My name is Rebecca! I have dedicated many years to supporting and empowering others. A graduate of Azusa Pacific University, I initially served as a youth leader and worked in marketing for Veggie Tales. My passion for education led me to pursue a master's degree while working at George Fox University, where I counseled students and taught classes within the residence life program.
Following the expansion of my family, which includes my three boys, I transitioned to a role as Co-Director of Volunteer Ministries at Beaverton Foursquare. During this time, I began homeschooling my eldest child, prompting a deep dive into the needs of neurodiverse learners. Over the past six years, I have continued to advance my expertise, focusing on providing academic and emotional support to students requiring additional accommodations. My ongoing commitment to education and support reflects my dedication to helping others thrive.
I have been teaching for over a decade and my heart truly lies in educating young people and sharing the absolute joy and the sweet salvation of Jesus with them. I have taught in every grade of elementary, and I have specialized in ELA curriculum writing and planning, as well as reading intervention strategies through Orton-Gillimingham certification. I love the elementary stage because of the level of progress that can always be seen in such a short time span, either socially, emotionally, spiritually or academically. I love the innocence, the genuineness and the fresh perspective that young people bring into my life.
I'm Rashell Linenberger. I'm the Dean of Students and Director of Admissions. I've been in education for over 25 years, and love, love, love what I do!! I don't consider it a job, because I know it's my calling. I LOVE our Valor students and families!
I was part of Valor when it was just a dream and a vision of Angie Taylor's. I love seeing how God brought that dream into reality.
As the Dean, I wear many different hats, but the one thing I'm passionate about is pointing kids and families to Jesus! I love giving them hope when life is hard and praying with them in any given situation.
My greatest desire is that our students would know they are so loved, that they are uniquely created by God, and so very special! They need to KNOW the truth of God's identity, and their identity IN HIM, and that they were born with a divine destiny and purpose! It brings me so much joy to be part of that mission.
I've been married to my incredible husband, Alan, for almost 43 years! Whoo hoo! We have 3 amazing children, Ashley, Stephanie and Nathan, an awesome son and daughter in law, and 5 fun- filled, adorable grandchildren!
It doesn't get any better than that! I AM living my BEST life!!
Besides spending time with my family, I love kayaking, road trips, and I absolutely LOVE the beauty of the PNW!
A couple of my favorite Bible verses are: Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" & Philippians 4:8 "Whatever things are true, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things"
My name is Colbie Lusted and I am the Registrar & College-Career Advisor for Valor. I have been married to my amazing husband for over 20 years and we have 2 sons that attend Valor. I enjoy reading, sewing, baking and being with my family & friends. Throughout my career I have been drawn to working with children and for the majority of my working years (I spent about 12 years as a stay at home mom) I have worked for organizations with a focus on education and youth. I love knowing that my job makes a difference in the lives of kids.
Hello Valor Nation, my name is Matt Ely and I am the Facility Director at Valor. I have been at Valor since it’s inception and have worn many hats since (like many of us). Though I may be in charge of the Valor facility my biggest joy is from interacting with all the families of Valor. I believe that God has placed me here to be a motivating, positive influence in both our students and parents lives and I happily accept that vocation! My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Go Valor!
Hello, my name is Megan Fordice. I get the privilege of being your administrative assistant. That means I get to greet all the students, say hi to the parents, give out band-aids, and all the things. I have worn many hats over the years that I have been here but this one is a favorite. I am married to my best friend and we have 4 pretty awesome kids. God has blessed me with being able to be active in my kids' lives wherever they are at in that season. That has included being a children's director at church, a production coordinator at their theater group, and now being here at Valor.
My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:8 - "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.
Hello! I have the privilege of being the Missions Coordinator here at Valor. My husband Ryan and I have two daughters and we have been a Valor family since 2019. I have a BA degree in Business/Marketing from the University of Oregon. Prior to working at Valor I was a project manager for a market research company and went from that to owning and operating two Plato's Closet locations for 10 years. Our family loves traveling and being outside and active. We also love anything having to do with Disney! Working at Valor is truly a blessing and I love getting to help our high school students plan for and then head out on their missions trips along with planning the middle school missions week. Our students truly do kingdom work!
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!" Isaiah 52:7
Hello, my name is Rocky Krieger and I am Valor’s Athletic Director. I was born and raised in Oregon and received my Bachelor's Degree in Education from Western Oregon University. I have a lovely wife, Aimee, and we have two sons. I believe that God has placed me at Valor to share my passion for sports and to help create more opportunities and excitement from our students about competing in athletics. A favorite Bible verse of mine is, 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize".
