Summer Camps Staff

Courtney Cook
Courtney Cook is a bilingual second grade teacher at Spring Valley Science School in San Francisco, California. Originally from New York, Courtney has been teaching for 15 years and loves working with children. Seeking to deepen her understanding of Latin culture and Spanish, she taught, traveled, and studied in numerous countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, and Spain. Courtney is passionate about sharing her love of Spanish, science, nature, music, art, and sports with her students. In her free time she likes to ski, hike, run, read, swim, and work as a DJ.

Leah Heasly
Saludos! My name is Leah and I’m at student at Lewis and Clark College here in Portland, OR where I study Spanish and Art. I grew up in Seattle, WA with my parents and two younger sisters. I’ve been a passionate soccer player since I was very young and have always loved being outside and being active! I’m also an avid reader and writer and fan of the fine arts. I can always find time for a book or some arts and crafts! I like to document my life and the world around me. Lately I’ve been taking classes in photography and poetry to help me to do so! I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Escuela Viva this summer and share my passions and interests! I look forward to meeting you!

Ami Kernan
Ami Kernan grew up in Portland, Oregon, and is now a student at Hamilton College in New York. She is studying psychology, but has been involved in the arts all of her life. She has played the violin for 15 years, in orchestras and chamber music groups in Oregon and New York. She also attended schools with a focus on the arts, and loves drawing and doing ceramics. She has worked with various summer camps in Portland, and volunteered at local elementary schools.

Athanasia Kondilis
Athanasia Kondilis has lived in Portland, OR her whole life. Both of her parents were born in Greece and came to America, so that makes her 100% Greek. She speaks two languages Greek and English. She graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, focus in Math/Science and Health/Physical Education. She has been working with children since she was thirteen years old. She first started at Vacation Bible School. She has been a camp counselor at Camp Angelos. She has taught Greek dance to the youth at her church. In PE 170 at Western, she taught games to homeschoolers. She has volunteered at Laurelhurst Elementary, Independence Elementary, and Amity Elementary. Since she has graduated, she has been a nanny. She loves reading, drawing, photography, and working with kids.

Lorien Leyden
Lorien Leyden began dancing before she began walking! She grew up in a dance studio with her mother as teacher. She began teaching alongside mom at an early age, creating choreograpies and performing. Lorien studied Modern and West African style dance and after college moved to Spain! There, she taught children dance for several years before returning home to Oregon where she now lives and continues to study Flamenco dance as it is her newfound passion. She loves sharing her passion of dance with children of all ages.

Victoria Pevzner
Victoria Pevzner lived in Moscow, Russia until the age of 10 when she moved to Portland, Oregon with her family. She grew up in a bi-lingual home but did not discover her passion for Spanish language and culture until studying abroad in Spain during her university studies. Victoria is a graduate of University of Oregon with bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Relations. After completing her degree, she has dedicated her time working in Education in a variety of settings. Some of her roles included working as an Educational Consultant for an International Educational Company, Program Coordinator at a Hillsboro Family Resource Center and currently as guest lecturer in a Spanish Secondary School in Granada, Spain for the school year. Victoria spends most of her time teaching children, planning lessons and doing anything she can to perfect her Spanish skills. When not working, Victoria can be found traveling and exploring all around the globe. Ms. Pevzner is hoping to pursue a Masters in Teaching degree at the University of Granada next year.

Kelsey Stewart Reynolds
Kelsey Stewart Reynolds was born in Alberta, Canada and later moved to Portland, Oregon where she attended Cleveland High School. In 2008 she graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Spanish and Linguistics. She later worked at El Puente Bilingual Elementary, in Milwaukee, Oregon, as an Instructional Assistant and returned to Cleveland H.S. as an assistant track coach. Currently she works and lives in Cordoba, Spain teaching English to elementary students. This summer Kelsey will be back in Portland and plans on completing her first triathlon! In the fall, she will return to Spain to earn a Masters degree in Linguistics at the University of Cordoba.

Emily Stocking
After growing up overseas in Senegal, Algeria, Portugal and Brazil, Emily Stocking loves traveling and language-learning. She has worked with children both inside the classroom as a remedial reading instructor and in various outdoor educational camps and programs. At Westmont College, Emily majored in Spanish and also studied Theatre Arts. Her favorite activities include being outdoors either on foot or bicycle, swimming, and doing lots of reading when she gets the chance. Emily is so excited to combine her love of theatre with Spanish immersion this summer at Escuela Viva!