Chris Schuck

Head of School

CHRIS SCHUCK earned an A.B. in Philosophy from Princeton, then worked with A Better Chance and studied conflict analysis and peace research before earning an M.S. in Teaching from University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of his thirty-five year career in education, he has taught both math and English in public and private schools—in high school, middle school, and elementary divisions—and has also held administrative roles at all three levels. Prior to his appointment at Northwest Academy, he was the Associate Head at Oregon Episcopal School, and for seven years Head of School at La Jolla Country Day in San Diego. His wife, Lauren Carrera, is an artist with a studio in Portland.

cschuck@nwacademy.org

April Haddock

Registrar

APRIL HADDOCK is a graduate of The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas where she received two B.A. degrees in Psychology and Political Science. Pursuing diverse intellectual interests, April went on to study Nutritional & Dietary Guidance, Studio & Live Sound Recording, and Computer Coding. Her love of details and organization helps Northwest Academy run smoothly. Outside of school, she plays the drums, loves pop culture, and just re-learned how to ride a bike. April originally joined the Northwest Academy community in 2008 as the Assistant to the Head of School and returned in 2016 as the Registrar.

ahaddock@nwacademy.org

Ava Swanson

MS Spanish
Education Assistant

AVA SWANSON earned her B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies and her M.A. in Language Teaching Specialization from the University of Oregon. Her terminal project focused on using children’s literature with adult language learners to foster individual and family literacy. She has worked with youth and adults in several capacities, including as an educational assistant, recreation leader, and language tutor. At Northwest Academy, she works as an Educational Assistant and teaches middle school Spanish. When not in the classroom, she enjoys crocheting, camping, and taking road trips. Ava has been with Northwest Academy since 2017.

Camille Gluskoter

Education Assistant

CAMILLE GLUSKOTER earned her B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Japanese at Whitman College, in Walla Walla, WA. During her course of study, Camille focused on social and political issues surrounding food, as well as education, and worked in a preschool in Copenhagen, Denmark. By trade, Camille is a baker, and recently served as an assistant cooking instructor at Sur La Table. At Northwest Academy, she is an Educational Assistant, and greatly enjoys assisting with the tap dance program. Camille has been with Northwest Academy since 2018.

cgluskoter@nwacademy.org

Cristiana Gilman

Director of Development

CRISTIANA (CRIS) GILMAN received her B.A. in Fine and Performing Arts from Portland State University.  In addition to her experience in theater, she has a background in fundraising in both the academic and healthcare fields.  For the past decade, she has been managing community and fundraising events, as well as annual giving programs. She is excited to be back in an educational environment and to be part of the Northwest Academy team.  Cris has been with Northwest Academy since 2017.

cgilman@nwacademy.org

Erin Blenkiron

HS Activities Director
MS Math
HS Math

ERIN BLENKIRON has a B.A. in Public Health and a M.A.T. in Secondary Mathematics, both from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. She taught Middle School Math in Baltimore City Schools for 6 years before moving to Portland in search of fresh air and easy to access biking and running paths. After a short stint leading the education program at Good Neighbor Center, a family homeless shelter in Tigard, Erin was happy to join the team at Northwest Academy in 2013. In her classroom Erin values teaching the why behind mathematical concepts, having students explain their thought processes, and making connections to real-world situations. Outside of school she enjoys running, cycling, cooking, and enjoying delicious culinary creations around Portland.

eblenkiron@nwacademy.org

Inge Hoogerhuis

Director of Admissions and Marketing

INGE HOOGERHUIS has degrees in Theatre & Drama and Forensic Studies from Indiana University.  After careers in music, social service and fine dining management & recruitment, she became the Director of Admission at Portland Jewish Academy in 2007.  Inge enjoys getting to know students and their families.  Outside of school, Inge continues to sing and write.  Inge has been with Northwest Academy since 2018.

ihoogerhuis@nwacademy.org

John Storhm

Director of Systems & Technology

JOHN STORHM has a B.S. in physics from George Washington University. He joins Northwest Academy after a 25-year career working in information technology for private industry, government agencies, and non-profit institutions. John has a passion for books and publishes his own e-book reprints of older out-of-print books. He serves as the volunteer webmaster for the Portland Area Used Booksellers Association and as Vice-Chair of the Tigard Library Board. In his spare time, John enjoys exploring the Western states with his family and riding his motorcycle. John has been with Northwest Academy since 2012.

