We are proud of our staff and the unsurpassed quality of services they provide to our students and campers.

From a highly comprehensive application process and background check, to on-going rigorous training's, Nawa staff are competent, safe and professional. Our staff training's are packed with information about new medical procedures, group dynamics, team facilitation, curriculum development, learning disabilities, and outdoor skills.

Most Academic Instructors are credentialed and stay current with learning techniques and research. Understanding that each student retains and processes information differently, our Academic Instructors are patient, creative and flexible. They can challenge a student who has solid academic skills and show an unmotivated student that learning can be fun and rewarding.

Outdoor Instructors either have a Wilderness First Responder or EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certificate and their Vertical and Swift Water Rescue certifications. They have many years of experience in backpacking and leading groups on wilderness challenges. For more information about some of the training opportunities refer to Skills and certifications are monitored by the Safety Committee. It is through this committee that new SOP'S (Standard Operational Procedures) are continuously added to the Safety Manual. At Nawa, we understand that it is the staff who make all the difference.

The following is an introduction and brief description of some of the Nawa faculty. Some of our seasonal staff are not included. Please note the following abbreviations: EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) WFR (Wilderness First Responder) VR (Vertical Rescuer) SWR (Swift Water Rescuer)

Gary Dittman, Controller, has his B.A. in Business Administration with a major emphasis in accounting from California State University Long Beach. Gary is a credentialed teacher, is licensed as a general contractor and owned and managed a business for over twenty years. He enjoys playing sports and spending time with his family.

Steve Galvan, MSW, Director of International Programs, has his B.A. from California State University Fullerton and his M.S.W. from George Williams College, Chicago. He was a high school principal and has been a regional managing coordinator of social work for Mercy and St. Elizabeth Hospitals Hospice / Home Health programs. Steve has been a bilingual leader of Latin American trips for teens and has traveled extensively throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Steve is a founder of Nawa Academy.

Jason Hull, Summer Programs Director; Admissions Director; Rescue and Outdoor Education Safety Director, has his B.A. in Communications from Chapman University. He is certified in VR 2, SWR 2, WFR and Avalanche I. Jason has served on the National Ski Patrol and on a volunteer fire department. He is currently a trainer and volunteer for the Shasta County Mountain Search and Rescue team and has taught outdoor and rescue skills to staff, students and clients for over 17 years. Jason is a member of the Leadership Redding Steering Committee and a member of the Chapman University Alumni Board of Directors. As an Eagle Scout and a founder of Nawa Academy, he enjoys sharing his outdoor passions with others.

Serena Hull, Admissions Counselor, Academic Instructor, has her Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology, Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and Bachelor of Education from Queen's University, Ontario, Canada. She holds a teaching credential and is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers Association. In addition, she holds a Single Subject California Teaching Certificate. Serena has worked at Nawa for four years as a teacher in our summer programs. She is certified as an EMT and WFR, VRI, SWR1, Avalanche 1, CFSA Coach, National Life Saving, and is a volunteer with the Shasta County Sheriff's Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Serena enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets.

Jan Kells, Principal, has her B.A. in Education from the University of Exeter, UK. After two years of teaching in an inner city school in Liverpool, England, Jan moved to a small international college in Quebec, Canada. After five years as a residential tutor, she became Vice Principal, and four years later, Acting Principal. Jan joined Nawa Academy in July 1997, and continues to enjoy the challenges associated with working with adolescents. She is CPR certified, has a Bareboat Certificate from Maine Sailing School and enjoys travel and many outdoor pastimes. She is also kept busy by her two dogs- Bodie, a certified Delta Society dog who visits hospitals and Jasper, who runs agility courses.

Please note that Nawa Academy Inc. partnerships with 3HG Enterprises Inc. to provide a quality and challenging academic curriculum that is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In addition, this partnership provides the Nawa Summer Programs with the finest teaching faculty available.

Jenn Arntson, Academic Instructor, has her B.A. in Literature and Language with an emphasis in Writing and a Profession from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is currently completing her M.A. in English through National University here in Redding. Jenn earned her secondary teaching credential through Simpson University and has taught two years. She enjoys reading, writing, online gaming with her husband, and visiting with family and friends.

Michael Bukoski, Assistant Dean, has worked extensively with teenagers for the past 31 years. His experience includes working with youth gangs in North Long Beach and Compton and juveniles in group home settings. He was an administrator for handicapped, adult group homes and worked as a counselor at a boys ranch in Northern California. He also coached Little League Soccer for 13 years. He is certified in first aid and CPR and has worked for Nawa for ten years.

Colleen Chess, Academic Instructor, has her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Simpson College in Redding, California. Colleen also holds a Professional Clear Multiple Teaching Credential, a Supplementary Credential in Art, Professional Clear Specialist Instruction Credentials in Special Education: Learning Handicapped; Severely Handicapped from the State of California. She has been employed in education for more than 20 years, most recently teaching for three years for Shasta County Office of Education and 2 years for ART'S Charter School and Dynamic Resource Skills Center. She has worked for Nawa for two years. Colleen has been involved with local theater off and on for twenty years. She also plays music and has performed with groups for over 10 years. Colleen enjoys outdoor activities and has experience in river rafting and has coached youth soccer for three years. Colleen has been at Nawa for four years.

Ken Ferris, Outdoor Education Director, has his B.A. in Northern Studies from Middlebury College, and a B.A. in Biology with a Minor in Secondary Education from Middle Tennessee State University, He is certified VR, SWR and holds his Wilderness EMT certification. He has taught science and outdoor education in boarding schools since 1993, and worked as a professional outdoor leader since 1986. In addition to Ken's position at Nawa, he is an Instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates, a volunteer Captain with Shasta County Fire Department, and a member of the Shasta County Mountain Search and Rescue Team. This is Ken's third year with Nawa Academy.

