Our Team
Brandon Thompson
Brandon has been teaching for seventeen years, beginning with a GED program for youth offenders in Chicago and eventually haunting the halls of various Illinois community colleges. He made the gradual transition from the college classroom to middle school in 2016 and is constantly amazed at middle schoolers’ capacity for creativity and high-level, thoughtful discussion and debate.
Brandon holds a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a Master’s in Writing and Publishing, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry.
He is currently in love with the academic freedom and innovation that is possible at ROOTS!
In his non-teaching hours, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family (wife, six kids, three cats, one dog, many chickens, and a lizard), running, reading, and making experimental music and questionable poetry.
Hannah Gordon
Hannah is a Walla Walla native whose educational journey included both homeschooling and public school experiences. She graduated from Walla Walla University with a double major in Music and Secondary Education. Hannah is passionate about providing high-quality education in an environment that encourages students to explore their unique talents and interests. One of her favorite aspects of ROOTS is the time spent outdoors, whether on walks or adventurous outings. In her free time, she enjoys music, backpacking, traveling, hiking, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her dog, Louis.