First Battalion
Administration & Leadership
Lieutenant Colonel
Name: LTC Tyson Migliaccio
Education: B.S. Earth Science, M.S. Science Education from Oregon State University Years at WLA: Since 2017 Comment: "You don't just give up. You don't just let things happen. You make a stand. You say no. You have the guts to do what's right when everyone else just runs away!" ~Rose Tyler Email: tmigliaccio@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Sergeant Major
Name: SGM Dan Cayton
Education: Associate's degree in Accounting Years at WLA: Since 2014 Comment: I am tough but I am fair. In my office, I have a poster that I live by. My motto is "Quitting is not an option, don't tell me what can't be done", "It's not about perfect, it's about effort. and when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens. That's how change occurs". - Jillian Michaels Email: dcayton@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Program Director
Name: MAJ Kate Klontz
Teaching Experience:English Instructor 9-12; Creative Writing, Research Writing, and English Test Prep Education: BA in English Writing, MA in Education; Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado, Denver. Years at WLA: Since 2016 Comment: Without teachers, life would have no class. Email: kklontz@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)-246-2842 |
Company Level Staff
Bravo Company - 10th Grade
Name: 1LT Kyle Thompson
Position: Bravo Company Commander Teaches: Science Years at WLA: since 2018 Comment: Lieutenant Thompson comes to us from the great state of Ohio, where he developed a strong passion for science and music. This will be his first year as a teacher, so he will be learning along with your cadets. He is eager to help kids see how awesome science can be and has an outstanding energy when teaching. Welcome, LT Thompson. Email: kthompson@wlacademy.org |
Name: MSG Jonathan Rogers
Position: Bravo Company 1st Sergeant Years at WLA: since 2019 Email: jrogers@wlacademy.org |
Charlie Company - 10th Grade
Name: CPT Mychel Steckler
Position: Charlie Company Commander Teaches: Math Email: msteckler@wlacademy.org |
Name: 1SG Ryan Pauli
Position: Charlie & Eco Company 1st Sergeant Education: Associates of Applied Sciences in Integrated Media with an emphasis in broadcasting from Mt. Hood Community College. Years at WLA: Since 2017 Comment: I served 13 of the best years of my life in the Army as a mechanic. I was deployed twice to Iraq, where I was given the opportunity to see and learn about another culture. I have traveled the world and have seen much that it has to offer. I have learned and experienced a lot in my life and I hope to bring some of that to Willamette Leadership Academy and apply it to how I lead and mold my company into leaders. Email: rpauli@wlacademy.org |
Delta Company - 11th Grade
Name: CPT Stephen North
Position: Delta Company Commander Teaches: English 11 & 12, AP Language & Composition, and English Test Prep Education: Bachelor of Arts: English. Master of Secondary Education in English Years at WLA: since 2015 Comment: I taught eighth grade English in Las Vegas two years prior to coming to WLA. I have worked in many different job fields, but nothing has been as rewarding as teaching. I feel it is the job of every teacher to broaden students' perspectives, to show them the possibilities life has to offer them. Email: snorth@wlacademy.org |
Name: MSG Shannon Ramey
Position: Delta Company Master Sergeant Years at WLA: since 2019 Email: sramey@wlacademy.org |
Echo Company - 12th Grade
Name: 1LT Ryan Hovey
Position: Echo Company Commander Teaches: Education: Years at WLA: since 2018 Comment: We are all very excited to have Lieutenant Hovey, who joined our math department last year. He was a substitute teacher with us in the 2017-2018 school year and did such an outstanding job that we couldn't let him go. Email: rhovey@wlacademy.org |
Name: MSG Crystal Pugh
Position: Echo Company 1st Sergeant Education: Bachelors of Business Management from University of Phoenix and a Masters of Education from Grand Canyon University. Years at WLA: Since 2019 Comment: "The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it." Email: cpugh@wlacademy.org |
Foxtrot Company - 9th Grade
Name: 1LT Kelsee Graves
Position: Foxtrot Company Commander Teaches: Social Studies, economics Years at WLA: since 2018 Email: kgraves@wlacademy.org |
Name: 1SG Zachery Stewart
Position: Foxtrot Company 1st Sergeant Education: Years at WLA: Since 2017 Comment: Email: zstewart@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Golf Company - 9th Grade
