High School

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

Mark Atkinson
Algebra II & Honors Algebra II (HS only)
503.378.1211

Serving SA Since: 2026

Jayden Crew
9th & 10th English, Honors English I & II

Jayden graduated from Pensacola Christian College in May of 2024. He has a Bachelor’s in English and History Education. He enjoys college football, cooking, studying literature, and good conversation with friends.

As a 2020 graduate of SA, I am beyond excited to join the teaching staff this year. I learned so much at Salem Academy and experienced true spiritual growth as a young man through class, small groups, and chapels. I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses this year in the lives of our students.

Serving SA Since: 2025

Tomiko Doten
International Student Program Director & HS Japanese
503.378.1219

Born in Fukuoka, Japan, after high school graduation Tomiko was recruited to work at Canon Marketing Corporation where she realized her true passion was in teaching. She left Canon and began working at English Conversation School. She met her husband, Steve, in Okinawa, Japan, where he was stationed with the Marine Corps and moved to Oregon in 1998 when they were married. They have two sons Tori and Kaiden. After graduation from PLU with a Biology degree, Tori joined the Navy and is currently stationed in South Carolina. Kaiden is in his senior year at U of O where he is studying Human Physiology.

I am privileged to work with my brothers and sisters in Christ. As the ISP Director, I have enjoyed meeting students from around the world with diverse culture and backgrounds and seeing them develop close lifelong bonds. I hope to have many chances to share the Good News with them and tell them how much God loves them. I enjoy seeing God’s plan for our students every year.

Serving SA Since: 2015

Joe Greenwood
Statistics & Engineering
503.378.1211

Joe earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Corban University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University. He currently lives in Aumsville with his lovely wife and three amazing daughters. They enjoy spending time in the outdoors hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. He also enjoys spending time in his woodshop building furniture and other wood creations.

It has been a blessing over the past 15 years to be a part of the SA community in different capacities at different times. Knowledge apart from Christ is just knowledge. Knowledge with Christ is wisdom. It is a pleasure to be a part of a community that cares not just about knowledge but the pursuit of wisdom through our savior Jesus Christ.

Serving SA Since:

Pauline Hacke
CAD Design & 3D Printing, JH Technology, 2D Animation
503.378.1211

Pauline has a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from San Jose State University. She has taught computers to students at all grade levels since 2007 and is thrilled to take on the challenge of teaching middle and high school students (which have been her focus since 2020). She is married and has a daughter. She enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking (especially her native Chinese cuisine), and walking her dog, Max.

God called me to Salem Academy in 2018, shortly after my family relocated to Oregon from California. I had never worked at a Christian school before. I’m truly amazed at how God has continually prepared me professionally and spiritually to help students build a solid foundation in computer science and technology here at SA.

Serving SA Since: 2018

Helena Hennigan
Secondary Art
503.378.1211

Helena went to school at Indiana Wesleyan University where she received her undergraduate in Graphic Design and Illustration. She went on to receive a Masters of Teaching at Concordia University. She is married and they have two girls. She loves spending time on her family farm; gardening and playing with their girls.

The staff has been so welcoming. I had previously taught at in the public schools and then took a few years off to be a stay at home mom to my girls. It has been an amazing transition back into teaching. I was thinking about going back into teaching, and God knew where my family and I needed to go. It has been a wonderful experience.

Serving SA Since: 2021

Autumn Johnson
Educational Support Services Teacher
503.399.7360

Autumn graduated from Willamette University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix in 2024. Autumn and her husband, Sean, have 4 children together and a chocolate lab. She enjoys reading, gardening, watching her kids play sports, and movie nights with her family.

God’s plan is often not as straightforward as I would hope, but it’s always good. God called me to Salem Academy when I least expected it. Being part of this community is a huge blessing to our whole family.

Serving SA Since: 2024

Jeff Larson
World History, Geography, & Speech
503.378.1211

Jeff graduated from George Fox in 1992 and did graduate work at both Eastern Oregon University and Concordia University Irvine. He’s been married to Louise for over three decades. They have three kids and two grandkids. He enjoys coaching track and field (sprints and hurdles), and loves mountain biking, and growing beautiful flowers.

I have felt very welcome at SA from the moment I stepped on campus. It’s clear to me that sharing God’s grace is top priority here!

Serving SA Since: 2025

Stephanie Law
Secondary Office Manager
503.378.1211

Stephanie received her Associate of Arts degree from Rogue Community College. She married her husband Brandon in 2005 and they have two kids, Alysha and Kyler, who are here at Salem Academy. She loves baking, soccer, and going to the beach.

I love Salem Academy. I started out as a SA mom, and a few years later when my son started preschool, I was ready to start working again. I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to teach preschool for a few years. I am now excited for my new adventures in the middle and high school office. I am so thankful to be working at such a great school centered around God.

Serving SA Since: 2018

Arletta Narvaez
Spanish (I-II), Honors Spanish (III-IV), & NHS Advisor
503.378.1219

Arletta graduated from Murray State University with degree of Bachelor of Arts and Spanish major.  For graduate school, she attended Western Kentucky University for her Master of Arts in Education with Spanish major.  From Corban, she received her ESL/Bilingual certification.  She and her husband, Oscar, have two children. In her spare time, she loves to read.

I was looking for a change in my professional life as my children started school.  At that time, I had enrolled my youngest in kindergarten here.  God opened the door for me to come to Salem Academy at a time when other doors were closing.  Looking back, it is so easy to see why and where I was being led.  I am thankful to be part of the SA family.

