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| Meet The Staff Back: Valena Taber, Vickie Weaver, Gretchen Landin, Anita Ott Front: Rebecca Reiniger, Alison Mosier, Lisa Bishop
 Anita Ott, PrincipalHi, I’m Anita Ott, principal of South Columbia Family School, mom, grandma, lover of kayaking, dance, and travel. Retirement came at the age of 51 after 30 years in the field of education. I traveled, I golfed, I had lunch out, I kayaked, I volunteered, but I missed working with educators and children. When the opportunity came to apply for the half-time principal position at SCFS, I couldn’t resist. I love it so much I call it my “hobby job.” My friends tease me and say I flunked retirement. I am grateful to be with South Columbia Family School since its opening in 2004.
My greatest joys are my two sons Jeremy and Jesse. Jeremy is a mechanical engineering student at PSU and Jesse is a microbiologist doing stem cell and arthritis research for OSU. When my grandson was three, he melted my heart saying, "Grandma, you're my best friend." My daughter-in-law Penny is an incredible wife and mother.
Oregon State, University of Oregon, and Lewis & Clark provided the foundation for my life as an educator. Prior to coming to SCFS, I was a principal in Hillsboro, and a classroom teacher, staff developer, talented and gifted specialist, reading specialist, and student supervisor in Beaverton. I was also a student teacher supervisor for Pacific University. When I wasn't working in a school district, I was volunteering to raise thousands of dollars for children's programs.
Recent travels took me to Egypt. I realized how young I am compared to pyramids and tombs over 5000 years old. I enjoyed being face to face with the sphinx, riding a camel, cruising the Nile, and learning about Egyptian culture. I marveled as I rafted the Grand Canyon with an incredible group of people! I look forward to kayaking the Alaskan fjords next. As the leader of our school, I am also a learner. I certainly learned a lot as we built our new facility. It’s a good reminder that when someone is learning something new, be patient! Good things take time. My favorite education quote is a Chinese proverb “Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.” At SCFS, the whole family is engaged to involve our students in their learning processes. The teamwork between home and school works wonders for our children.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Vickie Weaver, Office Manager
Graduating from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration May 1980, I came back to Portland and worked in an attorney’s office. My mom had moved out to Warren and took me to a little church in Scappoose, where I met my husband Tom in November. Two months later we got married. Three decades and four boys later we are still here.
I was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years. Our eldest, Josh, had severe brain damage due to having spinal meningitis when he was two weeks old. He died when he was eleven. I consider that my great learning experience of life. Skyler is at OSU pursuing his PhD in electrical engineering. Jared graduated from OSU with a double degree in exercise/sports science and education. Doug is pursuing a degree in Fine Arts at Columbia College in Missouri.
I was a substitute teacher and am currently the office manager for South Columbia Family School.
We attend Columbia River Four Square and are very involved in the high school and community theatre programs. Currently I am a Mom’s-in-Touch leader for a college group and assist with chapel at Lewis and Clark. Instead of “empty nest”, I realize we are starting a “30 year honeymoon!”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Valena Tabor, Gr. K & 1-2 Educator/Education Coordinator
My name is Valena Rose Taber and I was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. I am the second oldest of four girls, but I was very much of a tomboy growing up. Ever since I was eight years old I knew I wanted to be a teacher. That road was a lot longer than I expected. My education started in Rexburg, Idaho at a two year church school, Ricks College. After graduating with my Associates in Bachelor Science, I moved back to Nevada to see what adventure lay ahead for me. Surprise! I met David and soon after we were married. We have been married for over 15 years now and have two sons, Kamron – 15 and Daniel – 11. They are two of the most grateful, respectful, and obedient children you could ask for. We love them and feel so blessed to have them in our lives. I continued my education going part time while raising a family along with picking up part time jobs and doing volunteer work. (I like to stay busy.) Some of the jobs I’ve had include Summer Youth programs, Mad Scientist, Assistant Manager of Customer Service at Albertson’s and substitute teacher. My first two years as a substitute were in Nevada after receiving my associates from Ricks College. The next two were after graduating with my bachelors from Portland State University. I didn’t realize it then, but I wasn’t finished with my education just yet. I continued on at Portland State University to receive my teaching license and my Masters in Education. Whew! Some of the volunteer work I have done include 4-H leader, Scout leader, primary teacher, preschool co-op, youth dance instructor, Art Literacy Coach, and best of all a mother! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Alison Mosier, Gr. 3-4 Educator/Education CoordinatorHello, my name is Alison Mosier and I am very excited to begin working with students and families at SCFS! I grew up in Scappoose and cannot wait to be back near the community I love. I am very grateful and thrilled for the new adventure of teaching the 3-4 community this year, where we will have lots of fun!
After high school, I began my college education at PCC, but soon transferred to Portland State where I earned my Bachelors of Science degree majoring in Social Science. It was there that I discovered and began to nurture my true passion for teaching. After lots of tutoring and working with kids, I decided to attend Concordia University, where I received my Masters of Arts in Teaching.
