Faculty

Kim Walter, Principal
kwalter@sevenpeaksschool.org

Education and Experience:
University of Northern Colorado - MA Educational Leadership
Colorado State University - BA Human Development & Family Studies
Kim Walter began teaching in 1991 and has been Principal at Seven Peaks since 2005.

"Our school community epitomizes the saying, 'It takes a village to raise a child' by encouraging parent involvement in all facets of education. Seven Peaks is staffed with gifted teachers who go the extra mile to ensure their students’ success. I value how we teach the whole child, encouraging students to grow academically, socially and artistically."

Education and Experience:
University of Portland - BA Education
University of Oregon - MA Administration and Educational Leadership
Megan began her teaching career in 1997 and became our Vice Principal in 2008.

"I am drawn to the close knit community and highly involved family environment that separates Seven Peaks from other programs. As an administrator it is my goal to help our community continue to develop exceptional individuals."

Education and Experience:
Oregon State University - BS Education & Social Studies
Western Oregon State University - OR Personnel Certificate
John Kailey began teaching in 1971 and has been our school Counselor since 2004.

"I am inspired by our 'sky's the limit' approach to working with kids. Because parents are in such good contact with our school and are willing to be involved, teachers are encouraged to find the best variety of learning experiences for students."

Education and Experience:
Melissa is enrolled in Portland State University's Criminal Justice Program. She has held positions in accounting and recruiting and has been our Office Manager since 2006.

"When I first visited Seven Peaks it reminded me of the school I grew up in, with an emphasis on the Arts and community involvement. It is a very celebratory and creative environment, and a great place to work. My three children attend school here and absolutely love school! "

Education and Experience:
Deb Mullen has held office management positions at various electronic, computer, advertising and real estate companies for over 20 years. She has been in our office since 2007.

"I have the best job here because every morning I have the pleasure of seeing the smiles and hearing the voices of students warmly greeting friends, staff and parents. Seven Peaks is a comfortable and accepting environment where our teachers 'keep things fresh and exciting' to allow students to reach higher. "

Education and Experience:
Lane Community College
Gale Putnam began teaching in 1989 and started at Seven Peaks in 1996.

"I appreciate the support of the staff and families because it provides a great environment for learning. I believe that Core Knowledge gives a progression of experiences and activities to foster whole-child, long term learning. I am also inspired by the curiosity of the children at Seven Peaks."

Education and Experience:
Tracy Swearingen has been an Aide at Seven Peaks since 2008.

"I have been a Seven Peaks parent for many years and now as an Aide I get to see the school from a different perspective. It has been an amazing experience to be in the classroom where I see great things happening on a daily basis."

Education and Experience:
Indiana Wesleyan University - MA Education
George Fox University - BA Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Katy started at Seven Peaks in 2004.

"I enjoy our dedication to quality education shown through our Core Knowledge curriculum, small class sizes, and balanced learning with Art, Music, and Spanish. Second graders thrive on our interesting and challenging curriculum."

Education and Experience:
Allegheny College - BA Psychology and MA Elementary Education.
Chrissy has taught in Bend and has done tutoring as well. She joined Seven Peaks in 2009.

"My favorite part about working with children is their positive attitude and excitement towards learning and their world. Through a child's eyes everything is new and exciting!"

Education and Experience:
Eastern Oregon State University - MS Elementary Education, Multidisciplinary Studies
Jennifer began teaching at Seven Peaks in 2003.

"Ï am so fortunate to teach 5th grade here, and to be part of this amazing community. The curriculum, the students' enthusiasm for learning, the dedication of our staff, and the support of our families inspire me every day!"

Melanie Tompkins, K-2 Spanish and Music Teacher
mtompkin@sevenpeaksschool.org

Education and Experience:
San Diego State University - BA Spanish
Rachel began teaching in 2002 and started at Seven Peaks in 2005.

"I like the small class sizes, personal attention and wonderful staff who put so much energy into making a difference in our students’ lives. The family atmosphere and parental involvement is amazing. Seven Peaks also has wonderful music, arts and elective programs."

Education and Experience:
Northern Arizona University - BS in Education and Special Education
Melanie has 11 years of experience teaching elementary students in Arizona and Bend. She joined Seven Peaks in 2009.

