My name is Vickie Blanchet and I am the Program Director for the Grizzly Discovery Center Program.  I also serve as the Stratton Site Coordinator.  I have been married to my wonderful husband, Curtis, for twenty-eight years.  During that time, I have worn many hats: wife, mother, homeschool teacher, social worker, administrator, and foster parent ~ just to name a few.  I have two sons, both of whom were a part of the Newport Learning & Enrichment Center.  My youngest also took several classes through Newport High School.  I have traveled all over the world with my wandering feet taking me to six of the seven continents.  While I’m not a Newport native, I have lived here since 2008 and love the beauty of the area.

I have a dual background in Social Work and Education.  Having a Master’s Degree in Social Work, I have worked with battered women, children-at-risk, and marginalized people groups.  Additionally, I served as a foster parent for fourteen years, focusing on children impacted by drugs and alcohol.  Sixteen years of my life were dedicated to homeschooling my two children from kindergarten through graduation as well as tutoring other children in math, science, history, and English. 

In the six years that I have worked with the GDC, I have been inspired by my students to learn more, try more and do more.  I hope to inspire them to do the same.

My name is Cheyanne Bradbury. I was raised in the small community of Priest Lake, Idaho, where my family owns and operates a small lumber mill.

My name is Norm Smith and I am one of the Grade 1-4 Paraeducators with the Grizzly Discovery Center. I was born and raised in this beautiful town of Newport, where I have lived my whole life.  I even graduated from Newport High School in 2021.  I have had multiple years of work in the food industry, two years in the fast food market and about a year in the diner business. Some hobbies I enjoy are playing games, doing any kind of puzzles from jigsaws to escape rooms, cooking and playing my trusty trombone. 

Since I was a student leader with GDC during high school life, I wanted to work with the afterschool program.  My favorite program was teaching social skills like cooperation through video games.  Students played games like Overcooked, where they had to each perform a task to meet a common goal.  I even had them pair up to race through the Mario Kart tracks.  The partner holding the controller was blindfolded and the other partner guided them with either words or hand gestures.  The students had a ton of fun and learned to work together.  I'm really good at math and want to help kids be happy and comfortable with school.

I’m extremely excited to be working in the school district that taught me for the full 12 years of my school life.

I am Constanza Rickey, the new Site Coordinator for the SHMS Afterschool Program. I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I tutored privately for many years, especially in Math, English, and Spanish.  I do enjoy teaching and learning, and working with kids. I have a very loving family: my husband Chancy, a son, and a daughter.

.Hi, my name is Cynthia Byerley and I have lived in the PNW most of my life. I grew up in Oregon State in Clackamas County where I started studying Psychology and wanted to work in the social work field. I put that on hold and soon moved to Hollywood California where I got married and had two children. I worked in a publishing house working with celebrities and others in the publishing society. I spent 20 years is Hollywood CA studying for a certificate in communications and a counseling degree, with many other hats that I wore, Production, Sales, and Building Managers, Owning my own Business (twice), Boy and Girl Scouts Leader, and Homeschooling while still looking for my spot in the world, I got tired of putting my money into someone else’s pocket. So, I bought property up in Washington State and made my move including; building my log cabin, going back to school and getting my degree. In 1994 gave birth to my youngest son. Juggling life, building, motherhood and school, I persevered and succeeded.

I have a BA in Education with a Major in Reading and Minor in Early Childhood. My children all attended the Newport School District. I started my service to the Newport area at the EWU Head start when my youngest was four. The work study program allowed me to work at the Garden of Knowledge and EWU Head Start and soon I was sold on educating others. I spent sometime in the Mead School District with my student teaching the 4 th grade. Since then I have worked at Create Art Center first as a Tutor and then Creator and Leader of The Summer Explorers Club for Children (ages 8-12), which takes place in the summer months continuing the progress of the school years development focusing on The Mystery Club, World Club and Science/Math Club. The children stay connected to reading and learning throughout the summer with hands on Activities. Currently I am a board member and the Children’s Program Director at Create and provide activities and Art projects for Tots Messy Art classes (7 and under), and school age children.

I have the passion for Children and what they can do when they are inspired and guided to succeed. I am looking forward to my stay at the Newport Grizzly Center. Education can be fun! “Children learn best by being educated gently while being entertained greatly.”