Cecile Enright started her career in education in the 1990’s as first a parent volunteer and then as an instructional assistant and school bus driver. She was encouraged to return to school by a friend who was also the wife of the superintendent in the district where her children attended school. While working on her teaching degree she continued to work with students as a tutor for Eagle Point School District and a teacher for READ Institute a homeschool support alternative school.

After completing her degree and receiving her Oregon teaching license, she worked as a substitute teacher. Later she took a job teaching in the bush in Alaska. This is where she first thought about starting a charter school. She envisioned an educational partnership with parents that would personalize education so that all students could find success. In 2004, she first learned about Castle Rock in Crescent City, CA, where she learned about Patty Wills and the adventure began.

In 2010, Cecile approached Rogue River School District with the concept for this unique school. REACH opened in the fall 2011 with a cap of 100 students. Within a very short time, there were students on the waitlist. Currently, our enrollment is double and we continue to grow each year.

Denise Purrier has been connecting with students for years. Before being at Reach, she had the privilege to work at two colleges and an elementary school. The fondest memories in her educational employment history, however, were the eight years of homeschooling her three children. In years gone by, Denise worked in the Graphic Arts field and still loves to dabble with computer graphic design.

At Reach, a typical workday includes talking with prospective students and families to explain the unique school model of REACH, especially the school’s vision of ‘achieving academic excellence through personalized learning.’ Denise is often on the phone chatting with past, present, and future students and their families to answer questions and provide assistance. She works as a team with teachers and staff to help the school help students succeed.

When not working at Reach, she is actively involved with her family and church, loves taking trips to the coast with her wonderful husband, baking (famous for her apple pies), and reading. “A day reading is time well spent.”

Hello! My name is Michelle, and I have been teaching young children for over 20 years. I have a degree in early childhood development and in October I will have an additional degree in Education. I have one son who I home schooled and who just became an attorney (Phew!) I have a small farm in Sam's Valley with Babydoll sheep, chicken, ducks, and a decent sized garden.

Aloha! This is Naomi Cordeiro! Naomi is the Elementary Success Coordinator. She loves working with students. Naomi attended the University of Hawaii West Oahu and graduated with a degree in Psychology. Her family moved to Oregon from Hawaii in 2019. She worked in the school system in Hawaii for five years before moving to Oregon. Naomi is easygoing and goes with the flow. Naomi loves spending her free time with her family. They enjoy taking weekend trips to explore different places. Her favorite place to go is Disneyland. Naomi also loves the Holidays. She is always up for a new adventure.

I enjoy working with students (and their families) as they choose the best path to achieve their educational and career goals. I have lived in southern Oregon for 10 years and live on a farm in the Applegate Valley. I also teach at Rogue Community College and enjoy volunteering in the community.

I have traveled across the United States six different ways: By plane, bus, train, car, bicycle, and hitchhiking. I have visited 4 continents and hope to visit all 7 within the next 10 years.

Degrees:
A.S. – Applied Science & Math @ Nassau Community College
B.A. – Human Integrative Biology @ University of California-Berkeley
M.A. – Secondary Science Education @ University of Connecticut

Tina Ferris is a highly qualified elementary teacher with her Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Having a dyslexic daughter has inspired her to consistently seek additional research-based strategies for teaching students to read fluently. Her belief is that reading is the foundation for learning and fluent readers develop a love of the language.

Tina spent her early working years as a ballroom dance instructor. She taught in several ballrooms in California and Arizona. She traveled and performed with students all over the country. She currently teaches youth ballroom dancing as well as coaching and choreographing for the Southern Oregon Youth Ballroom Dance Championships. Dance has helped her develop perseverance and patience, which are skills that are vital for teaching elementary-aged students.

Her teaching style can be summed up in one quote: Success comes before motivation. It is extremely important to Tina that her students feel successful. It is her experience that not all students learn academic skills at the same pace or at the same age. Students develop a love of learning through their successes and developing their interests. She understands that each student has a variety of strengths just waiting to be recognized and nurtured.

Hello and welcome! My name is Autumn Hayball. I always knew teaching would be a rewarding career; my mom was a phenomenal teacher. One of my great passions is Art and Art History. In 2006 I graduated from Western Oregon with my Bachelor of Arts degree in Art, with a minor in Art History. I then had the great opportunity to stay home with my 3 children for 10 years. In 2021 I received my Master of Arts in Teaching degree and the rest is history! I love working with kids- getting to know and love each one of my students for who they are is the best! I love reading, writing, and science. I am learning to enjoy math. Watching my students as they discover the subjects they love is so fun. Reach has the flexibility that allows the students choice while still receiving the support necessary to succeed; the best of both worlds! As C.S Lewis said, "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."

I graduated from Concordia University with my masters in Education and have been teaching Kindergarten and preschool age children since. I love teaching and working with kids. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, paddle boarding, rafting, and  relaxing at the lake. My favorite thing to do is spending time with my daughter!

Megan was born and raised right here in Grants Pass, Oregon, where she developed a love of small-town living in the Pacific Northwest. After several years at Western Oregon University, Megan switched tracks and graduated with honors from Western Culinary Institute in 2002.

Many years later, Megan found herself a home-schooling mother of five young ladies. Without a clue of what to do, she was introduced to River’s Edge Academy Charter School! After homeschooling (with Reach’s assistance) for eight years, she began working at River’s Edge Academy Charter School in 2019. Megan enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of all things curriculum-related with new students and their parents. When not at work, Megan stays busy keeping up with her circus and finding quiet places to sneak bites of chocolate.