Administration

Tim Peterson
Superintendent
503.378.1219

Tim holds a Master’s Degree from Heritage University in Educational Leadership and a second Masters from Corban in Business Administration. Currently he is working on his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University. Tim and his wife Tricia (also on SA staff member) have three biological children (Trevor, Taylor, and Tanner) and one son (Carlos) who joined their family later in life. They are proud grandparents of Cooper and have one more grandchild on the way. The Peterson’s enjoy entertaining, working on their property, and spending time with family.

I am excited to watch the Lord do great things through Salem Academy. It is an honor to work with such a great leadership team watching students grow and develop both spiritually and academically. I look forward to serving God, staff, students, and the parent partners as we watch God work through His school.

Serving SA Since: 2023

Lindsy Brownell
Secondary Principal
503.399.7360

Married to her husband Jason for 20 years. They have four sons- Brady (SA ‘23), Logan, Hayden, and Evan. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Corban University, Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from GCU, Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Cairn University, and currently half way completed in earning PhD in Christian Education Leadership from Columbia International University.

I love our SA family! This community is not only about education, but also growing and serving the Lord. I love serving with a team that loves the Lord and loves teaching His truth. Our student body is priceless and such a special community of kids.

Serving SA Since: 2014

Jeff Benjamin
Elementary Principal
503-399-7360

Serving SA Since: 2024

Nicole Britton
Director of Student Success (K-6)
503.378.1201

Serving SA Since: 2023

Karen Haslebacher
Director of Student Success & Leadership (JH & HS)
503.378.1211

Karen went to school at Willamette University and Liberty University. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling. Her family love to go camping, hiking, and paddle boarding. They spend as much time outside as the Oregon weather allows.

It is an honor to walk with students as they grow in their relationship with the Lord, mature in their character, and discover who God made them to be. As each student graduates and moves on to a new adventure, I feel privileged to have played a small part in their journey through life.

Serving SA Since: 2006

Jeff Kline
Executive Director of Operations
503.378.1219

Jeff was born in Elmira NY, moving to Illinois his freshman year of High School. He attended Chemeketa and graduated from Barat College with a Bachelor’s degree in Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He has three children - two Salem Academy alumni and one graduating this spring.  He is known to many as “MacGyver” when it comes to problem solving.

I like being part of the solution, and I believe God called me here for that purpose.

Serving SA Since: 2012

Brandi Price
Assistant Athletic Director
503.378.1211

Brandi grew up in Sisters, OR, playing sports for Sisters High School. She played basketball and ran track for Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, and graduated with a BA in Education & Learning and minors in Coaching, Psychology, and Kinesiology. She met her husband at Pacific University; they married in 2014 and now have one son, a dog, and a cat.

Brandi has a passion for coaching and athletics; she began coaching in 2009 and hasn’t stopped since! The Prices’ lives are full and busy, as both Brandi and her husband work in local schools. They live in Salem and enjoy gardening, reading, volunteering, spending time with family, and supporting their respective school sporting events!

I began working at Salem Academy as the middle school track & field coach, then a girls basketball coach for middle and high school, and eventually became a full-time employee in the high school office. God keeps calling me back to SA in various ways and departments, even after leaving to become a stay-at-home-mom after the birth of my son. I am excited to be working in the Athletics Department, and look forward to seeing how the Lord uses me in this next season of life.

Serving SA Since: 2015

Angela Shearer
Director of Development
503.378.1219

Having grown up in Salem, Angela attended local public schools and only moved out of the city to attend the University of Oregon, where she received a B.A. in Journalism. She met her husband, Chris, in high school and they have three children, Natalie, Ethan, and Jack, who have attended SA since kindergarten. She enjoys Taekwondo lessons with her boys and puttering around their yard.

My family has been part of the Salem Academy family since 2013, when the first of my three children began kindergarten at this amazing school. A few years ago, God set me on a path that placed me here as SA’s Development Director. Working at this school that my family loves so much is truly God’s blessing. I am thankful for the wonderful people He has placed in my life and many of them are here at SA.

Serving SA Since: 2021

Ingrid Thomas
Executive Assistant & HR Coord.
503.378.1219

After graduating high school, Ingrid received a B.S. degree in Nursing in Seattle and worked for over a decade as an admin at a cancer research organization before embarking on work at a college and then later for a lawyer. She and her husband have lived all over the west coast and have 3 kids (two SA graduates and one still attending). Some of her favorite hobbies are traveling, hiking, wine tasting, reading, thrift shopping, and entertaining family and friends.

I absolutely love my co-workers and feel like they’re an extension of my family. My work at SA is enjoyable and it brings me great joy to see how the Lord works in the lives of our students and staff.

Serving SA Since: 2015

Deanna Wilson
Director of Preschool & Childcare
503.370.8488

Deanna attended Corban University for two years as a business management major and accounting minor. She worked for 10 years and then was home for 5 years with her two kids - Evan & Janelle - both SA alumni. While at home she started volunteering in the children’s ministry department at their church and eventually became the leader of the children’s program and officially on staff. She eventually started subbing in preschool and the rest is history. Over the years she has taken classes and trainings in early education and child development. Deanna has been married over 25 years years to Cory (an SA graduate and current staff member). She loves to spend time with family (immediate and extended), read, play with her guinea pigs, and enjoy the NW.

We were just going to keep our kids at SA for preschool and kindergarten and both our kids have graduated from SA after each attended for 14 years. I always say I fell into my job at SA but really I can see how God directed me here and used my previous experience and passion for working with children and their families for His use at SA.

Serving SA Since: 2004