Arbor School Faculty and Staff 2023-2024

Heads of School

Isaac Enloe

Head of School (2023 to present)

With over twenty years of experience as an educator in progressive independent schools, we are thrilled to welcome Isaac (he/him/his) as our new Head of School. Isaac was a charter faculty member of Blue Oak School, a start-up independent school in Napa, California, as well as Acting Head of School at the Kyoto International School in Kyoto, Japan. Since 2011 Isaac has been at Catlin Gabel, where he taught kindergarten and 1st-5th grade Science before he moved into the leadership roles of Assistant Head of Beginning School, Director of Catlin Gabel Preschool and After School Programs, and most recently Assistant Head for Student and Family Support in the Beginning and Lower School. Isaac spent his childhood in Hiroshima, Japan, speaks Japanese fluently, and enjoys studying and playing old-time fiddle and banjo music with his wife, Sophie, and daughter, Phoebe.

Lori Pressman

Assistant Head of School (1999 to present)

As she grew up in a family with a math/science teacher for a father, Lori has, in a sense, been involved in the world of teaching always. Making mathematics accessible to all students has been a passion for Lori since she began teaching in the Primaries in 1999. She wants all students to feel as if they are mathematicians and for them to develop a comfort and taste for a little mathematical challenge. In addition to teaching children, Lori also served as a mentor for the ACT, passing along her enthusiasm and creativity for teaching to Residents over the past 20 years. In the fall of 2019, Lori became the Assistant Director, supporting teachers and students throughout the school.

Faculty & Staff

Cassandra Anderson

Bookkeeper and Business Manager (2022 - present)

Along with a passion for all things finance, energy, warmth and a positive outlook, Cassandra brings valuable knowledge gained in her 12 years of financial experience in multiple industries including private schools and nonprofits as well as her 10 years running commercial real estate offices across multiple states. Most recently she fulfilled the role of Financial Manager at another independent school. Cassandra is excited to support Arbor families and teachers and join the Office team.

Patricia Ballarché

Primary Design & Junior Design/Reading Teacher (1991 - present)

Arriving at Arbor at the start of the school’s third year, Patricia brought with her ten years of previous elementary teaching experience in Oregon and abroad (Luxembourg and Israel). After fifteen years as a head teacher in the Juniors, Patricia shifted her focus to crafting lessons in the Design Studio for Primaries and Juniors often integrating them to the classroom studies. Patricia also assists the Junior classrooms with literacy instruction.

Andrew Barton

Primary and Junior Assistant/Science/Aftercare (2021 - present)

After 12 years of teaching in Portland early childhood programs, plus stints with elementary students at NW Children’s Theater, The Green Schoolhouse, and in Arbor’s summer program, designing and leading the popular Imaginary Worlds class, Andrew is pleased to have put roots down at Arbor. He has a particular interest in creating environments where children are encouraged to fully embrace their natural inclinations towards wide eyed-wonder, boundless creativity, and wild joy. Andrew wears many hats in his life outside of school: a cookbook author, supper club chef, ambitious gardener, small press publisher, letterpress printer, graphic designer, small record label curator, children’s book author, and children’s story entertainer (as Teacher Andrew Reads In A Canoe). He wears many hats at Arbor as well: assisting with both Primary and Junior classes, co-teaching Junior Science with Peter, and coordinating Arbor's aftercare program. 

Nadia Cannon

Primary Teacher (2011-2013, 2021 - present)

Nadia returned to the Nest as the Head K/1 Teacher after seven years away. She first worked in the Nest as a teacher and Resident coach between 2011 and 2013. Following her time at Arbor, Nadia (she,her,hers) spent two years as a Head Teacher in the Kindergarten/First Grade at The Marylhurst School before moving into school leadership as the Assistant Head of School at Marylhurst. Other stops along the way have included Brooklyn Friends School, Brooklyn, NY, and Catlin Gabel School. Nadia brings her deep commitment to nurturing the growth of young children, her warmth and her wonderful sense of humor. In her free time, Nadia loves to sew, bake, knit, explore new places and watch British Mystery shows. She lives with her family including her wife Sara, children Noah and Goldie, a golden retriever puppy and two grumpy senior cats. 

Annmarie Chesebro

Arbor Center for Teaching, Director of Teacher Training (2000 to present)

Once a classroom teacher and an adjunct professor in Lewis & Clark College’s MAT program, and the parent of two alums, Annmarie brings a uniquely balanced approach to the ACT program. With particular expertise in math, science, assessment, and the preparation of Teaching Residents for their first teaching jobs, Annmarie leads the ACT program, mentors our Teacher Residents, conducts weekly Seminars, and serves as liaison to other teacher-training programs and Oregon’s licensure commission.

