Portland Forest School Teachers, Staff & Board
Forest School Staff: Kindergarten
Jacqui McGregor
she/her
Lead Teacher: Kindergarten
Jacqui’s love for the outdoors began in the lakes and woods of her home state of Minnesota, where she could usually be found wandering the forests and trails - even in the winter. She earned her degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services from Minnesota State University. From there, her adventures took her all over the map: she taught cross-country ski lessons in the mountains of Colorado, guided backpacking trips for youth in crisis in the hills of North Carolina, and led joyful beachside family activities as a Recreation Supervisor in South Carolina. She also spent many unforgettable summers in Wisconsin as a camp counselor and archery instructor (don't worry, she sings camp songs all year round). Eventually, Jacqui followed her heart west and found her forever home in Oregon.
This is Jacqui’s first year at Portland Forest School, and she’s incredibly excited to join the community as the Assistant Kindergarten Teacher. She brings with her a cross-country collection of experiences, and endless enthusiasm for working with children and helping them grow and learn in nature.
When she’s not teaching, Jacqui can usually be found baking, reading, crocheting and crafting, or out exploring Oregon’s trails. She lives with her wonderful fiancé, two cats, and a leopard gecko.
Valeria Zanzano
she/they
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Val (Valeria) was raised in Tigard, Oregon exploring the natural world in a suburban setting.
Her most beloved childhood memories involve collecting worms, playing in creeks, and having tobe hosed down before being let into the house. This love of the outdoors manifested as a Bachelor of Science in Biology, finding joy in volunteering with local community science projects, and organizing camp science programs.
Her first role in education was as a substitute paraeducator in a wide variety of K-12 SPED and gen ED classrooms. Subbing created ample space to learn from experienced educators with vastly different teaching styles and intervention methods. She transitioned into a long-term role supporting a Trails classroom, a program supporting neurodiverse students with an emphasis on social emotional learning. Her students and co-teachers helped build her commitment to fostering students’ genuine sense of belonging in their school.
Valeria is excited to join Portland Forest School and go on a series of adventures, continuing to learn alongside her students. She’s also looking forward to more evenings and weekends spent in a hammock, on a paddleboard, or sharing space on a picnic blanket.
Forest School Staff: 1st-2nd grade Pod
Amanda Giordano
she/they
Lead Teacher: Grade 1-2
Amanda grew up in a small suburb north of Chicago and had her first taste of teaching when helping a friend learn to snowboard on the “hills” of Wisconsin. After family trips to visit mountains out west and the rivers of Oregon, Amanda flew, as far as the coop would allow, to study Graphic Design at the University of Minnesota. During their summers, Amanda worked at a variety of summer camps developing and delivering art curriculum. From raft guiding the Clackamas River, teaching snowboarding in Utah, and leading marine biology tours as a naturalist in Alaska, Amanda realized their love for educating in outdoor settings. She began teaching at a Montessori preschool back in Utah. It was here that Amanda tapped back into their artistic background to teach art for kids age preschool through second grade.
With their alternative path to teaching, Amanda brings a silly yet insightful perspective to the classroom!
Sam Kaufman
he/they
Lead Teacher: Grade 1-2
Born in Palo Alto, California in the Bay Area, Sam is a proud child of two lifelong educators and is thrilled to further their legacy of supporting and educating youth further north at Portland Forest School. Sam first discovered the wonders of outdoor education as a fifth grader attending his school’s outdoor education program. Nestled in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, he uncovered a profound joy for learning in nature. Sam later returned to the program four times as a high school cabin leader, cementing his deep passion and skill as a teacher and mentor. Sam’s professional experience is wide-ranging, yet rooted in a singular mission. Whether leading youth hikes in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, supporting a rural school as an Instructional Aide, or working as a paraeducator in a Portland Public Schools K-2 Learning Center. Sam’s focus never wavers.
They recently earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University, specializing in Elementary and Foundational Social Studies in the spring of 2026. Cultivating strong classroom communities and facilitating holistic student growth remains the north star of Sam’s practice. Sam believes wholeheartedly in the necessity of community, recognizing that academic learning and relationship-building go hand in hand. For Sam, each day brings an opportunity to strengthen collective bonds, share valuable lessons, chase new discoveries, and learn from the wisdom of the natural world.
In his free time, Sam can be found whistling to himself on a trail or walk, coaching and playing Ultimate Frisbee, home cooking delicious meals, and thoughtfully listening to cherished albums and new musical discoveries.
Forest School Staff: 3rd-5th grade Pod
Dale Williams
they/she
Lead Teacher: Grades 3-5
Dale grew up exploring the gully near Vernonia, Oregon, surrounded by farm animals and fueled by a boundless sense of adventure and curiosity. From a young age, Dale developed a deep connection to nature and became a dedicated student of earth skills—mastering practical crafts like weaving and survival techniques while nurturing a love for inquiry and discovery.
For her eighth birthday, Dale’s determination led her to request enrollment in the local Taekwondo studio. Although her mother initially hesitated, this decision sparked a ten-year journey that culminated in Dale becoming an assistant instructor and earning three black belts. This experience ignited her lifelong passion for teaching and mentoring.
As a teacher at Portland Forest School for over four years, Dale embodies the school’s vision by seamlessly integrating survival skills, science inquiry, and the traditional academic subjects into memorable lessons. Her ability to teach elementary school math alongside wilderness skills showcases her versatility and commitment to holistic education.
Dale’s infectious laugh can be heard throughout the halls (and forests) of Portland Forest School. Their well-rounded expertise and dedication to creating lasting memories inspire them to appreciate both academic growth and the wonders of the natural world.
Simon George
he/him
Lead Teacher: Grades 3-5
Simon was born and raised in Portland, Oregon where the trees and moss surrounding him had their own stories and history that he just had to learn. Spending his summers in camps he came to the realization that art and learning weren't exclusive to each other and made the decision to go into teaching. Simon received his bachelor's degree in education foundations from the University of Oregon, where his passion for learning grew and he then earned his masters degree in elementary education from Portland State University, with an emphasis on inclusion of the arts.
Mixing his passions for the outdoors, arts, and science lead him into environmental learning. He became a lead teacher for Outdoor School and his passion for teaching continued to grow. Simon has subbed in Portland Public School District and neighboring areas, particularly taking long term roles in environmental schools. Working with a variety of grades anywhere from kindergarten to seniors, he learned no matter the age of a person there’s something they can learn from you and you from them. Curiosity never stops. His fascination with science and knowledge that there are things only nature can teach us is what drives him to spark that curiosity in his students.
When he’s not teaching you can find Simon enjoying a comic book while camping, hanging out by the water, counting slugs on his hikes, traveling to new states to count the different species of trees he sees, or searching for new records in all the vintage shops Portland has to offer. His goal is to see at least three wildlife critters a day and hopes you see one today.
Forest School Staff: Middle School 6-8th
Jesse Sergi
she/her
Lead Teacher: Grades 6-8
&
School Wide Literacy Specialist
Jessa’s roots spread from the deep woods of Downeast Maine, the natural areas of Central Florida, the cities of Madrid, Spain and Santiago, Chile, the island of Taiwan and the Pacific Northwest. Her educator journey began at the ripe age of 12 where she taught young kids how to figure skate and fell in love with sharing her skills.
This love of teaching sparked her to pursue a degree in Elementary Education with concentrations in math and outdoor education from the University of Maine. Her personal love of reading and training in brain-based teaching led her to earn her Master’s degree in Reading Education from the University of South Florida in 2015 where her primary research was in the connection of language comprehension and outdoor education.
In 2019, Jessa found the Trackers Earth family and its Mariners guild where she teaches fishing, foraging, boating, and other ways of the waters during the summer.
Jessa has continued her career with Trackers Earth by teaching at Portland Forest School. With her Oregon Teaching License and Literacy Specialist background she has been supporting her students and community in data-driven experiential learning bundled with structured literacy. The world is truly the best classroom!
