Sarah is a former public school educator and current higher education professional specializing in alumni engagement and community building. As an educator, she saw firsthand the barriers that can prevent students from reaching their full potential. She is passionate about breaking down those barriers, advancing educational equity, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.
I grew up in Denver, CO with the Rocky Mountains as my playground, and spent my childhood summers exploring everything that the desert southwest has to offer. I believe that all children should have the opportunity to thrive in the outdoors and think deeply about their environment, which is why I am so drawn to the Cottonwood School and its field based educational philosophy. My childhood experiences in the mountains and my inherent curiosity for the natural world led me to pursue a degree in Geology, and I graduated from Smith College in 2025 with my BA in Spanish and Geosciences. I spent summers in college working for overnight camps with Girl Scouts of Colorado and did a math teaching fellowship my senior year, and knew that I wanted to continue working in education post graduation. I spent the 2025-26 school year as the before and aftercare Site Director at Cottonwood, and am so excited to be joining the team full time this year as an Educational Assistant for the Upper Grade classrooms. Outside of work you can find me reading lots of epic fantasy and sci-fi books, exploring Oregon’s local geology, hiking, playing board games, and obsessing over my house plants (ask me about my Night Blooming Cereus!).
Contact Dillon: dillonsmith@thecottonwoodschool.org
Robyn Kahalelehua (she/her) is a Program Manager in the wireless telecommunications industry where she develops and mentors teams of professionals through challenging land acquisition projects across the Hawaiian Islands. She exercises careful and respectful engagement with native communities to bring connectivity and infrastructure to areas where growth is often resisted. Robyn strives to achieve symbiosis between native neighbors, local jurisdictions, and corporate wireless partners. Finding that delicate balance between honoring Hawaiian culture, exceeding strict deadlines, and meeting financial goals is at the heart of her work. Robyn assesses each project’s economic health on a micro level daily, while ensuring predominant fiscal parameters are met.
Robyn relocated to Portland from Honolulu in 2016 with her husband, Philip, and their daughter, who is currently a student at Cottonwood. Robyn joined the Board in August of 2025 to support the Cottonwood community with hands-on engagement and service. In her downtime, you’ll find Robyn rockhounding on the coast, belly laughing at silly cat videos with her daughter, and growing her mindfulness practices.
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. I joined Cottonwood in 2025.
Outside the classroom, I love spending time in nature. I work at a summer camp in Maine during the summers, and in my free time, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, reading and playing basketball and soccer. I’m also passionate about cooking. I’ve taken classes around the world and have taught cooking as a middle school elective. I love working with upper elementary and middle school students and I’m very excited to work with the community at Cottonwood.
Contact Sam: samlloyd@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
Before becoming a teacher, I earned a BA in Biology from Reed College where I was part of an animal behavior research lab. I also conducted research on the impacts that humans have on plant development. After graduating, I attended Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and earned a MAT
In my teaching, I love bringing in art, curiosity and creativity in order to connect science to students’ lived experiences. I am passionate about making science accessible so that my students are not only doing science but also feel like scientists themselves.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my animals (my Labrador Lilah and my cat Louis), having game nights with friends and family, going to Thorns games, and working on my various crochet projects
Contact Aidan: aidanhanley@thecottonwoodschool.org
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 🙂Contact Gaff: matthewgaffney@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
Stephen recently served as a board member and DEI Chair of Hope Chinese Charter School, where he has supported the school in hiring a new executive leader, developing its current strategic plan, and navigating a facility transition process. He also serves as a community council member of the Portland Children’s Levy, advising the funding body on equity-centered application and grantmaking practices. He holds a B.S. from UCLA, is based in Portland, Oregon, with his husband and two dogs, and loves eating, traveling, and being outdoors as much as possible.
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.
Chris now works for Bird Alliance of Oregon as the Adult Learning Manager for local programs. He strives to create a more inclusive birding community and bring traditionally underrepresented groups into outdoor spaces. His favorite hobbies include birding, kayaking, and backpacking and his favorite trail snack is banana chips.
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.
Before joining CSCS, I worked at Outdoor Science School, where I wrote and taught science curriculum and discovered my passion for education. From there, I went on to teach screen printing at Madras High School and early childhood education at Portland Play Project. I received my BFA in Art Practices from Portland State University, with a focus on printmaking and installation design.
My four favorite things are cola, swimming, riding my bike, and making stuff.
Contact Vinh: vinhpham@thecottonwoodschool.org
Contact Paola: paolawitt@thecottonwoodschool.org
Originally from New Mexico, Kaileah considers Oregon to be her second home. In pursuit of teaching and the Pacific Northwest, she received her BA in Education from Pacific University with a concentration in Music and Music Education. Kaileah joined the Cottonwood community as part of our K/1 teaching team in the fall of 2024. She is concurrently completing a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University in Elementary Education. She previously co-taught 2nd/3rd grade at the Arbor School of Arts and Sciences as a Resident Teacher. She is passionate about integrating arts into the curriculum and providing meaningful contexts to students’ learning. In addition, Kaileah is excited to teach in the place-based model at Cottonwood using the multiple perspectives that define this region. Outside of school, Kaileah loves to explore the Portland area through music, art, and nature. You can usually find her listening to music, singing, and playing sudoku.
