MCREN Coordinating Body

Ben Baldizon has worked in education for over 15 years across the K-16 system. His experience includes being an educational assistant, bilingual liaison, tutor, and SUN manager as well as working to support teams of educators in increasing racial educational equity.

He is currently the Project Manager of Paraeducator Professional Learning at Multnomah Education Service District (MESD).

Natasha Lee Jackson is a dedicated educator committed to fostering equitable learning environments, with over 25 years of experience spanning teaching, leadership, and mentorship roles in public, private, and charter educational settings. Throughout her tenure as a school principal, Natasha led her school in the successful implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), enhancing educator collaboration and improving students’ instructional experiences. Recognizing the importance of addressing discipline challenges, she introduced and trained her staff on conscious discipline practices to promote a positive school culture.

Natasha’s leadership experience spans diverse educational landscapes, including urban and rural schools. She has also spearheaded the development of a publicly funded charter school, demonstrating her passion for innovation and community-focused education. In her current role as a Senior Program Administrator, Natasha coaches executive leaders on strategic planning and works closely with building administrators to build leadership capacity and efficacy. She is deeply engaged in guiding data teams by facilitating conversations that celebrate successes, address challenges, and gather insights to drive continuous improvement.

Natasha oversees a team of specialists dedicated to partnering with school communities to advance improvement efforts through organic, technical, and adaptive approaches. With a passion for supporting those who serve the next generation, Natasha believes in harnessing both collective and individual wisdom to create meaningful, impactful educational experiences that prepare students for the future.

In her spare time she enjoys traveling, exploring good restaurants and spending time with her husband Jonathan and her daughter Tyonna along with her host of family and friends.

Sara has been in the field of education since 2005. Originally from Michigan, she have a deep love for the outdoors and enjoy spending time in nature. She recently became a first time mom and is enjoying being a mom to her daughter.

Dr. Megan Barrett is the Program Director for Administrative Licensure, and teaches in the Principal License Program, the Professional Administrator Program, and the Doctoral program. She has worked as both a teacher and a school administrator, and brings expertise on supporting and re-engaging students who have dropped out or have been pushed out of school. Dr. Barrett’s work focuses on school leadership practices that foster care, belonging, and well-being for students and staff, with a particular focus on recognizing and supporting students and staff who are traditionally marginalized in/by schools. Dr. Barrett also has additional expertise in equity-centered leadership preparation, program redesign, district-university partnerships, and best practices for developing pipelines and pathways to leadership and licensure.

Kayla joined CESD in 2023. She brings with her 31 years of experience as an educator. She has been a teacher, instructional coach, building administrator and has district ​level experience. She joins this work because she has a deeply held belief that coaching and mentoring are essential for both teachers and administrators.

Dorothy Berry has spent over 22 years in elementary education. She is currently a third grade teacher in the Oregon City School District where she spent 7 years as the I-Team Chair facilitating the SST/SCT team in her building. She serves as the Equity Coordinator for John McLoughlin Elementary.

Dorothy believes that our education system is at its best when there is collaboration among our community, our families, and our schools. For this reason she became a member of the Oregon City Equity Steering Committee in the fall of 2021.

Leah is a science teacher at Molalla High School with a passion for promoting equity and empowering educators. One of Leah’s favorite sayings is, “The working conditions of teachers ARE the learning conditions for students (author unknown).” In lifting up educators and providing them with needed resources and training they need, we truly have the opportunity to enhance equity and meaningful learning for all students. Leah holds a master’s degree in teaching and a doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences. As a former laboratory researcher, she has a true love of data analysis and using data to inform decision making processes.

Farnosh is employed as a school psychologist at Wilsonville High School in the West-Linn Wilsonville School District in Oregon. With over 15 years of experience in the field of education, she has dedicated her career to assisting principals and teams in enhancing their Multi-Tiered System of Support. Farnosh holds a doctoral degree in leadership in special education, and her primary focus is on providing extensive support to school team, families and their children within the educational setting. Farnosh’s guiding principle is “advocacy,” and she actively aids the school team in utilizing data to enhance the school’s overall climate while promoting equality in supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

Chrysanthius has been an educator with Portland School District for the past 17 years, teaching all grade bands, mentoring and coaching teachers and principals, and as a school administrator. Chrysanthius’ pointed and targeted approach to equity in education, and her bold action orientation, has yielded measurable results in every setting she has worked in. Her article, “Dear White Teacher,” has been used for the past decade in educator preparatory institutions across the globe. She is the mother of four children.

Bio Coming Soon!

Kristi has been an elementary school teacher for 7 years. She is very passionate about her job and finds every opportunity she can to support her students and colleagues. Kristi knows that our future is in our classrooms now, and believes that every student should feel welcome and supported every day.

Bio Coming Soon!

Megan Christopher has been working in public schools since 2007 in nonprofits, as a secondary social studies teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and as an Interim School Administrator. She has a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Conflict Resolution, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and is a practicing mediator and member of Oregon Mediation Association. She is currently in process to earn the national credential to be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

D​ianna Ngai is an educational leader with a deep passion for supporting both students and educators. Currently serving as the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development​ in the North Clackamas School District, ​s​he has spent ​many years in ​supporting ​​student experiences through roles as a principal​ and instructional coach specializing in​ math, literacy and English language development. She began her career as an elementary school teacher, where she first discovered her love for fostering joy in learning.​

D​ianna is dedicated to helping students thrive in ​a​ variety of learning environments while cultivating a sense of excitement and curiosity about learning. ​In addition, she​ is passionate about empowering educators, helping them grow and discover innovative approaches to teaching​.

Laura has spent 22 years in education, all in the Gladstone School District. She is currently a Fourth Grade teacher with an ELL endorsement. Laura is also a teacher leader serving as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) team leader and a Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) team leader. When working with colleagues, Laura enjoys collaborating and thinking outside the box to find creative solutions. As an educator, Laura enjoys working with all children to grow a love of learning and strives to make learning engaging and accessible for all. In addition, she makes connections and fosters relationships to community members and families in the school community. Laura resides in Gladstone with her family and enjoys living within her school community.