Founder, Director, and Teacher

Dorita has worked with children and youth for more than 30 years, educating and inspiring toddlers though teenagers with a range of activities from indoor crafts and STEM to outdoor camping adventures. 

Her experience includes summer counselor and dean, volunteer AHS volleyball coach, classroom volunteer. She is skilled at group building, reflections and mindfulness, and “unplugged” creative play activities. She also loves hiking and entertaining all ages with her wacky puppet, Sherman.

Program Manager and Teacher

With a strong background in environmental education, Isabel is passionate about helping students make meaningful connections between science, creativity, and the natural world. Her experience includes guiding students in garden-based learning at Ruch Outdoor Community School and her work in environmental education with the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. She especially enjoys helping young learners explore soil science and ecosystem health. Outside of teaching, she loves hiking, camping with her dog Indie, cooking, crafting, and spending time near water.

Teacher

Courtney has been working with children for seven years and has been a part of the afterschool world since 2021. Before joining Creative Connections, she served as a Site Coordinator for an afterschool program in the Medford school district, where she enjoyed planning hands-on activities that encouraged creativity, learning, and connection. Courtney is passionate about helping children grow socially and emotionally and loves creating a space where every child feels supported and valued. She enjoys all things crafty whether joining in the fun projects at the program or making something new at home with her dog by her side.

Teacher

I am Donna Adams, I moved to Ashland 3 yrs ago from Bend OR where I raised my family...one child, 2 dogs and three cats. After moving here, I volunteered at Creative Connections two days a week for a year and loved working with the kids, Dorita and the other teachers. When a spot became available, I was asked to work as a teacher. This is my second year and I am enjoying all the fun we have working on projects with the kids and watching them grow and learn.

Resident Artist

Carol has been teaching in the public schools in the Rogue Valley over 30 years, including substituting and volunteering at Walker School. One of her great joys is providing art experiences for children and seeing the expression on the children’s faces and their confidence when they share their work. In her free time Carol enjoys watercolor painting and quilting.