Teachers & Staff

DAVID SPEARS served in the military for six years and then gained his B.A. in Economics and Political Science from George Fox University. David is a permanent board member at Paideia and serves as disciplinary principal and head of school. He and his wife Rose have four boys and a passion for advancing Christian education in the Portland metro area. (Head of School)

ROSE SPEARS graduated from New Saint Andrews College with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture. She has been teaching secondary-level classes using Classical curriculum and pedagogy for seventeen years, first at King’s Academy and Schole Academy, and now at Paideia. Rose also oversees academics and admissions at Paideia. She and husband David have four boys enrolled at Paideia. In her spare time, Rose writes historical fiction. (Director of Academics and Admissions; Aesthetics & Art History)

BRENDA KULBE graduated with her diploma in Executive Office Administration. She enjoys time hanging out in her craft room making shirts and tumblers. She loves to travel and visit her family back in Canada. She is an invaluable asset to our teachers as she coordinates volunteer scheduling, parent communications, and all things office-related. (Executive Assistant)

KATEE CORPRON has a BS in Nutrition and Food Sciences from Utah State University. She and her husband, Trent, have four children whom she homeschooled until they came to Paideia. She is passionate about classical education and taught in Classical Conversations for several years. She loves to read, hike, and go on walks with her husband. Her favorite book is Jane Eyre. (Administrative Assistant)

ALI TERTIN hails from northern Minnesota where she taught middle school and coached for 8 years before moving to Oregon in 2007. She is a mother of two, the wife of a pastor, and a compassionate friend to all, having served for years in youth ministry, women’s ministries, and the Classical Conversations home school co-op in Portland. Ali is always inviting students, parents, and neighbors into the way of life that belongs to Christ alone. (Administrative Assistant, Geometry, Algebra 2)

ALICE BARNARD Many years ago, Alice attended Trinity Western University to gain her Bachelor of Arts degree. Nowadays, she enjoys teaching elementary Latin, advising high school students, spending time with her husband and their four grown-up children, gardening, and reading. Sharing Gospel truths with students and helping them see God’s abundant beauty are some of her greatest privileges in life. (Executive Assistant; Bookkeeping; College Advisor & Testing Coordinator)

AMY HAYES has taught in a variety of educational settings for the past 20 years including homeschooling her own children, grandchildren and the children of friends, running a one-room-school classroom in her home, tutoring foreign students, Barton dyslexia tutoring, and doing teacher training in phonics curricula. She and her husband Doug raised his five children from a previous marriage and now delight in their many grandchildren – several of whom attend Paideia. When not teaching, Amy loves being in her kitchen, creating a welcoming home and garden, photographing babies, all things books, and the worship and life of her church community. (Kindergarten Teacher)

JAYNA HEATH graduated from Northwest University with a B.A. in Elementary Education, including endorsements in ESL and English. She is a native Oregonian who returned home after living in Washington, DC and Louisville, KY with her husband and growing family. Kurt and Jayna have four children. (First Grade Teacher)

SHARON TRUE graduated from Central Washington University with a B.A. in Education, Special Ed. major/minor in Elementary Ed., then attained a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from City University.   She taught elementary for 15 years in Vancouver, WA, and high school English in Poland, then married a “True” musician and had three children, whom she homeschooled until she found Paideia, where all of her three children either attend or are alumni. Signing for the deaf, traveling, and mentoring youth have been  interests of hers since her late teens.  Recently she just returned to biking, (with her sons when she can keep up with them) as well as thoroughly enjoying listening to live piano, bass guitar or marimba at her house played by her children and husband.  Because it was done for her, she considers it an honor to pass on truth to the next generation, as there is no greater joy than taking the hand of a child and placing it in the gentle, kind hand of Jesus for all of life! (Second Grade Teacher)

BETH ANNE CACKA graduated from Hyles-Anderson college with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade for several years before marriage and becoming a mom of two boys. She loves art, history, music, animals, baking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her family in our beautiful state. Previously, she taught elementary art at Paideia and assisted in a variety of elementary subjects as a teacher’s aide. (Third Grade Teacher)

LISA POINDEXTER continues as fourth grade teacher at Paideia this year. Mother to six and grandmother to one, she has provided instruction for many years in a homeschool setting and through Classical Conversations. Previously, she taught third grade for several years at Paideia. (Fourth Grade Teacher)

CAITY GENTLE holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible and Christian Ministry from New Hope Christian College and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Northwest Christian University and has eleven years’ experience in education. She and her husband, Rob, have twins who are in secondary. Caity loves being a wife and a mom, cooking, playing games, smiling and being happy, and coffee! (Fifth Grade Teacher)

SARAH BILLINGS holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Oklahoma Baptist University, where she met her husband, Davey. She has 8 years of experience in education. Outside of the classroom she is the Children’s Director for Woodstock Community Church, a church plant in Portland. In her free time you can find her playing board games with Davey and friends, reading, painting, cross-stitching, baking, and cuddling with her dog. (Sixth Grade Teacher)

