I am blessed to be the Principal at Valor and to spend my days with the best students and staff in the whole world! I have a background in science. I got my Master’s Degree in Environmental Science in the study of Atmospheric Chemistry. I originally started out as a Chemist (labcoat and everything), but through the blessings of God, my life was brought around to where my true giftings lie, education. I was a part of the original team to start Valor and love this place to pieces! My whole family is at Valor and if we could build our house next door to the school, we probably would. I have been married to Mr. Neill for 18 fun filled nerdy years. Fun fact, we met at the George Fox Library and can literally credit our chemistry class in college for bringing us together. Real chemistry folks! We have 4 incredible children. I was almost an Opera singer and the kids on campus will share that I sing loud. 🙂 I am excited to serve on our campus.
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"
Hi, my name is Erin Foster and I have been the Finance Manager of VCSI since December 2019. I am thankful to be able to use my business and accounting background to support the school and ministry. From hearing the Pre-K student's laughter in the hallways to seeing the high schoolers work on various projects, I loved the activity on campus - being a part of a school makes accounting a lot more fun!
Originally from Tulsa, Ok, Valor was a wonderful blessing to our family during our time in Oregon. Though we recently relocated to N. Idaho, my kids, Garrett and Katie, attended Valor from 4th to 8th grade. Now working remotely, we enjoy keeping connections to the Valor community and watching the school grow. My husband also continues to work remotely as an Operations IT Manager for NW Natural in Portland
Hi, I am Colbie Lusted, the registrar at Valor. I am also at carline on the corner with the “lightsabers”. I’ve been part of Valor since the beginning--first as a parent and volunteer, then by doing a little filling in & substituting when needed, and now as the Registrar for the last 5 years. I love the fact that my job lets me meet and interact with all the families within the school and have the chance to meet all of our students. I especially enjoy working with the secondary students- I feel like I really get to know them and watch them grow.
I have been married to my amazing husband Kent for 19 fun-filled years. We have 2 incredible boys- Casey, a sophomore, and Kevin, a 7th grader, who attend Valor. Our family is rounded out by our dog Cloud who runs the show in our house. 😃.
In my free time I like to read--I’m a huge fan of middle school age books and love to ask students what they are reading and get some new ideas. I enjoy sewing for fun and make a lot of blankets. Our family likes to travel and we spend a lot of time outdoors.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Because really, it all comes down to living the golden rule.
I am so happy to be part of the Valor family and get to interact with all of our families
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!
Hi, I'm Megan. Mom of 4 (and 2 pugs), wife of my amazing husband of almost 24 years, and stepper in of all things that need stepping into! I have been able to serve in different positions at Valor and have loved the community. From seeing how it impacts my kids to all the ways I get to be a part of Valor myself, it has been wonderful. I love the ability to wear many hats from lunch lady to PE teacher and getting to be a stage mom for the musicals. One of my favorite things about Valor is getting to work with my kids and nephews every day at school, it has been such a joy!
My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:8 - "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.
Hi, I'm Rebecca Jastram and I have the privilege of leading our Student Support Services here at Valor. My role equally encompasses the mind and the heart, which are beautifully connected in what I do here. It's an honor to journey with students that are struggling, whether that be from life experiences, learning differences, or other developmental challenges. My heart is inclined to speak hope and courage into each of our student's lives. I am passionate about equipping students to know who they are in Christ, and how they uniquely fit into His incredible plan for them.
I have been happily married for almost 21 years to Matt, whom I met while pursuing my counseling degree from George Fox. We enjoy running every morning together before we start our days off. We have three incredible boys: Elijah, Noah, and Isaac. Each of which keeps us on our knees, our toes, and going non-stop to support them in their varied: sports, theatre, music, and activities. I love being their mom. I suppose you could sum up my world of living with all boys (husband included), that I tend to be filled with a lot of spunk and grit. Cheering my boys on in their endeavors, reminding them they can and will do hard things, and spurring them on in their love for Jesus are some of my greatest joys!
I have had the privilege of supporting students in various ways in my previous roles. My background is in higher education where I counseled students and led a variety of student leadership initiatives at George Fox. Yet, interestingly enough, prior to pursuing my master's, I worked for a cucumber and a tomato aka. VeggieTales. My undergraduate degree is in Communications and I had the opportunity to do marketing for VeggieTales in their Franklin, TN office. Molding and shaping our own children and our students here at Valor is such an incredible gift and not a responsibility that I take lightly. "The days are long, but the years are short."