Michael Kielich, Academic Instructor, has his B.A. in Social Studies from Sacramento State University in California. He studied Environmental Studies at the University of Montana and is currently working on Special Education coursework here at National University. Michael has three years experience working as a special educational teacher. He enjoys backcountry hiking, kayaking, water sports, snorkeling, spending time with his family and is an avid fly fisherman.

Maribel Lootens, Academic Instructor, has her B.A. in Science, Mathematics and Humanities from Hawaii Pacific University. At the University of Hawaii in Hilo, she received her teaching credential in 1997. Maribel is a credentialed teacher in both Hawaii and California. She is bilingual and teaches Spanish. Maribel also has extensive experience in Advanced Marine Biology. She enjoys walking, hiking, arts and crafts, sailing and the ocean. Maribel has been working with Nawa Academy for eight years.

Charlene McFadden, Head Chef, studied nutrition and culinary arts at Santa Rosa Junior College and is a certified dietician, medical assistant, vegetarian chef, child nutritionist, and baker. She is a mother of two and a grandmother of four and has been cooking ever since she was a child. Charlene loves children and has been a foster parent in the past. She enjoys horseback riding, organic gardening and sewing. Charlene has been with Nawa for three years.

Kalan Milhous Redwood, Academic Instructor, received her B.A. in Language Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz. Her love of the Spanish language took her to live in Spain for a year and general wanderlust has inspired travel to places such as Japan and New Zealand. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Kalan's connection with the outdoors and plants lead her to teach outdoor education with a strong emphasis on ecological awareness and preservation. In her free time, Kalan enjoys her garden, reading, backpacking, hiking, and mountain biking. She has been with Nawa for three years.

Michael Phillips, Outdoor Specialist, is currently completing requirements for a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Tourism, with a special focus on Outdoor and Experiential Education, from Oregon State University. He has worked as an outdoor leader on conservation service projects, university outdoor programs and other groups for four years. Michael's outdoor related trainings/certifications include WFR, Avalanche II, SWR I, VR I and is a LNT trainer. Michael has been snowboarding since 1993 and during free time he enjoys backcountry skiing, rockclimbing and hiking throughout the High Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Brian Stoudnour, Weekend Program Supervisor, has his B.A. in Conservation Biology from Thiel College in Greenville, PA. He is certified in professional CPR, Water Front Lifeguard, Small Craft Safety for Kayaking and Canoeing from the Red Cross, and Wilderness Responder from Wilderness Medical Institute. His certifications also include SWR, VR, Leave No Trace Trainer and Advanced Facilitator for high and low ropes courses from Pro Image and Associates. Prior to Nawa Academy, Brian worked at an outdoor center in Connecticut as Adventure Trip and Program staff, facilitating teambuilding and backcountry trips. His hobbies include surfing, mountain biking, snowboarding, backpacking, photography and long walks on the beach with his dog, Lexie. He has worked at Nawa Academy for five years.

Ben Sundoen, Vice Principal, Nawa Academy Fire Chief, Instructor of Vocational Education, has worked in fire suppression and rescue since 1981. As a former fire chief for a Shasta County volunteer fire department, Ben is well qualified to teach fire science, rescue and emergency medical services. Some of his certifications include EMT, SWR II, VR II, HAZMAT, First Responder Medical, RS1, Fire Command I, and Instructor I-A. Along with teaching fire science at our California Academy, he is also the audio/visual instructor. Ben has been associated with Nawa Academy since 1988.

Jake Weld, Academic Dean, has his B.S. in History from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. He received his teaching credential from Eastern Oregon University in 2003. Jake has worked in experiential education for over ten years, and has taught a wide variety of skills and ages. Jake has traveled throughout Central and South America and enjoys fishing, backpacking, snowboarding, paddling, and sailing. This is Jake's fourth year with Nawa Academy.

Kelly Weld, Assistant Dean, received her B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and her secondary teaching certification from the University of Alaska, SE. She received a provisional ESL certification from the University of Phoenix while teaching on the Navajo Nation. Kelly is a member of the Association for Experiential Education and has worked for the past eight years as a wilderness therapist, a mentor/counselor, and as a regular classroom instructor within this field. She has taught two years as one of our instructors for our traveling program. Kelly's hobbies include backpacking, sailing, and trail running with her two dogs. This is her fourth year with Nawa Academy.

Matt (YT) White, Academic Instructor, has his B.A. from Chapman University and has completed his teaching credential from National University. He has toured the U.S. and Europe as a lacrosse instructor where he was a head coach and an assistant for several universities. His certifications include SWR and VR. For the past nine years, he has climbed throughout the U.S. in areas like Red Rocks, Yosemite, Joshua Tree and Castle Crags. Matt has worked for Nawa for ten years as both a wilderness and academic instructor. He is currently in his fourth year as one of our traveling program teachers. He enjoys the outdoors, people and teaching.

Christopher Wright, Academic Instructor, has his B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He did graduate work in Cultural and Biological Anthropology at UC, Santa Barbara. He received his teaching credential in Life Sciences from Minnesota State University. Chris has hiked and backpacked the California backcountry for over 12 years. He enjoys ocean kayaking, canoeing and coastal archaeology. He is certified in VR, SWR, and has his EMT certification. Chris has worked with Nawa Academy for six years.

Updated: Tuesday, March 04, 2008