PNWCA Philosophy
At PNW Coastal Academy children will be educated according to their individual levels and needs. PNWCA is an engaging and nurturing environment that encourages children to explore and take ownership over their own learning. At PNWCA children will have the opportunity to play, learn to self-regulate and learn to problem solve among each other. In this type of environment, children love to learn and come to school.
PNW Coastal Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origins to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Ms. Irish
PNW Coastal Academy K-1 Teacher
Erinne Irish has been teaching for 20 years. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Western Oregon University and received her Masters from Concordia University. Erinne taught her first 5 years in Palm Springs, California teaching kindergarten. She then taught Kindergarten and First grade at Toledo Elementary School for 12 years. She founded PNWCA 3 years ago. Outside of teaching, Erinne loves spending time with family and friends. She enjoys being outside playing with her kids as well as traveling and camping with them.
Ms. Liles
PNW Coastal Academy 2nd-3rd grades teacher
Talisha spent 7 years teaching multiple grade special education before coming to join us at PNWCA last year. She received her Bachelor's degree from OSU and her Masters from GCU. Outside of teaching , Talisha enjoys being outside (hunting, fishing, gardening, hiking, camping), creating/crafting and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Mr. Nathan
PNW Coastal Academy 4th-6th grades teacher
Nathan Schierbeek has been in education for more than five years, with the past three as a classroom teacher for both first and fourth grade in Lincoln County. He has also taught music performance as both a private instructor for a decade and an elementary music teacher for two years at Amity Creek Elementary in Bend. Nathan has his Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Sciences and his Master's in Education from Oregon State University. He and his wife, Keely, live in the Nye Beach neighborhood in Newport. They love reading, road trips, camping, backpacking, traveling, singing, dancing, telling ridiculous jokes, petting every single animal that will allow them to do so, and any other adventure that happens to pop up. Mr. Nathan believes that deep learning happens through creativity, curiosity, and genuine connection, which also happens to make learning--most importantly--fun.
Sam
PNW Coastal Academy 7th-12th grades teacher
Sam’s experience teaching started in the same place his education began, at his mother’s preschool in Maryland. His grade-school education at The Key School in Annapolis fostered his love of music, humanities, outdoor education, and community-oriented learning. He attended Bard College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies with a focus on inequality. During his college summers, he worked with youths at Wee Lad and Lassie summer camp, attended classes at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Recorded Music, and volunteered at Annapolis Lighthouse homeless shelter. After undergrad, Sam honed his teaching skills as a music educator at Bach to Rock in Nanuet, New York, working with all ages and students with varying levels of ability. In 2019, he left his music teaching position to obtain his teaching license and Master of Arts in Teaching at Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Sam secured his degree and teaching license in 2020 amidst the pandemic, and moved to the coast, where he taught Social Studies, English, Health, and PE to Waldport Middle School 7th and 8th graders. Sam feels right at home in the NVS community. He is a father of two girls, and he cannot wait for his daughters to attend PNWCA!
