Our Staff
Hanna Grishkevich
Principal
B.S. English and German Language, Teaching program.
M.Ed. Dallas Baptist University
Ph.D. in Higher Education. University of North Texas.
Teaches AP English.
Has been with the school since its first day.
Fun facts: Has a golden doodle Vincent, loves coffee, Mexican food, sushi, Oregon coast, values friendship, enjoys classical music, gardening, reading, and learning.
Irina Tishchenko
VP of Operations, School Registrar & Secretary.
B.S. Biology, Kyrgyzstan
Has been with the school since its beginning.
Fun facts: spends the most time in traffic out of all teachers. Strict and fair. The rock of this school.
Loves dark chocolate and plants (house plants, flowers, shrubs). Loves Oregon coast and dreams to live by the coast.
Evelyna Ravlo
Yearbook Production
Fun Facts: I’m married to my best friend Alex and we have 3 beautiful children! I love Holland lop bunnies. I love anything crafty or artsy: I love drawing in my Bible journal, baking, sewing, crocheting, and painting! I work in the teens ministry at my church. My favorite tv show is The Chosen. I love to read and listen to audiobooks. (One year I read over 65 books! If you ever need a book recommendation, just ask.)
Favorite Bible Verse:
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Larissa Dorokhov
Russian Language Teacher, Eastridge Campus
B.S. Social Sciences/ Psychology, Warner Pacific College
M.A. Ministry and Leadership, Western Seminary
Has been with the school since its beginning.
Fun facts: all four children are SMCA students, loves Bible and music.
Michelle Thomason
Eastridge Campus Fitness Instructor
A.C.E. Certified Fitness Instructor
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
MUV Certified Tribe Coach
Hobbies- all things fitness, reading, hiking, building homes, skydiving
Nannette Miller
VP of Instruction (Elementary campus). 1st Grade Teacher.
B.S. Elementary Education, Oregon State University
Serving at SMBC since 2010
Fun Facts: Loves Gospel and Bethel worship music, Children’s Ministries and going on adventures with the family, went ziplining over the summer outside Yellowstone National Park.
Life Verse: Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Evan Chandler
6th Grade Teacher
B.A. in Elementary Education from Wheaton College
Fun facts: has been through 6th grade 11 times already, married a former SMCA teacher in October 2018, has lived in the Portland area his whole life except for when he was in college, serves as a part-time staff member at The Chapel, a foursquare church in Troutdale.
Tyson Quibell
Teaches English, History, and Bible in middle school and high school.
B.A. in Sports Ministry and Bible, Moody Bible Institute (2010)
M.A. in Pastoral Studies, Multnomah University (2013)
Was with the school from 2015-2017 as a High School Teacher.
Fun Facts: I love ice hockey. I scout and write about it regularly for different publications. I'm also a big history, philosophy, and theology nerd. My other favorite activities include exploring the coast with my wife and three children, cooking, and reading.
Nathan Sutherland
Middle School and High School
B.A. in TESOL from Multnomah University
B.A. in Global Studies from Multnomah University
Fun facts: I'm an Eagle Scout, I've climbed Mt. Hood twice and have been to 9 countries, mostly in Central Asia.
Diana Snegur
Eastridge Campus Student Coordinator
Enrichment classes, service learning, electives
Eastridge cell 971-500-4067
Fun facts: I love international traveling, exploring PNW, hiking, diving, creating art, and working with kids. I specialize in early childhood development and love being surrounded by people from whom I can learn and with whom I can teach.
Dylan Sobey
Eastridge campus, History, English, Bible
M.A. Biblical Studies- Hebrew Scriptures, Multnomah University
M.A. Biblical Studies- Old Testament, Multnomah University
B.S. Psychology w/ minor in Music, Western Oregon University
"Mr. Sobes" has been an instructor at SMCA since 2017. When he is not teaching, Mr. Sobes may be found reading and writing, playing guitar, or cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Broncos.
Keri Ortmayer
Elementary Campus PE Coach
Master’s in Education
B.A. in Health Education and PE
Has three children, loves camping, coffee, tacos. Loves making fun memories with family and doing spontaneous things. Favorite summer activity – rodeo.
Life verse:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Michael Connally
Eastridge Campus Fitness Instructor
snapfitnesscoachmike@gmail.com
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Certified Olympic Weight Lifting (L1)
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Certified IKFF Kettle Bell (L1)
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Certified Crossfit
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UFC Fit Trainer
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TRX Certified Trainer
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Professional boxer and USA certified boxing coach
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NASM certified
Coach Mike has 3 daughters, loves running and Jiu-Jitsu, loves Mexican food and vacations in Mexico.
