Meet Our Team
 

Principal

Kate Saldana

Kate is a major cheesehead, and no that's not an insult! It's another way of saying she loves the Green Bay Packers. Kate even has a dog named Lambeau (as in Lambeau Field, the Packer's home turf). Her other passions include good coffee, woodworking, and the Oxford comma. Don't know what an Oxford comma is? Look it up (and then use it for the rest of your life!)

Dean of Admissions

Kimberly Lynn

Kimberly brings energy and ​enthusiasm to everything she does, whether she's supporting animal rescue efforts and spending time with ​four-legged companions, cheering for the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!), or helping young people grow and succeed. She has devoted her career to coaching and education. Family, adventure, and the beauty of the outdoors are among Kimberly's passions — she loves exploring new destinations​ with her husband and kids, hiking through breathtaking mountain ranges, and soaking up the sunshine.

Administrative Assistant

Lauren Kimmel

Working with kids and planning fun-filled events are two of Lauren’s favorite things, and she’s grateful these are a part of what she gets to do at BEC. Along with supporting staff and students, Lauren enjoys reading, tennis, being creative, and spending time with her husband and four kiddos.

Registrar

Kelly Spike-Melo

Anything health related is her main focus — from personal development books and podcasts to reading books that maximize physical, mental, and spiritual health. She also loves most sports, especially watching her kids play and succeed. Camping and exploring the outdoors with her family, friends, and husband are at the top of favorite-things-to-do list...especially during the summer months.

Dual Credit Coordinator

Corrinne Brantner

Corrinne is truly passionate about everything she does at BEC. And she does a lot: coordinating our dual credit program, running the BEC student leadership team, helping students transition to the college when they are ready, and more. Working with BEC students and families has been an amazing experience and she couldn't imagine being anywhere else. At home, she keeps busy with three littles and a Weimaraner. Corrinne and her husband love to go on road trips with the kids, try new restaurants, and be outside as much as possible. She's especially looking forward to all of student travel opportunities at Baker; you'll see her on many of our trips!

School Counselor

Rob Williams

When Rob isn't advising students, he's often out exploring Central Oregon: hiking, xc skiing, fishing or biking. Discovering new coffee shops also keeps him caffeinated enough to teach a BEC class here or there and work with the school wellness team, providing students and staff with mental health support. Be sure to ask him about the latest paws-itive updates and adventures of Atlas, his golden retriever.

School Counselor

Sophie Jensen

Along with supporting her students, Sophie also loves to snowboard steep lines and travel around in her motorhome with her family. Some of her favorite visits have been to the mountains of Washington and Montana, as well as her first love, the Oregon coast. She's traveled for school, too, venturing abroad to eight different countries, including participation in the Semester at Sea program.

School Counselor

Laree Wolf

In order to more fully pursue her passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others, Laree left a career in law enforcement, earned a degree in school counseling, and joined our term. Family, fitness, and traveling are among Laree's other loves, and she can often be found at her family’s CrossFit gym working out or coaching.

School Counselor

Richelle Colenso

Creating beauty from ashes is a theme of her life — Richelle is always looking to shift the “hard” in life into opportunities to find growth and joy. Her interests and family of 2 teenage boys, 2 dogs and one husband have her hopping from the bowling alley, baseball field, basketball court, helping the homeless, and taking daily walks. She enjoy meaningful conversations about beliefs and future dreams, so working as a BEC counselor is a perfect fit, as she loves to help students reach their goals.

School Counselor

Shelley Penny

Shelley has been a school counselor at all K-12 grade levels; she loves building relationships with students, helping them personalize their learning experience, and supporting them in the creation and pursuit of future plans. Empathy is the number one life skill she teaches and preaches, always emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence. Travel is the name of her favorite game, so you can often catch Shelley on a plane or in an airport. Walking, learning, cooking, and reading also bring her joy when she's not raising her two teenagers and beloved goldendoodle.

School Counselor

Whitney Scott

Dogs, cats, alpacas, goats — Whitney has them all! She deeply enjoys spending time with her animals and her family. Whitney is passionate about supporting BEC students and their families, but when she's not cheering on her students, you might find her cheering on a sports team. And while she'll watch nearly any sport, Whitney never misses a chance to root for the Portland Thorns or catch an Oregon football game.  Go Ducks!"

School Counselor

Jaymie Leach

Jaymie's lived all over Oregon! She was born and raised in Roseburg, then a rodeo scholarship took her to the University of Las Vegas. She moved back after graduation, working in a severe behavior and autism classroom for a year.  Next up, Central Oregon! She attended OSU-Cascades and earned her master’s, then started as a school counselor hanging out with K-8th graders in Culver, OR.  And now she lives in Prineville with three horses, two dogs two cats!

School Counselor

Britany Philips

This Enneagram 1 is as dedicated to her work as her personal life, always striving for balance. She empowers students to reach their potential while cherishing time with her family of five—frequent beach camping trips, a daily coffee ritual, regular workouts, and nail appointments are non-negotiables. Her pursuit of excellence extends to every corner of her life.

9th Grade Advisor + Teacher

Scott Rowles

Scott's cup is filled by watching students gain understanding about how their brain’s work, and how they can learn and change on a daily basis to become a better version of themselves. Scott also likes to do things the hard way, like fix his own cars, roast his own coffee, build his own bicycles, raise his own chickens and food, have two teenage daughters, and a too-smart-for-his-own-good gigantic standard poodle.

9th Grade Advisor + Teacher

Pat Kailey

Pat's superpower—and Achilles' heel—is his curiosity about too many things. Before finding his groove in education, he explored careers in copywriting, research, geology, and fitness coaching. Now at BEC, he loves blending his passions for science, coaching, and writing to help students develop new ideas and abilities. When he's not working, you'll find him deciding between reading a book or playing outside. Usually, his young son makes the call—dinosaur stories win every time!

Teacher

Stomy Shannon

Wielding red pens and wit, this 14-year English teaching veteran moonlights as a poet, storyteller, and accidental zookeeper. Between grading essays, she manages a comedy troupe of barefoot children, muddy dogs, perpetually famished goats, and one spectacularly grumpy llama. Her previous lives include metal factory supervisor and OG Starbucks barista—back when coffee was coffee and dinosaurs roamed Seattle.

Social Worker

Sallie Lees

Sallie is a dedicated social worker with a passion for supporting and advocating for students. She actively collaborates with students, parents, and educators to identify barriers and help students reach their goals. Sallie also finds joy in both personal fitness and time spent with her family. She is a proud mother of two teenagers, and she loves watching them pursue their passions — whether it's soccer, tennis, or performing jazz music. When she's not cheering from the sidelines, she soaks up quality family time, often gathered around the table for a friendly board game.

Teacher

Lael Bingham

Teaching student math really does bring joy to Lael's life, but numbers are not the only things that she is passionate about. Regardless of the weather, you will find her in the garden to prepare beds, weed and prune, or harvest in the warm months. You will also find a knitting or crocheting project with her if she thinks there might be some down time. Her favorite evenings are when she get the opportunity to play games with her daughters.

Teacher

Courtney Scott

Seeing double? You’re not imagining things — her twin sister, Whitney Scott, also works at BEC! You can catch this Scott sister wrangling alpacas on her 5-acre property, hanging out with her pitbull, or chasing after her two young kids. After 14 years working in brick-and-mortar schools, she’s thrilled to be at BEC, where her passion for teaching and connecting with students continues to flourish!

Academic Support Coordinator

Meridith Stevens

Meridith values compassion, equity, and meaningful relationships and is dedicated to supporting every student in reaching their full potential. Currently completing her master’s degree in school counseling, Meridith has a diverse professional background, including directing a therapeutic horseback riding center and working in behavioral support roles. As someone who proudly identifies as neurodivergent and LGBTQ+, she brings a deep commitment to inclusivity and accessibility to her work and our school.

College & Career Advisor

Allison Styffe

There isn't a personality quiz she (an ISFJ and Enneagram 9 with a top Clifton Strength of Harmony, btw) hasn't taken. There isn't a novel she wouldn't devour in a weekend (she was a literature major, after all). And there isn't a job she'd rather have than this one (though speech therapist was always high on her list).

College & Career Advisor

Lauren Shey

LShey comes to the Education field having previously worked in non-profit, corporate sustainability, media, and cybersecurity. She enjoys taking photos of foliage, long walks with her pup Sugar, cuddles with her cats Mr. Pickles and Reuben, and sneaking in some knitting time. LShey loves a theme.