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

Andrea Van Hagen

MS English
MS Learning Lab
MS Activities Director

ANDREA VAN HAGEN earned her B.A. from Willamette University and her M.A. in teaching at Seattle University. Andrea kicked off her career by helping to convert a large traditional high school near Seattle into three smaller schools, all while orchestrating English and advisory courses. She continued onto Mountain View High School in Vancouver until her eventual arrival at Northwest Academy. She enjoys writing, reading, running, and gardening with her family. Andrea has been with the school since 2012.

avanhagen@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

Caitlin Gibb

School Counselor

CAITLIN GIBB earned her B.S. in psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, an M.S. in counseling from San Francisco State University, and an M.S.W. from Columbia University School of Social Work. Caitlin is a licensed marriage and family therapist, social worker, yoga and meditation teacher, and community organizer with over ten years of experience. Caitlin has worked with various youth development non-profits throughout New York City. She is the co-founder of S.O.U.L. Sisters Leadership Collective, an NYC and Miami-based nonprofit. The Collective provides arts-based healing opportunities and social justice education for court-involved women. Caitlin has also led an anti-gun violence youth leadership program in Brooklyn and taught mindfulness-based practices in detention facilities and alternative sentencing programs. Caitlin particularly enjoys working with youth, whose energy and curiosity keep her on her toes, humble, and always learning. Caitlin has been with Northwest Academy since 2016.

cgibb@nwacademy.org

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

Dan Dunning

Head of High School

DAN DUNNINGearned a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.A.T. from the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education. His experience includes work in public and private schools and teaching across a variety of disciplines with emphases in math, science, and music.  Since joining Northwest Academy in 2008, Dan’s focus has been on fostering engaging and dynamic learning communities in which each student is known, supported, and challenged.

ddunning@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

Jack Ciolli

MS Arts After Hours
Education Assistant

JACK CIOLLI is an artist with a B.F.A. in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He works with middle school students as an Education Assistant. He also teaches Drawing for Comics after school, bringing his experience as a freelance artist to students in the classroom. Jack has been with Northwest Academy since 2015.

jciolli@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

Kathy Finkle

Director of Operations

KATHY FINKLE  has a B.A. in communications and environmental studies from Lewis & Clark College. Kathy spent nine years doing public outreach and communications work in the air quality field. Previously, she worked in public relations at Lewis & Clark College and did research for a small environmental start-up. Outside of work, Kathy enjoys walking her dog, cross-country skiing, reading, camping, exploring, and playing the African marimba and mbira. Kathy has been with Northwest Academy since 2011.

kfinkle@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

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