Christina Struyk-Bonn: Executive Director

Dr. Christina Struyk-Bonn has worked with MEWA since its inception in 2009. She has worked in many capacities within the organization from teacher to curriculum director and currently, principal. She completed her doctoral degree in education through the University of Oregon in the spring of 2018 and also has a Masters in Fine Arts from Portland State University. Education is her first love but she also writes young adult novels, publishing Whisper in 2014 and Nice Girls Endure in 2016. Being part of the Metro East Web Academy has been a challenging, fulfilling, and exciting endeavor; she believes in what this school stands for and the opportunities it provides for students.

Natalie Stager: K-12 Principal

Natalie Stager joined Metro East Web Academy as a high school English Language Arts teacher in 2018. Previously, she taught at Tualatin High School for five years after graduating from Portland State University with her Bachelor's Degree in English and her Master's Degree in Education.

Natalie loves the MEWA community, and she is excited to take on the role of K-12 Principal this year. When she is not working at MEWA, Natalie enjoys working with cheerleading teams around Oregon, which she has been involved with for the past 16 years. She also enjoys weightlifting, playing with her adorable niece and nephew, reading, and baking. 

Rokaya Wehbey: Elementary Associate Principal

Rokaya Wehbey joined Metro East Web Academy in 2020 as an elementary teacher. At MEWA, she taught 4th and 5th grade and prior to MEWA, she taught 1st grade and Kindergarten in the North Clackamas School District for five years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in 2014 at Pennsylvania State University along with an Endorsement in English as a Second Language. During her time at MEWA, she also attended Graduate School at The University of Oregon for her Administrative License and Master's Degree. Rokaya is also a fluent Arabic speaker. What she enjoys most is spending time with her two daughters and husband and going on family adventures. Rokaya also loves fashion, coffee, the beach, and working on DIY projects! 

Julie Norrander: Director of Program Management

Ms. Norrander joined MEWA in August 2012 as a math and science teacher and is currently the Director of Program Management. Prior to joining MEWA, she worked in rural Clackamas County teaching both of these subjects. Ms. Norrander holds degrees from Oregon State University: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing; Pepperdine University: Master of Business Administration; and Concordia University: Master of Arts, Education. In her spare time, Ms. Norrander enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with her family and pets.

Dr. David Gray:  Executive Advisor

David L. Gray, Ph.D. has served in public education for over 30 years. He has been nationally recognized as a teacher and principal. Dr. Gray, a native Coloradoan, has served as a superintendent in two districts in Colorado and as a regional manager for the Colorado Department of Education.

Dr. Gray received his Doctorate in educational administration from the University of Denver, Master’s Degree in educational administration from the University of San Francisco, and teaching degree from the University of Southern Colorado – with a focus on technology in education and virtual learning.  Dr. Gray has served as an adjunct and visiting instructor for Adams State College, the University of Denver, Concordia University-Portland, and Concordia University-Chicago.  He has served as an educational consultant in school districts in Colorado, Nevada, and Washington D. C. and in California, Indiana, Missouri, and Arizona as a site visitor for the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon School’s Program. 
Dr. Gray is a father of two adult boys residing with their families in Colorado. Dr. Gray currently lives in Ridgefield, WA with his wife Jennifer.

Counselors

Courtney Conachan: Counselor

Courtney Conachan joined MEWA as a counseling intern, in the spring of 2021. She was born and raised in Portland, OR and received her bachelor’s degree at Portland State University, majoring in Liberal Studies and Social Sciences. Courtney is currently finishing her Master’s of Education in School Counseling at Lewis & Clark College.

Prior to working in education, Courtney spent many years in healthcare and volunteering at local non-profits supporting the arts and refugee and immigrant communities. During her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time outdoors (especially the Oregon coast) with her family and friends, reading, and doing anything arts and crafty.

Elementary Teachers

Ami Bell: Elementary Teacher/K-12 Equity coordinator

Ami Bell joined Metro East Web Academy in September of 2020 as part of the elementary teaching team. Ami received her bachelor’s at University of Oregon, with a degree in theater arts. Ami then continued her education at Portland State University, receiving a masters in education as part of an integrated arts cohort. Outside of work, Ami likes to spend her time with her son, crafting, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Orly Cowin

Orly started at Metro East Web Academy in 2018. She teaches 6th grade in MEWA's elementary program. Before joining MEWA, Orly worked as a substitute teacher at PPS and east county schools. She received her B.A. in English and her Master's of Education at Portland State University. When not inspiring young minds, Orly spends her time with her husband and two young children, baking, writing and hogging the microphone at any karaoke party.