Serving SA Since: 2014

James North
HS Bible
503.378.1211

James is happily married to Kelly and parent to Isabelle and twins Elias and Olivia. He received his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. He enjoys family adventures, woodworking, and pretty much anything nerdy.

I am so excited to be part of a school that not only cares about spiritual instruction but spiritual formation as well!

Serving SA Since: 2022

Jeneé Orso

Jeneé Orso
Librarian (K-12)
503.378.1211

Jenee graduated from George Fox University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Married to Andre’, they have three sons Gabe (SA ‘12) Elias (SA ‘19), and Noah (SA ‘22); and two granddaughters Audrey and Layla.

I love being a part of the Salem Academy family as a parent and as a staff member. It is an honor and privilege to pray for our students, staff, and their families each day. The Lord called me the the mission field of Christian education knowing that the mission field was going to continue to grow each year. It is important to me that our students know how much they are loved and valued not only by their teachers, but also their Heavenly Father. I am so blessed every single day that I can be a small piece of that solid foundation they can build while they are here at SA.

Serving SA Since: 2007

Tricia Peterson
English III/IV & Honors English III/IV
503.378.1211

Tricia was born and raised in Eastern WA on a wheat farm (raising horses & cattle and driving truck for harvest); She received her B.A. in English and teaching certificate from Washington State University followed by an M.A. in English from University of Idaho. For 25 years she lived in Connell, WA, where she taught English for Connell High School and dual credit classes for Eastern Washington University. Tricia and her husband Tim have four adult children: Carlos, Trevor, Taylor, and Tanner. They have two amazing grandsons, Cooper and Kysen, with whom they love to spend all of their free time. Tricia and Tim love to hike, camp, renovate yards, garden, cook, and run.

I am so excited to be part of a school that so highly values their students. Salem Academy strives to grow their students spiritually and academically. I am honored to be part of a team with that same shared passion for student growth.

Serving SA Since: 2019

Sarah Reed
U.S. History, Gov./Econ, H U.S. History, H Gov./Econ., & H European History
503.378.1219

Sarah was born and raised in Boise, ID, to parents Marvin and Debbie Merkel. She has one younger sister, Carly, who is a doctor in Falmouth, ME.  They grew up skiing at Bogus Basin on the weekends in the winter and rafting the Boise River in the summer.  It was an ideal place to grow up and she will always be a true Idahoan at heart. After graduation from Boise High School, she moved to Oregon to attend Corban Universtiy and study education.  Four years later, she graduated from Corban with a B.S. in Social Studies Education and then married her college sweetheart the following day.  She continued her education at Western Oregon University and graduated with a M.S. in Education. Today, she and Steve (an SA alumn) have three wonderful children; Emilie, Brandon, and Sydnie.  She has a passion for teaching young leaders to be difference makers in the world for Christ as well as traveling, running, skiing, and watching her kids play sports.

I have really enjoyed being a part of the Salem Academy family.  My husband, Steve is an SA graduate and he is the one who encouraged me to apply after we both graduated from Corban University. I am so grateful that he did; growing up at a large public high school allows me to be aware and appreciate the daily difference that SA provides to our students.

Serving SA Since: 2006

Felicia Sealey
Secondary Administrative Assistant & Yearbook
503.378.1211

Felicia is married to Clint and is the mother of Wyatt, James and Luke. She loves spending time with her immediate and extended family and enjoys weightlifting, golfing, hiking and camping.

I am so blessed to be a part of SA. God opened the door for my three boys and me to be a part of the SA family. We enjoy being a part of SA’s sports and getting to know the families here has been so rewarding.

Serving SA Since: 2025

Amy Tuggy
Geometry
503.378.1219

Amy graduated from Covenant College in Georgia, then got married and moved to Oregon. She and her husband have three kids. She enjoys reading, hiking, playing board games, and traveling.

“God led me to the Salem Acaemy community, and I’m so thankful He did. I love the students, their families, and the staff!”

Serving SA Since: 2019

Melissa Turner
College/Career Coach & Senior Seminar
503.378.1211

Melissa graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Social Sciences with an emphasis in Education. She taught high school social studies for 12 years, and coached a variety of sports, before staying home to raise our two boys, who currently attend Salem Academy. She volunteered in their elementary classrooms, as well as with the ASPIRE program (college and career mentor) at West Salem HS. Their family loves golfing, hiking, crabbing - anything outdoors, and all sports.

I am so excited to be a part of the SA family! It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to come along side these students to help them grow, plan, and reach their goals and dreams. I’m looking forward to helping students be successful!

Serving SA Since: 2021

Nathan Vande Burgt
Honors Biology I & Biology 1, Honors Physical Science & Physical Science

Nathan graduated from Calvin University in 2007 with a BS in Biology and Biochemistry. In 2015, he finished his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania studying interactions between tetherin and Ebola virus. Since then, he has completed two postdoctoral fellowships. The first at the University College Dublin studying pathogen survival in anaerobic digesters. The second, at the Oregon Health and Science University researching CMV vectors for HIV vaccines. He enjoys running with his wife and dog, hiking, commuting by bicycle, and board games.

I am excited to see how God will use me as I start a new career in teaching.

Serving SA Since: 2024

Matt VandeBurgt
H Algebra I, Algebra I, H Calculus I & II, H Chemistry, H Pre-Calculus, & H Physics
503.378.1219

Matt graduated from Dordt University in 2011 with a degree in Physics. Since then, he has enjoyed teaching at Salem Academy and loved every year!  He is married and is blessed with a baby boy.

I love the family that Salem Academy has become, and look forward to many more years of teaching here.

Serving SA Since: 2011