Academic Faculty
The academic team at J Bar J Learning Center is thoughtfully chosen for their commitment to student-centered learning, academic excellence, and innovative teaching. Our educators are passionate about inspiring and empowering students, working collaboratively to foster a dynamic and supportive environment where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.
Erik Sieber, Academic Director
Wanting to be a teacher since the 5th grade, Erik Sieber began volunteering with youth at the Central Oregon Boys and Girls Clubs during his summer breaks from college while obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. After earning his Master’s Degree in Education, Erik began teaching Social Studies and Language Arts over 20 years ago in the Oregon and Arizona public high schools. He believes in challenging youth to become successful in overcoming their challenges through hard work and a positive attitude.
Erik is a fan of film and music, is a voracious reader, and tries his best to stay active. During the winter he enjoys working on projects in his shop, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing with friends and spring skiing at Mt. Bachelor. In the summer, he loves backpacking and stand up paddle boarding our high lakes and rivers.
Tasha Sundseth, Assistant Academic Director
Tasha leads the administrative operations of the academic team and brings over a decade of classroom teaching experience, along with several years as a registrar. She holds a B.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Pepperdine University, where she played Division I women’s soccer, served as team captain, and helped lead the team to the NCAA Sweet 16. She went on to earn her teaching credential and M.A. in Education from Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
Outside of work, Tasha enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, walking her dog, listening to podcasts, and taking advantage of the outdoor recreational opportunities in Bend, Oregon.
For records requests or registrar needs, she can be contacted at tsundseth@jbarj.org.
Traci Worthington, Special Education Teacher
Traci serves as J Bar J’s special education teacher. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Linfield University and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University, as well as a TSPC Legacy Teaching License in Oregon. With over 27 years of experience in teaching and administration, Traci is certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), QPR Suicide Prevention, and Trauma-Informed Trainings. She uses humor, empathy, and strong relationship-building skills to help students feel secure and ready to learn.
Outside of work, Traci is the proud mother of four teenagers. She enjoys camping, fishing, paddle boarding, and traveling, especially to experience new cultures. At home, she can often be found cheering from the stands at her children’s activities.
Lawrence Myers, Math and Science Teacher
Lawrence has nearly 30 years of experience teaching high school students and has also taught Statistics and Psychology at the college level. His first full-time role after graduate school was as a Mental Health Counselor in a residential treatment center. After decades in public high schools, Lawrence was drawn to J Bar J for its smaller class sizes, structured environment, and opportunities for more meaningful connections with students. He is now in his third year at J Bar J.
Jessica Haywood, Math, Science and Humanities Teacher
Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Education in Secondary Science Education and has earned the Highly Qualified Designation. She is endorsed in Biology, General Science, and Culinary Arts. With seven years of teaching experience—six of them at J Bar J—Jessica is dedicated to helping students build confidence across disciplines. She especially enjoys working with the unique demographic of youth at J Bar J, finding fulfillment in being a positive influence and showing students that they can achieve anything they set their minds to with hard work and persistence.
Outside of teaching, Jessica enjoys baking and spending time with her family.
Jayde Loya-Chamberlain, Humanities Teacher
Jayde has been working at J Bar J in a variety of roles on the academic team and has served as a teacher for the Learning Center for three years. In her classroom, she creates a student-centered environment that blends literature and history, introducing students to classics such as Shakespeare’s plays, The Odyssey, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Her goal is for students to leave class as stronger critical thinkers and more empathetic individuals, equipped to see the relevance of stories and history in their own lives. She is also working toward her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction while obtaining her Principal Administrative License.
In her personal life, Jayde enjoys hiking, gardening, and cooking meals that bring family and friends together. She loves exploring the outdoors of Central Oregon with her husband and their dogs.
Don Courtain, Vocational Classroom Teacher
Don is a vocational teacher who is passionate about helping students develop practical skills and confidence. He enjoys guiding students through hands-on projects and real-world applications, creating a supportive classroom where they can learn, grow, and succeed.
Sam Roberts, Vocational Classroom Teacher
Sam is a dedicated vocational teacher with a passion for working with students. He has taught in both middle and high school settings and is committed to helping students understand the world around them while developing practical, hands-on skills. Outside of work, Sam enjoys exploring the outdoors and discovering new experiences.
Aislyn Letona, Educational Assistant
Aislyn serves as an educational assistant at J Bar J, where she has worked for the past year and a half. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminology & Criminal Justice. Her passion for education stems from the privilege of guiding young people toward earning their GED and celebrating each milestone along the way. Aislyn emphasizes connection, encouragement, and belief in students’ potential, values that are rooted in her strong family-oriented background.
David Larson, Educational Assistant
David has been with J Bar J for nine years, beginning as a Resident Monitor before transitioning into his current role as an Educational Assistant five years ago. He enjoys working with this age group because of their authenticity and honesty, finding it rewarding to build meaningful relationships with students.
In addition to his work, David has always been an athlete and also embraces his “nerdy” side with a love of video games. He especially enjoys participating in fantasy football—particularly when he wins.
