda

Wrinkle, Whitney

My Role(s):
English Teacher

My education:

• Master of Arts in Teaching          George Fox
• Bachelor of Science in English    WOU

Years at GSD: 14

Classes I Expect to Teach in 20-21:
English 9

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  it is the courage to continue that counts.”

–Winston Churchill​

Zelenka, Michelle

My Role(s):

• Library Assistant

My Education:

• John F Kennedy High School, Oregon
• BS Business administration w/option in Marketing 1998

Years at Gervais High School; 3

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
~AESOP