Lead Administrator

Middle/High School Facilitator

Jill Williams is a wife and mom of two who graduated from Philomath and is passionate about continuing to contribute to this community. When not working, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors and with her dog Rumi, taking trips with her family - short or long, filling her house with fresh flowers, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Jill has spent the last decade supporting students preschool through graduate school as a teacher, counselor, and pastor. Her favorite part of education is meeting students where they are and seeing something click when they feel successful, whether that is academically, emotionally, or spiritually. She also enjoys building bridges in the community, and providing resources and support to families.  She loves being administrator at Roots and is excited to see how God expands and grows this ministry in the years to come. 

Preschool Administrator

Young Preschool Lead Teacher

Jessi Nash is a wife, mother of four, women’s ministry pastor, and early childhood educator. She most enjoys watching her children grow, reading a good book, and deep diving into the Bible. You will most likely find her with something green (her favorite color) in her midst.

Jessi holds her associates degree in Early Childhood Education and has spent the bulk of her career working with ages 2.5 years - 5 years. She approaches everyday in the classroom with the belief that love should be the loudest thing in the room. One of her favorite things about working with children is their child like faith and their sense of wonder. Anything is possible for a child, and she never wants to forget that.

Business Administrator

Pastors Gerry and Kim Alston serve as senior pastors of The Refuge, a church they had the joy of founding together. Over time, the Lord expanded that vision to include Roots Christian School where she now has the privilege of teaching the third and fourth grade class. In addition to teaching, she also serves at the business manager for both The Refuge and Roots Christian School, overseeing the practical and organizational side of the ministry.

As a mother of five, Kim spent many years raising and homeschooling their children, which deepend her love for teaching and nurturing young hearts. In the classroom, she strives to create a caring, Christ-centered environment where students feel encouraged, valued, and inspired to grow both academically and spiritually.

Alongside her school and administrative roles, Pastor Kim also serves at The Refuge on Sunday leading the weekly giving segment, a ministry dear to her heart, and serves on the worship team leading the body of Christ into the presence of God through worship.

When not serving at the school or church, Kim enjoys camping, hunting, and fishing with her husband, and spending time with their beloved kids and grandkids. Whatever she's doing, whether through teaching, singing, cooking a meal, or simply being a warrior of prayer and support, Kim is a beacon of light and love to all who come across her path, and it is clear that it is her greatest joy to help others discover the gifts God has placed in them and encourage them to walk in their calling.

2nd/3rd Grade Teacher

Deena Weeks is mom to one amazing daughter who will be a part of the Roots student body this year. They are new to the area from Oklahoma, and Deena is excited about partnering with the staff and families at Roots Christian School. When not at Roots, Deena and her daughter enjoy spending time with her great Uncle, the reason they moved to Corvallis.  They also enjoy all kinds of adventures. Whether that is a day trip to the coast, a drive to some waterfalls, a rodeo, a fair, or a festival, they love to explore!

From her college years until now, Deena has been in a Christian school setting.  She spent her early years as a preschool assistant and the director of the aftercare program while completing her requirements for an Elementary Education degree.  Upon graduation, her little school was expanding and was ready to add 2nd grade and this is where Deena would spend 20 years of her career.  More recently, she received training to work as an Educational Therapist and has been in a one on one setting working with students in their areas of weakness.  It is important to her that her students feel safe, seen, and valued all while learning and growing through a lens that points to God and His Creation.  

Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher

Jovan Stevenson was raised in Tucson, Arizona by his mother alongside his two sisters and is a proud father of four children, Eli, Jayden, Silas, and Luna. Family has always been at the center of Jovan’s life and has shaped the way he approaches teaching, coaching, and serving young people. When he is not in the classroom, you will most likely find him on a football field or track, spending time with his family, or finding ways to support young people in his community.

Jovan has spent the past six years working in education and more than a decade coaching football and track & field. His experience includes general education, special education, behavior support, mentoring, and school leadership. Before becoming an educator and coach, Jovan was a student athlete at Oregon State University, where he participated in three NCAA bowl games. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Oregon State University in Sociology and Education and recently earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University, along with completing a Principal Licensure program.

At the heart of Jovan’s approach to working with young people is a simple philosophy: Lead with LOVE. He believes strong relationships come first and that children thrive when they know they are seen, valued, supported, and genuinely cared for. Whether in the classroom or on the field, he strives to provide students with love, structure, accountability, encouragement, and opportunities to build confidence in who they are and who they can become.