1 Corinthians 2:9 is one of my favorite verses because it is filled with so much hope. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."
Hi there! My name is Sarrah Siegel, and I'm the Outreach and Events Coordinator here at VCSI. I run our school's social media platforms and am in charge of planning many of our school events. This is my first year on staff at Valor, but we have been a Valor family since 2019. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 20 years and we have an 8th grader - Gavin, and a 6th grader - Ethan. I love to cook for people, and am an avid baker. I have a keen knowledge of 80's & 90's pop culture/music trivia that I never seem to have a use for, and I adore my three cats and one dog. My heart is to see God's kingdom touch Earth through His people - and I am beyond grateful that God lead our family to Valor. He has used this school in immeasurable ways to bless our family and I am so proud to be a part of the team here.
Hi, I'm Robyn McManama and I have the privilege of being the Missions Coordinator here at Valor. Our family joined the Valor community 4 years ago and I quickly knew I wanted to be as involved as possible! I started out as a volunteer, then as a substitute teacher and am now our Missions Coordinator (I still sub though, I love getting to hang out with our students!). Helping our high school students plan for and then head out on their missions trips along with planning the middle school missions week has been transformative for me. To see our students do kingdom work is deeply impactful and I'm so excited for our next season of missions! Our students are truly world changers! My husband Ryan and I have been married for 17 years and have two daughters, Lilly and Samantha. You can often find us at the coast, at the mountain or on a bike ride! We love traveling and being outside and active. We also love anything having to do with Disney! The Bible verse that has carried me through some tough seasons (including a cancer diagnosis) is Proverbs 31:25 - "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." As a believer, God doesn't promise me an easy life but He equips me with what I need and I can look forward to the reward of eternity with Him.
Erik Neill serves as the Academic Dean at Valor Christian School International. He brings a strong background in science and education to this role, overseeing the school's academic programs and supporting the faculty.
Erik holds two Bachelor's degrees from George Fox University - one in Biology and another in Philosophy. He further pursued his passion for science by earning a Master's Degree in Biology, with a focus on Neurophysiology.
As an educator, Erik is dedicated to fostering an environment where students can excel academically while growing in their faith. He has been with Valor Christian School International since its founding, playing a key role in shaping the school's vision and academic standards.He finds great fulfillment in his work at Valor, where he can combine his love for science with his calling in education.
On a personal note, Erik has been married to his wife, for over 18 years. They met at the George Fox Library and credit their college chemistry class for bringing them together. Together, they have four children who also attend Valor.
Hi, my name is Jenna Sady and I teach Pre-K at Valor. I am blessed to have been apart of Valor since we started the School 7 years ago. My husband Sam also serves on the global board. We have two amazing boys, Nate and Isaac. I love teaching 4 year olds all day but I am so happy to go home with my big kids who are so helpful and supportive. I love this community at Valor and feel so grateful to work in a place where I feel Gods love, the support and prayers of those around me and all of the hugs! Yep, I love getting hugs everyday from my fellow staff and my cute little students.
Greetings and Salutations! My name is Jennifer Leon and I am honored to be a part of what God is doing at Valor Christian School International. I get the privilege of teaching Kindergarten this year, and my heart is filled with gladness to ponder what God has in store for the VCSI Family. Some things I enjoy are reading the Psalms and the Proverbs, spending time with my family and learning from those around me. I also love to look after my Miniature Schnauzer, Johann and talk about dogs with fellow dog-lovers!
Hi, my name is Jena Bates. I teach second grade here at Valor. I have been married for 6 years to my husband Ryan. He loves to bring me coffee on his day off so even my students have gotten to meet Mr. Bates! I have two stepsons who are in college and working and one in high school. We are living the football life with our high schooler right now.
Fun facts: My ancestors settled in Oregon in 1887. When I was young and would play school with my friends, I was always the teacher. I enjoy baking, reading and spending time with my extended family who all live fairly close by. I love being at Valor because of the family atmosphere and because it is such a blessing to watch students grow through the years.
