The Little School with the Big Heart
A Message from the Head of School:
Wellsprings Friends School is a place where the education of an individual student is as treasured as the interconnectedness of our community. An independent, alternative high school with a focus on creating lifelong learners, Wellsprings is home to a dedicated team of teachers that is fully committed to the academic and socio-emotional growth of each student. How truly fortunate we are to count accomplished musicians, folk artisans, conservationists, authors, researchers, martial artists and performers amongst our educators and administrative staff. At Wellsprings we believe in developing the entire student, we are unique in our approach and thorough in our pursuit of providing a quality education to the eager and capable youth we serve in our familial community.
Welcome to our school.
Our Staff
Head of School
Dean of Students
Special Education Coordinator
Teacher
Kitchen Coordinator
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Our Board of Trustees
Our current Board combines a mixture of long-serving Trustees with relatively new members
JOHN ETTER
John of Portland, Oregon is a very devoted member of the Eugene Friends Meeting. He attended Scattergood Friends School in Iowa, which he considers as having yielded experiences that continue to direct his life in positive ways. To help other high school students gain similar benefits, John has been an enthusiastic supporter of Wellsprings since its founding in 1994. His younger daughter, Angela, was in the first graduating class in 1996. John is a retired landscape architect, having spent many years with the city of Eugene planning and designing parks, planning bike paths, and consulting on urban beautification.
LISETTE EWING
Lisette has been a Special Education teacher since 1984. She has taught in Illinois, Idaho, S. Carolina and Oregon, headed a professional organization, and been part of state working groups in her field. Lisette has published articles and lectured internationally about art for blind and visually impaired students. A profile in the newsletter of the Eugene Friends Meeting, which she attends, noted that “those who know her can’t miss her passion and pizzazz!” The individualized curriculum for alternative learners at Wellsprings fits Lisette’s educational philosophy very well. She joined the Board in September 2011.
JOHN MORSE
John joined the Board in October 2017. A retired California public school educator of thirty-nine years, he has served as a teacher, school principal, director of instruction and assistant-superintendent for instructional services. John has had diverse experience developing and supporting high-quality alternative programs for students. He is very committed to the mission of Wellsprings and in helping all students reach their intended personal, graduation and/or post-secondary training goals. John is a team player and enjoys working positively and collaboratively with all members of this unique school community to ensure student success.
SUSAN MACOMSON
Susan has worked in the Arts all her life. She was a pre-school teacher for 20 years, and also taught teachers how to teach art. Back in the day Susan was a climbing guide as well as a member of Portland Mountain Rescue, and also worked with Portland Juvenile Services helping kids develop leadership skills through outdoor programs. Currently she is doing a lot of work on environmental and justice issues. Susan joined the Board of Trustees in February, 2017. She looks forward to bringing her art and all the parts of her life to share with the Wellsprings community.
DR. KRISTEN WRIGHT
Dr. Wright (Kris) is a parent of a 2021 Wellsprings graduate. Kris works with incoming families on navigating the referral process. As a board member, she focuses on research, community outreach, recruitment, and assessment. She is thrilled to still be a part of the Wellsprings Friends community, and eternally grateful to the staff and board at Wellsprings for embracing her child and reinvigorating their love of learning. Kris holds a PhD in Communication and Media. She is particularly interested in identifying barriers for marginalized groups and activating initiatives to break down obstacles, embrace differences, practice active listening, and appreciate diverse perspectives and experiences. .
BILL GOLDSMITH
Bill is recently retired after over 50 years in various administrative roles, most recently twelve years as business manager and athletic director at Oak Hill School. His daughter Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith, a successful activist mural artist, found a welcoming and supportive educational home at Wellsprings and graduated in 2008. Currently Bill finds pleasure in playing petanque, coaching girls basketball and growing tomatoes.
Accreditation & Affiliations
Wellsprings Friends School is accredited by Cognia (formerly NWAC/AdvancEd).
Wellsprings Friends School is an open and welcoming environment, where all people are respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical handicap with regard to student admissions, financial aid awards, the administration of our educational policies, hiring of staff, Trustee selection, or any other program or activity of the school.