Administration & Office Team
Roger White – Principal @ RMS/RHS
Roger began his teaching career 30 years ago in the mountains, teaching outdoor education in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada. For the last 26 years, he has taught and led in small, progressive schools committed to bringing learning to life through experiential education, rigorous, relevant, real world projects, teamwork and a focus on community. In 2001, Roger was part of a small team of founding teachers that opened Realms Middle School and currently oversees both Realms Middle and High Schools. When not working, you can find Roger hanging out at local (and far flung) hockey rinks, spending time with his family, or enjoying the outdoors. Email: [email protected]
Zach Harju – Assistant Principal @ RMS/RHS
Zach is excited to be transitioning into a new role in 2021 as Assistant Principal after three years as math, computer science, and Crew teacher at Realms High School. Before that, he taught at a small project-based learning high school in Davis, CA. He is a big believer in the power of small schools and the EL Education model, and believes that his new position will allow him to better support and advocate for all students, families, and staff in our wonderful Realms community. Outside of work, Zach loves to play guitar and explore the beautiful nature around Central Oregon. Email: [email protected]
Lisa Johnson – Attendance Secretary & Media Manager @ RMS/RHS
Lisa is excited to start her second year at Realms High School. Prior to Realms she spent 6 years at Mountain View High School. Lisa is our Attendance Secretary, iPad Tech person and Librarian. Her favorite part about Realms is the many advantages that a small school offers. Lisa’s goal is to learn each and every student’s name. When not at work she spends time with her friends and family. Email: [email protected]
Jill Deckman Cooper – Curriculum & Counseling Secretary @ RMS/RHS
Jill has been an active Realms parent since 2018 and is thrilled to join us as a staff member! She is our Curriculum and Counseling Secretary and the smiling face you see at the front window. Jill also helps our students with whatever they may need from the office throughout the day. Jill grew up in Georgia and moved to Bend after 23 years of living in Seattle. She worked in advertising for her first career, a flower shop for her second, and as a massage therapist for her third. 🙂 She is the parent of two awesome teenagers (both current Realms students) and loves to be in her garden when she has free time. Email: [email protected]
Sommer Gard – Accounting @ RMS/RHS
Sommer is a native Californian who has lived in 4 states before settling here in 2016 with her husband and 3 daughters. She is a Realms parent, turned staff member with over 20 years’ experience in the education system. She has been an EA, Admin Assistant, Substitute Teacher, and now works at Realms as an Accountant. Sommer has worked for a charter school, at-risk alternative programs, special ed transition program, and in the public school system bringing diverse experience. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her family, cooking/baking, traveling, rock climbing, running, snowboarding, hiking, roller skating and more. Basically, anything active and outdoor is a plus. Email: [email protected]
Teachers
Eric Beck – Science Teacher
Hello! When asked what I teach, my first answer is “Middle School.” When pushed, I admit to teaching science, but the middle school students are my motivation, focus, and passion. I enjoy helping my students discover strengths, build skills, and develop new interests. I’m also pretty excited about science, though, and I enjoy sharing my own excitement, knowledge, and joy of learning about how our world works. I love teaching at Realms (which I have done since 2002) because we get to get outside, get dirty, and learn together as a team. I do my best to make our time together relevant, challenging, engaging, positive, full of growth, and FUN. Email: [email protected]
Dante Biancucci – 8th Gr Math Teacher
Welcome! I’ve spent most of my adult life learning how to help others learn and ENJOY Mathematics. Growing up in the rural Mohawk Valley of NY state, I never imagined myself as a Math teacher. I thought I’d fly jets. So I earned my Bachelor of Science at the Air Force Academy in Colorado then served 5 years in Alaska. I love the word, SUPPLE. It’s a friendly word and inspires flexible thinking, collaboration, and change. Think about being supple and I’ll do my best too. WE are going to have a lot of fun, learning and growing together! Email: [email protected]
Lynda Beauchamp – 6th/7th Gr Math Teacher
Bio and photo coming soon
Delaney Morse – Special Education Teacher
Delaney is a Bend Native and has been with the Bend-La Pine school district for five years. Delaney previously worked at the elementary level as an inclusion EA supporting students with learning differences and behavioral needs. Delaney was a special education teacher in the resource room last year working with k-5 students. Outside of teaching, Delaney enjoys hiking and playing with her pug Corley. Delaney is excited to join the dynamic and innovative community at Realms! Email: [email protected]
Laurie Rice – Humanities Teacher
