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.

Dan Dunning

High School Director
HS Guitar

DAN DUNNING earned his B.A. in biology from Middlebury College in Vermont, after which he conducted research that led to publications in two science journals: the American Journal of Botany and Microbiology.  He then worked as a lead educator at OMSI before he joined the Northwest Academy faculty in 2008.  After three years with Northwest Academy, he earned his M.A. in teaching from Lewis & Clark College.  Outside of school, Dan plays weekly basketball/soccer games with the students and plays folk and bluegrass guitar.  Dan has been with Northwest Academy since 2008.

ddunning@nwacademy.org

Doug Ross

Finance Director

Doug Ross

dross@nwacademy.org

Jack Ciolli

MS Arts After Hours
Student Services Assistant

JACK CIOLLI is an artist with a B.F.A. in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He staffs the Plaza front desk and works with middle school students as a Student Services 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

Systems and Technology Director

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

Lainie Ettinger

Director of Admissions and Marketing

LAINIE ETTINGER has a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in classical civilizations from UCLA. Lainie’s career focus is educational and cultural institutions. She managed the corporate and grants programs at The Denver Art Museum and the foundation relations program at Lewis & Clark College. As a freelance writer, she has published articles in The New York Times and The Oregonian. Lainie has been with Northwest Academy since 2008.

lettinger@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

Morgan Kunze

Development Manager

MORGAN KUNZE graduated from the University of Colorado. She worked in the development offices at United Cerebral Palsy and Planned Parenthood, and then switched gears, spending a few years at home with her two sons. She loves the environment at Northwest Academy and really enjoys working to support our amazing students through fundraising. Morgan has been with Northwest Academy since 2011.

mkunze@nwacademy.org

Rachael Torchia

Middle School Director

RACHAEL TORCHIA is a photographer with a background in mediation and conflict resolution. She has a B.A. from Bennington College, and her instructional experience includes public, private, and charter schools as well as court intervention programs. She specializes in experimental and student-directed learning and has taught conflict management and arts-based curricula at middle schools and high schools  in Vermont and Oregon. Rachael has been with Northwest Academy since 2006.

rtorchia@nwacademy.org

Revan Williams

MS Social Studies
Admissions Assistant
Yearbook

REVAN WILLIAMS has a  B.A. in Political Science and English from Swarthmore College. He is a proud alumnus of Northwest Academy (class of 2005), who is very happy to be back. His first experience as an educator was teaching Japanese to Pennsylvania elementary school students through a pedagogy program while still a student himself. After completing his degree, he went abroad to teach English in rural Japan. Revan teaches social studies in the middle school, advises the yearbook clubs, and offers a hand to prospective students navigating the admissions process. Revan has been with Northwest Academy since 2013.

rwilliams@nwacademy.org

Roman Garcia

Educational Technology Support Specialist

ROMAN GARCIA graduated from Reed College with a B.A. in German literature. He is also an Apple Certified Mac Technician. Roman works to enhance student and faculty relationships to technology. Consequently, you might catch him fiddling with heaps of wire under a staff person’s desk, readying the school’s fleet of MacBooks for redeployment, or making small talk with teachers about the school’s impressive English Humanities curriculum. Roman otherwise enjoys reading Kafka–an author he learned to love while writing his thesis on The Metamorphosis (Die Verwandlung)–and shooting pool in his spare time. Roman joined Northwest Academy in 2016.

rgarcia@nwacademy.org

Sara Tam

Development Assistant

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.

Wade Willis

Arts Coordinator
HS Vocal Music
HS Theater
HS Actor's Workshop
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

Wendy Bell

Receptionist and Office Manager

WENDY BELL was born in South Africa and educated in Northern Rhodesia. She left Rhodesia to attend school in Paris while working as an au pair. Wendy staffs the front desk and keeps track of the daily attendance. She enjoys taking care of our students during the day and during after-hours classes. She keeps a close eye on the students’ activities when they are not in class. Wendy has been with Northwest Academy since 2004.

wbell@nwacademy.org