jstorhm@nwacademy.org

Julia Cain

Director of Student Services
College Counseling

JULIA CAIN is a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In addition to the Museum School, Julia also attended the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts in Paros, Greece.  As College Counselor, she is dedicated to providing guidance through all phases of the college application process. She brings sanity, compassion, and expertise to the daunting task of applying to college. Julia has been with Northwest Academy since 2000.

jcain@nwacademy.org

Kathy Veenhuizen

Human Resources Manager & Accounting

KATHY VEENHUIZEN has over 25 years’ experience in Human Resources and accounting across a variety of industries.  She loves to travel, and has done volunteer work all over the world, including Germany, Hungary, Poland, Mexico, and most recently in Kenya.  Kathy loves spending time with her husband, four adult children and her three grandbabies!  She has been with Northwest Academy since 2016.

kveenhuizen@nwacademy.org

Lily King

IT Technical Support

Lily joined Northwest Academy in July of 2019.

Lon Nowak

Education Assistant

LON NOWAK graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in English and has been working as an independent writer since then. He’s had the opportunity to work with the incredibly talented Jack Ciolli who made it possible for them to publish two webcomics together and spend several years on the convention circuit. He works with high school and middle school students as an Educational Assistant and runs a tabletop gaming club for middle schoolers. Lon has been with Northwest Academy since 2012.

lnowak@nwacademy.org

Mary Folberg

Founder and Emeritus Head of School

MARY FOLBERG, Founder and Emeritus Head of School, is recognized for her belief in the importance of arts education for young people. Folberg is the 2013 recipient of Portland Monthly Magazine’s Light A Fire Award for Lifetime Achievement. She also is the recipient of the Kennedy Center Award for Excellence in Arts Education in 1981, 1988 and 1989 and the Metropolitan Arts Commission Award in 1982. She holds degrees in literature and dance and taught in California and Oregon public schools. Founder and long-time director of the Jefferson High School dance department, she also created the school’s company of dancers, The Jefferson Dancers, and was its director for 17 years. In 1993, she created Northwest Academy, designed to educate the area’s most creative and intellectual young people.

mfolberg@nwacademy.org

Nia Johnson

Education Assistant

NIA JOHNSON has been with Northwest Academy since 2017.

Paul Mallon

Director of Finance

PAUL MALLON joined Northwest Academy in 2019.

pmallon@nwacademy.org

Rich Brown

Safety Coordinator

RICH BROWN

rbrown@nwacademy.org

Sara Tam

Development Associate

SARA TAM earned her B.A. in Art History from the University of Washington and her M.Ed. at Portland State. Her educational experience has ranged from being a multi-age classroom teacher for the Vancouver School District to board president for her sons’ school program. After years of working as a volunteer for various fundraisers, she is happy to find a home at Northwest Academy in the Development Office. Sara has been with the school since 2016.

stam@nwacademy.org

Tamara Lindsay

Student Services Assistant

TAMARA LINDSAY has an Associates Degree in Retail Management & Merchandising Display from Bryant & Stratton College in New York. She began her career in New York as a retail store manager, eventually living and working in 6 states across the east coast for her husband’s Marine Corps career. For the past 16 years, she has been an instructional assistant and administrative assistant in both public and private schools in Oregon. In her free time, Tamara is a mixed-media artist and enjoys music, reading, hiking and spending time with her family and Golden Retriever, Bailey.  Tamara has been with Northwest Academy since 2017.

tlindsay@nwacademy.org

Wade Willis

Arts Coordinator
HS Vocal Music
HS Theatre
Project Theatre

WADE WILLIS has been a professional actor, singer, director, and educator for over 25 years. He has an M.A. in teaching from Pacific University and a B.S. in music from University of Oregon.  The city of Beaverton honored Wade with two awards: the Outstanding Educator in the Arts Award and the Individual Diversity Award. Wade received a Drammy Award and an OTAS Award for Best Direction for Into the Woods. Wade has been with Northwest Academy since 2010.

wwillis@nwacademy.org