Meet the Emerson Team
Educators and Administrators dedicated to the Emerson Community
Angie
KG/1st Grade Teacher
Angie is a K/1 teacher who was delighted to join the Emerson community in 2024. Originally from the Southeast Idaho area, she has been a proud Portland transplant since 2006. Angie earned her master’s degree in Education from PSU and has loved exploring, learning, and growing alongside the young students she has taught over the past ten years. She is passionate about hands-on, discovery-based learning that encourages problem-solving and collaboration. Angie especially enjoys teaching early elementary because the students show up every day as their authentic selves - they make you laugh and they make you think. When she’s not teaching you’ll find Angie relaxing at home with her husband and two cats, Janet and Mister. She loves being in nature, kayaking, reading, and dabbling in various art projects.
Bio Coming Soon!
Christina
KG/1st Grade Teacher
Jamie
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
Hi, my name is Miss Jamie! I joined the Emerson team in 2024 after moving to Portland from Seattle, where I taught K-2. I started my journey in education in Northern California, where I earned my teaching credential from San Francisco State University in 2013. I began teaching kindergarten in the Bay Area, then 3rd grade in the Sacramento area. I love the growth and wonder that happens in lower elementary grades, and I am very excited to be a part of project-based learning here at Emerson. Outside of school, I live with my dog, Ray, who loves to play fetch and snuggle. I spend my time cooking, enjoying good food, reading, playing board, card, and dice games, knitting, and hiking.
Bio Coming Soon!
Hilary
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
Kelsey
4th/5th Grade Teacher
Hi, I'm Kelsey! I grew up in a small town in Southern California and have been a Portlander for about 10 years now. I started my Emerson journey as a student teacher in 2020, and got to experience firsthand what it was like to learn and grow as part of this community. Since then, I've worked as a substitute and 2nd grade teacher before returning to Emerson as a 4/5 teacher. My favorite thing about this age group is watching them develop their unique identities and leadership skills. I am passionate about finding ways to make school engaging, motivating, fun, and challenging. The project approach has been a natural fit for making those goals happen. Outside of school I like to draw, hike, camp, and play drums.
I am thrilled to begin my 8th year as an elementary school teacher, and my 6th year at Emerson. I grew up near Portland in Lake Oswego, OR. My family moved here from the Bay Area when I was 5, and I've stayed in the Pacific Northwest ever since. In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking, playing music, biking, hiking, swimming, roller skating, climbing, snowboarding, going to the movies, playing basketball, and watching basketball. I live in Northeast Portland with my wife, Stacey and our cat, Momo.
My experience in the field of education and childcare includes (in chronological order) teaching music lessons at Willowbrook Arts Camp, after-school care at the Boys & Girls Club, teaching young children at a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool, student teaching while working towards an M.A. in Teaching at the University of Portland, and finally, working as a full-time classroom teacher. I've taught grades 1, 2, 4, and 5, with the last two being my favorite :)
I was originally drawn to Emerson because of their commitment to Positive Discipline and the Project Approach. I believe students do their best work when their social-emotional needs are met, when life skills and social skills are explicitly taught and practiced in the classroom, when they have a teacher who respects their autonomy and capabilities, and when they are engaged in work that is meaningful to them. Emerson's model sets teachers and students up to make this kind of classroom environment a reality.
Will
4th/5th Grade Teacher
Jenny
Executive Director
Jenny is a nonprofit leader who loves helping kids, families, and communities grow and thrive. Jenny is all about building connections, creating fun and meaningful ways to support schools, and making sure every family feels included and valued. She has lots of experience with fundraising, working with boards, and making sure organizations run smoothly—but what matters most to her is serving with heart and bringing people together. She believes in teamwork, creativity, and making a positive difference that lasts. She also earned her MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Portland, which helps her combine both passion and skills to do this work well.
Bio Coming Soon!
Chelsea
Office Manager
Jo
Instructional Coach
Jo is proud to be one of the founders of The Emerson School. She has a master's degree in Education, along with almost 40 years of experience in the field. She is passionate about education, and this is reflected in her wide variety of experiences. She has used Project Approach in a myriad of classrooms-from preschool through 5th grade-for more than 30 years, and has trained educators across the U.S. and UK in its use. She has worked with children of all ages, from early childhood through middle-school, has conducted many workshops and classes on the implementation of Project Approach, was the executive director of a Project Approach pre-school for four years. In addition, she was a professor working with pre-service elementary teachers at the university level for 10 years, incorporating Project Approach work into the many classes that she taught.
Kim is a K/1 Teacher who joined the Emerson School in the fall of 2015 and transitioned to the Literacy Support Specialist role in the fall of 2024. She loves the community which Emerson exudes through its focus on children, family, learning, and working together. After receiving her B.A in Elementary Education from New England College and her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley College Graduate School, she moved back to her hometown of Averill Park, New York. She taught First Grade for 20 years in the elementary school she went to as a child. In 2013 she started a new adventure by moving to Portland. She is thrilled to be continuing her learning and teaching experience with all of the dedicated, loving people at the Emerson School. She loves being a mom, taking long walks, reading and dancing.
Kim
Literacy Support Specialist
Ashley
Instructional Support Teacher
Ashley is delighted to join the Emerson community after moving to Portland from Tampa, FL. She spent time teaching 2nd-5th grade, summer camps for the arts and English for speakers of other languages. She feels lucky to have found such a warm community of staff, teachers and families so far from home. When she isn’t spending time with students, Ashley enjoys cooking, reading, and discovering Portland through hikes and outdoor activities.
Bio Coming Soon!
Meagan
Arts Teacher
Krista
Special Education Teacher
When I'm not teaching, you'll find me at home with my family. We are a multi-generational household. My husband, myself and my children are lucky to have my mother in law live with us. It takes a village! We also have our beloved Social Emotional Lizard, Goldie who comes to work with me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
My teaching priorities are simple:
Everyone can learn, presume competence.
Build connections with Families and Students.
Help kids understand how their brain works.
I am grateful to be stationed full-time at the Emerson School and hope that PPS will allow this to be my forever home!
Hello, I’m Grace and I am so excited to be here with The Emerson School. My journey with The Emerson School started in after school childcare which led me to cultivating a great relationship with the school staff and families. I received my Bachelors in English from Portland State in 2021 and shortly after graduating, I pursued a job in child care due to the strain the pandemic put on families. The Emerson School has made me feel comfortable in an environment where I can watch passionate teachers and staff do their job which inspires me to learn and grow in the same field. Outside of Emerson, I enjoy reading, writing, going fishing in the Willamette, and seeing live music.