Aaron Miller is new to the POLSD for the 2023-24 school year, but has been an educator in Oregon for over 32 years. He has worked as a bus driver, food service worker, instructional assistant, teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent, which have given him insight into how all these positions work together to provide students with the best education possible. He is a student-centered educator who believes that ALL students are capable of learning, that ALL students deserve the same opportunities for success and that it is the responsibility of each and every employee in the District to dedicate themselves to meeting each and every student's individual academic, social and emotional needs.

Nicola Steers is the first point of contact at Driftwood Elementary school. She assists parents, students, and staff with day-to-day needs. Students look forward to seeing her everyday and staff respect and know they can count on her for anything they need.

Teal Fleming has been teaching Kindergarten at Driftwood Elementary since 2020 and has been working with children for 19 years. Born and raised in the Port Orford-Langlois community, she continues to enjoy being a part of making a space where hopefully all feel welcome and appreciated.

Ms. Howard has been teaching in the Port Orford school district since Forever. She has teaching experience at all the grade levels and has been teaching first grade for the last ten years. She graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with minors in reading and early childhood education; she earned her Masters Degree and Reading Endorsement from Oregon State University, and she completed the administrator licensing program at the University of Oregon. She loves teaching and learning at all levels and in all subject areas. Her hobbies include reading, quilting and running. She also enjoys doing agility with her dogs Koko and Paco.

Shelley Lamon came to Driftwood Elementary School in 2022 as a SPED Assistant, moving up to her current second-grade teaching position as she finishes her degree in Early Elementary Education. She brings with her four years of prior teaching experience (preschool and kindergarten readiness)and has seven years experience in special education. Her goals are to bring innovative and engaging instruction into the classroom and partner with parents to help their students reach new heights in their education.

Julie Boak has been teaching in the POLSD since 2020. She is currently the third grade teacher at Driftwood and the assistant soccer coach for Pacific High School. She enjoys building relationships with her students and being involved in the summer programs that are offered in the district.

Donna Johannesmeyer works at Driftwood Elementary as the 4th Grade Teacher.

In her 20th year as an educator, Nancy Windholz has been teaching 5th grade at Driftwood since 2017. For the 2023-24 school year, she will be focused on teaching math and science to 5th and 6th graders.

In her 11th year with 2CJ, Leila Thompson has spent the majority of her 18 years in the communities of Port Orford and Langlois! In fact, she was born and raised here, graduating with the class of 1998! Go Pirates! She brings a multi-faceted approach to learning into her daily lessons, having a background in teaching everything from Adobe Photoshop and fine art to social studies and high school health! This year, Leila is looking forward to spending time with the 5th and 6th grades as they explore the humanities: English Language Arts and Social Studies.

This is my first year working at Port Orford - Langlois School District. Helping students make art and being creative is the best job someone can ask for!

Garth Gant K-12 P.E instructor. Grew up playing sports my whole life from pickleball to golf to football. Was fortunate enough to compete in Basketball and Track and Field in college. I Strive each day to make P.E a fun enjoyable experience for all students. I have taught P.E 5 years. In class students will be active each day and learn life skills and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through movement. Students will learn to be good teammates during collaborative activities. I look forward to a great year!

This will be my 7th year working full time at Driftwood Elementary as as instructional assistant. I also help staff and students as a junior tech advisor under the direction of our IT director. I strive to make learning fun and make each day an opportunity to grow. "What we teach is what they learn!" -Dr. Anita Archer

Juliane Lau has been working as a Title 1 Instructional Assistant at Driftwood Elementary since 2017. Prior to that, she was a volunteer in various classroom for two years. She loves working with students, inspiring them to do their best and improve, day by day. Seeing the growth and development in our students first hand is the most rewarding part of her job.

Shanthi Wood has been serving POLSD as the Library Assistant since 2022. She works with the local library to add to Driftwood's library engaging books as well as coordinate books for Driftwood students from other libraries in system. Seeing a need to have music in student learning, she has integrated music with reading books. She strives to create a library that is conducive to students wants and needs. She will continue to build the relationship with students, staff and the local library to bring books that are age and reading level appropriate in order to nurture the love of reading.

Lauren Courtier works at Driftwood Elementary as a Special Education Instructional Assistant.

Barbara Ellis will begin her first year at Driftwood Elementary School, as a Special Education Instructional Assistant. She has been an educator for over 25 years, focusing on the support of struggling students. She has worked as a classroom teacher, as well as a private tutor and mentor (ages 5 - 18). Her goal is to help children to understand and respect themselves, as people and learners.

Ayu Mckenzie has transferred from assistant cook to SPED Assistant. Ayu is excited to work more closely with Driftwood students and be in the classrooms!

Jackie Seagrave has been working in the school district since 2015. She started out as an IA and then became the Custodian. Jackie likes to greet the kids in the morning. Sometimes that tells her how her day is going to be or go. She likes to see what new challenges they might give her in trying to keep the school clean.