Email Amy Lomax

Amy was hired as the Vice Principal of Mill A School District after the Administrator Hiring Committee recommended her due to her strong background in supporting students in various ways. Amy brings positive student-centered energy along with her extensive knowledge of special education services, academic and behavioral interventions, and Washington State graduation requirements. MASD is so lucky to have her on our team!

Email Dr. Ammar Harb

Dr. Harb has 20 years of experience teaching students at different levels, from middle schoolers to graduate students. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Portland State University, where he served as an adjunct professor before joining PCIA. Dr. Harb enjoys teaching mathematics and simplifying its concepts as much as possible, so his students can understand and transfer them to practical applications.

Email Elizabeth Brooks

Ms. Brooks is a PNW native and loves living in the Columbia Gorge where she is astonished by the natural beauty every single day. Liz grew up in Seattle and holds a BA in English from the UW, an MA in English from UConn, and is currently in the final stretch of earning her Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Central Washington University. She is regularly amazed by the talents of her students both in and out of the classroom and relishes the opportunity to get to work with such cool people.

Outside of reading and writing, Liz enjoys walking in the woods with her dogs, baking, gardening, hanging out with her two teenage boys and husband, and visiting her large family in Portland and the Puget Sound area. Liz hopes to one day own a loom where she’ll get to spend her free time weaving beautiful tea towels while listening to audiobooks and episodes of This American Life and Heavyweight.

Email James Harrison

Mr. Harrison is a passionate historian with an aptitude for predicting future events as a professional geopolitical forecaster. With an MA in History from Portland State University, he has taught as an adjunct professor for a variety of colleges and universities. Mr. Harrison enjoys hiking, fishing, chess, reading, and community service.

Email Ryan Van Duzor

Mr. Ryan Van Duzor has been PCIA’s science instructor since 2017. He is also the Knowledge Bowl coach and Biology Club mentor at PCIA.

Mr. Van Duzor is a dedicated scientist with diverse scientific interests and background. He earned an MS in Biology from Loyola University Chicago, where he served as an Adjunct Instructor, as well as a Masters in Teaching from University of Washington. Mr. Van Duzor has extensive professional experience working for the USDA in invasive species detection and tracking as well as field research in entomology and ecology for the USFS and USDA.

In his personal life, Mr. Van Duzor is a husband, father and an avid fisherman, fly fisherman, fly tyer and Lego artist living in Stevenson. His Lego build “Wonders of the Fragile Reef” is being displayed at the “home of the brick”, the Lego House in Billund, Denmark.

Email Jeff Hawkins

Mr. Hawkins is a technology expert and educator who brings nearly two decades of real-world software and hardware experience to the classroom. His professional background includes leadership roles as a Network Administrator, Systems Developer, and Scrum Master with industry-leading education technology companies. Holding a BA in English Literature from the University of Oregon and Career Technology Education (CTE) Certification from Central Washington University, his academic credentials are complemented by 20 additional industry-recognized certifications from Microsoft, Scrum, Alliance, and CompTIA.

Since PCIA’s inception, Mr. Hawkins has inspired students to excel, often achieving state-level recognition in technology and robotics competitions. His innovative “learning-by-doing” approach forms a dynamic environment where students develop practical skills while discovering their passion for technology.

Email Rachel Duffus

Ms. Duffus is an enthusiastic physical education and health instructor who thrives on inspiring students. She earned an MA in Teaching from Grand Canyon University with an emphasis in physical education. Ms. Duffus has been motivating students to make exercise, wellness and nutrition an enjoyable part of their lives for more than twenty years. A graduate of Mill A School herself, Ms. Duffus enjoys an active lifestyle in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge.

Email Margaret McLarney

Mrs. McLarney has been teaching Music and the Arts for over 20 years and is a life-long resident of Skamania County. She earned her BA in Music and Theatre Arts from the University of Puget Sound. She has extensive experience as a choral conductor and stage director, having directed over 50 school and community concerts and productions. She is passionate about teaching students to understand how experiencing and participating in music is connected to and has a positive impact on our lives, our community and world around us.

Email Jessica Hoff

Profesora Hoff has used Spanish regularly in her professional and personal life since beginning study of the language at Columbia High School. She graduated magna cum laude from Central Washington University with a major in Spanish for Education and minors in Teaching English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, and Anthropology. After studying English and French as a graduate student, she has an educational endorsement in English Language Arts and is conversant in French. She is a resident of White Salmon among many relatives and is a citizen of the world.

Email Kandy Giles

Mz. Giles has taught art with all ages for over twenty years. She attended Webster University for her B.A. in Education with an Art emphasis. She builds upon students’ skills using classic art studio practices and collaborations across disciplines. Mz. Giles knows making art lowers stress, increases circulation and practicing creativity builds neural pathways. She loves spending time with her granddaughter, digging in the garden, cooking and creating botanical sculptures.