Cascadia Tech News
August 2026
From Our Director
Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year! We cannot be more excited!
This will be a year of growth and learning for each of you. The administrative team of myself, Shaun Campbell, Tami Oppliger and Paul Huddleston are here to ensure your success. Our doors are always open to assist you. Our goal for you is a positive and challenging learning experience, a safe environment in which to grow academically and socially and for each of you to have fun while gaining knowledge and skills.
From all of us at Cascadia Tech Academy, we can't wait to see how YOU inspire greatness!
We are doing great things!
-Joan Huston
Shaun Campbell
Assistant Director
Tami Oppliger
Assistant Director
Paul Huddleston
Dean of Students
Welcome New Staff
Kristie Delo, Applied Medical Sciences, Year 1 Instructor
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with over 20 years of experience in the medical field and a genuine passion for teaching and serving my community. I have been a proud member of the Evergreen School District for more than two years, where I enjoy supporting and making a positive difference in the lives of students and families. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, camping, and, most of all, spending quality time with my family.
Nicole Romine, Applied Medical Sciences Pro-Tech
I have been working in the healthcare profession for 25 years. My journey began as a high school student at Cascadia Technical Academy, where I earned my CNA certification during my junior year. From there, I continued to advance my education and career, eventually earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
After spending the past three years in healthcare management, I am excited to bring my experience and knowledge to the next generation of healthcare professionals. My heart is now focused on inspiring students to pursue careers in nursing and helping them understand the many opportunities available in the healthcare field. CNAs are the foundation of nursing!
Deb Norman, Barbering, Year 1 Instructor
I am a hairstylist and barber with 30 plus years of experience and have been a licensed instructor since 2008. I had the privilege to teach summer school and am excited to now be working with staff and students to help prepare them for a rewarding career in the beauty industry.
Brendan McCarthy, Criminal Justice Pro-Tech
I was raised in Manchester, CT, am a graduate of Fordham University in NYC and I was a high school history/social studies teacher and coach in Connecticut for 10 years. My family and I moved to Vancouver in 2005 and I joined the Clark County Sheriff's Office in 2008. With CCSO I served as a patrol deputy, detective with the Children's Justice Center and School Resource Officer, assigned primarily to Heritage HS. My wife and I have been married since 1992, and all three of my children were educated in the Evergreen Public School system, graduating from Mountain View before all attending and graduating from college. I've coached football at Heritage and baseball at Mountain View and I'm excited and honored to join the Cascadia team and Criminal Justice program!
Jason Brown, Criminal Justice Pro-Tech
I served as a Correctional Officer with the Washington Department of Corrections for five years. Prior to that, I served in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman and deployed three times in support of military operations.
Before joining Cascadia Tech Academy, I worked for Battle Ground Public Schools, first as a Campus Security Officer and later as a Behavior Intervention Specialist. These experiences have strengthened my passion for working with and mentoring students who are interested in criminal justice and public service.
I am excited to be part of the Cascadia Tech Academy team and look forward to helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and professionalism needed for successful careers in the criminal justice field.
Nicole Schmidt, Fashion Design Instructor
After spending over 20 years in the design industry, I felt ready for a new chapter and discovered my true passion for teaching after earning my CTE certification in 2021. Following some wonderful experiences subbing in Evergreen Public Schools, I knew I had found the perfect fit during my long-term subbing stint right here at Cascadia Tech. I am so excited to step into the role of Fashion Design Instructor and give back to our community by sharing my love for design with the next generation.
Alicia Johnson, Medical Assisting, Year 2 Instructor
I am a Medical Assistant with over seven years of experience in family medicine, urgent care, and oncology. In addition to my clinical work, I have trained and mentored new staff and students, which has strengthened my passion for teaching and professional development. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, and being on the water.
Kara Killorin, Nurse Care Coordinator
I have been a nurse for 35 years and have worked as a school nurse for 15 years. This is my 12th year in Evergreen Public Schools and my first year at Cascadia Tech Academy as the Nurse Care Coordinator. I am super excited to be part of the CTA team! In my free time I love spending time with my three adult children who live in Wyoming, Seattle, and Vancouver.
