Meet the Team

Head of School

Melissa Hausmann serves as the Head of School for Virtual Preparatory Academy of Oregon, bringing nearly 20 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and school leader across both traditional and virtual settings.

Throughout her career, Melissa has focused on expanding access to high-quality education through thoughtful systems, strong leadership, and student-centered design. Prior to joining VPA Oregon, she served as Executive Director for multiple statewide virtual schools in Oregon, where she strengthened academic outcomes, built mission-aligned teams, and created sustainable operational structures that supported students, educators, and families.

Melissa’s leadership is grounded in clarity, accountability, and data-informed decision-making, paired with a deep belief in the potential of every learner. Her priority at VPA Oregon is ensuring families feel supported, connected, and confident in their student’s educational experience.

Outside of her professional work, Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two German Shepherds, bringing a grounded and balanced approach to both life and leadership.

Student Success Coach

My name is Dee Thomas, and I am the Student Success Coach at VPrep OR, where most students know me as Ms. Dee. I bring over 20 years of experience in education, including homeschooling my four children, working in elementary, middle, and specialty behavioral schools as a Special Education Paraeducator, and I volunteer at a high school. I am passionate about supporting students and families as they navigate daily challenges and plan for their futures, and I believe every student can succeed with the right encouragement and support. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my children, traveling, knitting, reading, painting, and refurbishing furniture. I am excited to be part of the VPrep team and look forward to helping every student feel successful and accomplished.

Middle/High School Counselor

My name is Randee Startin. I am the part-time school counselor for the high school. I am originally from Idaho; my late husband and I moved to Portland by way of Las Vegas 13 years ago. I attended Lewis & Clark Graduate school, earning my Masters in School Counseling in 2013. I am passionate about a lot of things, graduating high school is one of them. I’m here to help everyone get the credits they need in the time we have with them. Earning a High School diploma opens so many more doors, whether that be college, a job, or learning a trade. It all starts with a diploma and I’m here to help! In my free time, I love reading, being with friends, and playing card games with my kids. I am excited about working with VPA of Oregon because of all the possibilities there are. Each person brings infinitely more opportunities to grow and learn.

Office Assistant

My name is Andria Kelley. I grew up in the small town of John Day, Oregon, just 13 miles from Prairie City School. I have a deep appreciation for fishing, the mountains, and reading. I’ve always connected well with children, and I’m excited to channel that connection into my work in education. I’ve truly valued my experience with Virtual Prep Academy and am excited to see our school continue to grow and reach even more students.

K/1 Teacher

Hello, my name is Samantha Johnston and I am a K/1 teacher at Virtual Preparatory Academy of Oregon. I have 4 years of teaching experience and hold a B.A. in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Teaching and Technology. I am passionate about building relationships and believe students learn best when they feel seen, supported, and engaged. I strive to create a classroom where every child feels confident to participate and take risks. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, caring for my pets, and exploring the outdoors in Central Oregon. I am excited to be part of the VPA community, supporting students and meeting each learner where they are.

2nd-3rd Grade Teacher

My name is Stephanie Frazier, and I teach 2nd and 3rd graders at Virtual Prep Academy of Oregon. I’m passionate about creating engaging learning experiences tailored to my students’ interests and styles. When I’m not teaching, I love crafting and traveling with my family and our two dogs. I can’t wait to start this exciting learning journey with you!

6th Grade Teacher/ELL Coordinator

I am so excited to meet every student who attends my classes here at Virtual Prep Academy of Oregon! I am an enthusiastic, supportive, dedicated, and passionate teacher who strives to empower every student to succeed in my classroom and beyond. I strive to make my classes engaging, enjoyable, and memorable, all while learning and growing our big ‘ol brains together! Outside of school, I am an avid world traveler, LEGO builder, paddleboarder, and sports fanatic.

Middle/High School Math

Hello, I’m Ms. Wycoff and I teach math here at VPA of Oregon.  Math has always fascinated me, but I’ve come to realize not everyone shares my enthusiasm.  To many, math can be intimidating while to some it’s an exciting challenge, so I keep both in mind and strive to meet each student right where they are! My biggest strength is breaking down complex math problems into smaller manageable parts and seeing students succeed one step at a time.  When I’m not teaching, my favorite activities are quilting, country music concerts, family game nights and traveling whenever I get a chance.

Middle/High School Social Studies

Hello, my name is Joci Manriquez, and I teach middle and high school social studies. I am ecstatic to be with Virtual Preparatory Academy of Oregon and transition into online education! I understand that everyone learns in different ways, and I look forward to utilizing different tools and strategies to support my students. This is my fourth year as a licensed teacher, and prior to that, I worked in several different roles in the schools including instructional assistant, attendance mentor, substitute teacher, and athletics coach. Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my family, being outdoors (hiking, snowboarding, camping, and more!), and traveling to new places. 

Middle/High School English Language Arts Teacher

My name is Deanne Motz, and I am excited to be part of the Virtual Prep Academy of Oregon team! I am a high school English Language Arts teacher who enjoys watching students connect to literature and learn how to express their ideas through writing. I am inspired as students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. When not working I like to swim, watch sporting events, camp, and spend time with family.

Middle/High School Science

Ms. Cheyenne Herlandstein (Ms. H) is proud to be a science educator at Virtual Preparatory Academy of Oregon, a certified environmental educator, a lifelong naturalist, an Edtech specialist, and 200 hour Certified Yoga Teacher. She has created and facilitated workshops for adults, teens and children alike, as well as week-long hands-on science camps. Her background experience and passions lend themselves to great comfort with the chaos of hands-on, inquiry-based, cross-curricular technology-intensive learning. Ms. H will use anything from movement to music, local ecosystems to sourdough starter, from games and simulations to at-home labs using diverse materials, to create a deliberate learning community, inspire students to make connections, and continually innovate as an educator. 

Special Education Lead Teacher, Grades K-11

My name is Kelly McGuire-Morris. As the Special Education Teacher at Virtual Prep Academy of Oregon, I’m delighted to work with students from kindergarten through high school. I look forward to meeting students and embarking in spectacular learning adventures together. My main goals as a teacher are building confidence, strengthening skills, and having fun. Some of my favorite things to do are playing tennis, going white water rafting, watching Oregon Duck sports games, and attending cycling workout classes. I look forward to learning together!