Faculty

Christina Grauff, Principal

  • BA Elementary Education, minor in Spanish: Asbury University; Wilmore, Kentucky

  • One year of Humanities courses (post-grad) at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

  • 30 years public elementary school teaching on the Oregon Coast in Kindergarten-4th grade

  • Extensive training in Early Literacy and English language acquisition, including experience teaching English Language Learners in the United States and leading workshops for teachers in Honduras.

  • When not working for Harbor Christian Academy, Christina enjoys baking, gardening, singing, and traveling.

Amber Onder, Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher

Ms. Onder is excited to join the Harbor Christian Academy family as the Kindergarten and First-Grade teacher. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Teacher Leadership from Portland State University and is a certified teacher in both Oregon and Washington.

Ms. Onder is passionate about creating a Christ-centered classroom where every child is known, loved, and encouraged to reach their God-given potential. She strives to cultivate a love of learning through engaging, hands-on experiences while partnering with families to support each child’s academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Onder enjoys spending time with her two children, playing at the beach with their British lab, Porter, exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, reading with a good cup of coffee, and serving in her church community. She is thankful for the opportunity to be part of Harbor Christian Academy and looks forward to investing in the lives of her students.

Lisa Barker, 2nd/3rd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Barker began her teaching journey working for 10 years with students of all ages who had autism and other mental health diagnoses. After taking four years away from the classroom to be a stay-at-home mom and care for her father-in-law during his final years, she returned to teaching as the 3rd–4th grade teacher at Sacred Heart School in Shelby, Ohio, where she spent the past four years.

Mrs. Barker’s family (husband, son, and 1-year-old Australian Shepherd, Milo) relocated from Ohio at the beginning of June and has fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new surroundings, and expressing her creativity through various projects. They are currently building their dream garden!

“I believe creativity, curiosity, and strong relationships help children thrive, and I love bringing those values into my classroom each day. I feel truly blessed to be part of the HCA family and look forward to partnering with parents as we encourage each child to grow in knowledge, character, and faith. I can't wait to meet my students and their families and see all that God has planned for this school year!”

Courtney Walraven, 4th/5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Walraven taught 6th-8th grade last year in her hometown in Illinois after graduating from Southern Illinois University 2025. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with math and English language arts endorsements. Her mom was a teacher and she has very close relationships with her elementary and high school teachers.

She married her husband, who is from the Netherlands, in May of this year. In late August, she will be moving into their new apartment on the North Coast while waiting for him to receive his green card and join her. “It is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, being across the world from each other, but God has clothed me in strength and patience because of it.”

Mrs. Walraven has always had an enthusiasm for sharing her faith in Jesus through churches, summer camps, and college events. After teaching in a public school, she is excited to share her faith openly at HCA this year. “I think it is vital for Christians to be immersed in God’s word with fellow believers, especially through childhood, so that a foundation is set for their adult lives. I can’t wait to get started!”

Board of Directors

Dale Hale, President

  • PhD Education Policy Studies, MDiv, MSW

  • Dean of Christian Brothers University’s Global College

  • Director of the Center for Digital Instruction, CBU

Michelle McCandless

  • Board Secretary

  • MBA

  • Senior operations leader in Fortune 500 companies and start-ups

  • Small business owner

Patty Skinner

  • MA in Elementary Education

  • Endorsements: Remedial Reading and Library

  • 16 years teaching; 17 years public library supervisor

  • Patty isn’t just a board member—She is also our HCA librarian!

Grant Cook

  • MA Christian Studies; BA Philosophy, minor in Business

  • Patient Financial Service Representative, Billing Agent—Columbia Memorial Hospital

Mariah Grey

  • Associates degree with a focus on early childhood education

  • Taught preschool for 6 years, 3 in Japan while her husband was stationed there

  • Mom of two Harbor Christian Academy students and two future HCA students!

  • An avid baker and reader

  • Grew up in Astoria, Oregon—a 4th-generation native!

Brenda Mower

  • MA in Christian Counseling; BA in Christian Education

  • 17 years of teaching and administration, primarily in private Christian schools.

  • 3 years as Director in Early Learning

  • 9 years as Lead Pastor with husband, Don

Lori Wright

  • B.S. in Elementary Education from Asbury University; M.A. (Georgetown, KY); Administrative Certification (University of Kentucky)

  • 16 years as an elementary teacher and 10 years as a principal

  • Retired in 2013 and spent three years teaching children in a slum in South Africa.

  • Moved back to Kentucky, opening a catering business whose profits are directed back to South Africa.