Anna Henderson
B.A. Foreign Language Training and Early Childhood Education, from The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia
A.A. Christian Ministry, from College for Officers Training, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Fun Facts:
Loves watching sunset, long conversation with friends, hikes in the nature; spent 11 years in the mission field; enjoys learning, reading, family adventures, painting, decorating and creating memories.
Favorite Verse: If you remain in Me and I remain in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Daniel Henderson
B.S Biochemistry and Cell Biology (UC San Diego)
AA Christian Ministry (Crestmont College).
26 years of church planting and growing, half of these years spent in Estonia, Republic of Georgia, and Russia.
Enjoys the great outdoors, hiking, camping, and sailing. He is currently the Pastor of English Ministries at Revival Baptist Church in Vancouver, WA. He and his wife, Anya, have been married for 22 years, and are the parents of six bilingual children.
Lina Vechtomova
Pre-K Teacher
Fun facts: Greatest joy is spending time with family, husband, daughter and son. Trips to the coast, fishing, kayaking, hiking.
Has a tiny teacup yorkie, named Daisy. Volunteers as a volleyball coach for local volleyball kids league. Enjoys being around kids. Loves to travel, take pictures, play volleyball, listen to music, listen to audio books, passionate about fashion and being creative. Chocolate mousse over any other desert. Fluent in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
Jill Schultz
5th Grade teacher
Moody Bible Institute – Missions
B.A. Elem Ed, Spanish, Concordia University
Moodie Bible Institute – Missions
B.A. Elem Ed, Spanish, Concordia University
Fun facts: Married 40 years, 3 kids, 3 grandkids. Loves cooking and eating healthy food. Hobbies include biking, kayaking, hiking, baking, trying new things, and mentoring others.
Favorite verse:
Prov. 15:15
“All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast”
Tanner Stewart
2nd Grade Teacher
B.S. Education (in progress)
Fun facts: Spent years working with children, worked at state day care, then began working with youth as a youth leader. Loves sports. Play five different sports throughout high school. Coaches junior high track at Portland Christian School.
Samantha Kussat
Middle school and high school teacher, humanities
B.A. in History and English from George Fox University
M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University.
Fun Facts: Loves exploring new places and has been to seven countries. Loves to read and is currently reading a thousand-page unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo. In high school enjoyed listening to film and videogame soundtracks while working. Finds joy in expressing her musical side while play the alto saxophone.
Christopher Leebrick
Acting / Drama -Eastridge Campus
B.A. Drama (w/ honors); University of CA-Irvine
-Professional Theatre Artist (Actor, Director, Teacher)
-Award-Winning Professional Storyteller
-Author of “The Art and Craft of Telling Stories” www.allgoodstories.com
Fun Facts: Christopher has given over 2,000 professional Storytelling performances across the U.S.A. He has performed in all 36 counties of Oregon, and also in Australia, France, and while floating in a boat on the Sea of Galilee in Israel. Christopher is married with two children; wife, Diane, teaches French at Tualatin High School; son, Dylan, is a senior at Hillsdale College, and daughter, Sammie, is a sophomore at Grove City College.
He enjoys lifting weights, eating Keto, and collecting—and watching— classic VHS movies.
Kate Ledington
Music and Performance Arts Teacher - Eastridge Campus
B.A. Music, Concordia University
M.Ed. Portland State University
M. Music – TBA.
Fun facts: Kate is from Idaho, plays violin on her worship team, and sings in choir. She hopes to get her Master’s in Conducting — less like trains, more like choir/orchestra— this school year. Although she won’t actually be conducting any trains, Kate does have a brother that drives one!
“…the gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man[kind] that [we] should proclaim the Word of God through music.”
Taken from a quote by Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Sara Jackson
Kindergarten Teacher
Fun facts: Born and raised in Texas. Military Wife. Husband was a Marine and Army for 20 years. Has two sons, Colton and Mathew. Love anything outdoors, camping, hiking, and swimming.
Randy Miller
3rd Grade Teacher
A.A. Fire Science, Mt. Hood Community College
Volunteering/Serving at SMBC since 2011
Fun Facts: Retired fire fighter. Actively serving in children's ministries since 1996. There is no greater joy than seeing children come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Lover of football, how "bout dem" Cowboys? Building projects are a great adventure with his family.
Life Verse: Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."