Meet the Team
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals are the backbone of the Western Regional Educator Network.
WREN Coordinator
Tracy Conaghan
Tracy has worked in education for 26 years during that time she worked in the Beaverton School District, Tahoma School District in Maple Valley, Washington and Eugene 4j. Tracy taught all elementary grades, worked as a Title I Reading Specialist and ELD Specialist. Her career path shifted when she joined Pacific University’s Eugene campus supporting the College of Education working with prospective educators and graduate students. Prior to her current position as the WREN Coordinator, she served as the District ELD Specialist TOSA for Springfield Public Schools. Tracy is the proud mother of two young adults and loves spending time with her family, dancing, and practicing yoga.
Miranda Rice
Program Assistant
Miranda has been married to her husband Jeff for 23 years. They have 2 children, a son Austin who is an 8th grader at Thurston Middle School and a daughter Makayla who is a Sophomore at Oregon State University Studying Pre-Med. Makayla is also a member of the 2020-21 Oregon State Dance and Cheer Team. Miranda enjoys traveling the United States in the family RV visiting the National Parks. She loves crabbing and fishing on the Oregon Coast. Miranda’s passion to help others has led her to Wiggly Tails Dog Rescue, where she volunteers as the Adoption Coordinator.
Project Coordinator
Michelle Hjelm
Michelle (she/her) has worked in educational settings preschool - grade 12, as well as in nonprofit settings. During her career, Michelle has, and continues to, center and prioritize both personal and professional growth in the topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in an effort to help her community thrive. Michelle draws strength from spending time with animals, family, and friends, as well as by being in nature, reading and reflecting.
Alyssa Leraas
Data and Measurement Coordinator
Alyssa (she/her) joined the WREN team in August 2021. She completed her Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Oregon with a focus in education policy research and analysis. Alyssa enjoys running, connecting with family and friends, and finding new favorite restaurants.
Cameron Yee
Communications Coordinator
Cameron (he/him) joined the WREN team in May 2022, but has been providing a broad range of media production and communication services at Lane Education Service District since 1997. Now as a communications coordinator, he's excited to support the WREN's objectives to diversify the workforce and to create more inclusive, empowering, and equitable school cultures.
In his free time, Cameron enjoys watching movies, trying new foods, and telling corny jokes to his wife and daughters.
Lead Continuous Improvement Coach
Aly Nestler
Aly worked in the Springfield Public School District for 9 years. During that time, she taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. She also worked as Literacy TOSA at the district office, supporting Title 1 specialists and providing professional development to instructional staff. During her free time, Aly loves going on walks and cooking with her husband and daughter.
Continuous Improvement Coach
Mellie Bukovksy-Reyes
Prior to joining the WREN, Mellie (she/ella) spent nine years as an ELD specialist in Lincoln County, but has been in education for 31 years teaching pre-K to adults in PE, adapted PE, math, and science. Additionally, when she recognized the need for teachers of color in SPED, she pursued a licensure in EI/ECSE and is one of Oregon’s first licensed EI/ECSE specialists with a Culturally Responsive Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® from the Oregon Infant Mental Health Association. Mellie enjoys walking on the beach with her husband of 36 years and is incredibly proud of her two sons!
Erin Hayward
Continuous Improvement Coach
Erin (she/her) was previously a high school social studies teacher in Lane County for 10 years prior to joining this amazing WREN team. During that time, she worked with Student Government, led Positive Behavior Interventions & Support (PBIS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in her buildings, and coached both Track & Field and Girls Soccer. During her free time, Erin enjoys traveling with her husband, brunching, and spending time with her three dogs.
Continuous Improvement Coach
Kate Klein
Kate (she/her) has been teaching Language Arts and Social Studies in Lane County with a two year stint in Shanghai, China for 17 years. Her passion in education is the pedagogy of Culturally Responsive Teaching and Ethnic Studies. She has two beautiful children, Nora and Magnus, who fill her life with athletics, music, wild art projects, and most importantly JOY. Kate loves traveling near and far, spending time outside with her hands in the dirt, and singing karaoke.