NVS Faculty and Staff

BOARD CHAIR / INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL

Kelsey grew up on Vancouver Island, Canada, where she spent all her time outdoors and with her animals. Today, she resides in Neskowin, Oregon, where she is still following the path of an outdoor woman and animal advocate. She is a mother of 2 wild-hearted boys who attend NVS, three horses, three kitties, and a couple of dogs. If she is not at the school sharing her passion for social-emotional development paired with neuroscience and playing in the school garden, you will find her at her farm with her animals or out adventuring with her family. She has joined our team as Board Chair and volunteering her time as Interim Head of School to facilitate a period of regrowth and revitalization of our beloved school. With years of experience in management and running her own business, she brings a creative outlook to our new strategic plan and development.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Gina is a passionate, empathetic, and innovative educational leader whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to sparking curiosity in others. With a Master's in Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology, she embraces a holistic teaching philosophy, drawing on her diverse background in Behavioral Psychology, Dietetics, two decades as a certified yoga therapist, and extensive experience in health equity. Gina believes in integrating well-being into every learning experience, and is committed to creating equitable and inclusive learning environments.

Beyond the classroom, her diverse skill set as a PK-12 Certified Administrator, academic advisor, project manager, and clinical operations lead informs and inspires all facets of curriculum development, instruction, and evaluation. She's successfully developed and led programs with both national and international reach, demonstrating her capacity for widespread impact. Gina recently made the move from the eastern shore of Lake Michigan where she lived with her husband, their three children, and two big, lovable canine companions, Lincoln (a Bernese Mountain Dog) and Denali (a Retriever). She is honored to join the NVS family, shepherding the school’s growth while honoring its deep roots.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCAION AND TEACHER DEVELOPMENT / THEATER TEACHER

Sara is an educator who is thrilled to bring her passion to NVS as a specialized teacher, currently focusing on theater.  She spent 30 years founding three schools, administrating, and teaching, and she is excited to help foster an educational environment in which learners can flourish at NVS.  Sara specializes in overcoming learning gaps, curriculum development, and supporting neurodivergent learners. She holds a degree in elementary education and has extensive training in dyslexia support, autism, authentic academic discourse, reading and writing instruction, inquiry-based history teaching, restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and Love and Logic. Much of her teaching career has been devoted to understanding and advocating for neurodivergent students.

Newly relocated from the Midwest to the West Coast, you can find her walking on the beach, hiking on the beautiful local paths, playing music, or training to be a volunteer firefighter.

LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER / MUSIC TEACHER

Sam’s experience teaching started in the same place his education began, at his mother’s preschool in Maryland. His grade-school education at The Key School in Annapolis fostered his love of music, humanities, outdoor education, and community-oriented learning. He attended Bard College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies with a focus in inequality. During his college summers he worked with youths at Wee Lad and Lassie summer camp, attended classes at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Recorded Music, and volunteered at Annapolis Lighthouse homeless shelter. After undergrad, Sam honed his teaching skills as a music educator at Bach to Rock in Nanuet, New York, working with all ages and students with varying levels of ability. In 2019, he left his music teaching position to obtain his teaching license and Master of Arts in Teaching at Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Sam secured his degree and teaching license in 2020 amidst the pandemic, and moved to the coast where he taught Social Studies, English, Health and PE to Waldport Middle School 7th and 8th graders. Sam feels right at home in the NVS community. He is a new father as of August 2023, and he cannot wait for his daughter to attend NVS!

LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER / ART TEACHER

Samantha Hauser is a dedicated educator who teaches kindergarten through third grade at Neskowin Valley School and serves as the art teacher for students from preschool through eighth grade. Now entering her fifth year of teaching, Samantha has worked in small rural schools with multi-grade classrooms, where she has gained extensive experience in small group, individualized, and whole group instruction. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and interdisciplinary studies, as well as a certificate in Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Disabilities from Southern New Hampshire University. Samantha is trained in the LiPS Phonics program and Singapore Math and follows Landmark’s Six Teaching Principles. She incorporates multisensory techniques—auditory, visual, and kinesthetic—to support all learners and collaborates closely with parents, fellow educators, and specialists to ensure each student receives the support they need.

Samantha’s teaching philosophy is grounded in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and she believes every child is capable and intelligent in their own unique way. She strives to discover her students’ interests and integrates them into engaging, fun lesson plans that spark joy and curiosity. Samantha has led students to success in district testing, contests, and academic competitions, while also teaching the importance of resilience and effort. Her classroom is inclusive, culturally respectful, and built on routines, positive reinforcement, and a deep commitment to differentiated instruction. Passionate about STEM/STEAM and Project-Based Learning, Samantha looks forward to incorporating outdoor education and forest school experiences into her teaching this year.

PRESCHOOL / KINDERGARDEN TEACHER

Sammi grew up in Southcentral Alaska and spent many summers visiting family on the Oregon Coast. She attended Southern Oregon University where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Sammi taught Preschool and Kindergarten for six years in Delaware and has a love of play-based, child-lead learning. She is committed to providing an engaging, safe space where children can thrive. Sammi spent many years on the East Coast as well as four years living overseas in Spain and is excited to be moving back to the Pacific Northwest.

Outside of the classroom she enjoys playing board games with her family, gardening, tending to her many house plants, reading and walking with her Mini Schnauzer, Biscuit.

AUXILIARY COORDINATOR

Claire is an Oregon native, having grown up spending weekends exploring the Pacific Northwest with her dogs. Her passion for the great outdoors led her to Oregon State University, where she graduated with a degree in environmental science. During her free time, she enjoys utilizing positive reinforcement in training dogs, skiing, and watching Formula One. Before coming to NVS, she worked as a substitute teacher for Nestucca Valley School District.

Claire is committed to helping children to discover their passions and interests through compassionate care and encouraging inquiry. With a scientific background, she loves to explore the mysteries of coastal ecosystems, and hopes to share her joy of learning with the NVS students. You’ll be able to easily spot her by the presence of one of her two Guide Dogs For the Blind puppies in training, black lab Wonton or golden retriever Lawson.

LEAD COUNSELOR WILD COAST CAMP

I’m an early childhood educator who finds joy in the little moments—muddy hands, big belly laughs, and wide-eyed wonder. I believe in the power of nature, play, and connection to spark lifelong learning. My classroom is filled with loose parts, open-ended questions, and opportunities for children to explore, create, and lead. With a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach, I work to build a space where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. Whether we’re outside collecting leaves or deep in a pretend play scenario, I’m right there with the kids—learning, laughing, and growing alongside them.

I currently work as the Lead Teacher in a Head Start preschool classroom. In the past, I volunteered in my local Head Start preschool classroom, worked with a group of parents in my town to establish and run a co-op preschool playgroup. I also have experience as a junior counselor in summer youth programs when I was in high school. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a Paramedic for eleven years, volunteered as a firefighter, and taught Emergency Response professional development courses for adults.

I have lived in Oregon for the majority of my life and I am passionate about helping children discover the beauty and wonder of nature. I firmly believe that nature is one of the best resources we have as parents and teachers to incorporate art, science, serenity, curiosity, imagination, stewardship of their environment, and so much more.