Olivia Weals
K-1st Grade, Primary Nest Classroom
Olivia grew up in Bethesda, Maryland. She graduated with a BA in Political Science from Wellesley College in 2019. After working as a political organizer registering young people to vote, she realized that her true passion was education. She moved to the Portland area in the Spring of 2022 and has been working in Early Childhood Education ever since! Olivia loves teaching and learning from her students and is thrilled to join the wonderful Arbor community. Her other interests include film, jazz music (playing and listening!), reading every book at her local public library, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. She hopes to bring her passions for justice, equity, and political involvement to the classroom to foster fun, inclusive classrooms full of excited students.
Louise Desmond
K-1st Grade, Primary Den Classroom
Louise is a lifelong learner with a deep, abiding passion for education and the arts. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, she attended Arbor School from Kindergarten through 8th grade and later graduated from Whitman College in 2022 with a B.A. in Environmental Humanities. After college, Louise spent nearly two years as a lead preschool teacher, where her love for teaching blossomed and flourished. For over 12 years, Louise was a dedicated pre-professional ballet dancer, and believes that creativity is a force that informs and influences every discipline. Dancing remains a cherished pastime, and she hopes to incorporate movement and bodily awareness in her teaching practice. Outside of the classroom, you can expect to find Louise curled up with a warm cup of coffee and a good book, alongside her cat and pet bunny. She also loves baking, hiking, and writing. Inspired by her own Arbor education and driven by her dedication to nurturing a warm and engaging learning environment, Louise looks forward to contributing to the development of individuals who not only thrive academically but also carry the tools and mindset for continuous intellectual exploration throughout their lives.
Andy Lohmann
2nd-3rd Grade, Junior Up Classroom
Andy grew up in Wall Township, New Jersey, a little shore town about an hour outside New York City. He was raised in a family full of teachers and is excited to join the world of education for himself! Andy studied art and animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation in 2019. For the past five years, he’s worked at LAIKA studios and is proud to have worked on the upcoming film Wildwood based right here in Portland, Oregon! He also served for three years on LAIKA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and is committed to creating a community of belonging. With his background as an artist, Andy is a big believer in the power of creative expression and incorporating art into the classroom. In his free time, you’ll find him hiking a trail to take photos of birds, curled up with his two cats and a good book, or hitting the rink with his ice hockey team.
Abigail Morrow
2nd-3rd Grade, Junior Down Classroom
Hailing from the mighty Midwest, Abigail spent her early years sandwiched neatly between the Iowan prairie and the Mississippi River. She holds a BA in English from the University of Iowa and an MA in Museum Studies from Western Illinois University. Abigail loves helping students make deep connections to the exciting world around them and is especially passionate about supporting children impacted by medically restricted diets. Most recently, Abigail developed educational programming for the Clackamas County Historical Society and served as a classroom assistant at Sunstone Montessori School. She is thrilled to join the Arbor community! Outside of school, Abigail enjoys trying new restaurants, attending tap classes, and knitting various sweaters.
Kayla Cooley
4th-5th Grade, Intermediate Classroom
Kayla Cooley was born and raised in Tillamook, Oregon. She studied Dance, Spanish, and Education/Learning at Pacific University. After graduating with her bachelor’s degrees in 2022, she taught English Language Development in Newport and 6th grade in Tillamook, each for one year. She loves watching/performing musical theater, dancing, gaming, and hiking with her dog Morti. She is also an avid reader. Kayla loves it when students feel safe and accepted in the classroom. She is especially grateful when they feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, enthusiasm, and knowledge with others.