Willamette Leadership Academy
2nd Battalion
(Middle School)
Name: LTC Katie Nunes
Position: 2BN Commander Education: BA History from the U of O/MAT from Pacific University, MS Language Arts Years at WLA: Since 2012 Comment: I really enjoy working with our students in the environment that we provide at WLA. Email: knunes@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: CSM James Brainard
Position: 2BN Sergeant Major Teaches: Military History Education: High School Graduate and some college Years at WLA: Since 2005 Comment: NO EXCUSES! I pride myself on being fair yet firm, while maintaining open communication with the students. It is very important to me to rise to the challenge of seeing our students become productive members of society. Email: jbrainard@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: 1stLT Andrew Potterf
Position: Alpha Company Commander Teaches: 7th and 8th Grade English Language Arts Education: BA English Literature UofO; MA Education U of O Years at WLA: Since 2015 Comment: Helping students discover literature and a sense of intellectual curiosity is incredibly rewarding for me. I work hard to keep my curriculum fresh and interesting. Email: apotterf@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name:
Position: Alpha Company 1SGT Teaches: PE and Drill & Ceremony Education: Years at WLA: Since 2018 Comment: Email: Phone: (541)246-2640 |
Name: 2ndLT Ben Madison
Position: Bravo Company Commander Teaches: 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies Education: Years at WLA: 2018 Comment: Email: bmadison@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: 1st Sergeant Daniel Cayton
Position: Bravo Company 1st Sergeant Teaches: Health & Safety, Rocketry, PE, and Drill & Ceremony Education: High School Diploma Years at WLA: Since 2014 Comment: As a prior member of the United States Coast Guard, I have always enjoyed helping people. As a parent, I understand that children need and appreciate structure and discipline. Honesty is the best policy, it defines who we are. I am hard, but fair. With the belief in yourself, the sky is the limit and I am here to help students realize their potential as leaders. Email: dcayton@wlacdemy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: CPT Shawn Knoedler
Position: Charlie Company Commander Teaches: 7th and 8th Grade Science Education: Master of Education- University of Oregon, Bachelor of Science- Frostburg State University Years at WLA: Since 2015 Comment: I’m always looking for new ways to engage my students in learning. I have taught middle school for the past twelve years in a wide variety of settings and I love using my experiences to breathe life into our curriculum. Students in my class can expect a challenging and rewarding year in a supportive learning environment. Email: sknoedler@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: 1st Sergeant Emily Cote
Position: Charlie Company and Delta 1st Sergeant Teaches: Land Navigation, Journalism & Broadcasting, PE, and Drill & Ceremony Education: 5 years Oregon National Guard, Western Oregon University Years at WLA: Since 2015 Comment: Very excited to work with the future of America, and maybe even help it along the way! "Nothing Is Impossible!" Email: ecote@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: 1stLT Mychel Steckler
Position: Delta Company Commander
Teaches: 7th and 8th Grade Math
Education: Lebanon HS, Linn-Benton CC, University of Oregon, Pacific University
Years at WLA: Since 2014
Comment: Work background comprises inventory manufacturing management, field research, and data analysis for 15+ years, working with a variety of individuals with varied educational skills. Education background has been providing substitute teaching services for 5 years, in Elementary through High Schools levels and multiple subjects. This includes working with 'at risk' students, and one-on-one intervention.
Email: msteckler@wlacademy.org
Phone: (541)246-1640
Position: Delta Company Commander
Teaches: 7th and 8th Grade Math
Education: Lebanon HS, Linn-Benton CC, University of Oregon, Pacific University
Years at WLA: Since 2014
Comment: Work background comprises inventory manufacturing management, field research, and data analysis for 15+ years, working with a variety of individuals with varied educational skills. Education background has been providing substitute teaching services for 5 years, in Elementary through High Schools levels and multiple subjects. This includes working with 'at risk' students, and one-on-one intervention.
Email: msteckler@wlacademy.org
Phone: (541)246-1640
Name:
Position: Echo Company Commander Teaches: 6th Math/Science and Life Skills Education: Years at WLA: Since 2018 Comment: Email: Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: 1st Sergeant Robert Lockhart
Position: Echo and Fox Company 1st Sergeant Teaches: Color Guard, PE, and Drill & Ceremony Education: 7 yrs Army (Infantry) Human Services, Psychology, Social And Behavioral Science Years at WLA: Since 2011 Comment: The Choices of Today Become The Memories Of Tomorrow: Make Them Good Ones. Email: lockhart@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: 2nd LT Nathan Walters
Position: Fox Company Commander
Teaches: 6th Language Arts/Social Studies
Education: BA History and Political Science
Years at WLA: Since 2015
Comment: I served five years in the US Army, and spent 14 months in Iraq. After the Army I returned to Eugene and graduated from the U of O in 2008 with degrees in History & Political Science. I spent a year working for Bethel school district before coming to WLA. I married an Army girl, and we now have six girls of our own.
Email: nwalters@wlacademy.org
Phone: (541)246-1640
Position: Fox Company Commander
Teaches: 6th Language Arts/Social Studies
Education: BA History and Political Science
Years at WLA: Since 2015
Comment: I served five years in the US Army, and spent 14 months in Iraq. After the Army I returned to Eugene and graduated from the U of O in 2008 with degrees in History & Political Science. I spent a year working for Bethel school district before coming to WLA. I married an Army girl, and we now have six girls of our own.
Email: nwalters@wlacademy.org
Phone: (541)246-1640
Name: CPT Debra Artzer
Position: Special Education Case Manager Education: BA in English, U of O and MAT, Pacific University Years at WLA: Since 2014 Comment: I have been a Middle School Special Education Teacher as well as Case Manager since 2004. I believe the structure and support our students will have here is exactly what kids today need for optimum academic and personal success. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach at WLA. Email: dartzer@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: CWO4 Teila Brainard
Position: Special Educational Assistant Education: High School Diploma and some college. Years at WLA: Since 2011 Comment: I have worked at WLA for 6 yrs now, I love my job and cadets. I strive to help these students know that anything is possible with hard work and preparation. I aim to help every one of our cadets to reach their potential and go beyond what they have expected for themselves. Email: tbrainard@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
2nd Battalion Support Staff
Name: Mrs. Franki Lewis
Position: Adjutant Education: Years at WLA: Since 2017 Comment: Email: flewis@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: Mrs. Faith Wolfe
Position: Uniform Manager/Office Assistant. Education: Years at WLA: Since 2014 Comment: I'm a Lane County native. My husband and I live in Eugene with our 3 children, 2 cats, a bunch of rabbits, 1 lizard, and a tank of fish. I love sewing, all kinds of crafts, reading, and playing board and card games. I enjoy working with youth and am happy to be a part of the team at WLA. Email: fwolfe@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: Mrs. Shonna Helm
Position: Student Services and Student Records Education: Associate of Arts Fashion Merchandising Years at WLA: Since 2013 Comment: "Brighten your corner of the world." Email: shelm@wlacademy.org Phone: (541)246-1640 |
Name: Pam
Position: Food Services & Kitchen Manager Years at WLA: Comment: |