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SOAR Staff Picture, Balsam Base, 2007

The staff at SOAR are selected for those qualities of maturity, sensitivity and caring which enable them to relate well to young people and enhance the adventure program. All are highly trained professionals in such fields as special and secondary education, recreation therapy, counseling, outdoor and experiential education.

Jonathan Jones

Executive Director

Jonathan has been involved in education for twenty years as a classroom teacher, Upper School principal and program administrator. His diverse background includes military service, convening of international conferences and advocate work for abused and neglected children. He is an adult with learning disabilities and is blessed with a 18-year-old son with his own unique mix of LD and ADD characteristics.

Jonathan has a B.S. in Chemistry and Psychology, Secondary Education Teaching Certificate and has completed Master's work in Education. He has more than twenty years experience working with LD and ADD youth and conveys a unique perspective regarding their strengths and abilities; bringing a practical, common sense, low cost approach to the most challenging LD and ADD characteristics.
His professional presentations number over five hundred and frequently presents at state, national and international conferences, which focus on LD and ADD issues. Jonathan is Past President of the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of North Carolina and Chairman for the Adult Literacy Committee for LDA of America.

SOAR grew out of a graduate project completed for Dr. Vincent Cyphers at the University of Northern Colorado. It reflects a personal love for the out-of-doors and a view of the wilderness as a place for personal growth and development. Jonathan has led hundreds of expeditions over the past twenty years: snorkeling and SCUBA diving in the Florida Keys, mountaineering in the Colorado Rockies, as well as, international trips to Jamaica, Belize and Costa Rica. His dream of building a Western Base Camp to better serve West Coast families came to fruition this past summer with SOAR's opening of our Eagle View Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. He continues to plan and develop new programs for the youth and families SOAR serves.

 

John Willson, M.S., TRS/CTRS

Director of LD and AD/HD Services

John received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Texas State University in 1990. Upon completion, he spent a year in Boulder at the University of Colorado studying Experiential Education and Outdoor Leadership. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois and completed his Masters
of Science in Outdoor Therapeutic Recreation Administration at The George Williams College of Aurora University in 1993. As a student, John spent time working with youth in a variety of settings; Ropes courses, group homes, summer camps and treatment facilities.

John has spent 20 years working in youth programs with an emphasis on youth diagnosed with LD and AD/HD. He joined SOAR as a summer wilderness instructor in 1991. After completing his Masters degree he returned as a semester course instructor on the Appalachian Trail in 1993. John became SOAR's Director of LD and AD/HD Services in 1994. He has lead hundreds of adventure courses in North Carolina, Florida, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, Maine, Costa Rica, and Belize. His primary responsibilities include supervision of SOAR's LD and AD/HD programs, management of SOAR's Balsam Base, training and developing staff, and increasing public awareness of SOAR's mission. Each year he still steps into his favorite role as a field instructor on a variey of programs.

In addition to his responsibilities at SOAR, John is currently the President of the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of North Carolina. He has been an active member of CH.A.D.D., serving as co-coordinator of the Western North Carolina chapter. He actively presents to teachers,parents and professionals at local, state and national conferences. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University and Mars Hill College teaching Outdoor Recreation, Therapuetic Recreation, and Leadership courses. His certifications include Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard Instructor, CPR Instructor, PADI Rescue Diver, State licensed Recreation Therapist, and Nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Finally, and most importantly, he and his wife Dorothie are the proud parents of two magnificent, creative, and strong willed children.

Wandajean Jones

Finance Director

Wandajean began working with students with learning disabilities in 1976 at the Interdisiplinary Learning Center in Houston, Texas. She would help with after school tutoring and she and her husband, Jonathan, would facilitate group activities. Once a month they would take students rock climbing, backpacking and camping. All of this was in preparation for a week long trip in the summer to Estes Park, Colorado.

Over the years it has been her privilege to be a part of SOAR's growth and development. Wandajean has taken on many roles: Trip Leader, Program Director, tutor, Office Manager, Finance Director and Board Member. Her goal is to be a part of a team which helps provide quality programs for LD and AD/HD youth and their families.

Jon Bressler

Director of Academic and Wyoming Programs

Jon graduated from Western Carolina University in 1993 with a Degree in Special Education. He has been working for SOAR since 1994 and has been involved with SOAR Community Based Services, Semester Course Program and Academic Discovery Summer Programs as a Program Director. Jon is the Director of SOAR's Western U.S. Programs at SOAR's newest base camp, Eagle View Ranch, in Dubois, Wyoming.

As a teen, Jon faced the challenges that come with learning disabilities and a single parent upbringing. As a result, he understands the value of a SOAR experience firsthand. Jon empathizes with the needs of today's teens and also recognizes the importance of a strong academic foundation.

Jon has certifications as a wilderness first responder, white water rescuer, range instructor, log cabin construction, mandt restraint trainer and special education instructor. Jon continues to stay in touch with the community of Dubois by working with the public schools and the local boy scouts.

Joe Moore and Laura Pate

Directors of North Carolina Programs

Laura Pate and Joe Moore joined SOAR in the summer of 1998. Both Laura and Joe have Masters degrees in Education from Southern Illinois University and Bachelor degrees in Outdoor Recreation from Appalachian State University. Laura also obtained a Business Management degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while Joe received a minor in Marketing and Management from ASU. Both are certified instructors for the Wilderness Education Association and are certified Wilderness First Responders.

Since the late 1980's, Laura and Joe have worked for a variety of nationally recognized programs and have spent a great deal of time traveling and pursuing outdoor interests such as: rock climbing, caving , mountain biking, and skiing. They have two children, named Cassidy and Dylan, who also love outdoor adventures.

As Directors of North Carolina Programs, they hire, train, and supervise SOAR's Instructor staff. Laura and Joe are also blessed to job-share their position at SOAR, which allows them both time to be home with their children while remaining active in their chosen profession. They have a 59 acre farm in the local area with rabbits, chicken, cats and a wonderful hound dog named Franklin. They both enjoy gardening and live music of all types.

Logan Walters

Director of NC Semester Programs

Logan received his undergraduate marketing degree from Western Carolina in 2004. His recreational therapy class introduced Logan to SOAR the summer of 2004, and he joined the SOAR team as a Wilderness Field Instructor in Florida. While obtaining his MBA, Logan worked for a therapeutic day treatment program, and worked seasonally as SOAR’s Director of Florida Programs.  Logan joined the full time SOAR family in April 2007 as the Director of NC Semester Programs.

He is passionate about assisting youth in their development as confident individuals. Growing up as a teen with minor ADHD, Logan faced challenges in the classroom. Through project oriented tasks, outdoor leadership opportunities, and a

positive academic environment, he gained confidence in his abilities.  Today, he enjoys giving students the same opportunity he had as a teenager, and enjoys learning about and nurturing their talents and gifts through SOAR’s Semester Programs.

Logan spends his free time fishing, boating, traveling, hiking, and trying to figure out the stock market. He is currently seeking time to take night classes, working towards earning his masters degree in community counseling. Logan has certifications in First Aid, CPR, Advanced Diving and is a Lifeguard.

Becki Burnett

Director EVR Summer Program

Becki was born and raised in a small town in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. After 18 years in one place, she was anxious to get out to explore and experience. Becki spent her undergraduate years attending the College of Charleston where she earned a BS degree in Exercise Physiology. After the beaches of South Carolina, Becki was off to the mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming where she spent the next three years leading both Community and Youth Programs for the Teton County Parks and Recreation Department.

After a couple of winters, Becki opted for the warm weather again returning to the University of South Carolina. There she developed Adventure Education Curriculum with strong emphasis on social/emotional outcomes while obtaining a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree in Physical Education. She taught Physical Education in schools in South Carolina and Colorado.

Becki began working for SOAR as a summer Field Instructor in North Carolina. She immediately recognized that SOAR was the place for her and jumped at the opportunity to return to Wyoming and work two consecutive semester sessions. She is now working as the Assistant Director at Eagle View Ranch and is enjoying her role and responsibilities. She is also thrilled to be living in the mountains that she now gets to call home.

Andy Biddle

Director of North Carolina Semesters, Logistics

Andy was raised just out side of the Nation's Capitol, and in the mountains
of Western North Carolina. He grew up struggling through school with
Dyslexia, and subsequently found a love and understanding for the outdoors
and teaching in an experiential model. He is glad he can finally call the
mountains his home, and loves playing bluegrass and folk music, backpacking,
rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, theater and teaching people about the
outdoors.