BROOKE BUBNA is excited to be sharing the joy of music with Paideia elementary this year. She earned a Bachelor of Music in composition from Willamette University and a Bible certificate from Ecola. Brooke’s teaching experience includes two years of elementary classroom music, multiple music camps and over a decade teaching private piano lessons. She sang professionally with Portland Dickens Carolers for a number of years, and more recently, can be found playing fiddle for English Country Dance bands. Brooke and her husband Nate have four children. (Elementary Music Teacher)

JUDI BRADLEY was born to missionary parents in Zaire, Africa (now the DRC) and lived there until she was 6 years old, moving to Portland for the remainder of her childhood. In high school and college she took as many art classes as she could until she started having children. With her husband Kevin, she has nine children and has homeschooled for 20 years. Her youngest three attend Paideia where she loves the balance of school and still getting to be a part of their education in the afternoon. Judi recently returned to school herself and is slowly working toward her A.A. In her free time, she loves to sew, create art, cook, garden, thrift store shop. The thing she most looks forward to is the return of Jesus! (Elementary Art Teacher)

BETHANY TUTTLE is excited to return to Paideia as an elementary teacher’s aide. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho, she spent ten years in project administration before staying home to raise her children, and truly enjoys using her administrative skill set to assist others in accomplishing their goals. Bethany and her husband, Steven, have two children who attend Paideia, and the Tuttles love being part of the school family. In her free time, Bethany is most often found with her family in their backyard, in her garden or sewing room, or trying a new recipe in the kitchen. (Elementary Teacher’s Aide)

RACHEL DEROSA is currently working on completing her Bachelors in History. She is in her third year of college and plans on becoming a historical writer. She loves to be involved in worship at her church, and is in her second year of coaching a homeschool soccer team! Rachel is excited to help grow the next generation of students and Christ followers. (Elementary Teacher’s Aide)

CAITLIN CUMMINGS is the mother of four girls currently attending Paideia. In the distant past she worked for the Clackamas ESD with kids with special needs and in a language school connecting with the Muslim refugee population of Portland. In more recent years she has worked to create henna patterns to share Bible stories, learned about developing healthy airway and facial structure in children and taken classes to bring emotional healing to herself and others. She loves dancing, reading a variety of books (especially picture books), being outside, and sharing poetry and good words with her children. (Kindergarten Teacher’s Aide)

JULIE GREENE joins us this year as our Secondary Choir Teacher Assistant. She earned her B.A. in Music Ed from Azusa Pacific Univ. She enjoys playing and listening to all kinds of music.  Julie is married to a lawyer/musician and has 4 kids, 2 attending Paideia at present, 1 alumnus.  Besides being a wife and mom Julie also enjoys the outdoors, animals (especially her 3 cats) gardening, board/card games, and puzzles. (Secondary Teacher’s Assistant)

ANA DAU received a Liberal Arts degree from the University of Idaho where she majored in Classical Studies. She and Matt live in Oregon City and have four children at Paideia. Ana loves being involved in Paideia and over the years has enjoyed the opportunities to serve as Art teacher, Latin teacher, and Theater Director. (Theater Director)

KRISTEN BAILEY graduated from Cal State University San Marcos in California, with a B.A. in Communication. The majority of her 15 year career has been spent in sales and event coordination. She spent the last few years homeschooling her children, until they started attending Paideia. Kristen loves being outside in God’s creation, cooking, reading, and serving in her church. Her ultimate love is Jesus and He brings her the joy of serving others and encouraging people as a means of shining the light of Jesus in her everyday life. (Events Coordinator)

AUGUST ALBERS graduated from Cedar Tree Classical Christian School, got his bachelors in Philosophy and a pre-law and justice minor at Whitworth University. He was born and raised around Vancouver, WA, but loves to travel. The Middle East and South East Asia are favorites. He competed in track and field as well as cross country throughout high school and college, and even competed abroad for a time representing the US on the PNW team for cross country. His favorite all time book has to be Paradise Lost by John Milton and he has a high interest in Law. Apart from teaching he is taking prep classes for law school.

SARAH ASHWORTH has a B.A. in Studio Art from University of California, Davis, a Master of Architecture from University of Oregon and was a licensed architect in California and Oregon. She and her family love hiking, camping, and playing on the beach. Sarah’s interests mostly fall into the theme of making—from gardening, cooking, sewing, and drawing to interior design and architecture. (Chemistry, Physics, PreAlgebra, Algebra 2, PreCalculus, Calculus)

DAVEY BILLINGS is an avid lover of languages, particularly ancient languages. He earned a B.A. in Biblical Languages and Linguistics from Oklahoma Baptist University (where he also met his wife, Sarah), and an M.A. in Biblical Languages and Linguistics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina. He is a J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiast, and other favorites are To Kill A Mockingbird, Jurassic Park, and The Kite Runner.  When he’s not reading, Davey’s favorite pastime is playing board games and card games with friends and family. (Latin 1 & 2, Greek 1 & 2, 7th Lit & Language Arts)

