Our Team
Karen O'Dougherty
Founder and Educator
Karen is the mother of three grown children and the founder of Body Basics and Beyond. As a public school teacher, Karen developed the first Body Basics class in 1994 in response to lackluster puberty education curriculum. In 1998, Karen started Body Basics and Beyond, and has since supported thousands of children and their families through puberty and adolescence in classes, parent education classes, coaching and retreats. Currently, Karen is offering certification courses for Body Basics and Beyond educators to bring this important education into more communities worldwide. Karen lives in beautiful Sisters, Oregon.
Sierra Campbell
Educator
Sierra brings personal and professional experience to the important and potent work of Body Basics. She is the mother to two youth and has worked as a public health nurse as well as the teen parent nurse for Jackson County. She is eager to share, support and inspire developing young women. She is so thrilled to be part of the Body Basics community and to share all that it has to offer!
Teaching: 4th, 5th and 6th Grade classes.
Samae Chlebowski
Educator
Samae brings over 20 years of teaching experience to Body Basics. Not everyone can say that they absolutely love what they do for work. However, she does! You’ll often hear her say that working with youth is not a job, it’s a passion and she’s so grateful that this is how she gets to spend her time. Connection is a huge part of the way she moves through life, and it shows up strongly in her teaching.
Teaching: 7th and 8th Grade classes.
Micah Blacklight
Educator
Micah is absolutely ecstatic about being a part of the Body Basics and Beyond program. As a Black male in a world that doesn’t always paint pictures of Black males in a positive light, he is profoundly grateful to have the opportunity to embody a positive, intentional male energy for growing youth while empowering them to navigate the strangeness of puberty and adolescence with a measure of grace.
Teaching: Boys programming, 6th, 7th and 8th Grade.
Jane Higgins
Educator
I am thrilled to be teaching puberty education classes to our youth for the last 6 years. I consider these classes some of the most valuable and important information for young teens. After seeing the positive difference these puberty classes made for my young daughter, I knew I wanted to get on board and teach this powerful body awareness and confidence program. I know the years ahead will be filled with sweet connections, discoveries and personal growth for the students that I will serve through these after school programs.
I hold a Bachelors in Education & Special Education. I am a licensed educator in Oregon, have taught all grades K-8th and worked with youth for the last 3 decades in both public and private schools. I recently led a class of students through the eight year elementary journey at a Waldorf inspired school.
When I am not working with youth, I can be found working on projects, antique shopping with my two college daughters, hiking or cross country skiing the beautiful Oregon trails, discovering waterfalls, cooking delicious meals, biking around town, or paddle boarding some gorgeous river or lake.
I also run my own unique business as a developmental and educational consultant through Roots to Rise, where I holistically support youth and their families with learning, sensory, emotional and/or behavioral challenges.
Look forward to seeing you in the clubhouse!!!!