Name: 1LT Joe Lengele
Teaches: Health, Criminal Justice Education: Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice Years at WLA: since 2017 Comment: Originally from Nuremberg, Germany I served in the U.S. Army for 8 years as a CBRNE. Then later moved to gunner position for the artillery, spent time in Kuwait and Iraq. Once I left the Army I went back to school and got my degree in Criminal Justice. Since coming to WLA I have got the chance to help with the education of the future which is one of the greatest jobs you can have. Quote: I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. -Nelson Mandela Email: jlengele@wlacademy.org |
Name: 1SG Zachery Stewart
Position: Foxtrot Company 1st Sergeant Education: Years at WLA: Since 2017 Comment: Email: zstewart@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Classrooms Without Companies Assigned
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India Classroom
Name: CPT Satoshi Robertson
Position: India Company Commander Teaches: CTE: Small Engine Mechanics, Home Maintenance, Agriculture Education: High School Diploma, US Army, and United States Marine Corp Years at WLA: Since 2001 Comment: "Semper Fidelis" always be faithful no matter what. Email: srobertson@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Romeo Classroom (Special Education & Support)
Name: CPT Judy Thomas
Position: Special Education Case Manager Education: graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Liberal Studies (for an elementary teaching credential). Did a year of Education studies from National University. MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Literacy from University of Texas at Arlington. Classes for special education and ESOL endorsements from Portland State. TAG classes from UCSD. Counseling classes from Grand Canyon University. Years at WLA: Since 2017 Comment: I am happy to be here at Willamette Leadership Academy. I've been teaching for over 15 years and look forward to working with our students every year. Email: jthomas@wlacademy.org |
Name: WO Michelle Moore
Position: Special Ed. Case Manager Assistant Email: mmoore@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Support Staff
Name: Kammy Stam
Position: Adjutant Education: Years at WLA: Since 2018 Comment: Email: kstam@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-2842 |
Name: CPT Meranda Green
Position: Student Services, Advising Teaches: Spanish, ELD, and Intro to Psychology Education: BS of Psychology from Portland State University. Years at WLA: Since 2016 Comment: "Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." -Haim Ginott. I came to Willamette Leadership Academy because I have seen the difference the academy makes on the students as well as staff and parents. I love teaching and want to help the students make good lasting impressions. Email: megreen@wlacademy.org |
Name: Nancy Vrijmoet
Position: Uniform Manager
Education: Master of Music, University of Oregon; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Oregon; Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance, California State University, Chico
Years at WLA: Since 2015
Comment: Helping the young people of Willamette Leadership Academy get suited up is a most rewarding experience for me. Each day I am treated with respect by these amazing students. I invite families to stop by the uniform shop, located in the hall near the cafeteria, whenever I can help with any need, large or small. Before accepting this job I taught in Eugene's School District 4j for twenty-six years. Willamette Leadership Academy's First and Second Battalions are, in my opinion, two of the finest educational opportunities in the state of Oregon.
Email: nvrijmoet@wlacademy.org
Position: Uniform Manager
Education: Master of Music, University of Oregon; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Oregon; Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance, California State University, Chico
Years at WLA: Since 2015
Comment: Helping the young people of Willamette Leadership Academy get suited up is a most rewarding experience for me. Each day I am treated with respect by these amazing students. I invite families to stop by the uniform shop, located in the hall near the cafeteria, whenever I can help with any need, large or small. Before accepting this job I taught in Eugene's School District 4j for twenty-six years. Willamette Leadership Academy's First and Second Battalions are, in my opinion, two of the finest educational opportunities in the state of Oregon.
Email: nvrijmoet@wlacademy.org