Hi! I'm Katie Apol and I teach 4th grade here at Valor. My wonderful husband Chris and I got married in 2020. I gained an awesome stepson. We are also foster parents to an adorable little girl (you've probably seen her around campus!) When I'm not at school or chasing an active toddler, I enjoy traveling, playing board games with my family, and being outside (kayaking, paddleboarding, camping, hiking). I also enjoy reading and baking. Fun facts about me: I grew up in the Chicago area. I played the clarinet from age 10-through college.
One of my favorite things about Valor is our One2One mission. In 2018, I had the privilege of travel to the Philippines with our high schoolers and work with the teachers at our Valor Mission School. It was an amazing experience and I love that our Valor students get to travel to our One2One countries. It really is what makes Valor unique.
Hello Valor families! I am Emily Fessenden, one of the 6th-grade teachers. It is such a blessing to be part of this community! I find so much joy working with the students, while making the best memories and learning experiences with them!
My husband Tabor and I have been married for almost 3 years. We have a sweet little kitty named Lucy. We love to make trips to the beach, spend time with family, and most of all play all of the board/card games!
Although my favorite verse changes frequently, a verse that I have been loving recently is Colossians 3:12. "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Hi, I’m Steffany Johnson! I’ve been married 20 years, I'm a mom of 2 (Cole & Kairi) & a big cat named Chewy (Aka Chewbacca). I teach music at 3 different schools! Music has been a big part of my life starting at age 3. I was either involved in dance, or playing flute and then later in life, I dabbled in acting. I played Irish flute and Tin whistle in an Irish band based in Salem, and my favorite candy is Peanut M&Ms. This school is an answer to prayer for me and my family. I am thrilled God brought me to such a wonderful community.
My favorite verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
Hello Valor! My name is Katia Ocanas and I have the privilege of teaching elementary Music and Spanish. I was born in Mexico City, I was raised in Las Vegas and I am a native Spanish speaker. I enjoy singing and dancing and anything music such as musicals, movies, concerts, plays, and my favorite of all is worship! Worship is a huge part of my life and it is where I find strength and peace. I love instilling the love of music into children's lives and I find great joy in teaching children my native language. I have 4 amazing children - my oldest sons, David and Jeremy have both graduated from Valor and my two youngest are currently at Valor. My only girl Grace is a dancer, and my baby Leo loves to sing. 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."
So blessed to be part of the Valor family.
Hi! I'm Keri Donelson and I have the honor of serving as our Secondary Vice Principal. Ever since I was young, I have always loved school! I am so grateful that all of my professional careers have been centered around education and working with students. When I'm not at school, you can find me wandering through a Farmer's Market, drinking a cup of tea, or baking something delicious!
I have been married to the incredible Paul Donelson for 8 years and we love spending our time playing board games. cooking meals together, watching Survivor, gardening, and spending time with our sweet dog, Sam!
My favorite piece of scripture is the story of the Woman At The Well, because it is a stunning example of including those on the margins and treating others with patience and care. This is what I believe Christian Community is all about!
God is writing a grand story in the Valor Community, and I feel blessed to be a part of it!
Greetings! My name is Seriah Brannock and I am one of the secondary math/science teachers here at Valor. My husband, Cameron, and I LOVE being outdoors and spend most of our weekends either mountain biking (in summer) or snowboarding (in the winter) with our siblings and friends. We also have two labradoodles named Beanie and Siobhan.
I'm very grateful to be a part of the Valor staff and community! I love working with our students and staff and looking forward to creating more memories at Valor!
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 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! The students accuse me of playing favorites, and they are right. I keep telling them they are my favorite. I just don't know what's wrong with that.
Hello, I'm Mrs. Tanya Corkum.
My husband Dan and I have been together since we were in 8th grade, which is for 33 years now! We have two amazing sons; Will, who is a freshman in college, and Sam, who is in the 8th grade at Valor and we have one very cute Chihuahua named Jamie Fox.
I am passionate about The Lord and finding the beauty in His creation. I love seeing God in nature and all of the people He has created. I have degrees in human development and psychology, because I love learning about how to support and love people well. I am always learning and growing.
I love so many scriptures but one of my favorites is one I often start my day with which is, Psalm 143:8 "Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way I should go for I lift up my soul to You."
I feel most alive when I am dancing and acting and I am very excited to be blessed to be a part of the growing Valor Performing Arts Program. One of my favorite memories from Valor was the amazing gift of producing my personal musical The King, The Queen and The Princess with the staff and students last year.