BO COGBILL has been the pastor of Reformation Covenant Church in Oregon City since 2019. He graduated from Westminster/Redeemer Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2012. He and his wife, Rachel, have three kids: Bailey, Sydney, and Keller – all native Texans. Bo is eager for students to see how the NT is the revelation of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and how, in Christ, God’s people can be assured He is not only a promise maker but the promise keeper. (9th Bible)

RACHEL COGBILLis the wife of a pastor and mother to three at Paideia. She earned a B.A. in Business Finance (minor in Spanish) from Texas Christian University and a Master’s in Education with emphasis in teaching reading from Dallas Baptist University. She taught at the elementary level for five years before “retiring” to stay home with her kids and this is her fourth year teaching secondary Spanish at Paideia. (Spanish 1, Spanish 2)

LILLIAN COLLVER graduated with a B.A. in History, Minor Literature from Western Oregon University and is pursuing a Master of Studies in Classical Christian Studies through New Saint Andrews College. In her spare time, she bakes, reads, makes borscht, knits, and practices Filipino Martial Arts. Lillian is excited to join the parents and teachers at Paideia in the mission to teach children about God and His world.  (Secondary Teacher)

AGATA COOMBS was born and raised in Poland. She graduated from Pomeranian Pedagogical Academy in Slupsk, Poland with a Master’s degree in Biology. She moved to the United States in 2006 after marrying her husband, Bert. They are raising three children who are all attending Paideia. In her free time Agata enjoys cooking, fermenting, experimenting in the kitchen and long hikes with her family. (Math Lab)

ETHAN DAVIS graduated from Whitworth University with a B.A. in Philosophy and a
Theology minor. Ethan enjoys playing sports, nerdy conversions with friends, devouring
a good book, and thinking through the big questions of life and faith. He has a heart for
impacting students and exploring and sharing the best of the Western tradition.(Secondary Teacher)

JOSEPH FORSTER graduated from George Fox University in 2009 with a B.A. in Music. He plays a variety of musical instruments and has taught music in many contexts, including giving private lessons and directing church and university choir groups. He is currently the Chief Musician at Reformation Covenant Church and owns Sterling Piano Tuning. He lives in Oregon City with his wife Hannah and their soon-to-be five children and enjoys board games  in his spare time. (Junior High & Senior High Music)

CHELSI LACINE studied Biology at Chemeketa Community College and George Fox University. She is a pastor’s wife and mother to four children. Chelsi is passionate about inspiring young people in the wonder of God through the study of the Bible and his creation.  (7th Bible, 7th/8th Science, Algebra 1, 9th/10th Health & Nutrition, 9th/10th Astronomy, House Coordinator)

LELIA MANN has a BA in computer science from PSU. She was born in Romania and came to the US at the age of 10. She and her husband have 6 children, whom she homeschooled for 15 years. She taught science classes for her homeschool co-op for many years. In her spare time she loves to read, travel, and go camping with family and friends. (Secondary Math)

CONNIE MEYERDIERK studied Elementary Ed. at Western Oregon State College and homeschooled her children for many years  Connie helped to form a co-op in her early homeschooling days and taught a variety of subjects in the six years her family participated in it.  One of Connie’s passions is nurturing a love for God and His Word. (8th Bible, 10th Bible)

JON ROBERTS attended George Fox University and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Was a high school/middle school teacher for 16 years, and a coach for 25 years. Has been a pastor for the last 10 years. Loves buying and eventually reading books, and he has quite the collection. His wife’s name is Kati and he has three children attending Paideia, Kyle, Olivia, and Lincoln. In his spare time (when he has it) he loves spending it with his family, which includes coaching all three kids in sports ranging from football to basketball to volleyball. He loves studying God’s Word, one of his favorite times is when he gets to start into a new book of the Bible that he has not studied in depth before, and gets to see how God reveals Himself anew.   (7th Bible)

LAUREN SHEARER has a B.S in Marketing from Western Governors University, and is currently a grad student at Reformed Theological Seminary in North Carolina (online). She spent two years in west Ukraine as an English tutor for an after-school center. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, reads widely, and takes early morning walks. (Secondary Teacher)

CAROLYN VAN HOUTEN earned her BS in History and then her Masters of Education from Portland State University in 2007. She has enjoyed being a substitute teacher for many local school districts over the past several
years. She loves to cook with her girls, read novels and poetry, and take care of her plants. Carolyn and
her husband Jake have four children, three of whom attend Paideia. (Secondary Teacher)

ELSHA WINSOR graduated from the Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California with a degree in English and later received her teaching license and M.A. in Teaching from the same institution. She taught both middle and high school classes in California where she first encountered the value of classical education. She enjoys exploring coffee shops and book stores with her husband, Ryan, and three young children. (7th Logic, 8th Logic, 9th Great Books: American, 9th Logic/Rhetoric, 10th Rhetoric)