Brittany DeMartino

Brittany DeMartino joined Metro East Web Academy in August 2020. In June 2019, she received her Masters in Education from Portland State University. Before joining MEWA, Mrs. DeMartino taught throughout the Portland metro area as a substitute teacher. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her family camping and exploring the outdoors.

Mikayla Lamb

Mikayla joined MEWA fall 2021 and is currently teaching Kindergarten and Fifth grade. Before working at MEWA Mikayla taught at Peake Academy where she also taught Kindergarten. Mikayla graduated from Washington State University (Go Cougs) with a bachelors in education. In her free time Mikayla likes to hike and go to Portland's best burger spots. Mikayla and her husband are currently on the hunt for Portland's best burger!

Marissa Queen: Elementary Teacher/ 7/8th Grade SPED Case Manager

Marissa Queen joined Metro East Web Academy in September 2021. Marissa received her bachelor's degree in 2014 at Eastern Oregon University, followed by receiving her masters in Special Education in 2019. Previously, Mrs. Queen has been a substitute teacher in the Gresham-Barlow school district. Outside of work, Marissa loves to camp and be adventurous with her family.

Faith Valdez

Miss Faith joined MEWA this Fall 2021 and this is her first year teaching. This year, she is teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. She received her bachelor’s degree at Cal State University of Bakersfield where she began substitute teaching K-11th grade before moving to Portland in 2018. In 2021, she graduated from Portland State University with her Masters in Education. Teaching is a passion and dream come true for her.

She is excited to be with MEWA in her first year of teaching and is happy to be a part of the MEWA community. When she isn’t working, you can find Miss Faith trying out new restaurants and food trucks all over Portland, crocheting, playing video games or relaxing with friends and family.

Special Education Teachers

Michael Murphy: Special Ed Teacher & Case Manager

Mr. Murphy joined Metro East Web Academy in August of 2018. Previous to MEWA, he taught in several schools in the Gresham-Barlow School District since 1998. From 1994 to 1998, he was a Child Development Specialist with Northwest Regional ESD working in the Forest Grove School District. In addition to being a special educator, Mr. Murphy has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon since 1988. He worked in day and residential treatment as a therapist and program director. Mr. Murphy is an avid cyclist and enjoys golf.

Kaisey Heldstab (bansch): Special Ed teacher

Kaisey Heldstab joined Metro East Web Academy in September 2023. Kaisey received her bachelor's degree in 2021 at Western Governors University, and is currently working to receive her masters in Special Education. Mrs. Heldstab is currently also a Special Education teacher in the Gresham-Barlow school district. Outside of work, Kaisey loves to line dance and spend time snuggling her three dogs.

GED

Brian Baker: GED Coordinator/ counselor

Brian worked for MEWA from 2012 to 2017, left to become the school counselor at Hogan Cedars Elementary and is happy to be back as MEWA's GED school counselor and placement coordinator. When not working with MEWA students and families Brian is a professional Celtic and rock and roll musician in the PNW. He loves traveling, art, dorky comedy movies and spending time with his wife and 3 children.

ESOL

Josie Minni: Esol teacher and program director

Ms. Josie Minni joined MEWA in 2021. This is her 20th year as an educator. She has taught every grade and almost every subject. Ms. Minni holds a Master’s degree in Education and has endorsements in both Reading and in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). She loves learning new things and hopes to inspire students to fall in love with learning too.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, music, practicing yoga, going to new places, learning Spanish, and laughing.

Middle/ High School Teachers

Toyoko Becker: Math Teacher

Toyoko started working at MEWA as a math tutor at MEWA before going on to become a full time math teacher. She graduated from Portland State University with a double major in Mathematics and Japanese.

She was born in Tokyo Japan and loves to travel. She hopes to see the world.

Michael Brummett: Teacher

Subjects: Math

Though a Math Teacher, Michael is an artist by trade. He joined MEWA in 2017 teaching Advanced Mathematics (Geometry and higher) but has previously taught Art (Drawing, Painting, and Art History) for 5 years at the college level. He holds a Bachelor's in Art from Pepperdine University, an MFA in Painting from Claremont Graduate University, and a Master's in Education from the University of Phoenix (online). He's an avid reader of non-fiction with interests ranging from philosophy and religion to art theory, history, and quantum physics. He participated in Water Polo and Swimming in school and currently assists coaching for his son's Water Polo team at David Douglas HS.

Rita Faris: Health and Psychology

Rita Faris became a member of Metro East Web Academy in 2023, in the role of a Secondary Education teacher. Previously, Rita spent six years teaching Health in the North Clackamas School District. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from King’s College, earned in 2003, and later obtained her Master’s in Secondary Education (STEM) from Grand Canyon University in December of 2023, with a specialization in Health. Rita is also fluent in Arabic. Outside of work, she finds joy in spending time with her three children and husband, as well as pursuing hobbies like gardening, visiting the beach, swimming, hosting gatherings, and enjoying coffee.

Mindy Hardwick

Mindy joined Metro East Web Academy in February of 2020 and has taught in the GED, online and Early College Programs. Mindy's teaching experience including: teaching middle school, alternative high school and facilitating a writing workshop with teens in a juvenile detention in the Seattle area. Mindy is a published author and her books include three middle grade novels, a memoir and a young adult novel. Her new middle grade, The World is a Sniff, will publish in late September 2022. She received her bachelor’s at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY majoring in creative writing and attended Seattle Pacific University to earn her teaching license. Mindy has an M.ED in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in the Creative Arts from Lesley University and an M.F.A in Writing for Children and Young People from Vermont College. When she is not teaching, Mindy likes to spend time walking on the Oregon Coast with her cocker spaniel, Stormy, art journaling and volunteering with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program.

Lauryn Hartung: Middle School ELA

Lauryn Hartung attended Oregon State University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies with a Social Justice emphasis. After her undergraduate studies she attended Concordia University where she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching. This will be Miss Hartung's 5th year in the classroom and she is very excited to be teaching 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts. In her extra time, Miss Hartung enjoys golfing, tending to her plants, swimming, and taking her pug on walks.

Kayla Kero: Health and CTE

Kayla Kero graduated from Oregon State University in 2020 with a Bachelor's in Education with the option of Family and Consumer Sciences and a Bachelor's in Public Health Promotion and Health Behaviors. She is currently enrolled in a Master's of Physical Education program online at University of Arkansas.

Kayla has lived in Oregon her whole life and grew up right down the street! In her free time, Kayla loves baking new desserts. Her favorite dessert to experiment with flavors is macarons. She is very excited to be joining MEWA this year!

John Ling: Teacher
Subjects: Middle School Math, Science, Technology

John Ling joined MEWA for the 2015-2016 school year.  This year, he will be teaching middle science.

Mr. Ling graduated from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!) in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education/Biology.  He received his Master of Arts in Teaching degree in 2013 from Willamette University in Salem.  Teaching is in his blood as his grandfather is a member of the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame after life-long service as a high school physics and chemistry teacher.

Leah Madoff: Teacher

Subjects: Science and Math

Ms. Madoff is new to MEWA in 2020-21. She is teaching High School Physical Science and 7th and 8th grade Health and Fitness. Ms. Madoff is new to online teaching and excited to be learning so many new skills and meeting MEWA's amazing students, families and staff. She grew up outside Chicago and has been teaching for 20 years in New York and Oregon. In her professional life, she is passionate about science, health, the environment and alternative education. She is an avid hiker and backpacker and spends much of her free time enjoying the outdoors with her dog, Sunny. When there is not a pandemic, she spends summers leading backpacking trips for the Sierra Club. Leah also loves to garden, bake, swim, read, run and paint furniture.

MANUEL MARTINEZ: SOCIAL STUDIES

Manuel has his Master's in Teaching from Warner Pacific University, Portland and his Bachelors in Public Administration from Eastern Oregon University, La Grande. His previous teaching experience is all within the greater Portland area. Manuel teaches social studies courses at both middle and high school levels. Manuel is also our advisor for our student leadership club and teaches our leadership electives. In his free time he enjoys tending to his small hobby farm  his wife, and they enjoy boating and fishing after the chores are done.

Anne Mattson: Teacher

Subjects: Science

Anne Mattson is a second career teacher, who started at MEWA in the Fall of 2021. She spent nearly 10 years as a Doctor of Optometry. She is originally from NW Indiana, near Chicago (go Bears!). After attending Purdue University, she moved to Oregon to complete her Bachelor of Science in Visual Science and Doctor of Optometry Degrees at Pacific University. After raising twin girls, she returned to school to complete her Master's in Education at Grand Canyon University, while substitute teaching. Anne lives with her daughters and enjoys spending time with her family, live music, reading and traveling.

Jill Miller: Language Arts

Jill Miller joined Metro East Web Academy in 2023 as a high school Language Arts teacher.  Prior to MEWA, she supervised student teachers working to earn their MATs through Lewis and Clark College, taught high school Language Arts in the Sherwood School District, and middle school Language Arts in the Salem-Keizer School District.  She earned her BA in English and Anthropology from Willamette University and her MAT from Southern Oregon University.  In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons and going on adventures with them.    

Nicole O’Neill: High School ELA and SS

Nicole O'Neill joined MEWA in Fall 2022. She taught English 12 and social studies at Oregon Charter Academy for 11 years before joining Metro East. She earned her Master's in teaching from Southern Oregon University and her Master's in history from American Public University. She lives with her husband and three boys in Sandy where she can usually be found outside in the rain or feeding her neighbor's chickens.

Dustin Rose: Social Studies

Dustin Rose received his bachelor’s degree from Portland State University and his Master’s in Political Science from American Public University. Prior to working at MEWA, Dustin was a music teacher for 8 years at a local middle school.

In his free time, Dustin enjoys spending time with his family and playing music.

Chad Rush: PE Teacher

Chad joined MEWA in the Fall of 2022. He has been in education for over 20 years, serving as a Health & PE teacher, Athletic Director and Principal at Portland Lutheran School and the school Principal at Western Mennonite School. He holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Concordia University and a Bachelor's degree in International Business from Concordia College.

Chad currently lives in Sisters, OR where he is a high school volleyball official and the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Sisters HS.

Bryce Saling: Teacher

I have been at MEWA for the past two years teaching math and social studies. I really enjoy teaching these subjects and have been doing so since I graduated from Oregon State University in 2014. I also have been coaching JV2 basketball at Barlow high school since 2017. In my spare time I enjoy working out, playing basketball, watching TV and relaxing

Alanna Sousa: English & Health Sciences Teacher, High School RTI Coordinator

Alanna has her Master's in Teaching from Concordia University Portland and her Bachelors in English from Washington State University Vancouver. Alanna joined MEWA in the Summer of 2018. Alanna teaches Language Arts and Social Studies. In her free time, Alanna enjoys reading, camping, live music, and snacking.

Kieffer Tarbell: Science/ Engineering CTE

Kieffer Tarbell is a second career teacher. He spent 18 years as a chemist in the coatings and polymers industry. Currently in his 13th year of teaching, he is passionate about science and education. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Science and Master's in Teaching.

When Mr. Tarbell is not in the classroom, he can be found on the mountain, skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. He has five granddaughters who love to bike and ski with their Pappy.

Patrick Wagstaff: Math Resource (MS - HS)

Patrick joined MEWA in August of 2022. He’s worked for a railroad, trained to be a pilot, dealt craps and roulette in casinos, made sculpted cakes as a pastry chef, taught English and baking in Vietnam, and is now thrilled to empower our students as they strive towards success in Math. He holds two master's degrees from Western Governors University in Elementary and Secondary Math Education. When he’s not teaching, he enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, and just being lazy with a good book in his tiny house.

Tyan Wyss-Lockner: Reading Intervention MS/HS

Tyan Wyss-Lockner joined Metro East Web Academy in August of 2022. Ms. Wyss has taught grades 4-12 and lived overseas for 20+ years in Saudi Arabia, Russia, South Africa, Hungary, and South Korea. She taught 7th grade Humanities at Oregon Charter Academy for five years before coming to MEWA. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching classic movies, and writing. Ms. Wyss can always be found with a novel handy and is thoroughly delighted that MEWA is situated right next door to the Public Library! She is excited to help students achieve their reading and comprehension goals!

Student Success Team

Meg Geyer

Meg started with MEWA in August of 2023. She has spent several years working with youth in her community and is very passionate about serving the next generation. Meg loves playing piano, guitar, and hiking in the beautiful PNW!

Audrey Olcott

Joining MEWA in 2024, Audrey is excited to bring all of her passions in communications, and working with youth to one place through supporting MEWA’s students. Her husband, and three busy children are her entire world! When Audrey is not at work she is running her kids around, spending time with family, at the Ballpark, or training athletes at Cascade Athletic Club.

Kelley Ostgarden

Kelley joined MEWA in August of 2020.  Kelley worked in the medical field as an Ophthalmic Technician for several years before becoming an in- home childcare provider.  In her free time, Kelley enjoys spending time camping, boating and traveling with friends and family.