"Watching kids beam with pride and excitement as they learn new skills and concepts has always been my favorite part of teaching."

Education and Experience:
University of Alaska, Anchorage - MA Teaching
United States Air Force Academy - BS Ergonomics  
Dante has been teaching since 1999 and joined Seven Peaks in 2007.

"I enjoy the challenge of working with colleagues who are constantly revisiting, rethinking and revising their practice. I am inspired and supported to be my best and that translates to achievement in my students. With Seven Peaks becoming an International Baccalaureate school we can only reach higher."

Education and Experience:
Concordia University - MA Teaching
Western Washington University - BA Business  
Allyson joined Seven Peaks in 2005.

"Kids inspire me! Each year they sup rise me, teach me and we learn together. I have relationships with kids that are based on respect and we are continually growing in our knowledge in the middle school."

Education and Experience:
University of Nebraska - BS Public Health Education, BS Secondary Education and Minors in Biology and Zoology
Marcia began teaching in 1977and started teaching at Seven Peaks in 2003.

"The community of Seven Peaks provides an environment in which I take a great deal of professional and personal pride. The smaller class sizes, parental involvement and enthusiastic staff all add to a rich and rewarding place to do what I love most: teach!"

Education and Experience:
Our Lady of Holy Cross College - BS Elementary Education 
Greg started teaching in 1997 and joined Seven Peaks in 2005.

"Teaching students to think outside of the box, to question reasons behind world events, and to make connections from past to present is my goal. The smiles and recognition that history is fun and important make my day."

Education and Experience:
Wesleyan University - MA Liberal Studies
Oral Roberts University - BS Math and Minor in Education
Jan started teaching in 1983 and began teaching at Seven Peaks in 2006.

"The trust between our faculty and administration, the professionalism of our faculty and the ability to be creative all make Seven Peaks a great place to teach. With the advent of graphing calculators, teaching math is more exciting than ever."

Education and Experience:
Whitman College - BA English and Minor in Art. Post-graduate work in Anthropology
Susan began teaching in 1984 and started teaching at Seven Peaks in 2006.

" I have two children who completed middle school here. II believe in our philosophies of Core Knowledge and Core Virtues. Seven Peaks is set apart as a learning institution because of its focus on each student as a unique person. The bottom line at Seven Peaks is always 'What is best for this student?'"

Education and Experience:
Siena Heights College - BFA Drawing and Painting and Minor in Art History
Sue started teaching in 1974 and joined Seven Peaks in 1996.

" We are building community at all levels when we educate our youth and support our families. We are setting the stage for a productive, positive, enriched, high quality and exciting future. Core Knowledge allows students to gain the basic knowledge that equips them to fully contribute to our culture, society and future."

Education and Experience:
Eastern Oregon University - MA Education, BS Visual Arts Hope began teaching at Seven Peaks in 2007.

"I came to Seven Peaks because it is a community raising a child. I am part of a team that is supportive and enthusiastic about a child’s education, as well as the person they are becoming. Core Knowledge is great. It is a continuum of knowledge, built on each year without gaps or missing pieces."

Education and Experience:
Western Oregon University - BS K-12 PE and Heath Education
Currently working towards a MS in Health Education
Maureen started teaching in 2002and joined Seven Peaks in 2006.

"The students are amazing young individuals who inspire me every day. The support from the families is something you don’t find at other schools and the staff strives for excellence in all areas of the students’ academic and extra-curricular lives. I love coming to school knowing that this is my second family."

Education and Experience:
Western Oregon University - BA Teaching
Shane has been a teacher since 1995 and started at Seven Peaks in 1999.

"The best thing about Seven Peaks is watching students’ self-confidence increase when they find an athletic skill or an event that they enjoy. I see it help them in many ways outside the PE room."

Education and Experience:
University of Arizona - MA Music
University of the Pacific - BA Music
Sue started teaching in 1997 and became our band instructor in 2007.

"Most of my teaching has been in California public schools, at the middle and high school levels. I always had very large classes of 35-65 kids. Seven Peaks has small classes, which allow kids to receive more individual attention. Everyone at Seven Peaks is a team player and the team works in the best interests of the kids."