La Grande Virtual Learning Academy

Kelly Richards

Kelly Richards is a fifth-generation Oregonian who grew up in a family of educators. In fact, her grandmother and great-grandmother both graduated from La Grande High School. Teaching is a second career for her; she attended Oregon State University, earned an art degree, and spent several years working as a graphic designer. Later, while living in Texas, she attended the University of Texas to earn her initial teaching license as a general educator for 4th-8th grade. As the 9th-12th grade coordinator, she has a classroom where she welcomes online students to come for help or to enjoy a quiet place to study. She loves getting to know her students both online and in person and she learns just as much from them as they do from her. Kelly is the proud mom of two sons, both in college. One getting his PhD in geology and one is studying organic chemistry. When not teaching, she likes to walk, read, hang out with family, and garden.

Megan Banes

Megan received her Elementary Education and K-12 Library Media degrees from Western Oregon University and taught library media in three Oregon districts (including LGSD) and one Washington district. She was inspired to teach by the work of her grandmother, mother, and aunt, all of whom chose teaching pathways. Megan receives a lot of joy from teaching and strives to make meaningful connections with staff, students and parents. She is excited to be the K-8 Virtual Academy Teacher for LGSD. Megan appreciates that she was able to return to the Grande Ronde Valley, lives in the house she grew up in, and has her mother as her neighbor. Her home is in the country where she enjoys flower gardening, fishing and kayaking. When she is indoors, she likes reading, crafting and genealogy.  She, her daughter (currently a teacher in the Central School District 13J), aunt, and mother enjoy traveling together – whether roaming far or near.  The librarian in Megan relishes researching and planning for their excursions.