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Director, Joy McInnis
Knowing the dignity that comes from honest hard work, Joy is passionate that every person obtain meaningful ways to contribute to their Klamath Falls community.
She insightfully identifies barriers to employment, creatively locates resources, and
tactfully delegates her skilled staff in collaboration to meet the board’s mission for Klamath Works. Joy spearheads innumerable partnerships to get the job done, exemplifying “if there’s a will, there’s a way”. Joy oversees the logistics of budget, payroll, and sustainable financing of Klamath Works and the LearnSTEAM alternative school.
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Principal, Brent Nichols
When Brent learned of the typical abysmal graduation rates of special education students in Oregon public schools he decided to give back to the community where he was born and raised.
He founded LearnSTEAM and earned a license to operate as the school's principal.
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. As an endorsed teacher in most areas,
his credentials and experience enabled the development of a hands-on curriculum to provide students with practical academic knowledge and job skills. Brent's work history includes:
- Adjunct professor of psychology
- Teacher of incarcerated juveniles
- Special education teacher
- Dropout prevention coordinator
- General contractor
- HS wood shop teacher
Given these skills, Brent is able to guide the amazing LearnSTEAM team with clear vision and methods toward reengaging marginalized youth.
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Dean of Students, Lead Teacher, Mark McDougal
Mark loves assisting troubled youth to regain their footing along a productive path. Before retiring as a senior trooper from the state police, he presented inspirational messages at school assemblies about the importance of avoiding alcohol and other drugs. He taught at the police academy, and continues to instruct college courses as an adjunct professor of criminology. Mark has taught KCC’s required prerequisite course, College Success/Survival. He is a skilled woodworker, having a hobby of building teardrop trailers, and he has refurbished a house from the studs to finish. Having seen a lot of trauma, as a paramedic and state trooper, he understands that trauma impacted teens are not doomed to fixed mindsets ruminating in victimization and entitlement. Mark supports youth to embrace challenges as they grow into productive adults who are a gift to their friends, family, and community.
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Team Builder Specialist, Sean Winter
Sean draws from his experience as a professional guide on wild rivers to guide youth through the raging torrents of life. His background includes years of working with troubled teens as a teacher, mentor, and coach. With degrees in biology and education he expertly helps students prepare to pass the GED exams, especially in science and math. He delights in leading activities toward empowering youth to overcome social anxieties and gain confidence.
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GED Instructor, Iris
Iris focuses the light of goodness on the retina of each person who looks her way. Her vision is to make a better world for her own children by enhancing all lives through encouragement, education, and transparency. Iris helps youth see that their reflection need not be determined by their past circumstances and present situation. With wise insight, she tutors in GED subjects by empowering students to be proficient learners who teach their peers. We are blessed to have this bilingual bass player on our staff.
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Job Coach, Yessica
Yessica, bilingual in Spanish and English, daily demonstrates cheerful encouragement to everyone fortunate enough to be in her presence. She specializes in drawing out honest communications that lead to well matched job placements. Yessica empowers youth with confidence that flows from obtaining genuine job skills, rather than fleeting sensations of self-aggrandizement. Students respond to her tenacious love that blows away their smoke screens, revealing unrealized potential, and an upward path for success.
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Job Coach, Lavar
Levar has overcome challenges that enable him to counsel youth from personal experience.
He has known poverty and plenty, defeat and victory, despair and hope. With tactful skill, Lavar challenges students to become a better version of themselves, and provides them with the tools to make that happen. Resistance is futile. Temporary failures are guaranteed, as students climb toward success. Rolling with the punches is the life style that comes with doing hard things. From his years playing college basketball, Levar demonstrates how to bounce back from a fall and keep driving forward, no matter what the endeavor. He shows students how to reframe any circumstance as a catapult toward success.
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Youth Build Shop Foreman, Myles
Myles exemplifies dedication and service to others. With a background in the military he is a model of controlled strength making practical, tactical progress.
Myles combines a gentle demeanor with no-nonsense counsel to cut through reluctant excuses and challenge his students to courageously battle up the hills and push forward through apparent barriers.
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Peer Tutor, Alex
Alex completed the LearnSTEAM program by earning a GED. He assists in tutoring, construction, and data management.
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Volunteers
Those who have passed district background checks, are welcome!
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