* About Us *
Haylee Carlston
Director
As a professional stylist, one of the last places I thought I would ever find myself is in a classroom. I have always loved school, but when it was time to enroll my own daughter in kindergarten I completely flopped. At that time we lived in sunny California with Disneyland nearby and we were both not ready to put an end to our daily adventures in favor of spending six plus hours mostly inside. She was already well on her way to reading, and as two scared parents, we gave it a try. Six years later, I am happy to report that it is one of the best decisions we have ever made!
Five states and four kids later, I’d like to think that we have tried every educational model imaginable; some including a home-based charter school, a part home-based public charter school, online classes, traditional public school, co-ops, and just plain homeschool. I am overjoyed to help in bringing the best parts of our experiences together here in the Portland area!
I find happiness in my husband Cory and five children. We can be found camping, biking, reading, or doing all things sports. My weaknesses are movies, woodworking, and French culture.
Lynda Moore
5th-7th Classroom Educator
I began my teaching career as a preschool teacher and then as a co-op parent when my own children were little. Once they were through their preschool years, I decided it was time to use my education degree at the elementary school level. For twenty-four years, until June of 2018, I taught at Touchstone Elementary School, a small private multi-age school. My years at Touchstone cemented my passion for experiential project-based learning in a multi-age environment where a strong school-home connection is highly valued. For the next stage in my teaching journey, I am thrilled to have found the Lake Oswego Learning Center, a place where these same education goals are so clearly valued.
For the past twenty years, I have also tutored students in grades 1-12 in: math, reading, (including the Barton method for dyslexia intervention) writing, study skills, executive functioning skills, and SAT preparation, during the summers and after school. Through these experiences, I have learned so much about how children learn in many different ways and that each child brings his or her own unique gifts, interests, and challenges to the table. It makes teaching and learning a challenging, exciting adventure!
When I’m not teaching or tutoring, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and extended family, and any opportunity to get outside for hiking, gardening, kayaking, or just taking a peaceful walk. I’m a bit of a math and science nerd, so exploring new math puzzles and games, perusing science websites, and finding new education resources take up the rest of my free time!
Kemi McLaren
3rd-4th Classroom Educator
Teaching has been my passion since I was in the second grade. Though I initially pursued a career as an account manager in insurance, it wasn’t until I had children of my own that I really felt more qualified to teach children and also put my undergraduate degree in human development to good use.
I have been in the classroom for the last 11 years at the elementary level and recently earned my reading endorsement. I began teaching 2nd grade in the West Linn/Wilsonville School District and moved to the Lake Oswego School District a few years later in order to be closer to home and more in-tune with our home district.
I have enjoyed working in 1st-5th grade general education classrooms as well as special education and reading classrooms. Having the opportunity to work in classrooms with varying structures and a diversity of students and families has helped me realize the value of working collaboratively with colleagues, as well as with families.
I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to work with the Lake Oswego Learning Center. The additional support and knowledge that is available for families who are strong advocates for their children’s education and positive experiences is invaluable. In addition to my time spent with the LO learning Center family, I will continue working in the Lake Oswego School District, and spending time with my two daughters and husband. We enjoy boating, camping, skiing, and watching movies.
Ms. Kelley
5th-7th Classroom Educator
As a proud graduate of Lakeridge High School, I am thrilled to be spending this time working with the community of Lake Oswego! Teaching has been a lifelong passion of mine. I went to college at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and had opportunities to study abroad in London and Germany. I spent a year as an au pair (live-in nanny) in Madrid Spain after college, and moved back to Oregon to go to Lewis and Clark for grad school.
I have been teaching in the Dual Language program in Beaverton for the last seven years. Teaching in both English and Spanish at a Title I school has been an incredible experience, both personally and professionally. I have experience teaching 2nd-5th grades, and have tutored elementary, middle, and high schoolers in a variety of subjects. I am also involved with working in the fine arts programs at Lakeridge High School, choreographing the school musicals, and for the show choir “Company.”
When I’m not teaching or tutoring, I love hiking, dancing, playing with my dog and guinea pigs, listening to podcasts, cooking/baking, or traveling.
Allison Graham
Bio Coming Soon…
Megan Ferrell
Website Developer
Megan Ferrell is the website developer for the Lake Oswego Learning Center website. This project has been a good fit as Megan is passionate about young people getting a well-rounded education. She brings a unique perspective to web development having coming to a career in coding after receiving a good early education in STEM before studying early American History and Economics at UC San Diego, Revelle.
Please let me know if there is any additional content you would like to see added to this website, as your feedback is appreciated.