Gail Housel President | president@cefcamas.org
Occupation or Professional Background: Gail is currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the Camas School District Superintendent and School Board.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: Both of Gail’s kids went all the way through the Camas Schools. Her son attended Helen Baller Elementary, JDZ 5th/6th Grade, Liberty Middle School and Hayes Freedom High School. Her daughter attended Helen Baller and Grass Valley Elementary Schools, Skyridge Middle School and Camas High School.
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Gail because: ‘I had the great privilege to join the CEF auction team in the early years and supported many wonderful events in many volunteer positions. I also had the privilege to chair a couple of the auctions which was wonderful to work with so many dedicated and special community volunteers that it takes to put this event together. I have served on the Board of Directors in different capacities in two previous terms and am excited to currently serve a third term. I hope you get a sense that I hold this organization near and dear to my heart. I truly believe in the founding tenets and how CEF has supported our students in the Camas School District to bring innovative teaching and learning programs in so many ways over the years.’
Derek Jaques Vice President I vicepresident@cefcamas.org
Occupation or Professional Background: Derek worked as a database programmer for 4.5 years prior to becoming a teacher in 2001. He has worked as a middle and high school teacher, building principal and is currently a CTE Director in the district.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: Derek’s children are in 6th and 8th grade and attend Liberty Middle School.
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Derek because: ‘I love the "global" CSD impact the CEF has had and I have seen a very direct benefit to our district programming. The concept of funding incubator activities has been instrumental in allowing staff to experiment and try thing we might not otherwise have been able to.’
Ann Sturgeon Treasurer | treasurer@cefcamas.org
Occupation or Professional Background: Ann has a Bachelor of Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in Business Accounting. She worked as a business financial analyst at Hewlett Packard for seven years. Ann has an extensive background in volunteering and leadership.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: Ann’s two sons attended Camas schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her sons were members of the Class of 2017 and 2020.
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Ann because: ‘I believe it’s important for all children to have access to a good education. In addition to understanding how the world works, we really want each student to reach his or her potential and develop their talents and interests. CEF helps this educational process by funding unique learning opportunities.’
David Volke Secretary I secretary@cefcamas.org
Occupation or Professional Background: David is an educator at Liberty Middle School. He is currently in his 10th year of teaching, including two years teaching in Central America. While currently teaching English language arts, David’s other passions include student leadership and ASB as well as coaching and working with students outside of the classroom.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: David and his wife, an educator in the Evergreen School district, have two daughters. Their oldest is going to school at Liberty and their youngest is attending Helen Baller. David enjoys taking them to school each morning and seeing them grow in our community. One of the many things he is thankful for are the rock star teachers who have educated his daughters for many years. David is so very grateful for each of them!
Camas Educational Foundation is important to David because: ‘Joining CEF was important to me because it gave me an opportunity to serve my community and my fellow educators. I have been blessed to receive grants from the CEF and I wanted to serve to better support other educators to do the same. I see this work as building opportunities for our young people to grow and thrive in all of our schools. I truly believe that our educators are amazing and I want to give back to them and help reward the hard work they do to see and serve each and every student that walks through their doors.’
Rainy Rau Past President
Occupation or Professional Background: Rainy works for the City of Vancouver’s Public Works Water Resources Education Center leading a county-wide K-12 informal community science program that focuses on watershed studies and surface water quality. Previously she worked as an interpretive park ranger assistant for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department while earning her degree in environmental science after deciding on a career change. Rainy’s first career was as a camera assistant working on films, television and commercials in Los Angeles.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: Rainy has a child attending Odyssey Middle after Woodburn Elementary.
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Rainy because: ‘Having a child attending school and collaborating with many teachers in the district through my job, I have been so impressed with the dedication and brilliance of all of our teachers. I want to support and serve our wonderful teachers, administrators and district as best I can. The Camas Educational Foundation has a long record of meaningful support that I appreciate and want to see continue. I am honored to have the chance to serve on this wonderful board.’
Bonnie Carter Board Member
Occupation or Professional Background: Bonnie is currently the Administrative Assistant at Skyridge Middle School. This is her second round on the CEF board. Bonnie started with CEF on the auction committee in 2002 and then served as treasurer from June 2009 to June 2013. She also served on the Camas Advisory Committee from October 2008 to June 2011, served on various school PTA’s as treasurer or president, and has volunteered as the Camas Grad Night chair and/or treasurer four times. Prior to parenthood, Bonnie was a store executive for a national retail chain and earned a degree in marketing from the University of Minnesota, Moorhead.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: Bonnie and her husband, Steve, have seen their four sons through the Camas schools including Helen Baller, Grass Valley, Liberty, Skyridge, and Camas High School.
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Bonnie because: “Serving my community is an important part of my nature. The Camas Educational Foundation supports the Camas School District to ‘see and serve each student’ through amazing programs that impower our teachers and students. Why wouldn’t a person be a part of an amazing organization that wants to enhance the educational experience for all that walk through and work in the Camas School District?”
Jill Walters Board Member
Occupation or Professional Background: Jill received a Master in Business Administration degree with a major in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University - Chicago in 2021, and is the current Director of Business Engagement at CREDC. She is passionate about education and developing a thriving community.
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District: Both of Jill’s children attend school in the Camas School District. Her son attends Helen Baller Primary and her daughter is in sixth grade at Liberty Middle School.
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Jill because: ‘As a parent, the CEF mission is especially important to me. Being part of a community that supports and inspires continuing education, innovation, and educators connects to my personal and educational goals as well.’
Shauna Ruse Board Member
Occupation or Professional Background:
Schools children attend or have attended in the Camas School District:
Camas Educational Foundation is important to Derek because: