Our Team
Staff
Our team consists of members of our community who are invested in the work we do to revitalize Okanogan Salish. We are committed to learning our language and using it as a medium of communication in our daily lives.
Ted E Moomaw
Executive Director
Ted is a first-line descendant of the Colville Tribes, deeply connected to his indigenous heritage and is an advanced speaker of the Okanagan language.
With a certification in language teaching, Ted has been a guiding force in educating students from beginner to advanced levels in Okanagan language through his tenure at the Colville Tribal Language Program, teaching language courses at the Wenatchee Valley Community College and 14 years at the Waterfall School.
As a founding member of Hearts Gathered, Ted has played a pivotal role in all facets of operating the Waterfall School, serving as Lead Teacher, stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director when needed, and providing essential language support guidance. His multifaceted contributions underscore his unwavering commitment to the preservation and promotion of the nsəlxcín language and culture, ensuring their vitality for generations to come.
Melissa Campobasso
Language and Education Director, Montessori Elementary Guide
Melissa is a member of the Colville Tribes and has Okanogan, Lakes, and San Poil ancestry. In addition to serving as the language and education director, she is the Montessori Elementary Guide, speaking and teaching Okanogan Salish as the language of instruction and conversation as much as possible.
In 2017, Melissa received a Montessori Elementary Diploma from Montessori Northwest, a teacher training center affiliated with the Association Montessori Internationale. Jointly with the elementary diploma, she earned a master’s degree in education, with an emphasis in Montessori, from Whitworth University. She also earned certification as an Okanogan Salish language/culture instructor from the Colville Tribes in 2017. Melissa earned a juris doctorate degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2000 and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Washington in 1994.
Jill Nanpuya Moonmaw
A-I Classroom Guide
Jill is a member of the Colville Tribes, descending from the Colville, San Poil and Methow tribes. She earned her Montessori Assistants to Infancy diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in 2024 to become certified by the Association Montessori Internationale as an A-I guide. She opened up the A-I, or Walking to Three, Classroom in the 2024-25 school year.
Jill serves as a gaming commissioner for the Colville Tribal Gaming Commission. She has worked with profit and nonprofit organizations, tribes, and local, state and federal governments. Jill earned a bachelor’s degree in law and diversity from Western Washington University in 2005.
Kolby Marchand
Primary Guide Trainee
Kolby is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. She is a proud mother of four, a coach, and now starting her journey as a teacher. Kolby is excited for the chance to teach and is currently studying at the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies.
She works hard to balance being a mom, a coach, and a student, while also giving back to her community. Kolby brings kindness, dedication, and pride in her culture to everything she does. She hopes to inspire children to learn, grow, and believe in themselves.
Allison Carden
Elementary Classroom Assistant
Allison assists Melissa, the guide, in the elementary classroom, helping to keep the environment prepared and supporting the guide's work.
Kristen Williams
Childcare Director
Kristin serves as the director of the Child Care.
Tim Erb
Classroom Assistant
Tim, a Colville tribal member of Lakes and Okanogan ancestry, has been a classroom assistant at the Waterfall School since December of 2015. His daughter was one of the first students enrolled in the school when it started out in 2010. That propelled him into immersing himself in the language, as it has always been an extremely important part of his walk of life. Tim completed training as a Montessori classroom assistant at Montessori Northwest in August 2016.