Oriana Connolly

Intermediate Teacher (2014-2016, 2020 - present)

A native of Colombia, Oriana returned to Arbor having applied her Spanish fluency and cultural knowledge in dual immersion classrooms in the Oregon City and Canby school districts. A 2016 graduate of the Arbor Center for Teaching, she is eager to bring her interdisciplinary background in creative writing, life science, illustration, and theater to the fertile ground at Arbor. Her passion for integrated thematic curriculum and project-based learning makes her return to arbor feel like coming home! When she’s not teaching you can find her mucking about in the garden, jumping into cold water, making a sweet smelling mess in the kitchen, salsa dancing, or playing with her daughter, Luna. 

Owen Corser

ACT Teacher Resident (2021-2022, Class of 2024)

Owen grew up in Portland, and after traveling to learn and teach as close as Seattle and as far as Greece, he’s back in the Pacific Northwest!  Owen came to Arbor as an Assistant in the Intermediate classroom and the Aftercare program, and he is excited to become a learner alongside the rest of the Arbor community. Owen holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Oberlin College, and has worked with Americorps, many outdoor camps, and most recently, Arbor! In his free time, he enjoys puzzles, games, riding his bike, and making (then eating) baked goods.

Britta Daubersmith

Librarian and Reading Specialist (2021 - present)

Britta joined the Arbor community this year as the Intermediate and Senior Librarian having served a previous role as an Intermediate and Senior reading specialist and Design assistant. Having taught in independent and private schools in Berkeley, Minneapolis, and the Portland area, Britta now enjoys the opportunity to work with the entire Arbor community as a leader in Arbor’s reading program and as a curator of the Library collection. Britta’s engagement with faculty and students will keep the Library as the heart of the school.

Marc DeHart

Intermediate Teacher (2010-2012; 2014 - present)

Marc falls into the category of the ultimate Arbor student. He attended Arbor School for his elementary and middle school years and, after college and work at the Christie School, returned to join the Arbor Center for Teaching’s apprentice cohort for 2010-2012. Upon graduating from the ACT program, Marc taught in Portland schools and tutored students on the side. Marc has been commended by his colleagues for his empathy, humility, and ability to develop trusting and productive relationships with students. Marc’s long history with Arbor, combined with his inherent understanding of what it means for teachers to remain optimistic about students when things are challenging, makes him a logical and positive fit for the Arbor community.

Laura Dias

ACT Teacher Resident (Class of 2024)

Laura Dias was born and raised on the island of O’ahu in Hawai’i. After graduating in 2018, she attended Pacific University to study Education and Learning. She decided to also major in Film and Video after taking a number of media courses. Laura enjoys dancing hula, listening to podcasts, and attempting to bake! In her free time, you’ll most likely find Laura in a local coffee shop drinking a latte or matcha. She is excited to bring her cultural perspective growing up in Hawai’i and her artistic viewpoint incorporating video to the classroom. Hoping to one day return home and teach in the islands, Laura is appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of the Arbor community!

Madison Dowell

After Care Assistant (2022 - present)

Madison is a recent graduate of Tualatin High School and now attends Portland Community College. During high school, Madison worked as a culinary and theater classroom teaching assistant and she loved it! The kindness and warmth that radiated from her senior year English teacher inspired Madison to want to become a teacher and provide that kind of support to future students. While participating in Tualatin HIgh School’s Diverse Pathways program, Madison was connected with Arbor and taught in our Summer at Arbor program in 2022, afterwhich we were thrilled to bring her aboard to assist daily in our Aftercare program alongside Andrew and Lauren.  When asked about her interests Madison shared that she has a passion for writing, reading, and playing with her cats!

Laurel Glasmire

Junior Teacher (2006-2008, 2016 - present)

A 2008 graduate of the Arbor Center for Teaching program, where she taught at the Junior level, Laurel (She/Her)  returned to us after one year substitute teaching in Portland and seven years teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades at a charter school based on Arbor’s structure and curriculum. Laurel loves developing engaging and creative curriculum and helping to build a strong school community.  Her classroom reflects the joy that she takes in learning and teaching, and the value that she places on developing empathy, compassion, and an openness to new relationships and experiences. Laurel’s students are delighted to share in her love of history, dance, and music of all kinds.

Robin Gunn

Junior Teacher (2003 - 2010, 2016 - present)

After beginning her career in Boston teaching kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade at the Atrium School, Robin followed friends and family to Portland and joined the Arbor School faculty in 2003 as a teacher in the Primaries. In 2006, she moved to the Junior level, taking on the role of literacy specialist for both Junior classes, before rejoining the Primary class from 2008 - 2010. Returning to Arbor from family leave in 2016, Robin skillfully divided her time between the Primary and Junior programs before stepping fully into the position of Junior teacher in the fall of 2017. A skilled observer of children and a developer of lasting curriculum, the children know Robin for her warmth and the delight that she takes in their work. An avid and lifelong sailor, on a breezy weekend you may well find Robin enjoying a sail with her family on the Columbia.

Kit Abel Hawkins

Founder, Director Emeritus (1989 - present)

Prior to founding Arbor School in 1989, Kit was associated for 18 years with Catlin Gabel School and it was her work there, teaching across the elementary grades and as a children’s librarian, that helped her to formulate and test the ideas that are now daily practice at Arbor. In addition to teaching, mentoring teachers and school leaders, and sharing her wisdom with two generations of fortunate families,  Kit has served as the president of two non-profit organizations and as a trustee for Neskowin Valley School and Catlin Gabel School. Kit has trained and advised school founders and leaders through the School Leadership program of the Arbor Center for Teaching, and written a book about Arbor entitled The Idea of Arbor School. 

Kaileah Hawk-Lowenstein

Teacher Resident (Class of 2024)

Kaileah has never really stayed in one place, moving between Oregon and New Mexico for the better part of her life. Her educational journey is a complicated one, experiencing a wide variety of school environments from K-12. Kaileah credits a fateful visit to a multilingual art-integrated elementary school as the kindling that started the fire for education in her heart. In pursuit of teaching, Kaileah received her BA in Education from Pacific University with a concentration in music. Next to education, music is one of the great loves of her life. You can usually find her listening to music, learning new instruments, or practicing old ones. Kaileah is excited to bring her passions into the classroom and support students in developing "great loves" of their own.

Caroline Hurley

Senior Spanish Teacher (2004 - present)

Caroline brings a background in Spanish literature, culture, and history as well as linguistics, and is hard pressed to choose just one favorite among these topics. In her three-year Senior Spanish program she strives to bring each of her students as far along as is possible in the language in order to create avenues toward a more bilingual, bicultural society. She enjoys bringing her background in art and her love of singing and playing guitar to the Seniors as well.

Lauren Kristensen

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Instructional Coach (2010-2012, 2019 - present)

A 2010 graduate of the Arbor Center for Teaching, Lauren returned to Arbor having developed her expertise in social/emotional learning, literacy development and responsive classroom management in Portland Public Schools and the West Linn/Wilsonville School District. During that time, in addition to honing her considerable skills as a dynamic and inspiring teacher, Lauren developed a deep interest in addressing issues of race and racism in the elementary school setting.  As Arbor’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Lauren guides faculty in building the skills necessary to lead effective classroom discussions about issues of race and brings to the center of our curricular planning voices that have been too often marginalized. In addition to this critical work, Lauren also serves as an instructional coach and mentor to Arbor’s Teacher Residents. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her two boys, Kai and Jax, and feeding the hummingbirds and Steller’s jays delightfully parked outside of her kitchen windows. 

Andrew Manton

Senior and Intermediate Science (2015 - present)

Andrew came to us from the San Francisco Day School where he served as a middle-grades science teacher, Director of Outdoor Education, and coach. Prior to his years at San Francisco Day, Andrew led outdoor and environmental education groups through Naturalists at Large. Andrew’s enthusiasm for experiential education informs his science teaching at the Senior level, and he is an integral part of the Senior team. Andrew enjoys sharing his passions for the outdoors with the students, and most weekends you can find him climbing rocks, running in the forest, or playing with his young daughters.  

Karli Merkens

Library Team, Garden Team, Intermediate & Senior Substitute  (2016 - present)

After graduating from Arbor in 1995, and St. Mary’s and Earlham College thereafter, Karli (She/Her) filled her life with scientific adventures. Her interests eventually led her to San Diego where she completed a Ph.D. in Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She is currently working part time to conduct an acoustical study of whales in the Pacific and part time in the Arbor libraries and gardens and also as needed in the 4th-8th grade classrooms.

Anne Moloney

Intermediate & Senior Design (2004 - present)

Anne first became known to us when she served so beautifully as a mentor for an 8th grade Senior Project in jewelry design and fabrication.  A long time art instructor at the Multnomah Art Center, Anne was also responsible for K-8 art education at Trinity Lutheran School in NE Portland for two years, and in 2018-19 she  taught visual arts and was an academic advisor at Seattle Girls School.  Her undergraduate work in English and Fine Arts, combined with her exquisite design sense and technical skills make her the perfect teacher to bring Humanities and Science curriculum alive through Design, while bringing new possibilities for artistic exploration and expression to Intermediate and Senior students.

Deepa Natarajan

Admissions Director (2021 to present)

In addition to her warmth and a gift for building connections within communities, Deepa brings to Arbor experience gained from her 15 years of developing and running educational programs at the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, role as Co-Director and Lead Teacher at Farm Alley summer camp in West Marin, experience organizing and teaching dance to children K-12 at the Bala Center for South Indian Music and Dance, and work as a K-8 substitute teacher at Park Day School in Oakland. She looks forward to building strong relationships with current and prospective families and to being an ambassador for Arbor in the larger community. 

Greg Neps

Senior Teacher & Woodshop (2001 - present)

Greg’s classes focus on building skills in math while developing a love for its workings through hands-on and real-world applications and games. He helps students use math as a tool for understanding and exploring the world. Previous experiences as a tutor and a K-8 math teacher (with responsibilities for science, P.E., and stagecraft) brought him to Arbor with a well-developed repertoire of approaches and engaging experiences. In addition to teaching math, he is the Senior Woodshop teacher and leads the Seniors through on-campus community service activities. 

Marea Palmer-Loh

Intermediate Teacher (2023 - present)

Marea comes to us most recently from The Miquon School in Pennsylvania, where she taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. In addition to her extensive experience as a classroom teacher at Miquon and beyond, Marea has worked as an elementary school Art teacher, designed and run a ceramics program for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, taught English as a Second Language to Spanish-speaking students in California, developed a program to teach technology and marketable skills to teenagers in Peru, and coached competitive youth rock climbing. Marea’s diverse skill set and her broad interests are foundational to her passion for well-integrated thematic curriculum – a passion she nurtured during the past eighteen months as she traveled the United States with her family developing and implementing a place-based curriculum.

Lauren Reynolds

Primary Teacher and Junior Science (2016-2018, 2020 - present)

Lauren is a 2018 graduate of the Arbor Center for Teaching program, and since then has taught both long and short term as a substitute in 3rd and 4th grade Language Arts, K-8 Special Ed, and Music, to name a few. With a background in early childhood education (ECE) and supporting homeless youth, Lauren brings diverse experience having studied farming around the world and been staff at the US base McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Lauren grew up in the Washington DC area in a family of folklorists and educators, and loves sharing her passion for art, music, and the natural world while teaching all subjects at Arbor.

Linus Rollman

Senior Teacher & Senior Team Convener (2000 - present)

The study of anthropology and Reed’s rigorous and well-balanced program gave Linus a generalist’s tools for thinking about the world. He spent six years in the Intermediate classroom before moving to the Seniors. Having co-authored the Arbor Algebra math series, Linus currently teaches Humanities and writing with Shelly, and oversees the 8th grade Senior Project.  A student of philosophy, the craft of writing, and the mysteries of mathematics, Linus is an enlivening force at Arbor.

Steph Rooney

Garden Teacher & Senior Design Assistant (2022 - present)

Steph came to Arbor from Sunnyside Environmental School where she served as the School Garden Coordinator for 12 years. Now at Arbor, Steph continues to work with students to design and maintain meaningful garden landscapes while integrating the work effectively with classroom curriculum. Steph loves to cook with her students and to guide them in enriching garden spaces with art as she taps into her fine arts training from the Rhode Island School of Design. Steph also brings experience gained from working as an educator and garden manager at the Portland State University Learning Gardens Lab and as a lead instructor for OMSI at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. When Steph is not teaching, you can find her playing board games with her husband and two kids, doing yoga-dance moves, or listening to a book on tape.

Tom Seidel

Caretaker of Buildings and Grounds (2018 - present)

Having been besotted with the Arbor environment since the first of his two children began attending in 2006, Tom was happy to abandon other pursuits in fall 2018 and become Caretaker of Buildings and Grounds. In this position Tom uses skills and knowledge mainly honed while owning aged and creaky Portland houses, but also admits to some relevant career experience in his past, having spent a long time acquiring "a novelist's resume, without the novel." Tom enjoys classical music, and poetry, and is especially tiresome vis-a-vis Beethoven and A.E. Housman.

