Willow Klapperich
K-1st Grade, Primary Nest Classroom
Born and raised in Illinois, Willow moved to Oakland, California to attend Mills College, where she studied Sociology, Ethnic Studies, and Studio Art. From camp counselor and director to after-school art teacher and second-grade teaching assistant at Catlin Gabel, working with kids has always been her calling. Willow is passionate about building strong, authentic relationships and creating a joyful, supportive classroom community where students can truly thrive. When she isn't teaching, you can find her outdoors— hiking, swimming, listening to birds, or just admiring nature— or busy reading, creating art, and spending quality time with loved ones. Willow is thrilled to join the Arbor community and looks forward to learning alongside its wonderful students, families, and educators.
Sarah Hyatt
K-1st Grade, Primary Den Classroom
Sarah grew up in the Midwest moving between Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan. She received her BA from Coe College in 2024 majoring in psychology and theatre arts along with a minor in English. After graduating, she spent a year as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Athens, Greece and then a year as an environmental educator at a 4-H camp on Jekyll Island, Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, birding, reading, theatre, dance, and music. Throughout her life, she found a love for teaching and working with kids through various summer camp roles and tutoring. She is incredibly excited to join the Arbor community and hopes to contribute to classrooms where students experience excitement, connection, and social support, knowing they are capable and they belong.
Patrick Taber
2nd-3rd Grade, Junior Up Classroom
Patrick is a lifelong Oregonian, having been born and raised in the Portland area. After graduating from Arizona State University in 2022 with a degree in Psychology, he returned to his home school district as a substitute teacher. Patrick has spent the past four years working with the Beaverton School District in a variety of different grades and subjects. He has most enjoyed teaching history and psychology, as well as helping students take steps to achieve their goals. As a result of growing up in Oregon, he is a massive Oregon Ducks and Portland Trailblazers fan. Above all else, his true passion is spoiling his orange cat named Chef.
Stephanie Carollo
2nd-3rd Grade, Junior Down Classroom
Steph is originally from Poughkeepsie, New York, about 90 minutes from New York City. She graduated from Binghamton University with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2022. Since then, she has been living in Portland, Maine—the other Portland. After college, Steph worked as a school social worker and later in marketing at a biotech company. After volunteering in a classroom, she realized how much she missed working with kids and decided she wanted to return to education. She is passionate about supporting students' social-emotional well-being and helping them connect with the world around them, especially through nature-based learning. Outside of work, Steph enjoys knitting, hosting board game nights with friends, and spending time outdoors. Whether she's camping, hiking, swimming, or relaxing in a hammock with a good book, she loves being outside. She is excited to join the Arbor community and looks forward to learning, growing, and spending time with students in the classroom again.
Alexandria Monroy
4th-5th Grade, Intermediate Classroom
Alex likes to say she has led a salmonic life. Born in Tacoma, Washington to two military parents, she left at 4 months old to explore new waters. She jumped from pond to pond landing in Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Hawaii, central California, and eventually graduating high school down in Guatemala. Swimming through the Gulf back to Georgia, she received her bachelor’s in environmental health science from the University of Georgia. After graduation, she felt called to swim back to her natal waters in the PNW, to build her redd and settle in. Since returning to the PNW, she has conducted field work, ran a native nursery, and led volunteer and educational opportunities. After three years of environmental work, she realized her passion for education, becoming a substitute teacher and finding a position with a charter school in Rockwood as an Instructional Aide. Now, Alex is thrilled to finally be at Arbor and knows that she’s found the perfect school to swim with for the next two years. Alex is driven by her passion for creating safe and fun learning spaces, connecting students with the natural world, and being a guide for her student’s curiosity.