03 Jun In Solidarity
Dear Cottonwood Families,
The last week has been difficult for us all. The Cottonwood Leadership team would like to offer a few words of support and solidarity in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department on Monday, May 25th. George Floyd’s death closely follows the murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Like many of you, we are heartbroken by these current tragedies. How do we, and how do our children process the death of another Black man at the hands of a brutal police force, and the heartache and rage that has enveloped our country?
We recognize that Portland has a history of racism and racist police brutality and school segregation, despite being a bastion of liberal progressiveness. We are the problem and we are the hope. We believe that meaningful allyship is a lifelong commitment. We recognize how much more we have to learn and do as a school and we are committed to the work of anti-racism for the long haul. We also highly encourage our non-Black community to learn more about allyship in solidarity with the Black community. To our Black students and families: we are ready to listen, ready to act with humility, and ready to stand with you.
We have included some resources below. No longer can we stand silent. We need to stand up and fight for anti-racism in our community and beyond. Listen to our Black leaders, read critically, educate yourself, sign petitions, support organizations that are doing the work, volunteer, put a sign in your yard or in your car, make meals for a Black friend that has no energy left to cook a meal for their family, show up, speak up, talk with your children about race and racism, and listen to those whose lives are different from your own.
Say their names
- George Floyd.
- Breonna Taylor.
- Ahmaud Arbery.
- Michael Brown.
- Tamir Rice.
- Quanice Hayes.
- Aiyana Jones.
- Eric Garner.
- Stephon Clark.
- Sandra Bland.
- Kendra James.
- Trayvon Martin.
In solidarity,
Amanda, and the Cottonwood Leadership Team
Mental Health and Self-care Resources for Coping with Racial Trauma
Five Free Virtual therapy Sessions for Black Americans from the Boris Henson Foundation
Free and Reduced Virtual Therapy from Inclusive Therapists
Racial Trauma Toolkit and Infographic, created by the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture at Boston College (free download available)
Black Lives Matter Meditation for Healing Racial Trauma
There are many ways in which you can practice allyship in solidarity. Here are some actions you can take now:
CALL or WRITE:
Mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey at (612)673-2100 to demand justice be served
More information, including examples of scripts and templates, can be found on the ACLU Minnesota website.
DONATE, if you can:
SIGN:
The Petition created demanding that the involved officers be fired and charged. Over 11 million signatures so far:
TEXT: FLOYD to 55156
Educational Resources for Allies:
Anti-Racism Project Resource Guide by The Anti-Racism Project
Allyship and Anti-Oppression Resource Guide by TriCollege Library
Anti-racism resources for white people by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein
White Allyship 101: Resources to Get to Work by Dismantle Collective
20+ Allyship Actions for Asians to Show Up for the Black Community Right Now by Michelle Kim
Understanding Racial Trauma by Meghan Resler
Resources for Families and Children:
How to Talk to Your Children about Protests and Racism, by Sandee LaMotte, CNN
A Children’s Booklist for Anti-Racist Activism from the Conscious Kid
A message from President Obama
Films To watch, or to watch and discuss with older students: (Graphic adult content, Trigger warning)
The Hate U Give – Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.
13th – An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation’s history of racial inequality.
Resources on Protest Safety:
Safety Precautions for Protesters, Infographic from Organizers of the Defiant Walk
Safety During Protest Infographic from Amnesty International
Protesting Safely Infographic, Source Unknown, Posted on IG: @chicagoenresistencia
My name is Sam Lloyd. I grew up in California and studied at UC Berkeley for my undergraduate degree, I majored in Economics at Berkeley then earned my Master’s in Education at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. I began my teaching career in Oakland, working with 4th and 5th graders for five school years, and about eight years ago, I moved to Portland with my wife and two daughters. Since then, I’ve been teaching middle school math in local private schools.
Growing up in an organic farming intentional community in upstate New York meant spending most of my childhood exploring and learning from the environment around me. After my family moved here to Portland when I was in middle school, my love for learning from the land continued, and while at Cleveland High School I was a regular Outdoor School volunteer. This was a formative experience, and propelled me to pursue teaching science in middle school.
My name is Matthew Gaffney, call me Gaff! I have spent my IT career up to this point doing EdTech and it has been such a rewarding experience. Blending the worlds of technology and education has been a joy to do so far. I strive to make our student’s learning experience the best it can be, and alway try to leave a situation better than I found it. In my free time, I love to go to concerts, explore the wonderful nature of the PNW, and play with my Goldendoodle, Simon. I think every single day is an opportunity to learn something new, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds at Cottonwood. Have the best day 🙂
Stephen Pham (he/him) is an educator, equity strategist, and nonprofit management consultant who works with social impact organizations to refine their strategy, strengthen their DEI lens, and build organizational capacity to achieve equity-driven impact. He partners with organizations across a wide range of stages and issue areas, including research organizations, housing innovation hubs, community foundations, and education nonprofits. Before starting his consulting practice, Stephen was a DEI and nonprofit management leader, supporting sector-wide efforts to scale equity-centered instructional and organizational practices. Stephen’s 12+ years of experience include heading nonprofit operations, talent, and culture at The Learning Accelerator, leading the national innovation strategy for Rocketship Public Schools, serving as a Blended Learning Master Teacher for BetterLesson, and teaching 5th-grade STEM in East San José.
