 An important component to ensuring the success of each student is to have a faculty who fully understands the developmental characteristics and unique learning needs of middle-school students. It is also important to develop and implement a curriculum that addresses the unique needs of individual students. Gately Academy is fortunate to have a professional, creative, knowledgeable and caring staff.
David Ball is the director of Providence Youth Services. He has extensive experience and background in all aspects of middle school education. He has taught elementary and middle school students as a Title I Reading/Mathematics specialist, as well as middle school language arts/social science. Additionally, he has served as a middle school activities director and as an elementary school assistant principal. Mr. Ball completed the prestigious two-year Leadership Training Program at the California Schools Leadership Academy. He joined Gately Academy in Dec. 2003. When Mr. Ball is not at work he loves to travel and often spends time at his home on the Oregon coast.
John Pank is the assistant director of Providence Youth Services. Mr. Pank is the administrator of Providence’s Day School and the Adolescent and Family Clinic. He has the longest tenure of all the staff, having been at Gately since it began. He has a remarkable reputation for working collaboratively with teachers, students and parents. He is a licensed clinical social worker and helps students gain self-confidence in their ability to be successful in interpersonal issues. Mr. Pank enjoys time with his family and has hosted Japanese exchange students.
Abby Houston is a gifted art therapist and teacher who brings creative ideas and projects to her classes. She received her M.A. in Art Therapy and Counseling from Marylhurst University and has experience in 2-D and 3-D art making. She has a rich history of working with middle school students to help them see their creativity as an asset in the classroom and in the community. Art assignments are often integrated into the academic curriculum. When not teaching, Mrs. Houston enjoys playing and coaching soccer, painting and ceramics.
Sarah Hunter has extensive experience working with students with learning disabilities in the areas of math, reading and writing. Prior to becoming a part of the academy teaching staff she worked at Easter Seals in Utah and tutored students with reading difficulties. Mrs. Hunter enjoys pursuing postgraduate studies and spending time with her husband and their new infant daughter.
Heather Keyes has worked for the past 10 years primarily with children with social, emotional and academic needs—both as a treatment counselor and classroom teacher. She enjoys a hands-on approach to learning and making school an empowering experience for all students. In her spare time she is an avid hiker, reader, cook, and outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time with her 10-year-old dog Chewy, and her new husband.
Craig Lowery has been an educator for more than six years, several of which were spent in the Peace Corps teaching English on the distant Pacific island archipelago of Kiribati. After his days of teaching a rich variety of classes at Gately, Mr. Lowery attends classes himself, working toward his masters degree in school and clinical counseling. He is an avid reader, enjoys all the sports that the Pacific Northwest has to offer (including snowboarding and hiking), and is a huge Beatles fan.
Megan Nealis has been a teacher at Gately for six years. Her focus (and love) is in Language Arts and Literature. She has experience teaching diverse groups of multi-age students, both in the United States and abroad. She is currently attending graduate school to obtain her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a reading endorsement. Ms Nealis enjoys reading books from her long list of favorite authors, photography, gardening, and spending time with her exceptionally cute baby Adah.
Markelle Sams teaches science and math. Ms. Sams taught high school biology and anatomy in New York and middle school math in Idaho before returning to her native Oregon. She has worked at Gately in both the high school and middle school programs for many years and is currently enrolled in graduate school to earn her Special Education endorsement. Ms. Sams enjoys spending time with her children, gardening and biking.
Tom Schwartz worked in outdoor adventure therapy before moving into the classroom. He brings a unique blend of counseling and “experience-based teaching” techniques to his classes. Common to the wide range of subjects that he presents is a belief that people learn best by using all of their senses. This year he will teach social science, health, challenge course, and technology integration. Mr. Schwartz enjoys gardening, reading, and sea kayaking when not at work.
Susan Decker is the academy's administrative assistant. Parents often talk with Mrs. Decker as she helps coordinate the master calendar, plan parent events, and assist in the coordination of activities with teachers and students. In other words, she is the 'person in the know' and is extremely helpful if parents have questions regarding the academy. When she is not at school, Mrs. Decker enjoys singing, spending time with her family, running marathons and reading.
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