Arbor School Faculty and Staff 2022-2023

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. 

Alexis Brown

Primary Assistant Teacher  (2020-2022, 2022-present) 

Alexis is a 2022 graduate of the Arbor Center for Teaching, having been a Teacher Resident in Junior Up for the past two school years, as well as designing and teaching the popular Finding Your Artist's Eye classes during our past two summer programs. A graduate of Humboldt State University in Political Science, Alexis has been drawn to teaching all along her educational path, working as a Writing Center tutor, and student teaching in a 4th/5th grade classroom before coming to Arbor. In her time at Arbor, Alexis has shown us that she has the observant eye of the poet, the artist, and the scientist, and that she uses those careful observations to build the kinds of strong and trusting relationships with her students that support them in working hard and taking risks. Alexis is excited to join the Primary team for a new journey with the youngest Arbor students and their families.

Shelly Buchanan

Library consultant and Senior Writing Instructor  (2022 - present)

Long known and loved in the Arbor community as the parent of three Arbor alums, Shelly returned in the fall of 2019 as Arbor’s Librarian. With her background and experience as a middle and high school teacher and advisor, and her training and practice as a school librarian and teacher of librarians at the graduate school level, Shelly brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as a consultant.  As a writing instructor, Shelly is known for nurturing the writer within each student and giving them the support they need to succeed.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Joanna Vincent

Intermediate Teacher and Primary Music Teacher (2022- present)

Joanna comes to us most recently from the Beaverton School District where she has been teaching K-5 music. Ready to stretch her wings a bit, she looks forward to bringing joyful energy and her commitment to creating engaging classrooms to all that the Intermediate class offers. 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. Joanna will be sharing her love of singing with the Arbor Primaries in a weekly class called “Singing with Joanna.” 

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.