Committee Members
Dr. William Greene: William Greene is a professor and educational psychologist in the School of Education at Southern Oregon University (USA). His research and scholarship focuses on holistic teaching and learning with an emphasis on self-development and the spiritual nature of education. A few of his teacher education courses include: Human Development, Social-Emotional Learning, Core Reflection, Philosophic Foundations of Education, and Teaching Global Perspectives through Children’s Literature.
Dr. Roni Adams: After teaching in the K-12 public school system in Southern California for 32 years, Dr. Adams fulfilled her goal to become a full-time teacher educator at SOU in 2006. Her passions include culturally responsive school reform, multicultural education, and social justice.
Dr. Younghee Kim: Dr. Younghee M. Kim is a child development specialist and professor in the School of Education at Southern Oregon University (USA). Her scholarship includes holistic teaching and learning, core reflection approach to whole teacher development, human potential, presence, and contemplative education, and linking play to practice. She is a co-author of the book Teaching and Learning from Within: A Core Reflection Approach to Quality and Inspiration in Education (2013) and a co-editor of the book Imagine a Place: Stories from Middle Grades Educators (2017). She is a part of the planning team for the international Holistic Teaching and Learning Conference at Southern Oregon University, planned for October 2020 in Ashland, Oregon, USA.
Kim Harpham: Failing in her attempt to retire after 37 years of secondary level teaching and coaching, Kim alighted here. While also involved in several other leadership development programs, she especially treasures co-working with and in SOU’s School of Education, where we support the crucial shift towards holistic lifelong learning.
Dr. Renee Owen: Renee Owen teaches Educational Leadership, Adult Learning, and Human Relations in the School of Education at Southern Oregon University. Dr. Owen has more than two decades of experience as a holistic school leader in unique public and private schools. She uses a holistic, human-centered approach toward closing the opportunity gap and uplifting the human spirit.
Michele A. Pavilionis: grew up in small-town Ashland Oregon, spending time in the woods and hiking the local trails since she was a youth. A mother of two, Michele has been a naturalist and educator in the outdoors for over 20 years. Former lead instructor and creator for an outdoor wilderness survival program for preschoolers. Experience includes training as a circle facilitator for female youth circles; level one challenge course facilitation; wilderness first aid and responder certification; basic archery and Qigong instructor. She is trained and practiced in mindfulness-based, non-violent communication skills as well as restorative justice mediation. Michele earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in Early Childhood Development, minoring in OAL and NAS. Michele focused her master’s degree in Holistic Education, building on to curriculum combining the interdisciplinary aspects of Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Native American Studies, with recent certifications in NAS and Holistic Education from SOU. She has been a presenter at AORE and PGMONE, and continues to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors.
Dr. John King: John King is the director for the Division of Education, Health, and Leadership, Associate Professor. John’s scholarship focuses on the pedagogy of teaching and learning about controversial issues, supporting teacher professionalism and authenticity in an age of accountability, and building resilience. His current administrative priorities include building pathways for underserved populations, supporting trauma-informed practice, and deepening university/community partnerships.
Dr. Amanda Casto: Amanda joined the Holistic Teaching and Learning Committee when she began teaching at Southern Oregon University in 2019. During her ten years of teaching at the K-8 level, Amanda recognized a systemic need for more schools and educators to embrace holistic teaching methods. As a teacher educator and STEM education advocate, Amanda is interested in integrating holistic pedagogy into all realms of public education for students — local and worldwide.
Miaya Dombroski: Miaya Dombroski is the placement coordinator for the School of Education at Southern Oregon University. She earned her degree in Psychology from SOU in 2016. Miaya works closely with local school principals and administrators to secure school placements for incoming MAT, EE and SPED students on the licensure track. She is a strong believer in holistic principles and practices and is proud to be a part of the HTLC committee.
Nick Oredson: is an author, university instructor, group facilitator, healing and growth coach, and youth mentor currently living and working in Southern Oregon. He holds a master’s degree in education (MSEd) from Southern Oregon University (graduated 2020) where he focused his studies on higher education administration, emotional intelligence education and group facilitation. For his master’s degree final project, he created the format for the Campus Connection Circle – a peer-support based, weekly, drop-in support group designed for college students. He also facilitates a variety of support circles in the local community including men’s groups and mixed gender groups that focus on healing and growth, emotional support, and inter-gender reconciliation.
Robin Martin: serves as an instructor at Southern Oregon University. She has a long-standing interest in holistic education, and most recently worked for 3 years at Roong Aroon School in Bangkok, Thailand. From 2006 to 2018, she worked with teacher training programs in universities and schools in The Sultanate of Oman, Turkey, and Malaysia.
Anu Ayers: was born and raised in Stockton, California. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Education Studies. As a student, Anu has had the privilege of attending alternative schooling including outdoor education and student wildlife conservation organizations. She has since made it my mission to provide the same high-quality experience for future scholars. She is currently working as the PEAK Student Editor for The Holistic Education Review.
Julissa Taitano: Being a student involved with the HTLC I am inspired by the essence of holistic education. I am an Elementary Education major eager to see the impact of holistic approaches on public education. I am part of the Tech Sub-Committee and co-organizer of the HTL-Club. Outside of HTLC, I am a student athlete on the women’s wrestling team.
Haylee Brodahl is a student at Southern Oregon University working towards her B.S. in Educational Studies. She joined the conference to learn more about holistic education so she can bring holistic approaches and ideas into her future classroom. She is also a new member of the HTL-Club on campus. Outside of HTLC she is a student athlete on the women’s cross country and track team.
Mindy “Margaret” Welsh: Mindy is currently working towards a B.S. in Elementary Education at Southern Oregon University. Along with her degree she is obtaining HTLC’s newly announced Certificate in Holistic Teaching and Learning. Holistic education has been transformative for Mindy’s education, parenting, lifestyle, and spirituality. She has been a member of the committee since 2020 and is excited to continue to help grow the HTLC community. She plans to continue on to her Masters and wants to focus on bringing Holistic education into public school classrooms.