2025-2026 Highlights
Important Dates
September 7 - Labor Day (No School)
September 8 - Cosmetology Salon Opens
September 14 - Barber Shop Opens
September 18 - E-Waste Recycling
September 19 - Foundation's SummerFest
September 23 - Early Release (No Session II/Cosmo II)
October TBD - Cascadia Alterations Opens
October 2 - Progress Report - T1 Ends
October 5- Progress Report - T2 Starts
October 5 - Picture Make Up Day
October 14- Early Release (No Session II/Cosmo II)
October 30 - Teacher Inservice (No School)
November 2-13 - Sophomore Presentations
November 11 - No School (Veterans Day)
November 13 - Cascadia Tech VIP Tour
November 18 - Early Release (No Session II/Cosmo II)
November 20 - Progress Report - T2 Ends
November 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break
November 30 - Report Card - S1 Starts
It's Not Too Late to Apply
We have space in the following programs:
Aviation Science & Technology
Business Principles
Criminal Justice-Session 2 Only
Fashion Design-Session 1 Only
Forest Management
Information Technology Systems, Service & Security (ITS3)
Maritime Technology
Pre-Engineering Design Technology-Session 1 Only
Teaching Academy-North (Offered Session 1 Only)
Teaching Academy-East (Offered Session 1 Only)
*If you have already applied, do not submit an additional application. Contact your counselor.
SummerFest
On Saturday, September 19 from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM join us for our Cascadia Tech SummerFest Cruise-In! The campus will be packed with Classic Cars, we will have a live band playing and an amazing lunch prepared by our Culinary students!
✨Kick-Off Day 2026 was a Success
More than 1,600 students joined us to kick off the 2026–27 school year! 🧑🔧👩💻🩺👨🍳✈️
From hands-on learning to exploring career pathways, our students are ready to learn, create, and build their futures! 🔧💡🔥
Here’s to an incredible year at Cascadia Tech Academy! 💙✨
📷Picture Make Up Day📷
Make-up picture day is Monday, October 5.
Wear your Cascadia Tech uniform.
If getting a "retake", please provide the photographer with your original picture packet with all of the contents.
Link to pre-order is coming soon!
🎉 Harbor Frieght Tools for Schools Finalist 🎉
Congratulations to Lance Landis for being one of the 50 finalists for the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. This fall, a total of $2 million in cash prizes will be awarded when the field is narrowed to 25 teachers.
Summer School Recap
What a summer! 🙌 Our students were busy learning, earning, and building their futures! 🚀
📚 730 Students
🎯 365 CTE Credits
🏫 5 Campuses
👩🏫 35 Instructors
🛠️ 19 Courses
🏆 6 Industry Certifications
Way to go, students! 💙👏 You made this summer count! 🌟
🚨💙 Criminal Justice Students Give Back All Summer Long!
Our Criminal Justice students have been busy this summer putting their skills into action and giving back to our community! 👏👮♀️👮♂️ From supporting local veterans to assisting law enforcement training, community events, and CTE programs, our students have truly embraced the spirit of service. 🤝
Over the summer, students volunteered with the Vancouver Elks Lodge, helping prepare for and support their Rummage Sale and Car Show. 🚗🛍️ They cleaned and organized storage areas, tackled yard and grounds cleanup, helped customers carry purchases, directed parking, served food, and jumped in wherever they were needed. Proceeds from these events support local veterans and the Washington State Elks Therapy Program for Children. ❤️
The CJ students also helped the Elks organize supplies purchased for more than 100 Evergreen School District teachers. 📦🍎
🏁 Every Wednesday, students volunteered at Portland International Raceway's Hot Summer Nights Cruise-In, with proceeds helping support local high school CTE Automotive programs—including programs right here at Cascadia Tech Academy! 🔧🏎️
Their summer service also included:
👮 Acting as role players during Clark County Sheriff's Office and Camas Police Department training
⚐Supporting a VFW Color Guard detail
⛳ Helping with the CTA Foundation Golf Tournament
🎉 Assisting with the Battle Ground Harvest Days Parade
💙 Supporting Brown's Blue Mile honoring a fallen Clark County Sheriff's Detective
🚗 Volunteering at Hot Rods for Heroes, benefiting the Clark County Veterans Center
And the numbers tell an amazing story:
🔥 897 hours and 20 minutes of CJ student volunteer service!
👨🏫 71 instructor hours
🎓 619 hours and 10 minutes — CJ2 students
🎓 207 hours and 10 minutes — CJ1 students
That's 897+ hours of service, teamwork, leadership, and community impact! 🙌💙
We are incredibly proud of our Criminal Justice students for showing that being a great CJ professional starts with serving your community. 👏🚔
⚓Second Year for Maritime Technology⚓
2026-2027 Keepsakes for Sale
Student Led Businesses
Opening Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year
Cosmetology Salon - September 8th
Barber Shop - September 14th
E-Waste - September 18th
Cascadia Alterations - Tentative October
Stay tuned for more information about the Dental Clinic and A Touch of Class.
Cosmetology Salon
Whether it is back to school, getting ready for a new job, getting yourself ready for the big day or just your everyday maintenance, our students can help you look your best.
There are a variety of services to choose from:
Hair Cuts
Spiral Perm
Scalp Treatment
Shampoo Style
Updo Formal Style
Hair Color Services
Hair Extensions
The Salon is open Monday-Thursday 11:45 AM - 5 PM.
Our last appointment is no later than 2:00 PM
Please call for an appointment at 360.604.1080 or book online.
All chemical services on these days will be scheduled at 12:00 PM (no later) to allow enough time for our students to perform the requested service.
All color appointments need an allergy test 24 hours prior to service.
Walk-in appointments are welcome before 1:00 PM
Salon hours, prices, and services are subject to change
E-Waste Recycling
Information Technology students at Cascadia Technical Academy accept e-waste donations.
When can I bring my donation?
8:00 am - 1:30 pm typically on the 3rd Friday of the month during the academic year.
September 18thOctober 16th
November 20th
December 18th
January 15th
February 12th (2nd Friday)
March 12th (2nd Friday)
April 16th
May 21st
Email ray.nelson@evergreenps.org with questions about donation items or an alternative drop-off schedule.
We DO accept:
Computers/Internal Components (Cases, RAM, Hard Drives, Motherboards, etc.)
Printers
Peripheral Devices (Keyboards, Mice, Headphones, etc.)
Miscellaneous Cords/Data Cables (Ethernet Cables, Power Cables, etc.)
Mobile Device (Cell Phones, Laptops, Tablets, etc.)
We do NOT accept:
Cascadia Tech does not accept appliances, TV’s, Styrofoam or batteries
Earth Friendly Recycling will take appliances
Goodwill, West Van Recycling, and Central Transfer and Recycle accept TVs
Cascadia Tech VIP Tour
Save the Date
Are you interested in joining us for a brief presentation about our school, a tour of our campus to see students working in class, and enjoy a lunch prepared and served by our Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts students.
This event is for community members and parents. It is not for students.
It will be held on Friday, November 13 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
More details to follow on how to register.
Please email wendy.anderson@evergreenps.org with questions.
Counselor's Corner
Hovde and Hooser can help students and their families fill out their FAFSA, College/Tech School Applications, Apprenticeship Applications and any Scholarships you might be applying for.
If you are struggling with any social, emotional, academic or family issues, either counselor will be available to schedule a meeting with you. Please email them at Ryan.Hovde@evergreenps.org and/or Dena.Hooser@evergreenps.org.
For additional resources or help, Clark County has a 24/7 Crisis Line available by calling 360-696-9560 or 1-800- 626-8137. You can also call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor with the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline.
CTE Teacher Certification Program
Satellite Locations Now Available
We accept candidates from around the state of Washington at the following locations for the three in-person courses:
Cascadia Tech Academy - Vancouver
Sno Isle Tech Skills Center - Mukilteo
YV-TECH Skills Center - Yakima
CTE 101 - Elements of Teaching (Fall)
CTE 201 - Advanced Instructional Techniques (Winter/Spring)
CTE 302 - Student Personal Development and Leadership (Winter/Spring)
If you have three years (6,000 hours) of occupational experience in a specific area and are interested in teaching, consider pursuing a Career and Technical Educator (CTE) certificate.
Cascadia Technical Academy is an approved provider by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board for the Plan 2 Business and Industry route CTE teacher preparation program. This competency-based training is designed to prepare you for a CTE teaching career at the secondary level (grades 7-12). It serves as a pathway to obtain an initial CTE Teaching Certificate from the Office of the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. To qualify for the CTE Teaching Certificate, you must meet the OSPI Business and Industry (Specialty Program Areas) requirements.
For more information contact:
Suzy Jajewski-Koehler, Coordinator, at Susan.JajewskiKoehler@evergreenps.org or 360.604.1090 Sayge Sword, Support Clerk, at Sayge.Sword@evergreenps.org or 360.604.1099
Download our App!
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Cascadia Tech! It's everything Cascadia Tech, in your pocket. With the new app, you can access documents, events, news updates, and even emergency notifications.
Thank You Sponsors
Cascadia Technical Academy thanks our corporate sponsors! Contact Dave Cole at david.cole@evergreenps.org for additional information.
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Contact Us
12200 NE 28th Street Vancouver, WA 98682
Main Office: 360.604.1050
Office Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Attendance: 360.604.1077; Spanish 360.604.4029; Russian 360.604.4028
info@cascadiatechnicalacademy.org
Attendance_CascadiaTech@evergreenps.org