Steve Shone

Buildings & Grounds Caretaker (2022 - present)

Steve has been an essential part of the Arbor landscape for over 20 years, first as an employee of Seagraves Landscaping and most recently as a full-time Arbor employee. Steve does everything from mowing, pruning, and planting, to constructing some of the most iconic aspects of the Arbor landscape: the Rill, Amphitheater, Junior deck, and most recently, Peter’s pond. Steve was born in Laos and came to Oregon in 1979 as an orphan, along with other South East Asian refugees of the Vietnam War. He began his career as a nurse, where his love of helping people could be utilized for good, but throughout his childhood he always had a fascination, curiosity, and passion for architecture. His artist’s eye is apparent in all of his handiwork.  Steve loves roses and forests, and dreams of building a bamboo grove on campus for quiet contemplation and reading. He wants visitors to Arbor to appreciate the tidiness and beauty of Arbor’s landscapes and for children to explore and let their imaginations run free in our spaces. Steve has also grown three children, now in their late 20s, and spends his free time enjoying solitude in nature, listening to the sounds of squirrels and other animals.

Victoria Sundell

Teacher Resident (Class of 2024)

Victoria grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan just north of Chicago, Illinois. She studied Elementary Art Education at Hampshire College in Western Massachusetts, then traded one coast for another when she transferred to Lewis & Clark College to earn a B.A. in Studio Art in 2018. For the past four years, she’s developed Five Oaks Museum’s community-based history exhibitions into arts-integrated Indigenous and Ethnic Studies curriculum, which teachers are bringing to their classrooms across the Willamette Valley. Victoria loves when students feel their power and self-worth from seeing their own identity and family in their curriculum, and grow their empathy and curiosity towards others’. She also loves traveling, hiking, reading, and playing with her enormous white cloud dog.

Elizabeth Thompson

Senior Teacher (2014-2016, 2018 - present)

Elizabeth’s connection to Arbor runs deep. She was a student here, graduating in 2002, and returned years later as a Teacher Resident with the Arbor Center for Teaching program, earning her MAT in 2016. She circled back a final time in 2018, joining the Senior team as a Humanities, Writing, Reading, and Seminar teacher. She is passionate about using reading, writing, and discussion as avenues for students to deepen empathy, develop nuanced critical thinking skills, and find joy in self-expression. She seeks to build a classroom community in which students feel seen and valued, by her and by each other, and in which open dialogue and productive disagreement can happen.  Beyond the classroom Elizabeth can be found singing in choir, digging in the garden, or rambling through the woods of the PNW examining mosses, mushrooms, and plants.

Cara VanGorder-Lasof

K-8 School Counselor (2010 - present)

After many years in the middle school classroom as a Humanities teacher promoting an interdisciplinary approach to the study of history, literature, geography, and cultural anthropology, Cara began Lewis and Clark’s school counseling program in 2018 and has moved into the role of K-8 counselor since completing her training in the spring of 2020. Always a trusted adult to her students, Cara is passionate about and grateful for the opportunity to support students academically, socially, and emotionally throughout their Arbor years. 

Joanna Vincent

Music Teacher (2022- present)

Joanna came to Arbor  from the Beaverton School District where she had been teaching K-5 music. Last year she brought her joyful energy, and commitment to creating engaging classrooms to the Arbor Intermediates. Returning to her passion and penchant for music, this year we are thrilled that Joanna will be working full-time as a music teacher with Hans and a choral teacher for the Seniors with Elizabeth where she can continue leading and inspiring our school of singers with her beautiful voice. Beyond the classroom walls, Joanna also looks forward to sharing her love of the garden, and to passing along the skills and work ethic that she developed growing up on a farm in Aurora.

Tori Weatherspoon

Primary Teacher (2022- present)

Prior to assuming the lead role in the Primary Den classroom, Tori taught in the West Linn Wilsonville School District, leading her own first-grade class and also focusing on supporting students with special needs. A graduate of the Arbor Center for Teaching in 2018, Tori has also been a regular in Arbor’s Summer Garden program, creating a welcoming environment for Primaries who will come to Arbor each fall.  We are fortunate to have Tori’s joyful presence and commitment to creating an inclusive classroom. 

Emily Wentorf

Senior Math and Curiosity Lab Teacher (2023 - present)

Emily comes to us from Wisconsin, where she has been a math instructor in Algebra and Algebra II for undergraduate students. She most recently taught Science and Math to middle-grade students at Wingra School, an independent school in Madison. Outside of the classroom, Emily has demonstrated her passion for experiential education as a facilitator, trainer, instructor, and curriculum designer in the UW-Madison Adventure Learning Program. Her organizational impact on this program led her to be invited to present at the 2023 Association for Experiential Education Heartland Conference.