FACULTY + STAFF
- Administration -
Ms. Rose Freeman
Challenger Rockets Teacher
Originally from Hood River, Ms. Freeman moved to Montana in 2015 to pursue her Bachelor degree in English Literature. She began teaching immediately after graduating and absolutely adored it. Ms. Freeman is deeply passionate about fostering an early love of reading and creativity in the classroom. Outside of work, you can find her trying new recipes, reading, or spending time out on the river.
- Middle School -
- Lower School -
Mr. Matthew Myers
Discovery Rocket Teacher
mrmyers@classacademy.com
Mr. Myers grew up in a small town in western New York. He attended the State University of New York’s Environmental Science and Forestry School where he received his Bachelors of Science. Helping students grow as individuals and seeing how they bond with their peers is something he truly enjoys about working at CLASS Academy. "Our students’ inquisitiveness, desire to learn and smiles make teaching at CLASS Academy amazing." When Mr. Myers is not working, you can find him camping and hiking. He also enjoys gardening, cooking, reading and bike rides. Calling Portland home and working at CLASS is a fantastic combination for his personality and life style.
Mrs. Carol
Irvin
Puffins Teacher
mrmyers@classacademy.com
Mrs. Irvin grew up in Southern California but has proudly called the Pacific Northwest home since 2001. She joined the CLASS Academy team in 2004, and although she and her husband have relocated a few times over the years, she has always found her way back to the CLASS community.
Mrs. Irvin holds a Master's in Teaching from George Fox University with an emphasis in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She is passionate about inspiring a lifelong love of learning in her students and enjoys nurturing their natural curiosity and sense of wonder.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Irvin enjoys playing her Celtic harp, gardening, hiking, and taking road trips with her husband.
Mrs. Ashley Lefebvre
Office Manager
class@classacademy.com
Mrs. Lefebvre joined the CLASS Academy faculty in April, 2015. A native of Portland, Mrs. Lefebvre studied Elementary Education at Portland State University. She enjoys teaching because she loves helping her students overcome challenges and supports them growing into amazing characters. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, playing games, making art, and spending time with her daughter, friends, and family.
Ms. Heather Kinlin
Principal / Executive Director
mskinlin@classacademy.com
CLASS Academy is a place where students have the opportunity to grow at their own pace, and Heather Kinlin feels lucky to be a part of it. Through age-blended classrooms and enrichment activities such as STEAM rotations, service learning projects, and year-round programming, students develop a love of learning. Ms. Kinlin uses her significant experience as both a classroom teacher and non-profit coordinator to help provide different opportunities for the students at CLASS. With her Masters in Education, School Administrator License, and her experiences as an adult trainer, Ms. Kinlin feels she has found her place as CLASS Academy’s principal.
Mr. Ryan Loehr
Assistant to the Principal / Director
mrloehr@classacademy.com
Mr. Loehr believes that small cohorts of students, actively engaged in hands-on activities, learning visually, kinesthetically, and through tactile materials is crucial for young learners. “THAT is CLASS Academy”, he says. From the first day he came to CLASS (2008), he knew this school was profoundly unique. “The dynamic curriculum and dedicated community are only a snippet of what makes CLASS great.” During his tenure, he has had the unique advantage of teaching in nearly every grade level here at CLASS Academy. He feels this experience, paired with endless collaboration with the most devoted colleagues, has served as a springboard to his current position. A native of Massachusetts, Mr. Loehr has laid deep roots here in Oregon.
Mrs. Alex
Battles
Arctic Fox Teacher
Born and raised in Portland, Mrs. Alex Battles earned her masters degree in elementary education from Lewis and Clark College. As she enters her fourth year as an educator, she is excited to embrace a new adventure at CLASS Academy. She has a passion for motivating students and treasures the happiness children infuse into her days. Beyond the classroom she finds joy in discovering new locations, staying active and immersing herself in a good book.
Mr. Samuel Erickson
Kiwi Teacher
mrerickson@classacademy.com
Mr. Erickson was born and raised in the Portland area. He received his Bachelors in Education from Eastern Tennessee State University. Mr. Erickson began teaching with CLASS Academy in 2018! In addition to spending time at CLASS Academy, he enjoys movies and going to the gym in his free time.
Mr. Matthew Dougherty
Tibetan Fox Teacher
mrdougherty@classacademy.com
Mr. Dougherty has been a teacher at CLASS Academy since August 2005. Born and raised in Alaska, he enjoys working with children and feeling like he’s making a different in their lives. In his free time he likes to read, play with his dog, build, and spend time with his family.
Mr. Joshua Lucas
Chinooks Teacher
mrlucas@classacademy.com
Mr. Lucas, a native of Colorado, has been a teacher at CLASS Academy since September 2000! That is more than two decades! After his many years at CLASS Academy, his favorite aspect of being a teacher is still the wonderful students and their great imaginations. While not teaching, he thoroughly enjoys fly fishing with his dog, watching movies, and is a die-hard Portland Timbers fan.
_edited.jpg)
Ms. Cassidy Cranfill
Osprey Teacher
mscranfill@classacademy.com
Cassie Cranfill grew up in West Texas, and moved to Oregon in 2019 to pursue a Bachelor of Art in Psychology. She continued on to pursue a Master of Art in Teaching from George Fox University. She is passionate about helping students find joy and inspiration in learning. Outside of the classroom, Cassie enjoys yoga, running, and exploring the outdoors! She is excited to learn and grow with CLASS Academy!
Mrs. Kathirin Allen
Falcons Teacher
Mrs. Allen was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2023 from Grand Canyon University. She has experience working with students of all ages, from infants to high school seniors, and is passionate about fostering a fun, uplifting environment where students feel safe and welcomed. Fun fact: Mrs. Allen also holds an Associate’s degree in Cosmetology.
Ms. Hannah
Nealy
Swifts Teacher
msnealy@classacademy.com
Hannah Nealy is an Oregon native, born and raised in Eugene, Oregon (Go Ducks!). She went to Oregon State University, majoring in Elementary Education and Human Development and Family Sciences. In 2019, Hannah moved to Portland, attending PSU to pursue her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and a reading endorsement. Hannah enjoys doing things outside, which includes hiking, kayaking, and traveling. Hannah has a great passion for reading and learning, which she is excited to bring to CLASS Academy.
Ms. Jessica Dodson
Bald Eagles Teacher
msdodson@classacademy.com
Ms. Dodson grew up in sunny San Diego, California. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University, Chico. Teaching has always been her passion and she is excited to join the team at CLASS Academy. She loves to travel and even had the opportunity to teach English in Beijing, China. In her free time, Ms. Dodson loves to hike, read, and spend time with her dog and cats. She is excited to explore her new home of Portland!
Mrs. Colette DeHart
Golden Eagle Teacher
mrsdehart@classacademy.com
Mrs. DeHart grew up in Western Massachusetts. After graduating from Bridgewater State in 2009 with her degree in Elementary Education she moved to Portland. She started teaching at CLASS in 2010. She took some time off from being a classroom teacher to start a family and now has a two year old daughter! Seeing children find a love of learning is what Mrs. DeHart values most about teaching. In her free time, you can find her out on the slopes snowboarding, running on the trails, or playing at the park with her baby, dog, and husband!
- Upper School -
- Support Staff -
Mr. Lamont Dabbs
Art Teacher
mrdabbs@classacademy.com
Mr. Dabbs, a native of Hawaii, has been a teacher at CLASS Academy since July 2003. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University with a B.A in Education/Art. He enjoys teaching because the children are always upbeat and can always make him laugh. Mr. Dabbs is not only a great artist/sculptor, but loves to cook, play basketball, and spend time with his wife and family.
Ms. Britt Mather
Theater Director/Teacher
msmather@classacademy.com
Ms. Mather grew up just a short drive south in Molalla, Oregon. However, Portland became her new home as she attended Portland State University, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Theater. Starting in 2021, Ms. Mather is excited to be at CLASS Academy and she couldn’t be more excited to learn, discover, and grow as an educator. In her free time she enjoys theater, photography, being outdoors, and working on her art projects.
Mr. Stephen Tissell
Educational Assistant
mrtissell@classacademy.com
Mr. Tissell is originally from Seattle, WA, and moved down to Oregon in 2011. He graduated with his Bachelors Degree in 2015 from George Fox University, and a year later, he made Oregon his permanent home. He started at CLASS Academy in April 2022!
Outside of work, Mr. Tissell enjoys spending time with friends, particularly in the great outdoors whenever possible. He also enjoys going to the movies, reading, and having a fun project to work on as an outlet for his creativity.