Meet the Education Staff
JESSE JACKSON
EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFICER
Jesse Jackson is a Cow Creek Tribal member, born and raised in southern Douglas County. He has two children and has been married to his wife for fifteen years. Jesse has attained two bachelor’s degrees; in Education and Archaeology, from Oregon State University in 2013, and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Concordia University in 2017. He’s taught social studies courses for grades 7-12 (i.e., anthropology, personal finance, U.S. government, U.S. history, global studies, etc.) and has been a 7-12 principal too!
In his personal time, Jesse enjoys spending time with his family and pets, fishing, hunting, gardening, swimming, flint knapping, assisting with cultural tours, and more! He is very excited to be a part of the education team and looks forward to serving Tribal members with their educational and cultural needs!
SANDY HENRY
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Sandy has an extensive job history in the social services providing to under served populations. She has a passion for providing educational opportunities to all who want them, and believes that these efforts will lead to better communities for all of us. Sandy believes in equity and inclusion and backs this believe by serving on advisory committees and boards whenever possible. Sandy is a native Oregonian, a proud Oregon State graduate, and thankful mother to three and grandmother to TWO!
BECKY WILSON
EDUCATION EXECUTIVE ADMIN ASSISTANT
Becky is one of three girls, is a native to the ‘Burg, and has spent the last 16 years working in fields involving both youth and education. She enjoys being able to make a difference while evolving with the ever changing needs of students. Becky believes education is the foundation of any community whether through formal education, vocation, or passing on culture and values to younger generations.
When she’s not working, Becky likes to read, dabble in photography, and work on house projects. She loves spending time with family, regards being an auntie to her two nephews as the very best thing in the world, and she treasures the time she gets to relax with her guy Levi and their fur babies; Cleo, Marv, and Billie.
ELIZABETH BRYANT
TEACHER-LEARNER
Elizabeth Bryant is the Takelma Language Teacher Learner. She is currently studying the language, with a goal to be fluent. She also spends time at the Tribal Youth Council. You can find Elizabeth at home with her family, and spending time with her dog. She loves the outdoors, and can identify a large majority of Pacific Northwest Flora and Fauna.
RUSS COX
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Russ Cox is a proud member of the Cow Creek Tribe, Thomason Family. The past 22 years, he’s worked in the field of Hospitality Management and Operations. Ten of those years, he’s enjoyed working for the Tribal owned Seven Feathers Casino, Creekside Hotel, and now the Education Department. From his late grandmother, Rena Denny Cox to his dad, Tom Cox, (and extended family members) he takes personal pride in supporting programs and giving back to the Tribe. His objective is that his own children will continue to contribute to the future success.
Russ is Certified Professional through Society for Human Resources Management Program. He is excited to explore this new career change working in the Education Department, specifically in Tribal workforce development.
ANDREW PEDREGON
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Andrew Pedregon is the Youth Engagement Specialist for the Cow Creek Career Center. He has grown to love the community and abundance of beauty in Douglas County in his 11 years here. His experience in Case Management and Service Coordination helps Tribal members explore and identify their educational and professional goals.
KORINA SÁNCHEZ WORDEN
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Korina Sánchez Worden came from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and grew up on the Central Coast of California. She graduated from Cal State University Monterey Bay in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and received her teaching certificate from Moreland University in 2021. Before her current position, she was a Spanish teacher at Glendale School District #77.
Her personal goal is to learn about the Nahonkuotana and the beautiful Takelma language. She lives in Glendale with her husband David, two cats, three dogs, five chickens, and a bunny.
STEPHANIE JACKSON
TCC EXECUTIVE ADMIN ASSISTANT
Stephanie is a graduate of Days Creek High and after graduation she started working for the Cow Creek Tribe at the Bingo Hall. She worked until her second child was born, took a sabbatical and came back to work when her youngest was a toddler. At the same time, Stephanie started attending UCC to work on her Medical Office certificate. She ended up working for the Evergreen Medical Clinic and then slid on over to Cow Creek Health and Wellness Clinics. She was recruited to be the smiling face that greets at the Tribal Community Center. At TCC she fills a variety of roles including the Tribal Librarian.
When she isn’t attending one of her children’s events, she loves to read historical fiction. Stephanie is married to a Cow Creek Tribal member and is the proud mother of three.
LISA BIFFLE
EXPANDING HORIZONS YOUTH CENTER EDUCATION COORDINATOR (EHYC)
Lisa has worked with youth extensively as a social worker and as a Special Education teacher. Lisa has a passion for advocacy, both as an employee and volunteer. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies, where she majored in Psychology. She worked with children and families with emotional disturbances as a Family Support Specialist before transitioning to teaching special education in Memphis, Tennessee. Lisa and her family recently relocated to the area from Mississippi, and her husband, David, and sister, Kim, are working with the Cow Creek Health and Wellness Clinics. Lisa is completely in love with the beauty of Oregon and spends her free time exploring her new environment.
KATIE CALHOUN
EHYC PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Katie has been working with people in the community for 5 years, first serving adults with physical and intellectual disabilities as a Program Supervisor, then as a preschool teacher. She is currently the Program Assistant for the Expanding
Horizons Youth Center. She loves working with kids in an educational setting.
Going forward, Katie is continuing her education through Eastern Oregon University where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a concentration on Social Welfare. You can find Katie on the weekends hanging out with her husband and two children anywhere outdoors. Their time off is always filled with adventures either in the mountains, on the lakes, or even at the local parks.
STEFANIE ARENTS
YIMÌSA´ HEAD TEACHER
Stefanie Arents is the preschool teacher at the Yimìsa´ Preschool, located in the TCC building, in Myrtle Creek. Providing fun, self-motivating and creative activities while fostering a child’s learning is just a few of her contributions to the children and the program. Stefanie feels fortunate to be a part of this amazing school and to have great co-workers. She has been teaching in the early childhood field for over 20 years, and she is always willing to learn more in this important field by attending conferences.
Stefanie and her husband moved to Oregon about 5 years ago from Southern California, and are enjoying all the beauty Oregon has to offer. They love to go for hikes, visit wineries, and explore all the waterfalls and covered bridge on the weekends.
KELLY WAHL
YIMÌSA´ TEACHER
Kelly has over 30 years’ experience working with young children. She has worked with infant and toddlers to school age children in various settings. Kelly has done head start early head start, home based and Montessori programs and elementary school. She wants to inspire curiosity, inventiveness and a sense of wonder along with a love for learning in young children. She knows that young children are capable little humans with gifts that the world needs and she enjoys watching the growth over the school year. In her everyday life she is a Mom, a Nana, an Aunt, a Sister, a daughter, and a wife. Kelly likes being at home with her husband, and dogs and playing, and spending time with her grandsons.
GRETJA WENTLAND
YIMÌSA TEACHERS ASSISTANT II
Gretja comes to the Yimìsa Preschool with a love for education, especially early childhood work. She has had several years of experience working with Head Start programs. She is a long-time resident of the area and a graduate of South Umpqua High School. Gretja has two children that have grown up and flown out of the nest.
Gretja enjoys gardening, growing flowers, and spending time with her cat.
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Fax: 541.677.5574
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