This past year I had the opportunity to teach reading interventions in small groups, as well as work in inclusion in the Hillsboro School District. I also am a Wilderness Leader at the fabulous Camp Rivendale during the summertime!
I love animals (I have two kitties), hiking, going to the beach on a sunny day, and taking lots of pictures! Most of all, smiling faces bring me joy! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Rebecca Reiniger, Gr. 5-6 Educator/Education Coordinator Guten Tag! I am really excited about the coming school year as 2011-2012 will be my first for SCFS and my first dedicated 5th/6th grade level. I'm Rebecca Reiniger and I graduated from Purdue University with a Math and German BA in 1990. I studied abroad at the University of Hamburg, Germany the year before the wall came down and after college I taught high school Math and German in Indiana and Oregon.
In 2000, my interest shifted to the development of math and language skills in elementary school. Tracking my two children, I provided math remediation and enrichment at every grade. My experience expanded to include literature, Junior Great Books, tutoring, and supplementing math curriculum for both TAG and Title I students. Graduate school brought me into contact with others who had the same zest for education, mathematics in particular, and children.
I expect to receive my Masters in Secondary Education from George Fox University this summer (2011). I am also currently CEO and Educational Coordinator for Dream Realizations, so feel free to check out our websites as I will be continuing to investigate new ways to look at math: http://dreamrealizations.org and http://itonlytakes1.org .
I have a passion for animals, singing, randomness, and questions. I am looking forward to discovering with all of you. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 Gretchen Landin, Gr. 7-8 Educator/Education Coordinator
Hello Families, I can't believe how lucky I am to be working for South Columbia Family School as the Gr. 7-8 Educator and Education Coordinator. My name is Gretchen Landin. I am the mother of a pre-teen daughter (12) and have been happily married to my wonderfully supportive husband for fourteen years. I also live with three dogs and a vocal cat who are usually a happy-go-lucky group. Currently, I am earning my Master's Degree, Mid-Level Specialization, online from Walden University. As for teaching, I had high hopes in college of becoming a teacher, just as muy parents always dreamed. But I turned to English and the study of literature and the written word. With a four year degree in hand from Washington State University and a fiancee, I set out to begin my new life. Three weeks after graduation, I married the love of my life and settled in Vancouver, WA. Two years later, we had Molly and again everything changed. Teaching came back into the picture when I started as a volunteer in my daughter's kindergarten class. After a few weeks of volunteering I was asked to work with the ESL group, as a full time aide. My principal suggested that I go back to school to earn a teaching certification, and I did, from Arizona State University. I taught for two years at a K-8 campus as and 8th grade language arts instructor. I was not happy with the curriculum and jumped head first into helping change what was available to teach by updating the language arts curriculum and texts. That was great fun! Unfortunately, economic times hit my husband earlier than most. We moved to Oregon three years ago and I came to work for SCFS. Last year, I received my masters degree from Walden and became a highly qualified educator for the state of Oregon. I look forward to working with our middle school families and the wonderful staff at SCFS again next year. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Lisa Bishop, Instructional Assistant/Enrichment Coordinator
Hi, my name is Lisa Bishop. I have lived in the St. Helens area for most of my life. After high school I went away to Brigham Young University where I met my husband Calvin, a native of Los Angeles. It wasn’t difficult to convince him to move back to the beautiful Northwest to start our family. We are both outdoor enthusiasts and have enjoyed many family camping and hiking trips over the years.
We have been blessed with six amazing children: Michael, Heather, Heidi, Emily, Becca, and Sam. They are unique individuals and have been both a great pleasure and a great challenge for us to raise. Our home has been my greatest laboratory over the years as I have taught homeschool, assisted the kids through their public school journey, and supported them in their many extracurricular endeavors. (Not to mention trying to keep everyone happy, organized, fed and wearing clean clothes each day.)
I figure I was doomed to be a voracious reader from the start. I remember my mother always had at least two books going at once when I was growing up. My father, now in his 70’s, still reads everything he can get his hands on. With the advent of the Internet, there is a lot of information out there to keep him busy. I love to read and I love to learn! I am excited to share my love of reading with my students and hope to inspire in them a life-long love of reading and learning.
I was also raised in a very musical family. I probably love to play the piano best, but singing and directing choirs runs a close second. I taught private piano lessons for the past 22 years while I stayed home raising kids. More recently I founded and directed a children’s choir and a girls’ choir. I have volunteered “millions” of hours in both music and other educational programs in the schools, at church, and in the community. My latest and possibly greatest volunteer endeavor was directing the ShoeString production of Beauty and the Beast in 2007. I am excited to be an instructional assistant and enrichment coordinator at SCFS. I was lucky to be involved just a little during the conceptualization phase of this innovative school. When the school first opened its doors we enrolled two of our daughters. "We" attended SCFS for two years. I am thrilled to be a part of the SCFS family again. I feel privileges to be working with an amazing staff and I look forward to supporting each student and their family in this distinctive educational environment. Staff Retreats Our staff meets annually to evaluate, revise, and refresh our program. We met in Hood Canal, WA. We are thankful to Gretchen Landin's family for the use of their beautiful vacation home. 
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