Boulder Creek Academy: Faculty

Faculty

Claude Bisson, M. Ed. and B.A. in Special Education Social Studies/Horticulture Teacher Claude has been actively involved in the academic department as a certified teacher at Boulder Creek Academy since 2003. As a Social Science educator, Claude introduced various curricula in United States Government, Economics, and History that actively engages students in relevant interactive base learning. Claude eagerly prepares BCA students to participate as Presidential Scholars at the Presidential Classroom in Washington D. C. each winter. Claude received his M.Ed. and B.A. in Special Education from Keene State College and his A.S. in Plant Science from the University of New Hampshire. His 24 years of experience involves working with diverse secondary students with challenging emotional, behavioral and, and academic issues, in the public and private sectors of Vermont, Oregon, Hawaii and Idaho. Favorite Quote: “I’m not the most articulate emotionalist.” George Bush Jr.
David Burleigh, B.S. Biochemistry and Physiology Science Teacher When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon in 1969, David immediately decided that he wanted to be a high school science teacher. He obtained a B.S. in Biochemistry and Physiology at Sheffield University, graduating with honors. He later earned a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from Manchester University. David’s professional experience began in 1979, teaching applied science for twelve years at a technical college. He then taught applied microbiology and physiology at a college in Christchurch, New England. When he moved to California to work for the Boys and Girls Club, he worked as a Naturalist for two seasons. Because of this experience he wanted to continue working full-time with troubled youth. David joined the faculty of CEDU Family of Services in California where he taught for eight years. David started the “CEDU-at-Sea” program, which offered students the opportunity to study science while sailing a twin-masted schooner from Long Beach to Catalina Island. Boulder Creek is fortunate to have David back with our schools again here in the beautiful mountains of North Idaho.
Marc Clark Music Instructor Boulder Creek is fortunate to have Marc Clark on the faculty to share his talent and enthusiasm for music with the students. Marc grew up in San Diego, California, and graduated from the Dick Gove School of Music Los Angeles. He has performed as a professional musician and instructor for over 25 years. Marc and his dog Rusty are favorites with the students at Boulder Creek Academy. His favorite quote is” Abandon concern for hitting the right note….Then, hit the right note.” Robert Fripp
Martha Jones, M.Ed., University of Oklahoma Reading Specialist Martha has been teaching children with a variety of learning disabilities for over 30 years in many parts of the world. Martha grew up in the small town of Kingfisher, Oklahoma. She loved listening to her father read the classics such as “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Her passion for this work began as she watched one of her intelligent brothers struggle to learn to read and seeing the indelible scars that struggle left on him. As far back as childhood, she can remember wanting to understand the reading process and wanting to help him read. She began her teaching career in Kenosha, Wisconsin with special needs children and continued her career accepting a position in administration as the Coordinator of the Special Education Instructional Materials Center which served nine school districts in Valley Center, Kansas. In 1978, Martha and her husband moved to Iran where she accepted the position as the Resource Specialist at the Tehran-American School. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1984 they lived in California where she spent the next 20 years as a credentialed Reading Specialist and Resource Specialist working with students and conducting training sessions for teachers in research-based programs such as LiPs (Lindamood Phonemic Segmentation) and the Wilson Reading System. Martha has been happily married for over 34 years and enjoys reading, gardening, and working on the new home she and her husband are building.
Charles Lynn, B.S. Archaeology Math Teacher Charles teaches Math, Physics, Paleontology, Archaeology, Physical Conditioning, Mastery Learning, Philosophy and Meditation. Previously serving his country as a Navy submarine sailor and Army Drill Sergeant, Mr. Lynn obtained an Archaeology degree from the University of Washington and his teaching degree from Heritage College. Charles’s extensive work with special needs populations ranges from academics to residential and rehabilitation experiences, to Job Corps of America. He believes that the holistic approach to education is the most lasting, and the essential “mind, body, spirit” aspects of growth must be balanced to ensure true learning and self actualization. His favorite saying is, “Learn from your mistakes, but remember you successes.”
Valerie Thompson, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction English Teacher Valerie has been teaching English and literature classes at Boulder Creek Academy for eleven years. She received her B. S. in English from Gonzaga University in 1995. She completed all coursework for her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Literacy, in December 2007 from University of Idaho. Valerie’s professional experience has focused primarily on integrating personal growth objectives within an academic curriculum, especially within a narrative literary unit. She teaches English Composition, Technical Writing, World Literature, British Literature, and Shakespeare. She has been co-facilitating personal growth workshops at BCA for nine years. Valerie also has an interest in wilderness adventure and field trips such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She has eight years of experience as the Brother’s Quest Expedition leader, emphasizing team building, leadership, and outdoor skills. She has certification as a Wilderness First Responder, AHA Healthcare Provider. Aside from her experience at BCA, she worked as the Instructor/Director of Adult Basic Education and G.E.D. for the Community Colleges of Spokane. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, skiing, motorcycle riding, and bicycling with her husband, Silas, and son, Riley.