Meet the B2B Team
From: Florida
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Portland State University |
Aaron
Senior Transition Specialist “I want to help youth of the African American race go further in life and not live up to the stigma placed on them by society.” Aaron aims to create a positive education experience for kids. He was an at-risk youth counselor at Pathways to Youth Progress and volunteered at the All Children’s Hospital Bedside Buddies Program before joining Bars to Bridges. When he's not taking pride in helping youth achieve their goals, Aaron enjoys watching movies and spending time with his family. |
From: Oregon
Education: Master’s degree from Portland State University |
Aketi
Transition Specialist “Pursuing education is a powerful and effective way to reduce recidivism and increase life success.” Aketi seeks to empower students to achieve their dreams. She worked in juvenile detention with incarcerated youth before joining Bars to Bridges. Aketi loves swimming, camping and traveling with her daughter. |
From: Oregon
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University |
Amanda
Transition Specialist “I hope to help students realize their own potential and assist them in becoming successful young adults.” Amanda champions for youth who often go unheard and supports them in pursuing an education. She has a background in criminal justice and juvenile justice. In her spare time, Amanda discovers new hikes to explore around the Portland area. |
From: Oregon
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University |
Charles Transition Specialist “My goal in working with youth is to get them engaged in school.” Charles encourages students to use their strengths. He thinks incarcerated youth are often misunderstood. His previous work with youth was at Portland Public Schools. He likes to play basketball when he’s not chasing his spirited daughter around the house. |
From: Oregon
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Portland State University |
Hannah
Transition Specialist “I introduce academic resources, and build strong relationships, to ensure the youth I work with feel supported.” Hannah advocates for youth and with them, mutually creating an atmosphere of opportunity. She has served youth at organizations such as Outside In and Schools Uniting Neighborhoods. Her other passions include drawing with charcoal and gardening. |
From: Arizona
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Portland State University 
From: Texas
Education: Master's degree from the University of Texas |
Micaella
Transition Specialist “Education is an important aspect of our lives and I want to encourage others to pursue it.” Micaella strives to help students actualize their potentials after leaving detention. She discovered her passion for youth services when she was a camp counselor for Portland Parks and Recreation. Micaella enjoys D.I.Y. projects and watching baseball with her family. Christine Otto
Project Director cotto@mesd.k12.or.us "The success of our youth is critical for both that youth and our broader community. Everyone benefits when we support educational attainment." Christine has worked with youth for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, building administrator and program administrator. She feels passionately about education, the touchstone of her career. Joining the Bars to Bridges team is an extension of her pursuit to ensure every youth has the opportunity to achieve academic success. Outside of work, Christine loves to explore the outdoors or to read a good book. |
From: Florida
Education: Bachelor's degree from Portland State University |
Jaime Dunkle
Administrative Assistant jdunkle@mesd.k12.or.us “I want to see more inclusivity and engagement in educational settings because I believe kids need both to thrive in school.” Jaime provides support for the Transition Specialists. She has led writing and journalism groups inside youth correctional facilities for The Beat Within Magazine and Morpheus Youth Project. Jaime also writes comedic stories and screenplays; she lives for making people laugh. |
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