Bridges Academy
Bend, OR

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New Happenings at Bridges Academy

Charity Leese joined us here at Bridges Academy in September 2009. She is a graduate from the Willamette University masters program and she is an experienced high school teacher. It's a hard act to follow Darrel McOmber's teaching of Science and Math, but Charity has been more than capable of making this a smooth transition for our teens.

We are lucky to have Charity's teaching experience and her winning way with our students. Growing up also as a foster care sister has also certainly helped Charity have an understanding of our teenagers. Charity also teaches Spanish and is a certified ASVAB instructor.

Jeff Wenger, who has been with Bridges Academy as our Social Studies and Government and History teacher for 6 years, begins his very popular Outdoor Adventure class again this month.

Jeff's class is part of our experiential education program and builds on the natural connection our teens have with fly fishing, snow exploration (snow shoeing, snowboarding, and avalanche preparedness), rock climbing and further exploration and photography of the wonderful natural environment of Central Oregon.

Jeff, world traveler and documentary film producer, has been a licensed guide and rock climbing instructor in the area for years. Our teens certainly have enjoyed getting involved in these outdoor experiences they normally would never have tried. We all can see the evidence of their improved personal efficacy when they return to campus from their nature outings!