Chris (he/him) has been interested in birds and wildlife since he was a child. Chris grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he first started to make observations of the natural world. He received a BS in Zoology from The Evergreen State College where he was able to get hands-on experience in ornithology, marine mammalogy, and tropical ecology. Upon graduating Chris worked for Audubon South Carolina where he participated in ongoing prothonotary warbler studies and led kayak and canoe tours through a swamp. Realizing the importance of science communication and education, he would go on to receive his Masters in Environmental Education from Western Washington University. After graduating, he spent three years as an Interpretive Park Ranger with the National Park Service, working at North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and Saguaro National Park.
As an artist and educator, I believe the foundational tools for learning and engaging in creativity are play and humor. I look forward to putting this into practice as the art teacher at Cottonwood School.
Contact Paola: 
e is Krystle. I found my love of working with children in 2012 when I was hired for a temporary position in a preschool classroom. Since then, I have worked with children of all ages within the daycare setting until 2017 when I was hired for my first job as a behavior coach. I spent a little over 3 years working with school-age students, mostly within the school setting. I moved on in 2021 when I moved to Oregon and prior to joining Cottonwood, I worked as a Behavior Specialist for City View Charter School in Hillsboro. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Teaching from Western Governor’s University. I am also currently in the process of re-enrolling at WGU to go back for my Master’s degree.
Hello! I am Daniel McArthur– I joined Cottonwood community in 2024 as Middle School Humanities teacher. I’m a passionate educator with a love for history and writing. I’ve been lucky enough to work with students in a wide range of settings, from an all-girls Catholic school to a homeless youth resource center to public high schools in Detroit, Michigan. In my roles, I’ve seen my students do amazing things when compassionate teaching meets high-expectations. I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, where I developed a deep love for mountains and lakes. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, running, and hanging out with my cats. I am always looking for a new book or park recommendation. Let me know if you have any suggestions!
Cayla first joined our school community in 2023 as the before and after school Site Director. Then in 2024 as the 2/3 Teacher Assistant and is thrilled to step into her new role as a Co-Teacher in the 2/3 classroom. During her time at Cottonwood, she has deeply valued building meaningful connections with the students and Cottonwood community. Cayla is passionate about place-based education and creating an environment where all children can thrive and be supported.
I’m Abby Manzano, and I’ve loved getting to know our wonderful 2nd and 3rd graders as a co-teacher and I’m thrilled to be back at Cottonwood as a 2/3 classroom teacher!
For over 25 years Laura has been serving youth and their families as a transformational leader, curriculum writer, trainer, educator, and advocate. She brings diverse experience working across sectors in schools, non-profits, athletics, mental health, and community based organizations. Lovingly committed to a growth mindset and educating the whole child and loves working with a team of creative teachers, committed families, and inspiring students at Cottonwood.
Born in Japan, Yuri came to the U.S. to study recreation and play, inspired by a deep passion for community, place-making, and experiential learning. She brings a rich background in organizing hands-on 
My introduction to this wonderful school was as a parent back in 2009. My child grew up and now is a college student. The mission of CSCS has always been dear to my heart, and I returned in January 2022 to work in the school office.
Kristin is Cottonwood’s School Counselor where she supports student social emotional learning, academic engagement and access, and mental health and well-being at school. She is invested in integrating social emotional learning and wellness across our curriculum at Cottonwood. By teaching students to connect with themselves, each other, the wider community and the earth, we can build a more equitable world.
Sara was born and raised in Montana where she grew and nurtured her love and curiosity of learning from and about the natural world with the guidance of her parents and her community. She moved to Oregon in 2007 and attended Pacific University where she earned a BA in Environmental Studies. She left undergrad feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, and sought out education as a way to foster empathy, critical thinking and creativity in the next generation. Post college, she worked on a ranch in Montana, rode her bicycle across the country and traveled to far away places just like her childhood story hero, Miss Rumphius. She spent some years working in various educational settings such as the Bird Alliance of Oregon, and then decided to pursue her graduate degree in Education at Portland State.
Liza joined the Cottonwood staff in 2018 as the full-time special education teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and a dual Master’s degree in Reading & Special Education from the University of Michigan. Liza grew up in a large family in the Northeast that included a special needs sibling. Before getting her masters, she worked in administrative positions at schools in Boston and Southeastern Michigan. After grad school, she and her husband relocated to the Northwest for access to all of the outdoor activities in the Cascades and Oregon coast. In Portland, she has taught special education at Beaverton High School, Peninsula Elementary and Portland Village School. She is thrilled to be at Cottonwood where she appreciates the close knit community of staff & students along with the school’s place based education mission. In her free time, Liza enjoys spending time with her family in the mountains or at the coast, buzzing around in her EV, and enjoying the many great coffee houses in the Northwest.
McLean is thrilled to return to Cottonwood this year in a new role, as the P.E. Teacher/Specials and Middle School Teacher Assistant, after spending the past year traveling through New Zealand and Indonesia. He began his journey at Cottonwood in the fall of 2019 as a student teacher in one of the 4/5 classrooms, later stepping into the role of Middle School Humanities teacher, where he taught for four years. McLean brings a passion for integrating music, storytelling, theater, play, and outdoor learning into his teaching, and he’s excited to weave these elements into his new position! Outside the classroom, you’ll find him camping, playing music, gardening, watching and playing sports, and exploring the world.
Kimberley spent ten years teaching preschool through third grade at Trillium Charter School and has spent the years since teaching grades K through 2nd. 
Amanda, a longtime educator and leader in Oregon’s public charter school community, returns to The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science. She believes passionately in teaching youth to care about their community through hands-on learning, so they have the tools and enthusiasm to become active and informed citizens.