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.

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL / DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION / LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER

Miss Rhonda is a Colorado native who has always appreciated the outdoors. She has taught in public schools, private schools, homeschool and charter schools. Her passion for seeing students learn and thrive led her to discover outdoor, student centered, whole child teaching. That discovery led her straight to NVS! She loves nurturing the natural pond she built, growing flowers, observing nature, kayaking, camping and rock hounding on the beach. To her, there is no greater joy than seeing a child discover the beauty of learning, and the power of questioning and problem solving! When she isn't outdoors, she enjoys reading, writing, cooking and taking grad school classes to grow her craft. Her next adventure will most likely be a forest school certification. She loves new adventures!

UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR AND TEACHER / RESTORATIVE PRACTICE DIRECTOR

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 / THEATER DIRECTOR

Annie has been an active member of the Neskowin Valley School community since 2022, teaching PreK and school-wide specials classes. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and currently pursuing a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, Annie combines her scientific background with a passion for play-based, outdoor, hands-on learning. Outside the classroom, she enjoys raising ducks and chickens, painting, and foraging, which enrich her approach to teaching with a love for nature and creativity. Annie is committed to fostering an engaging and nurturing environment where students can explore, grow, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

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.

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.

ASSISTANT TEACHER / MAINTENANCE CUSTODIAN

Bio coming soon!