Junior High

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

Sarah Adams
Secondary Choir
503.378.1211

Sarah holds a bachelors and masters degree in music, specializing in opera performance (with violin as a secondary instrument) from Western Oregon University. She has taught private voice and violin lessons for over 20 years. She is married with three children; Taylor, Emma, and Ethan. When she is not performing or teaching, She loves creating color pencil and watercolor art, knitting, reading, and playing video games with her kids.

Salem Academy is an amazing place where students get an amazing education, yet it is also wrapped the love of Christ. He moves mightily through this school. I felt God’s call to teach the glory of God’s creation and love in the way he created the human voice and his will in how we use it.

Serving SA Since: 2025

Tami Burrell
JH Science & JH Forensics
503.378.1211

Tami was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest , then traveled/ worked a few other places ( NJ , ME , CA , AK ) before coming back home to support the family during the death of their parents. She has stayed put in Salem since that time, with a few journeys and travels to keep things sane. She enjoys science, math, most creepy crawlies, fire, music, and travel.

Being at Salem Academy is enjoyable, especially as cherubs participate when curiosity strikes and we go exploring (physically or mentally ). God is wonderful providing a place and people so accepting of exploration!

Serving SA Since: 2013

Summer Donily
JH/HS Yearbook, JH/HS Photography, Film Studies and Robotics
503.378.1211

Summer graduated George Fox University with a B.S. in Behavioral Studies. She loves being with her family. She and her husband Rob, have two children. Their son Brysen, a student at SA, and their daughter, Madelynn. She raises Maine Coons and enjoys wood working. She loves being in her garden and greenhouse; as well as camping, hiking, kayaking, and anything outdoors - from the ocean to the mountains. Volunteering is a great passion of hers; she loves serving in her church and in the community. She also loves road trips and seeing new things.

I homeschooled my son for 7 years. I felt God calling me to a new chapter. I wanted him in a safe, Christ centered school. There was no doubt SA was the school for him. I was given an opportunity to become staff and was eager to accept it. I love these students and am honored to be here. I am so grateful to be able to share the gospel every day. SA creates a place for students and staff to grow in their faith and become part of the body of Christ.

Serving SA Since: 2025

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

Helena Hennigan
Secondary Art/Pottery & Bridge 56 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

Jamie Knust
Secondary Admin Assistant/ Registrar/ASB Coordinator/ Honors Psychology
503.378.1211

Jamie received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Youth & Family Studies and a minor in Biblical Theology from Corban University. She married her wonderful husband, Adam, in 2010, and they have 3 kids; Jackson, Levi, and Eleanor. She loves taking road trips and having adventures with her family!

I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of the SA community. I love that I get to be a small part of their mission to not only help every student thrive academically, but to help them become passionate followers of Christ!

Serving SA Since: 2023

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

Nancy Loop
P.E. and Health Teacher
503.378.1211

Nancy is married to her best friend and they have been blessed with six kids - 1 girl & 5 boys. They also have 2 of the most amazing grandkids. As a family, they enjoy water sports, hiking, camping, singing, and can turn virtually anything into a competition. While their kids were young, Nancy worked part-time as an aerobics instructor and swim coach at The Courthouse Athletic Club. After her youngest entered Kindergarten, the Lord moved upon Nancy’s heart to finish a teaching degree that she had put on hold years earlier. In the Spring of 2022, she graduated from Corban University. The Lord guided her steps throughout the process, while her family cheered her on. Upon earning a teaching license with emphasis in both Health & PE, Nancy began teaching at Parrish Middle School. She was excited when a Health/PE position opened at Salem Academy, knowing this school prioritizes spiritual answers to the topics discussed in classes.

The Bible has much to say about physical, emotional, mental, and social health. I love having the freedom to incorporate spiritual wisdom into these life-impacting conversations at Salem Academy.

Serving SA Since: 2023

Jessica Mielke
JH Math Teacher
503.378.1211

Jessica graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science in education. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she continued her education at Western Oregon University, earning a Master of Science degree in education with an emphasis in education technology and a Master Degree in curriculum. She has been married to her husband, Karl, for over 20 years. They have three children—Ava (SA Class of 2022), Jacob (SA Class of 2025), and Finn (SA Class of 2033). In her free time, Jessica loves to spend time with her family, travel and spend time paddleboarding.

I love the community at Salem Academy. The love and support my family have received from the Salem Academy staff is beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

Serving SA Since: 2021

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

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

Brad Shimomura
IT Technical Support
503.378.1219

Brad was born and raised - and lived most of his life - in the Pacific Northwest. He is ordained with the Assemblies of God and has served as a Children’s Pastor in Washington and Oregon before being called to serve in Japan as a missionary. He is currently studying IT/Cybersecurity at Oregon Institute of Technology Portland-Metro Campus.

SA is a great community! God is truly doing something great on this campus!

Serving SA Since: 2023

Heidi Thurston
Music/Theatre
503.378.1211

Heidi went to George Fox University and received a BA in Theatre with a minor in Biblical Studies. She met her wonderful husband, Caleb, at George Fox. Caleb is a theatre teacher at Woodburn High School. They have three amazing daughters. Right out of college they founded their theatre company, Valley Repertory Theatre and Heidi helped run that for several years before she became a stay at home mom for 9 years. She then had the privilege of working in children’s ministry at Salem Alliance Church for a year and a half while also coaching, directing, and choreographing students at Woodburn High School Theatre.

I am overjoyed to be joining the Salem Academy team. Theatre was something that truly changed my life. The Lord used storytelling to empower me and heal broken parts of my life. I cannot wait to invite students to see how the Lord can use storytelling as a way to bring truth and love to the world around us.

Serving SA Since: 2024

Jacob Wolbaum
Secondary Vice Principal
503.378.1211

I’m married to my amazing wife, Genna, and we share our home with two lovable pugs. I earned my undergraduate degree from Portland State University, completed my first master’s at Liberty University, and am currently pursuing a second master’s in Educational Leadership at the American College of Education. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with Genna, golfing, fly fishing, and watching sports.

Coming to Salem Academy has always been a dream of mine. It offers the perfect blend of academic excellence, athletic opportunity, and spiritual growth for students. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of a school whose mission is to pursue excellence in all areas.

Serving SA Since: 2025