Mix of familiar faces, newcomers
The theory of knowledge, forests and societies, construction, and percussion are just some of the subjects Methow Valley students are discovering this year. Students can get college credit for classes including global warming, addiction and the brain, and advanced Spanish.
Students are also trying out a stimulating array of after-school clubs, among them disc golf, yoga and journaling, chess, Olympic weightlifting and jiujitsu.
There are an estimated 730 to 740 students enrolled in the Methow Valley School District this year, continuing a trend that’s seen the student body double in the past decade. School staff expect a complete tally next week.
New staff
Students have been meeting many teachers and school staff. Some are new to the district, and some are familiar faces in new roles — including many Liberty Bell High School (LBHS) grads.
Methow Valley Elementary
Sabrina Freedman joins Methow Valley Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher. Freedman previously taught fifth grade and health in Pateros. She has a background in outdoor science education and was the lead teacher for two years at the Methow Valley Community School.
Bettina Gehle is teaching physical education at the elementary school. Gehle started her teaching career in Germany. She taught at an alternative high school in Issaquah and was a head coach for boys’ and girls’ tennis for 22 years. She’s filling in for Ray Sanders while he’s on professional leave teaching in Ethiopia.
Megan Fraser, who co-taught first grade at the elementary school last year with Cara Christensen, has expanded her role to teach first grade full-time. Fraser has a degree in biology and a background in experiential and outdoor education, including teaching for Outward Bound for 16 years, in Mazama, California and Baltimore. Christensen will be school’s literacy support specialist.
LBHS grad Korrie Perryman will teach special education at Methow Valley Elementary. Perryman has a bachelor’s in education with a focus on special education.
Katy Spencer is a new literacy support paraeducator at the elementary school. Spencer previously worked at Little Star School.
LBHS grad Khristina Oestriech joins the district as one of two after-school child care paraeducators. She recently taught at Little Star School.
Some people can’t stay away. Jane Orme, who retired several years ago after a long career teaching English at Liberty Bell, will join forces with Kelly Wiest to co-teach fifth grade this year. Orme taught drama at the high school and has continued her involvement with theater, directing plays at The Merc Playhouse. Wiest is also the coordinator of the International Baccalaureate’s primary years program at the elementary school.
Bob Winters, who retired as the Methow Valley Elementary principal three years ago, is back in a part-time position as dean of students. Winters will provide academic and social/emotional support and help implement the school’s emergency operations plan.
Middle School
Ben Lewis is the district’s new middle school humanities teacher. He previously worked in Quincy as their Big Picture Learning adviser (the Independent Learning Center is a Big Picture school) and a history teacher. In Quincy, Lewis developed a program that focuses on outdoor education, internships and community volunteerism.
Liberty Bell High School
Eva Aneshansley is the new music teacher at Liberty Bell. Originally from Chelan, Aneshansley holds degrees in music education and environmental studies. Aneshansley believes that music has the power to create a space for collective healing and that students should be at the forefront of that process.
Liberty Bell graduate Liam Daily returns to his alma mater to teach math, statistics, sports journalism and outdoor recreation. Daily has been a substitute teacher and a coach at Liberty Bell. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s in teaching. Daily believes that understanding mathematics opens up a world of possibility for creativity and exploration.
LBHS grad Amy Fitkin will teach science and outdoor education to junior and senior high school students this school year, filling in for Genny Rice and Cam Alford. Fitkin has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in environmental education. She recently worked as an outdoor mentor in an environmental youth program.
LBHS graduate Exie Romero returns to her alma mater as a part-time world language teacher and multilingual learner coordinator. Last year, Romero worked with Liberty Bell’s world language and humanities departments. Romero has a bachelor’s in American and ethnic studies.
Jill Driver, a 1994 Liberty Bell graduate, is the new special education teacher at the school. Driver has a bachelor’s in elementary education and Spanish, and a master’s in mathematics education. She loves travel and adventure and previously taught in Alaska and Korea.
LBHS grad Sue Northcott is a new special education paraprofessional at Liberty Bell. She previously worked as a substitute special ed teacher in the district.
Independent Learning Center
Tara Doherty joins the ILC as an adviser. Doherty has two main passions in life: creating art and working with youth. She’s spent her career working in alternative programs to give all students the opportunity to flourish. She has a master’s in education with endorsements in art and special education.
Districtwide staff
Annelisa Tornberg, previously the district’s COVID liaison, takes on a new role as the district’s first health and wellness coordinator. Tornberg will work with school counselors, administrators, staff and local health organizations to promote the overall health and wellness of students, parents and staff.
In addition, all students will have access to a full-time, on-site mental health counselor for the first time. The district is still interviewing for the position, which is funded by a grant from the Public School Funding Alliance and a local support grant. This counselor will be in addition to the full-time mental-health counselor funded by Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare.
Michael Wilbur adds a new role as junior high dean of students, where he’ll support students’ academic and social-emotional development. He will continue in his role as the district’s athletic and activities director.
Lotty Ekblad, who’s been a special paraeducator at the school district for eight years, is the district’s new special education life skills teacher. With a bachelor’s degree in recreation, Ekblad has extensive experience in outdoor education.
Mark Crum is the district’s new network services manager, overseeing technology and information systems. Crum has more than 20 years’ experience in the tech industry, including cybersecurity, networking and software development. He has coached youth soccer for seven years.
Brandon Hebden is a new custodian for the district. He brings enthusiasm to the job. “Simply put, I like to clean things!” Hebden said.
The school’s transportation department is fully staffed and there are two bus drivers in training.
Departures
Several long-time staffers left the district at the end of the 2021-22 school year. LBHS student success coordinator Margell Caillier, elementary school literacy support specialist Barbara Wells network services manager Paul Brown, and custodian Tammy Yoakum all retired.
ILC adviser Kim Odell, paraeducator Ande Miller, and special education teacher Jennifer Simmons all resigned at the end of the last school year.