Contact Kaileah: kaileahhawk-lowenstein@thecottonwoodschool.org
Hi, I’m Jeff Winograd. I teach 4th and 5th grade at The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science in Portland. My classroom centers on story, inquiry, and hands on work with a strong sense of place. I share my own stories and invite students to share theirs; we keep things fun and a little silly while holding a clear bar for academic excellence. I believe we only learn when we make mistakes, so I build routines that are safe, kind, and focused on growth. I lean on the storyline method, which lets students build empathy through imagination and shared experience. I have been a strong proponent of place-based learning since my son started at Cottonwood eight years ago. Both he and my daughter have attended the school for their entire schooling. In line with Cottonwood’s approach, I center Indigenous voices, histories, and perspectives to learn about this place and its rich, if complicated, history. I love science and look for chances to thread it through our work so we stay grounded in the natural world. I am currently pursuing a graduate degree in elementary education at Oregon State University. When I am not teaching, you can find me listening to music of nearly every genre; DJing house and techno; walking the dog; or watching Chicago sports: Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Cubs. I also started a daily meditation practice this year and even if you don’t ask me about it, I’ll probably tell you about it anyway.
Contact Jeff: jeffwinograd@thecottonwoodschool.org
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!
Contact Daniel: danielmcarthur@thecottonwoodschool.org
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 in 2025 as a Co-Teacher in the 2/3 classroom. She is thrilled to step into her new role as the Kindergarten Teacher! 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.
Originally fromt he Bay Area, Cayla graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Human Development. After graduation she worked at the Early Childhood Lab School through UC Davis, then joined The Big Life, a program focused on closing the achievement gap for young learners. She also gained valuable classroom experience as a teaching assistant at a Bay Area school. When she moved to Portland, Cayla worked with children in the foster care system before becoming the Site Director for Champions before and after school program right here at Cottonwood.
When Cayla is not at school she enjoys hiking /running in nature with her dog Ozzy, playing soccer, spending time with her family/friends, cooking, and reading.
Contact Cayla: caylastillman@thecottonwoodschool.org
Gail grew up in the state of Vermont, and takes their love of nature, outdoor education, and environmentalism into their instruction and educational methods. They moved to Oregon in 2018 and worked as the Garden Coordinator at Sabin Elementary school before joining the Cottonwood team.
They have years of experience in outdoor and field education, and love being goofy in the woods both with and without students. They worked in the Bahamas as an environmental educator before moving to Oregon and would love to share their adventures if you catch them in the hallway or on the playground! They love the outdoors, backpacking, and playing soccer. Their love for education is deep and fostered by the fun that they bring into the classroom! They’re excited to be on the Cottonwood team as the 8th grade Homeroom Teacher and the Middle School Field Work and Events Coordinator!
Contact Gail: gailbaker@thecottonwoodschool.org
Marisela (Mari) Van Sickle (she/her) has been on the board since 2022. Mari and her husband, Ben, live in SW Portland with their two kids, both of whom currently attend Cottonwood . Mari joined the board as a way to be active in the Cottonwood community and to offer support from a mental health lens.
Mari brings 10+ years of experience working in early childhood and adolescent mental health and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Currently, she has small private practice in SW Portland and as a part-time mental health consultant at a national non-profit, Friends of the Children.
In her down time you can find her in the garden, crafting or searching for the perfect cardamom oat latte.
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.Contact Laura: laurabracke@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
Kristin has worked with students for over 20 years ranging from preschool through 12th grade. She is passionate about co-creating a community where everyone can shine, learn, grow, and find balance. She loves people, communication, learning, and unlearning. When she is not at school, Kristin enjoys cooking, walking through trees, swimming in the river, learning about plants, and spending time with her family and appreciating simple things.
Contact Kristin: kristinkrem@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
She found Cottonwood in 2021 and felt that the school mission truly aligned with her beliefs in what education should look like. After serving as a 1st/2nd teacher for 3 years and diving deep into Place Based Education, plant teachings and fieldwork, she took a year off to travel and volunteer. She is thrilled to return to Cottonwood as the Director of Faculty, Teaching and Learning and to continue to work alongside the community members.
When she is not at school, Sara enjoys seeing live music, spending time out in nature, reading books, seeking out a good horror movie, pondering skills she could acquire, traveling and being around her loved ones.
Contact Sara: saramiller@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
Contact Liza: lizahorton@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
Contact McLean: mcleancannon@thecottonwoodschool.org
Kimberley spent ten years teaching preschool through third grade at Trillium Charter School and has spent the years since teaching grades K through 2nd.
Kimberley is committed to relationship-based education and inclusive classroom practices. She became interested in place-based education while working with a colleague who did their student teaching at The Cottonwood School. The next year Kimberley devoted her time to a year long study with her students of Washington Park and the importance of this place to the Portland Metro community. Kimberley has a BA in Early Childhood Education and Human Development from Washington State University.
In her free time, Kimberley loves spending time with her daughters, friends and family, reading, hiking and riding her bicycle.
Contact Kimberley: kimberleybonder@thecottonwoodschool.org
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.
Amanda began her teaching career in 1994 after earning her master’s degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University. She joined Cottonwood—then known as Southwest Charter School—in 2010 as a kindergarten teacher. After five years in the classroom, she moved into administrative roles, including curriculum coordinator and academic director, before becoming executive director in 2016.
During her eight-year tenure as Cottonwood’s executive director, Amanda supervised the incorporation of Indigenous studies at all grade levels; the development of a Portland Black History curriculum later adopted by Portland Public Schools; the creation of a DEI coordinator position; a school-wide native plant SEL program; a tuition-free, multi-year after-school theater program; a student-senior buddy program with Mirabella Portland; and an annual cleanup of Cottonwood Bay that earned the 2019 SOLVE Youth Award. She also led the school through the pandemic, organizing weekly outdoor meetups with Portland Parks and Rec, developing hands-on learning kits to reduce screen time, and guiding the community through national publicity following the federal government’s use of munitions near the school.
Amanda is known for her collaborative, community-based leadership and has been recognized by the Oregon Department of Education for her work in the state charter school system. A third-generation Portlander, she is excited to return to the Cottonwood community.
Contact Amanda: amandamcadoo@thecottonwoodschool.org