Excellence in early childhood education
Daily Schedule
Jen Morse - Director, Lead Teacher
Hi, my name is Jennifer Morse, AKA, "Teacher Jen." I am the owner and pre-kindergarten teacher at CJA. I moved to Columbia County in 2004 and opened Creekside Junior Academy in 2005. I hold a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Human Services. Prior to receiving my teaching degree, I worked as a substance abuse counselor for 3.5 years leading therapy group sessions and writing curriculum. I come from a long line of teachers and although I am qualified to work with much older children, early childhood is my passion. I love everything about my job. Preschool is such a fun and rewarding age. Kids at this age have such a natural curiosity and insatiable desire to learn. I enjoy spending time with them, exploring, discovering, doing hands-on projects, and getting downright messy! One of my passions is teaching children to read. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, attending concerts, working on our small hobby farm, horseback riding and kayaking! I am also a horse 4H leader for preteen and teenage equestrians.
Jessica Whitney- Lead Teacher
I am excited to be a part of the Creekside Junior Academy family. I grew up in Forest Grove. While in forest grove I worked as a special education assistant for about 8 years. I worked 16 years at the Forest Grove Aquatic Center lifeguarding, teaching children and adult lessons. In my time at Creekside, I have been a classroom volunteer, taught the Junior Explorers and Preschool Prep classes, have been a substitute teacher and now have two classes of my own. I have been a Columbia County resident since my husband and I got married in 2010 . We have two children, Harrison and Luca, who both attended Creekside. Things I like to do on my spare time, hahaha, are going to the beach, eating good food, crafting, painting, puzzles, baking, spending time with family. That being said I can’t wait to sing, play and learn with your kiddos.
Cara Luke - Teaching Assistant
Hi, my name is Cara and I am so beyond excited to be a part of the Creekside junior academy family! I was a classroom volunteer at Creekside for 5 years while all 3 of my littles attended CJA. I am so happy that I get to continue on with Creekside while they are moving on to elementary school. I am super excited for this upcoming year and I can’t wait to see how much your littles progress, learn, and explore. My hobbies are spending time with my family, painting, embroidery, crafting, working out, fishing and going to the beach.
Tamisha Radkey - Lead Teacher
Hi my name is Tamisha Radkey,
I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and have over 10 years experience in childcare.
Working at CJA, as a teaching assistant, has shown me just how much I love teaching preschool!
A little about me: My husband and I have 2 adult children and 1 teenager.
We enjoy reading, going to the movies, and impromptu beach trips.
I’m beyond excited to be a lead teacher this fall.
Casey Jolissaint - Teaching Assistant
I am so excited to be joining the Creekside Junior Academy team for the 2021-2022 school year! While I may be new to the team, my association with CJA goes way back. All three of my children have been involved with CJA in one way or another and I have been active with the school both as a parent volunteer and as a substitute teacher.
I believe that we all learn best when we feel safe, cared for, and accepted as the people we are and this is especially true of our littlest learners. As a teaching assistant, I seek to bring my best every day to support the lead teacher I am working with and to support each of our students in a meaningful way. I also strive to bring my best sense of joy and fun, because positive early learning experiences set the stage for a lifetime of learning!
My partner and I moved to St. Helens in 2006 and we love raising our three children here. I'm an adventure girl at heart and when I'm not in the classroom you can usually find me outside. I love hiking, camping, and kayaking, either with my family or alone with my adventure dog, Eddie Vedder. Other than my family and the outdoors, my greatest loves are photography, playing guitar, and enjoying live music whenever possible. I also enjoy being active in the community. I currently serve on the Sauvie Island School Board and have done so for nearly seven years now. Prior to that I was a member of the St. Helens Public Library Board for several years.
Ali Davis - Lead Teacher & Teaching Assistant
I am so excited to be part of the Creekside family! I have three daughters who all attended CJA. While they were there, I was lucky enough to be a classroom volunteer and loved every minute of it. I loved watching all the growth that happens in each child every year and have missed the preschool environment so much since my girls moved on to elementary school. Now I am back with my own class and as an assistant teacher in two other classes. I grew up and attended school in St. Helens. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, crafting and going to the beach. I'm looking forward to a great year!
Kerby Dalatowski - Teaching Assistant
My name is Kerby and I am so happy to be joining the Creekside family! I was a volunteer in the classroom for my three kids that were a part of this wonderful program and last year I was able to join CJA as a substitute. I have an 8 year old, 6 year old twins, a wonderful husband and we just added a new English Bulldog puppy to the family this summer! I enjoy hanging out with my family, cooking & baking, going on walks and drawing with my kids. I love the preschool age! There is so much growth that can happen for your little ones within these couple of years and I can't wait to be a part of their journey!
kristal Freeman - Teaching Assistant
I have been a part of the CJA family for several years:. As a parent for five years, I volunteered in the classroom, then as a substitute and now a regular teacher.
I have two very busy teenagers. My son is starting his first year at Oregon State and our daughter is a sophomore at SHHS. We also have our dog, Chewy (short for Chewbacca, because we are very big Star Wars fans!) In my free time, I love to paint, craft, bake bread and other goodies, have family movie nights, go to football games and watch my daugher play softball.
Terrific Teams
Jessica and Cara
T-TH AM and PM
Misha and Ali
T-TH AM and PM