Hello! I’m Rachel Barbee and I work in the lunchroom here at Valor. My husband and I have two kids Grace and Noah! I have a background in Coffee, Banking, Retail and Montessori work. I love to bake and cook so it brings me a lot of joy to be able to serve the students and staff at Valor. My degree happens to be in Psychology and Bible! Although I went a different route I am still able to use my education in day to day interactions! I also have a passion for special education and advocacy which is something I hope to pursue educationally someday.
My favorite Bible verse is: Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hello! My name is Kristen Yarbrough and I am overjoyed to be the first grade teacher here at Valor Christian School International! Prior to receiving my MAT from George Fox University, I attended Oregon State University and graduated with a degree in Human Development & Family Science. Go Beavs! Outside of school I enjoy gardening, watching/ playing sports and any sort of crafting! I was born and raised in Oregon, but love traveling and seeing God's beauty everywhere! I'm beyond grateful to be a part of the team here at VCSI!
Hi, I’m Steffany Johnson! I teach upper elementary music at Valor and work with children learning to play instruments, most of them for the first time! I love watching how much they grow from the beginning of the year to the end. I’ve been married for over two decades to my best friend Joe with two kids and a Himalayan cat named Chewy. I’m also a licensed Musikgarten teacher, and have certifications in Arts & Healing, Love & Logic and received a flute scholarship to Pacific University. I began playing flute when I was 12 years old and performed in many youth symphonies, orchestras, and symphonic bands, many of them as first chair. I’m also a business owner for Little Tweets Music teaching music and movement classes in several local preschools. When I’m not teaching, I love to spend time with my family watching shows or playing board games. I also love being outdoors gardening or walking and playing music. One fun fact is I love boba tea! My family has been so blessed by this community. I love being able to share my two favorite things, the gospel & music. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
My name is Katia Ocanas and I have the privilege of teaching elementary music, Spanish and I lead the Secondary worship team. I was born in Mexico City and am a native Spanish speaker. I moved to the US when I was five, I was raised in Las Vegas and went to school there. I have lived in Oregon since 2016 and I love it here. I love Mexican food and Mexican candy, I enjoy singing and dancing and anything related to music, but my favorite of all is worship! Worship is a huge part of my life and it is where I find strength and peace. I have four amazing children, they are my greatest purpose and inspiration, theri names are David, Jeremy, Grace and Leo. I have been teaching Spanish and music since 2016 and I have been actively involved in worship ministry since I was a teenager. It brings me great joy to teach my native language and to instill the love of music into children's lives. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”
My name is Mark Colligan - and here's a little bit about me: I am married to Melissa and we have three sons. Hobbies/interests - Cooking, running (running to eat the food I cook), reading, traveling. Fun facts about me - grew up in Germany with the US military, studied Chinese in college, and studied abroad in Tianjin, China. Favorite scripture - 1 Timothy 1:12 - life's calling Favorite part of being on staff at Valor - I love the team we have to accomplish our mission. We are so different but joined together by our mission. LOVE THAT! Before becoming a teacher, I was a Day Camp Counselor, a Bank Teller, a Waiter, a Youth Pastor, a Worship Pastor, a Videographer, and an Email Marketer. I begged God to be able to keep working with students and He answered big-time!
My name is Courtney Fuller and I'm a middle school math and science teacher at Valor. I'm happily married to my husband Evan, who often joins me to cheer on our Knights in sports and other events! In 2016, the Lord used Genesis 12 to call me into teaching. Just as the Lord had called Abram to leave his native country, relatives, and family and to go to a new land, God was calling me to leave my comfort zone and pursue a degree in teaching. I went on to earn my Masters in Teaching and primarily taught middle school math in public schools and supported special education students. Following the Lord's call has been nothing short of amazing, and since 2023, I've been very blessed to be part of the Valor community, guiding students in both academic and spiritual growth.
Hi, I'm Sarah, with an "h"! I love working at Valor for so many reasons, top among them is to support the kingdom work of educating students to serve the kingdom of God and to be where my children go to school. I help out with media (photography/videography/graphic design) and teach electives to Secondary students. One of my favorite verses is James 3:18 -- "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace".
Hi there, my name is Katrina Kippen and I’ve been teaching at Valor since 2020. Most days you’ll find me teaching in the new secondary art room.
My family and I are recent transplants to Oregon and one of the biggest blessings we have experienced has been Valor and the wonderful community that it comes with it. I have been married for 22 years and have three children that all attend Valor. Our family has three dogs (including a new puppy) and we love to swim, run, play soccer or basketball, be creative with art or music, watch movies, go to the beach or bbq and just enjoy quality time with others.
I didn’t have the easiest life growing up, but one thing I did have was the Lord by my side as I accepted Christ into my heart as a little girl. One of my life scriptures is 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Hi, I'm Micah Richman, and I'm the Secondary Spanish teacher, but I also teach Humanities as well. This is my fifth year at Valor and I love the mission and vision of Valor and being part of the community. I majored in English Literature and Spanish, with a Minor in Religion, and I studied and lived in Costa Rica and Spain during and after college. I taught over 20 years ago before becoming an owner of a small business in which I was in leadership for 18 years. While I still have my business, the Lord called me back to teaching in 2020 and I've been at Valor ever since. I have a wonderful husband, Derek, and a daughter, Tabitha, who also attends Valor. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Hello! I am Charlotte Spears and I am a secondary humanities and math teacher. My family became part of the Valor Community when we enrolled our children in 2021, and Valor has been a huge blessing to us in so many ways! We have made wonderful friends here and our kids are growing in both their knowledge of God and academically. I started teaching at Valor in 2023. It has been a blessing to be part of such a dedicated and caring staff, and of course I love getting to see my kids on campus every day. Prior to teaching, I spent over 20 years in corporate finance with a Fortune 50 high tech manufacturing company. My work experience spanned manufacturing cost reduction, supply chain negotiations, competitive intelligence, risk management, and new business development. This background has given me a wealth of experience to share with my students, especially in the business and statistics classes I teach.
History is my favorite subject to teach. I have really enjoyed sharing the weird, wonderful, and sometimes nearly unbelievable events of history with my students! Of course history also includes very hard and dark topics. These have given me the opportunity to lean into what God can teach us about His grace and power in every situation. We can trust that God is always at work, even when we can't see it. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending family time outdoors, especially days at the coast or paddleboarding on a river somewhere. In the “not summer” part of the year, I try to find interesting museums and exhibits to visit, or just enjoy being home with a hot cup of coffee.
Greetings, I'm Riley! I am honored to be a member of the Valor staff as a secondary humanities teacher. God has blessed me with an incredibly wise, steadfast, beautiful, and fun-loving wife named Nadia. I'm a graduate of Simpson University and A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, both of which are located in Northern California. Some of my hobbies include baseball, working on cars and random devices, and researching pretty much everything! One of my defining characteristics is that I am passionate about the pursuit of God's truth. While this comes out in all that I am and do, as a teacher it means that I value relentless curiosity that wrestles with God's revelation and tries to make sense of it through faith, wisdom, and the engagement of the God-given faculties of the mind. My favorite scripture passage is Colossians 1:15-23, where I get to ponder and give thanks for the beautiful tension between the immensity and the immediacy of our Lord Jesus!
I have the joy of working in the kitchen and the baby room at Valor. Whether preparing meals or caring for our youngest children, I love being part of the daily rhythm of life here. Spending time with the little ones brings so much joy and fulfillment, and it’s a blessing to serve the Valor community in this way. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking walks, and making trips to my favorite place—Disneyland! Singing is another passion of mine, and I find it a wonderful way to express my faith and joy. A verse that has always inspired me is 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This verse reminds me to live boldly in God’s strength, and I’m excited to continue serving and growing within this Christ-centered community.
My name is Selena May, and I am so blessed to be a part of our student support team at Valor! It is a joy to help provide academic and emotional support for our wonderful students and families. I am originally from the Metro-Detroit area and my background is in social work and psychology. My husband and I have been doing youth ministry together for over a decade. We have four amazing children! I love to read. I am a coffee snob, a theology nerd, and a houseplant enthusiast. One of my favorite Bible verses is: Psalms 54:4 “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”
My name is Crystal Sorenson and I am one of the lunch ladies here at Valor Christian
School International. After a 15 year career as a Veterinary Technician, I had the opportunity to
join the staff at Valor in the kitchen. It was a change of pace and scenery but I am so glad I
accepted! It has been a blessing to work where my children have attended school. I enjoy
preparing the lunches and being able to be a positive part of each child’s day! Everyone loves
lunch!