Teacher Wizard Jessa loves taking her Brave Monsters on adventures to navigate our world, grow kind communities, and confidently adapt to our ever changing environments.
Grace Van Kirk
she/they
Lead Teacher: Grades 6-8
Grace was born in Portland and grew up both here and in a small town in northern California. As a child, Grace roamed around the towering pines and redwoods of California. She loved nothing more than camping in the dirt, rock skipping competitions, and singing songs around a campfire. In their young adulthood, Grace explored a huge variety of paths from outdoor education in the Santa Cruz mountains to being a youth development volunteer with the Peace Corps in Guatemala. Grace also spent years as both a crisis counselor and violence prevention educator for organizations that support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She loves teaching health and having meaningful conversations with young people about healthy relationships and practicing nonviolent communication. These experiences combined led Grace to return to school to get her Master of Art in Teaching and teaching license from Lewis and Clark College in Portland.
This will be Grace’s first year at Portland Forest School and they are so incredibly stoked to be joining the Middle School team. She is excited to share her passion for native plants and herbal medicine. Dedicated to social growth, she is deeply committed to learning and unlearning the systems that shape our society. Grace’s teaching philosophy is rooted in student centered inquiry, place-based advocacy projects, and building a community of learners willing to take on a challenge and make mistakes.
When she’s not teaching, you can find Grace engrossed in a book, floating on a body of water, or tossing a frisbee.
Portland Forest School Staff
she/they
Art Teacher & After Care
Hannah Taylor
Hannah Taylor was born and raised in Oregon and has always had a passion for the arts and a love of creative thinking! In her personal practice she primarily gravitates toward painting, drawing and printmaking, but loves to experiment with all mediums the world of visual arts has to offer. Growing up she got the opportunity to travel often, always gaining insight and inspiration from places both far and local. She attended the University of Oregon to earn a Bachelor or Fine Arts degree, and spent a semester abroad in Siena, Italy studying painting and drawing. Upon graduation she moved back to Portland in 2024 to pursue education, working at an after-school art program at Abernethy Elementary school before attending Lewis and Clark College to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching with an endorsement in art. Her favorite part of teaching art is helping students find their artistic voice, as well as bringing communities together!
When she is not teaching, Hannah loves to make all kinds of art (of course) but also exploring the beautiful and diverse landscape of the Pacific Northwest, hiking, illustrating and appreciating both the small and big components of the ecosystems. She also enjoys exploring Portland’s music, film and art events and finding new artists and ways of making!
he/him
Head of School
Ian Abraham
Ian has been teaching within the Portland Metropolitan area since 1999. He holds an MA in Environment and Community through Antioch University and has taught for many outdoor education programs, including M.E.S.D. Outdoor School, Cascadia Wild, Wolftree Inc., Tryon Creek and the Oregon Zoo. He spent 15 years at Portland Audubon as an Environmental Educator, Camp Director, and the Youth Programs Manager. He was our Forest School Principal from 2019-2021 and comes to us, most recently, from Trackers Earth as the General Manager.
His passions lie in the arts and science of bird language and wilderness living skills. Ian views the vision of Forest School as the present and future role model for academics wherein students learn Oregon core curriculum standards through immersive outdoor skills. He is excited to support the massive amount of talent that the Forest School teachers bring to each and every day while also working with our parents that trust the school with their child’s socio-emotional well-being and academic experience.
Enrollment & Family Engagement Coordinator
Madeline Boyer
she/her
Madeline was born and raised here in Portland. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Northwestern University and an MA in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University. Madeline has long been passionate about connecting kids with the natural world. She worked in garden and farm-based education before coming to Portland Forest School in 2022. After four years teaching Kindergarten, Madeline transitioned to the admin team as the Enrollment and Family Engagement Coordinator.
At home, Madeline enjoys spending time with her husband and young son, especially in the garden!
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Kate Mitchell
she/her
Administrative and Enrollment Director
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Krista McLellan
she/her
Board President
Meet our Board Members
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Nisha Supahan
she/her
Vice President
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Forrest Allen
he/him
Treasurer
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Donald McLellan
he/him
Member-at-Large