Andy graduated from Warren Wilson College with a degree in Outdoor
Leadership and a concentration in psychology and electrical wiring. He
started working for SOAR as an Activity Specialist in the summers and stayed
busy doing contract work with the community. He currently is the director of semester programs in NC and oversees all of the logistics and maintenance for Balsam Base. He is very excited about being able to teach and mentor students while they are on the semester course.

Andy is a member of the Association for Experiential Education, Association of Challenge Course Technology and holds certifications in white water rescue, top rope rock climbing, wilderness first responder and wildland fire fighting. He also works in the Asheville community doing volunteer work for various non-profit agencies.

Jon Terry

Director of Project Pursuit

Jon Terry received a degree from Appalahcian State University in the field of Experiential Education. He has been working with youth in various wilderness and adventure programs for the past eight years. Since starting working for SOAR in 2003 at our Wyoming base, Jon has worked summer programs, outdoor classrooms and has focused most of his time and efforts with SOAR's Community Based Programs in North Carolina. Along with his wife, Catey, he has pursued many interest including kayaking, caving, climbing, traveling, music and backpacking.
He has a strong desire to help youth through the powerful metaphors and skills unique to our programs, and he has found a way to share this desire through the variety of outreach programs sponsored by SOAR. Jon is a Wilderness First Responder, CPR/First Aid Certified, a member of the Association of Experiential Education and certified in Swift-water Rescue.

Catey Terry

Director of Administrative Team

Catey was born in Nashville, TN. Her love of and passion for nature translated into a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, and whitewater rafting. She has worked for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as an SCA Intern, REI, and has completed a 400-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, along with her husband Jon and their two dogs Dakota and Bella. Jon, a fellow SOAR employee, and Catey were married in the spring of 2006.

Catey began working for SOAR in 2005 as a Wilderness Field Staff. She fell in love with the company and joined SOAR’s Administrative Team as Office Manager in the Fall 2005. She later transitioned into the role of Admissions/Finance Assistant, and is now the Director of the Administrative Team. She oversees and provides support to the Administrative Team, while striving to ensure quality programs for LD and AD/HD youth and their families. Her field experience has enabled her to share firsthand her experiences with SOAR families. She is passionate about SOAR’s programs, and is excited about SOAR’s future.

Rachel Richardson

Semester Course Lead Teacher

Rachel Richardson is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University, where she obtained a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology.  She is currently a part time graduate student working toward a Masters of Education in Special Education.  Being both a teacher and a student provides her with a new perspective on both professional and academic development.

Rachel began teaching at SOAR in January of 2006 as a part time math teacher for semester courses.  She has also been a field instructor and math teacher at Eagle View Ranch, and assistant to Jon Terry for Project Pursuit.  She very much enjoys her current position and cherishes the opportunity she has been given to impact the lives of her students as well as the direction of academics at SOAR.

Growing up in the region, some of her favorite childhood pastimes were hiking in the Smoky Mountain National Park and attending the annual Mountain Heritage Festival held at Western Carolina University.  She feels truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to remain in the beautiful mountains that have become her home.

Diann Rogers

Executive Secretary/ Receptionist

The pleasant voice on the other end of the phone when you call SOAR belongs to our Office Manager, Diann. She joined the administrative team in April 2006 and happily offers support to our directors, parents, and other staff members. She visited SOAR while attending Western Carolina University and fell in love with the location, staff, and design of SOAR. She dreamed of working for SOAR however there were no available positions until the spring of 2006 when her dream became a reality. Diann was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina and plans to spend the rest of her life in these spectacular surroundings. In her spare time you can find her doing such things as reading, crafts, camping, and teaching the youth group at church.

Robin Whitley

Admissions Assistant

Robin joined SOAR in February, 2007. She has worked with a diverse group of people throughout her career. She worked with Special Education populations while studying music at Pfeiffer University where she earned her B.A. First working as a church music director and youth director for ten years, Robin then went into the pastorate after receiving an M.Div. at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and served as a pastor and university chaplain.

Robin likes adventure in many forms and after adventures through Strasbourg-France, Oklahoma and the business world, she landed in Sylva where she hikes, canoes, writes and performs music locally when not working for SOAR. As a former retreat leader Robin understands the importance wilderness can play in emotional development and the development of strong self-esteem. She is excited about working at SOAR and supporting families with LD, AD/HD children so they might have opportunities her niece missed as a child.

 

 

 

 

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