I am looking forward to many more fun dance and drama productions at Valor, including this year's Spring Musical, Narnia! I hope to get to know you and your students better as we work to learn and grow and discover and share all of the amazing talents and gifts God has blessed us with.
Hi there! I’m Paul Donelson.
It has been such a joy to be a part of Valor Nation since the beginning; what an amazing 7 years it’s been. In that time I’ve taught everything from Middle School Earth Science to AP Literature. I love it all!
I grew up in the Seattle area before moving to Oregon to attend George Fox University, where I met the awesome woman who would become Mrs. Donelson. We love life in Oregon and also make trips to visit our families (in WA and MT) when we can. I recently completed my Master’s in English, which was both challenging and rewarding. In my personal time, I enjoy playing disc golf, birdwatching, and spending time with our dog, Sam.
Being a part of this Valor adventure has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for us next!
Hi, I'm Sarah -- with an "h"! I'm so grateful to be able to support the photography, videography, and graphic design aspects of our school. I get to document and share what makes Valor so awesome: all of our people. Our students, our staff, our volunteers, our parents; all of our community and their activities from the classroom to music recitals and sports games. Supporting them all through the medium of visual communication is a way to further our mission and foster deeper community relationships. I am also an electives teacher for secondary and I deeply enjoy getting to teach specialty skills that I'm passionate about. 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! My name is Micah Richman, and I am one of the secondary teachers here at Valor. I have a wonderful husband, Derek, and a daughter, Tabitha, who is also a student at Valor. I love all things music and love to spend quality time with my family and friends. Fun facts about me: I have owned my own business for 18 years, I didn't start drinking coffee until I turned 45, and am obsessed with birthdays (especially my own!). I also have studied and lived in Spain and Costa Rica. My favorite Valor memory is dancing with the students at prom and serving during our New Orleans mission trip, and my favorite thing about teaching at Valor is the relationships I get to build with the students.
My favorite scripture 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."
Hi there! My name is Amber Dillon, and I'm so glad to be teaching at Valor! I love to read and write, and I am currently finishing my PhD in New Testament studies within the Gospel of John. When I'm not teaching or studying the Bible, I'm spending time with my husband of seven years and our two dogs, Lewis and Cece. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for almost a decade and love a good cup of tea on a rainy day. Our family enjoys the Beaverton/Aloha community and can often be found in the First Street Commons or eating good food in the area. I aim to cultivate an open and uplifting environment in the classroom where we can build up one another, and I am grateful for the Valor community!
An important verse in my life is Ezra 7:10: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel." Study, do, teach. It's what we do!
Hello! My name is Karen Wheeler, and I am proud to be a part of Valor! I am a mom of three, I enjoy old mysteries, new travels and being in the water. I find facts & words fascinating and will waste time researching anything. My favorite subjects are, well, all of them! Maybe that is why I adore libraries, for the many discoveries and connections one can make there. But of it all, my very favorite thing is to sit & have you share your life with me over a hot cup of coffee. The greatest joy is a shared journey!
Hello Valor Nation! My name is Selena May and I am so incredibly excited to join the Valor staff this fall! I look forward to serving students and families as a part of the student support team this year. My background is in social work and I have experience in both school and clinical settings. What a blessing it is to be a tool in the Lord’s hands as he works in the hearts of his people!
My husband Andrew and I have been serving in full time youth ministry together for over a decade! We met as high school students volunteering as youth leaders in our middle school ministry. We are originally from the Metro-Detroit area and moved here to Oregon seven years ago. Adventuring and exploring the Pacific Northwest with our three boys brings us great joy. I also enjoy reading, creative writing, learning about theology, and caring for my houseplants.
Hello, My name is Crystal Sorenson and I am one of the “Lunch Ladies” here at Valor Christian School International. I volunteered with the lunch program the first year the school was founded and have been on staff working in the kitchen since year two! I’m married and have two girls at the school that I am happy and thankful to get to see every day! Kaylee is a Senior and Kira is a 7th grader. I enjoy being in the kitchen both here at school making lunch every day as well as helping with the weekly snacks for the Sunday School kids at our church every Sunday!
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 13:14. I hear it in Liturgy every Sunday and am thankful. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” It is a welcomed reminder our Lord is with us always.