Jovan believes education is about more than academics. It is an opportunity to help children develop the character, confidence, resilience, and skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. He believes every child has unique gifts and potential, and one of the greatest responsibilities of an educator is helping students discover those gifts while encouraging them to use them to positively impact others.

Jovan is excited to be part of the Roots Christian School family and to teach Kindergarten and 1st Grade during such an important stage of a child’s development. He looks forward to helping his students build a strong academic foundation while developing character, confidence, kindness, and faith. Above all, he wants his classroom to be a place where students experience joy, feel loved, grow together as a family, and are encouraged to become everything God has created them to be.

PreKindergarten Teacher

Tori Johnson comes from a big family! With three older and three younger siblings, all homeschooled, Tori’s home was full of noise, love, and Jesus, and set a strong foundation for the life she lives today. In her downtime, Tori enjoys painting, thrifting, reading, taking trips, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends playing pickleball and taking fun trips all over the world.

Tori has worked with kids in various capacities for more than 10 years. From YWAM, to missions, to nannying, to teaching, Tori has a huge heart for young people of all ages. In addition to PreKinder teacher at Roots, she is Children’s Ministry Director at the Refuge and volunteers regularly with the church youth group. She loves seeing the joy children bring to a room and the way they light up when they learn something new. She loves teaching at Roots and feels blessed to call it her second home.

Preschool Aide

Childcare and preschool education has been a part of Larken’s life since as long as she can remember. Growing up, she assisted her mom with in-home daycare and preschool, and has spent countless hours volunteering with children’s Sunday morning and camp ministries, and youth groups. This has given her experience working with ages infant through high school. She is a familiar face around Roots as she has acted as a substitute aide since the school’s opening in 2021.

Larken loves working with children. Her favorite thing about education is being a part of the growth and development that happens as children learn new things. She loves seeing the way children view the world and the joy and humor that they bring to those around them. She is passionate about building relationships with students that foster a sense of belonging and care. She loves to help others and is excited about lending her experience, love, and particular strength of joy and humor to the Roots team and community.

In her time away from work, Larken enjoys spending time with family and the people that she loves, serving in worship at The Refuge, thrifting for treasures, and chasing and bringing joy everywhere she goes.

School Aide

Madi Conner was born and raised in Philomath, and loves being in a small town community. She lives in town with her husband and her three children. Madi loves to sing, crochet, and is currently trying to teach herself ukulele. 

Madi comes to us with 15+ years of experience working with children. She loves spending time playing, learning, and teaching in the preschool. She is excited to be a part of the Roots family, and looks forward to seeing how God continues to grow and strengthen the school. 

Office Assistant

School Grandma

Ms Helen is a dearly cherished member of the Roots team. I'm retirement after 20 years working as an office manager for the sheriff's department, Ms. Helen was looking for a place to serve the kingdom of God with her time. When she heard that Roots was looking for someone to help manage the front office, she knew God was showing her just where to go.

Initially planning to volunteer a few days a week, after just one day, Helen couldn't imagine missing out on seeing students and staff everyday, and immediately began volunteering in the office five days a week. Helen's presence in the office has reinforced and solidified Roots Christian School as a place that feels like home and family.

When Ms. Helen is not spending her time being Roots School Grandma, she enjoys being grandma to three grandsons. She loves to read and play word games, and her happy place is the beach. With her incredible sense of humor and incredibly capacity for positivity and love, Helen transforms every environment she is in. Roots is so blessed to have her and wouldn't be the same without her!

Supporting Teacher

Angie Minter is a longtime member of the Philomath community. She and her husband Jeff have been married for 28 years and have two sons; all four of them are alumni of Philomath schools. They have contributed in multiple ways to this community including being founding members of The Refuge church where they have served on the board of trustees since its beginning in 2015.

Angie retired from 30 incredible years of nursing where her heart for others and willingness to serve supported people in many walks of life; from obstetrics, to outpatient, to geriatric care. In retirement she continues to serve, working with Love Inc and lending her wisdom to us as a substitute here at the school. 

In addition to loving on the littles here at Roots, Angie enjoys being a grandma to a sweet granddaughter, taking care of her horses, camping, and occasionally riding dirt bikes with her family.