I’ve had lots of careers in my life (freelance writer, professional equestrian, white water raft guide, waitress/bartender extraordinaire) but my calling has always been teaching – teaching humanities with a social justice bent. I grew up in California, graduated from UC Berkeley, spent a few years traveling and then settled in Oregon 30 years ago – Bend for the last 27. My decade+ at Realms has been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Teaching kids how to learn, to see life from different perspectives and to critically think, is not only what I love to do, but keeps me evolving and forever learning. I like to cook, wear crazy shoes and big glasses, have long talks with my son, listen to audiobooks, binge Netflixs and spend time on the river. Welcome to Realms MS!! Email: [email protected]
Phoebe Schaab – Humanities Teacher
Yay Realms! My name is Phoebe Schaab and this marks a decade of teaching and learning at Realms Middle School. I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and did a fair bit of traveling before landing in Central Oregon. I love to be outside on water, watching live music and sharing life with those closest to me! As an educator my priority is connecting with my students and providing a safe place that can both challenge and support both mental and emotional growth. I am also inspired to help all students learn to dig deeply into their stories and express themselves in new ways. Email: [email protected]
Bethany Skau – Art Teacher
I am a born and raised Oregonian. After 10 years in Washington, where I attended Western Washington University and earned my Bachelor’s in Art and Master in Teaching, I am so happy to call Central Oregon home! My life is a constant balance of being an artist and an athlete; I was a collegiate javelin thrower and am now a recreational runner, golfer, and climber. When it comes to art, I enjoy making watercolor/ink landscape paintings as well as doing custom home paintings. I love being challenged with new things both mentally and physically! Email: [email protected]
Ian White – Mind & Body Teacher
My name is Ian White and I am so happy to be joining the REALMS Middle School team. I’m coming to you with a background in teaching physical education and outdoor pursuits activities. I’m looking forward to developing curriculum which will encourages all students to seek out wellness as part of their lifestyle. In my free time I love to backcountry ski, raft rivers and spend time with my fiancé and my dog. Email: [email protected]
Rob Wooldridge – Electives & Crew Teacher @ RMS + CTE @ RHS
Rob has been teaching high school English, mostly overseas, for thirteen years. Three years ago, he returned to the States and started at the Brinson Campus teaching both English and Construction. For Rob, learning is the great goal in life. Email: [email protected]
Jake Zywicke – 6th Gr Science & Tech Teacher
Greetings! From food service to raft guide to ski patrol to pharmacy technician, I took many side roads on my journey to becoming a science educator. The journey began with becoming obsessed with outdoor adventures during summer camp in the North Woods of Wisconsin. This led me to work as a counselor at that camp and then to college in Colorado, Montana, and Oregon. As an avid whitewater kayaker, skier, and mountain biker, I have developed a deep love of wild places. This passion of the outdoors extends into my classroom as I aspire to share a sense of wonder and a spark of inquiry with my students. I love helping young people understand our world and the human impacts upon it. As a father of two, I endeavor to create stewards of wild places. Email: [email protected]
Student Support & Counseling
Addy Torian – Counselor at RMS/RHS
Addy Torian is thrilled to join the Realms community this year as the school counselor! Oregon born and raised, Addy is coming from Portland with her Master’s in School Counseling from George Fox University. She believes in honoring and empowering the unique strengths of each student and cultivating an inclusive environment where all feel safe, seen, and supported. In her down time, she enjoys practicing mindfulness and adventuring in the great outdoors!
Email: [email protected]
Kat Tomsic – Student Success Coordinator
Kat (she/her) has been with Realms for the past 2 years, as the educational assistant. She will be taking on a new position this year, as the Student Success Instructor. She will be providing students in transition with a home base and supporting the social emotional and academic coaching needs of all students. Her focus is always on relating to students as people first and helping them develop skills to be independent learners second! Kat spends her time outside of school enjoying water sports in the summer and snow sports in the winter, hanging out with her twin husky/lab mix pups, and messing around with an array of artistic outlets.
Email: [email protected]
Grey Conant – Inclusion Educational Assistant
photo & bio coming soon. Email: [email protected]
Caleb Campbell – Campus Safety and Fieldwork Coordinator
Caleb graduated REALMS in 2014, and Bend Senior High School in 2018 and found himself back at REALMS soon after to be part of the kind of learning he valued so much as a student there. Caleb works as a general ed educational assistant, supporting students in the classroom, coaches our cross country team (go Redtails!) and supports the school’s fieldwork program. Outside of school, Caleb plays ultimate frisbee with the local club “Igneous”, and enjoys mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, and playing music. Email: [email protected]
Operations
Kathie Spencer- Kitchen Manager
Katy bio coming soon. Email: [email protected]
Zach – Building Engineer
Zach bio coming soon. Email: