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.
Joe Moore and Laura
Pate
Directors of North Carolina Programs
L
aura 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.
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.
Richard Lance
Admissions Director
Richard earned an undergraduate degree in social work at the University of Kentucky and began his career in Children's Protective Services in Florida. After earning graduate degrees in Criminal Law from Rollins College and Psychology from Western Carolina University, Richard taught for the North Carolina College and University System for 28 years, retiring in 2007.
Moreover, Richard served as first sergeant in a U.S. Army medical section, retiring this year with 32 years of active duty and reserve service, having served in both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars.
He has served the children of North Carolina in a variety of areas including children's community protection teams, advocacy groups for people with developmental diabilities, and serveral youth services agencies. He continues an active role with the National Association of Social Workers. He joind the SOAR Family as Admissions Director in early 2008.
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.
Richard Peters
Director of Community Based Programs
Richard Peters grew up in Greensboro North Carolina, and found a passion for the outdoors at a very young age. He attended school at Western Carolina University where he was able to nurture his love of nature by participating in outdoor activities in the Appalachian Mountains. Richard started working for SOAR in the summer of 2007 as a field instructor in the Florida Keys Program. After graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree from Western Carolina in the fall of 2007, he worked as a field instructor for the Spring Semester Program at SOAR, and then went on to become the Course Director of the Florida Keys Program. After discovering the amazing opportunities that SOAR provides youth with, his passion for giving back to the community, and the ability to tie it all into outdoor adventure activities, Richard eagerly joined the year round staff at SOAR as the Director of Community Based Programs.
Richard enjoys spending his free time hiking, fishing, swimming, playing disc golf, reading, and listening to music. His certifications include CPR, First Aid, Life Guard, and PADI Open Water Diver.
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.
.
Philosophy: SOAR believes all individuals identified with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) possess inherent talents and gifts. These abilities can mean incredible success in adulthood once these students negotiate the challenging obstacles of childhood, adolescence, and a traditional education system, usually unable to respond to individual learning styles.
Therefore, the SOAR model is based on two fundamental principles. First, youth with LD and AD/HD flourish when they are encouraged to focus on their strengths in an experiential setting. The second principle acknowledges that success can be generalized by encouraging our students to develop and utilize strategies, enabling them to compensate for those challenging characteristics of LD and AD/HD. To this end, SOAR staff strive to ensure success for each student across a wide range of experiences. Such success, in turn, builds essential self-esteem and self-confidence.
Based on these two foundations, SOAR participants develop problem solving skills, effective communication strategies, increased self-awareness, and social skills. Program activities include a broad base of wilderness adventure experiences that empower students to make healthy choices, learn more about themselves, overcome challenges, and establish relevance from these experiences to other aspects of their life.
SOAR's Specialty Courses are open to SOAR alumni and students with the maturity and experience level to be successful on the course. Acceptance is conditional on the approval of the course director. Most specialty courses are led by one of SOAR's year-round staff including Jonathan Jones, John Willson and Jon Terry.
SOAR’s programs are designed to allow students the opportunity to increase their independence while away from home. Independence is gained through self-motivation and life skills instruction. With this in mind, we involve our students in many decision making processes, such as setting individual goals, developing group guidelines, as well as trip and meal planning. This also comes into consideration when developing SOAR’s communication policy, detailed in our Parent Handbook.
SOAR is dedicated to serving the needs of individuals with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) and is proud to be the finest: