Meet the Team
The Faces of Our Organization
Tammi Masters
Executive Director, Outdoor Educator, Founder
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Mrs. Tammi Masters has approximately 15 years of experience in the field of education. This includes roles as an Elementary Teacher, Middle School Teacher, Title 1 Interventionist, Principal K – 5 / K – 12, Superintendent, Tutor, Coach (K – 12) in several sports, and Afterschool Teacher.
Mrs. Masters has an associate degree in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Forestry, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with minors in both science and social studies, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and is a certified teacher in Idaho, Montana, Washington and is certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Orton Gillingham (Dyslexia program).
Gayle Prete,
President
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WORLDWIDE
Gayle Prete’s background is a mix of Fortune 200 Corporate and small business experience with Not-For-Profit Board service. She is actively involved in teenage financial literacy programs in Chicago through her Board work with Cents Ability, Inc. and previously served on the Board of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, the largest public school of the arts in the US.
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Gayle Prete’s expertise includes generating growth and profitability for corporations, innovation through new product development and customer segmentation, improving the customer experience and leveraging Agile Principles for improved results.
Also a long-time Montana resident, Ms. Prete shares an appreciation for the value of a practical education that includes the realities of life in nature.
Sabrina Ferris
Secretary
Sabrina Ferris has a passion for education, children, dogs and horses. She spends the school year teaching first grade at Heyburn Elementary School in St. Maries, Idaho.
During the summer she and her husband of 20 years run summer day camps for local youth as well as offer a 3-day retreat each fall for women veterans. Sabrina created the non-profit organization Lifeskills Ranch Program, Inc. over eleven years ago and has been closely involved in the fundraising efforts as well as the day-to-day management.
Sabrina has worked in the education field for over 15 years; from owning and operating her own preschool to working as a Paraprofessional in Special Education for eight years.
James Prete
Treasurer
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Mr. Prete is a manufacturing specialist with long experience in building strong teams that are proven to be resilient and focused on the organization’s results.
Using a deep and versatile toolkit ranging from strategic planning to lean leadership, Mr. Prete can assist Management in achieving the organization’s goals.
As a long-time Montana resident, living with wilderness on both sides of the North Fork River Road for the last twenty years, Mr. Prete has an appreciation for the value of a practical education that includes the realities of life in nature.
Mr. Prete also has a keen understanding of the practical challenges that businesses face, with his experience in every corporate executive role as well as extensive Board experience ranging over twenty years.
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She'om Rose
Director
She’om Rose has been living and teaching Ancestral Skills, deep nature connection and permaculture for the last 45 years. Founding the River Spirit School of Natural Living and teaching classes in primitive and simple living skills at a very remote community in Northern California.
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She’om has studied with Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute, taught at many Ancestral Skills Gatherings and worked with many leaders in the field.
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He was the founder and executive director of the South Fork Trinity River Land Conservancy 501c3 working on the Preservation and Restoration of the South Fork Trinity River Watershed.
Christine Ramsey
Director
Christine Ramsey grew up in the Pacific Northwest and continues to live and work there. She grew up working in the woods and competing in Logging Sports with her father and continues to volunteer at Universities coaching and judging the sport. She also continues to compete herself. She has a BS in Animal Science and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. She enjoys working on all species, but wildlife and birds of prey are of special interest to her. Dr. Ramsey has served on a variety of boards including national level Logger Sports Advisory boards, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Boards, competitive sport associations, and local church organizations. She has spoken to classes and groups from Elementary to University and Professional level audiences.
Theresa Ewing
Director
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Theresa has spent a great portion of her life enjoying the outdoors. Her childhood was spent on the back of a horse and her adult life as a homeschooler of 2 boys, registered nurse, and nursing professor. Theresa homeschooled her boys because she felt that learning was better achieved in nontraditional learning environments.
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Theresa spends the school year teaching the next generation of nursing students at Washington State University College of Nursing. She has also worked as an adjunct clinical instructor at North Idaho College. While employed as a staff RN at Kootenai Health she precepted new hires and nursing students finishing their practicum.
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In her free time, Theresa and her husband Eric, enjoy their grandchildren, gardening, traveling and riding horses.
Eric Olson
Director
Eric Olson background is very diverse. Both a US Navy and Air Force veteran, he spent several years in many countries, including Iceland, Bermuda, Spain, Sicily, and many others. His service and his travel opened countless doors to learning and adventure. As a builder, Eric has fabricated log homes, conventional homes, and this building extends right down to the furniture.
Several years ago, Eric and a fellow friend, and Veteran, opened a non-profit transition home for Veterans in Klamath Falls Oregon. It started out and continues to help Veterans get back on their feet, with the ability to house 14 Veterans at a time. He now volunteers at REACH which helps adults with developmental disabilities lead an independent life.
Knowing that any tree is only as strong as its roots, as the foundation in life is, Eric is looking forward to participating with Natural Connections Academy in the coming years.