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SOSA Staff 2021-2022
Richard Dice - Teacher (SOSA-JP)
Welcome to SOSA! I have been married to my high school sweetheart Debbie for over 30 years. We have three grown children, two sons and a daughter, two wonderful daughter-in-laws and a great son-in-law. As of now we have two grandsons and a granddaughter due later this fall! I served in the United States Navy and have been privileged to have lived and worked in multiple states in this great country of ours. I have visited 14 countries outside the United States and have sailed in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans while the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean are still on my bucket list! My hobbies include archery, ice hockey, sailing, and MOPAR vehicles, yes my car has a HEMI! As a native of Josephine County, I have a passion for helping the youth of this great community and I look forward to meeting you during the school year!
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Charae Fidanza - GED Specialist (SOSA- JP)
I am an ATV rider. I ride anything from the XR450 to my Suzuki powersport quad. I try to ride a new area once per month and become familiar with it. I have had a few accidents with the last one being the most serious. I quickly learnt that I can not fly. I have taken jobs from McDonalds to Chase Bank with being a mom always leading the way. I have raised four children who are now amazing adults and I have one grandchild. It was my last two children who led me to education. I had the time to volunteer and soon saw the need for my talent. I found myself in alternative education and loved every second of it. The students are the light to the day and the darkness to my night. They are the motivation that keeps me young. They are the reason for my seasons.
Brandt Hanes - Teacher (SOSA-Merlin)
This is Brandt Hanes, first year at SOSA. Although born in Fresno, CA, I was raised in Southern Oregon, graduating from Grants Pass High School in 1990. Originally, my career started in the financial sector as a financial planner. I also coached baseball at North Valley High School and for the local legion summer team. For the last 16 years, I have been teaching at a private alternative high school. In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and being involved with my son’s athletics. Currently, I am directing students in both their online curriculum and providing in person instruction at Southern Oregon Success Academy.
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Sabrina Hartford - Kitchen Manager (SOSA)
I enjoy what I do. I love knowing that all the kids are eating good. I absolutely love spending time with my Grandkids, and I am very passionate about mine and my best friend's shop Inspired By Nature.
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Leslie Henriques - Teacher (Online SOSA)
Hi, my name is Leslie Henriques. I am an English teacher from Southern Oregon. I have been teaching English for 19 years; the last 7 happy years were here with the Three Rivers School District Alternative Ed. program at SOSA (formerly MAC). I love going to the movies, spending time with my family, and travelling with my children. Disneyland and Autzen Stadium are two of my happiest places. I am passionate about teaching and working with my students. Adolescents need caring advocates, someone in their corner. I take that role seriously, and I do my best to make sure my students are supported and encouraged. Getting students to the finish line as successful, life-long learners and positive community contributors is of the utmost importance to me. I look forward to working with your students.
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Mike Herzog - Principal (SOSA)
I am Mike Herzog and I have been at SOSA going on 7 years. I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking and just spending time with my wife and first grandson. I am passionate about helping people, especially young adults to achieve their potential. It is a great honor to work with students and I am blessed with that opportunity every day.
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Stefanie Humphrey - Special Education Specialist (SOSA-Merlin)
Hi, I'm Stefanie and I'm so excited to be part of the SOSA team this year. I have worked in the life skills programs at Madrona Elementary, LSMS and Hidden Valley High School, and with IEP students within these schools as well as Woodland Charter. My husband Keith and I are parents to 6 children, 4 boy’s and 2 girls (26,24,20,15,12 and 9) and we are expecting 2 new grandchildren, one boy and one girl in late January and early February. I'm very active with my children and their activities. We spend a lot of time devoted to their sports which include rodeo, football, soccer and wrestling. I love working with kids wherever they are in life, celebrating their accomplishments and watching them hit new milestones never gets old. I have been a foster parent (4 of my children are adopted) which has helped me learn to meet kids where they are, to give them support with boundaries, have fun and take the bad day’s in stride. Can’t wait to see how amazing our kids do this school year and I'm more than excited to get to be a part of their achievements.
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Zandra Jansma - Office Manager (SOSA)
My name is Zandra Jansma and I am the office manager at SOSA. I have had the privilege of working here for 7 years now. I am a newlywed and I love spending time with my husband in the beautiful outdoors of Southern Oregon. Any time we can get up in the mountains and take in the view, or spend time at one of the rivers around here, I’m happy! I find when I’m out in nature, I take more time to play my music. I’ve played guitar for years, but recently I have picked up the ukulele and have had lots of fun learning to play. I look forward to meeting you and serving you in any way I can.