Corban Woosley

Corban graduated from MEWA in 2015 and joined the MEWA team in August of 2023. He grew up serving his community, and is passionate about helping others find success and fulfillment in their own lives. In his spare time Corban enjoys reading and spending time with his two corgi children.

Technology & Facilities

Scott Halley:  Facilities Supervisor/ Technology Director

Scott comes to MEWA from the Gresham/Barlow School District with over 16 years of technology support experience. With Scott's bachelors degree in Business Administration from Concordia University, he brings a unique combination of technology and business skills. Scott is also the assistant head track and field coach at Gresham high school as well as a competitive javelin thrower, with state, national and world titles in the event.

Shelley Williamson: Custodian

Shelley joined MEWA in the fall of 2016. She worked at Providence Portland Hospital for 15 years before working with school districts. Her variety of skills and experiences have been invaluable to Metro East Web Academy.  In her spare time she loves spending time at the beach, four daughters, two grandsons and attending concerts.

Lauren McDevitt: Technology Assistant

Lauren joined MEWA in the Fall of 2018. She graduated Mt. Hood Community College with an AAS in Cyber Security and Networking, and is soon continuing her bachelors of Cyber Security at Mt. Hood Community College. Outside of MEWA, Lauren loves spending time with her friends and family, trying new foods and cuisines, creating art, spending time outdoors and collecting various house plants, and playing video games with friends.

Administrative Support

HILLARY RADFORD: Human Resources and Business Manager

Hillary was born and raised in Portland, OR with her two sisters, one of which is her identical twin.

She received her BS in Business Administration from the University of Oregon in 2005.

Hillary enjoys working with students, parents/guardians, and staff at the Web Academy and helping things run smoothly at the front desk.

RACHEL JOHNSON: COUNSELING SECRETARY/EARLY COLLEGE REGISTRAR

Rachel started working at MEWA August 2011. She enjoys managing the front office and finding ways to make our school safer for students, staff and parents/guardians. In her free time, Rachel enjoys going to the beach, lake or river (really any body of water), going to the mountains, traveling, reading, cross stitching and spending time with her grandkids.

LISA HIRSCHMUGL: OUTREACH COORDINATOR AND ASSISTANT TO THE EARLY COLLEGE COUNSELOR

Lisa grew up in Bend and moved to Portland in 1991. She started working with MEWA in January 2017. She is the Outreach Coordinator and Assistant to the Early College Counselor. Both of her children graduated from the Early College Program (2015 & 2018). She enjoys traveling, going to concerts and spending time with her family.

KRISTINA VERBRUGGEN: Assistant to the Executive Director

Kristina Verbruggen joined Metro East Web Academy in the infamous year of 2020 as a Front Desk Secretary. She has worked in a number of different school environments including teaching English while abroad in Japan for a year. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Southern Oregon University. When she’s not at work, Kristina enjoys traveling, martial arts, dancing, music, painting, writing, free diving, walking her dog, photography, reading, baking and various other creative pursuits.

ELLE MARLETT: OFFICE STAFF

Elle Marlett joined the web academy in the Fall of 2020. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Art and Technology with a minor in Business from the University of Oregon in 2019. When she isn’t working at the front desk she is putting her creativity to use by making personal art, working on commissions, or coaching the Reynolds High School Dance Team. Any free time she has is spent with friends and family, either playing games, watching movies, or binging shows together. She also loves spoiling her two cats and is known to her friends as a ‘cat lady’ in her twenties.

MICHELLE WOOSLEY: OFFICE STAFF,
Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator

Michelle has two impossibly amazing sons that both happened to graduate from Metro East Web Academy.

When she is not at work here at MEWA you can find her teaching Aqua Aerobics to Seniors, on a trip to the next adventure with her partner, laughing at a good comedy show or exploring universes and multiverses with Tony Stark, Spiderman, Princess Leia and more.

Kinhly Mai

Kinhly joined MEWA at the beginning of 2023. Prior to joining, she graduated early from MEWA’s dual credit program in 2021 and has been studying at Portland Community College since; working towards the AAOT with an interest in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Besides school, her personal life consists of hiking, poetry, photography, and an occasional financial book club with her own family. 

Taylor Gray: Data Analyst

Taylor joined MEWA in the spring of 2022. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. Taylor loves the flexibility of working from home. He has two amazing daughters, a beautiful wife, a dog, and a whole mess of chickens. In Taylor’s spare time, he loves to go camping, read books, go on walks, and play with his kids.