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Jeff Kasler - Teacher (SOSA-Merlin)
My name is Mr. Kasler (Coach K). I began my teaching career at the same school I graduated from in Skagway, Alaska (Skagway High School). I taught at SHS for 20 years and then moved my family to Grants Pass in 2003. Since then, I have been a substitute teacher for Three Rivers and Grants Pass school districts. My wife Lori and I have two sons. Jordan Kasler is 33 and teaches at North MIddle School and is the head boys basketball coach at Hidden Valley High School. I am now an assistant coach for Jordan Connor is 30 and works for Rogue Valley Doors as a quality control supervisor and is a cross country and track coach at Hidden Valley. I have been in public education for 39 years and coach for 42.
Allyson Kelly - Special Education (TVOS and SOSA Consult)
Hello, My name is Allyson Kelley and I am a special education teacher for Three Rivers Virtual Online School Elementary, Sunny Wolf Charter School and Woodland Charter School. My formal teaching experiences across time range from Aquatic & Land Fitness, Swimming: infants-adults, and K - 21 Special Education Resource to Life Skills. I love to learn new things about most everything. I preserve vegetables and berries from our gardens and albacore tuna from the Oregon coastal waters. Any kind of beach is my kind of beach, river, ocean, lake or stream. Teachers are dreamers that delight in opening doors to dreams coming true!
Bruce Reece - Teacher and GED Specialist (SOSA-IV)
My name is Bruce Reece AKA Coach Reece. This is my 40th year in education and my 1st on the SOSA team. I started working in 3 Rivers in 1981 at Hidden Valley High School. Moved to North Valley High School in 1984. I was there until 1991. I came back to 3 Rivers in 2014, working as the Athletic Director at North Valley High School. In 2015 I came to Illinois Valley High School as the Athletic Director. In August I joined the SOSA team at the Illinois Valley campus.
Lisa Saleh - Special Education Teacher (SOSA)
Lisa Saleh is in her second year at Southern Oregon Success Academy as a special education teacher for the middle school and high school programs. Prior to being at TRSD she was in central London in England for just under twenty years as an international school special education teacher. Lisa is a dual UK and USA citizen and prior to the pandemic enjoyed international travel. Lisa enjoys hiking and enjoying the natural beauty of Southern Oregon.
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Alice Lackey - Educational Assistant (SOSA-IV)
The BRT
My name is Alice, I go by Q Lackey. I’ve worked at IVHS for 21 years. My first year I subbed all year so that doesn’t count. I enjoy working with the kids and watching them grow. I had two sons go through so I was Mama to quite a few students. Now their kids are going through. Hard to believe how time flies.
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Allyson Meadows - Educational Assistant and GED Tester (SOSA-JP)
Hello! I’m Ally Meadows. I'm a Teacher Assistant at the Jerome Prairie location! This year will be my first of many and I'm excited to start this journey! Some things I enjoy are reading, going to the river and traveling whenever my pockets allow it. I have traveled to many states but have yet been out of the country, that is definitely on my bucket list! I look forward to getting to know the staff, students and parents along my journey at TRSD! I may be young but that means I have a lot of fight in me and I'm ready to help the students with everything I got!
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Lori Purves-Custodian (SOSA-Merlin)
I am the custodian. I have lived in Josephine County for over thirty years. Two generations of my family went to Merlin Elementary School which is now the current SOSA site. There has been a school on this site for over a hundred years. I very much enjoy supporting students with community development and school projects. Pictured here is the bottle drive for the Thanksgiving dinner donation food hampers. I live in Merlin with my husband and my dog named Oscar.
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April Valenzuela-GED Specialist(SOSA Merlin)
I have lived in Josephine County my whole life. I went to school locally and started my family here. I have three wonderful children of my own that teach me everyday about life and what we should value. My students can attest that I love gnomes, cats and all things Disney (all which adorn the walls of my class). Working at SOSA can be challenging but also very rewarding. I love helping students gain confidence and advocating for them. I want to always offer a place for students to feel heard and safe. I hold great value in the understanding we are helping students navigate what adulthood will look like. If I can offer any support and guidance in the transition from school to “real life” I am honored to do so.