Effective July 1, 2023, Classroom Law Project is now Civics Learning Project.
After 40 years as Oregon’s leader in Civic Education, we’re excited to move into the future with our new name. We will continue to provide the broad range of engaging civics education programs you know and love, just under a name that reflects our mission and work more clearly.
You can find us online at www.civicslearning.org. Please update your bookmarks.
Our email addresses have also changed. Messages sent to our old addresses will forward to us, but please update your contacts and watch for messages from our new addresses.
Thank you for being part of our community! Let us know if you have any questions.
Access from 6th Avenue by taking the elevator down to the first floor and turning left from the elevators.
We also have a street entrance on 5th Avenue between Jefferson and Columbia. Just ring the doorbell for access.
Beth (she/her) is the Deputy Director for Civics Learning Project. As a classroom teacher in a variety of public and private schools at all levels for the past 20 years, Beth focused on sharing her passion for civic engagement by creating curriculum to support her students in finding their voices and engaging as positive change makers in their community.
For the past 10 years, she has been an Oregon Public School Socials Studies and Language Arts teacher at the Middle and High School levels. In her last high school position, Beth implemented and oversaw a student led Peer Court, a restorative justice alternative to the school’s traditional discipline plan, and advised the Student Equity Team. She is a National Geographic Teacher Consultant, and is a steering committee member for the Center for Geographic Studies in Oregon.
Beth holds a B.A. in History from the University of Rochester (NY) and her M.A. in Teaching from Lewis and Clark Graduate School. She lives at home with her husband Michael and can most often be found in the kitchen, indulging her other passion of recreating dishes from her travels around the world.
Amanda Coven (she/her) is the Director of K-12 Partnerships and Engagement at Civics Learning Project. She brings with her a proven record of strategic growth and relationship building.
Prior to joining CLP, Amanda was a classroom educator and then Director of Education at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. There she crafted the language for and supported the implementation of SB664, Oregon’s Holocaust and genocide education mandate, with educators across the state. Amanda sees her work and the work of CLP as critical opportunities to bring together and strengthen communities, resulting in less violence and more synergy.
Amanda is an avid traveler, having visited all seven continents! Outside of traveling, she loves hiking, listening to podcasts, and trying new restaurants. She lives in Portland with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Eabha Fitzsimons (she/her) is the Office Administrator for Civics Learning Project. She has multiple years of education and non-profit experience, as well as a B.A. in English from Portland State University. As someone who grew up in the PNW and a former National Speech and Debate Association member, she is particularly passionate about CLP’s programs and the work they are doing to increase civics literacy amongst Oregon’s youth.
In her spare time, Eabha enjoys reading, writing, traveling, all things dessert, and spending time outdoors with friends and family. She is also an author, and has had poetry and other creative writing projects published in local journals.
Chris is the Senior Manager of Community Engagement at Civics Learning Project. As a specialist in philanthropy and community development, Chris brings a deep passion for civic engagement and community development to the role, helping individuals advocate for themselves and engage positively with their communities.
Chris has extensive experience in philanthropy, having worked with various nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest. He has supported a range of cultural, medical, and educational programs. In his previous role, he played a key part in raising funds to empower behavioral healthcare practitioners, enabling them to provide essential mental healthcare to individuals in Clark County, Washington’s Therapeutic Specialty Courts.
Chris holds a B.A. in Community Development from Portland State University. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, making music, and exploring the great outdoors with friends and family.
Timaree Joe (she/her) joins the Civics Learning Project as the Southern Oregon Regional Program Manager, bringing a diverse background in education, both domestically and internationally. With a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Art History from Southern Oregon University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oregon State University, and doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction, Timaree is passionate about creating engaging educational experiences for Oregon’s young citizens.
Timaree’s career in education has spanned continents, teaching Social Studies and Leadership from Southern Oregon to Dubai, and most recently, to Italy with the Department of Defense Education Activity. In every setting, her focus has been on nurturing student-centered learning environments and fostering educational innovation. Her unique approach combines stimulating instructional curiosity with a deep commitment to cultivating engaged, informed community members.
Timaree lives in Ashland with her husband and two children. She enjoys hiking, painting, travel, and cooking. Timaree is excited to blend her diverse experiences to inspire a new generation of students, fostering communities where active civic engagement and positive change are at the forefront.
Sam (he/his) became the Executive Director of the Civics Learning Project in 2023. He has served in a variety of leadership and executive roles in government, politics, tech, organized labor, and nonprofit organizations.
Prior to joining CLP, Sam was the political director of the largest independent labor union on the west coast, general counsel of The Greenlining Institute, and led government affairs in Lime’s largest North American markets. He has led numerous successful policy and legislative campaigns on economic equity, environmental justice, transportation access, and consumer protection. He also has a decade of experience advising and working on local, congressional and gubernatorial races.
As a lawyer, Sam has successfully litigated dozens of cases before regulatory agencies, saving billions of dollars for consumers. He has testified before Congress and regularly testified before state legislatures to defend the rights of underserved communities. Sam has been quoted in hundreds of media outlets across the country on issues ranging from energy to small business opportunities to media consolidation. Due to his community leadership, Sam was appointed to serve on various boards and commissions at the county, regional, and state levels.
Prior to law school, Sam was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in New York City and helped provide disaster relief after the 9/11 attacks. He also worked at the United Nations to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Middle East following the first Gulf War.
In his spare time, you might see Sam playing with his daughter at OMSI or in one of the myriad of beautiful parks in Portland. When he hasn’t been completely exhausted by his daughter, he loves running along the Willamette River and discovering new restaurants with his wife.
Abby (she/her) is coming to Civics Learning Project from the Midwest. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Middle Education & History from Butler University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership. Over eight years, she taught 2nd–8th grade in Indiana. Abby transitioned to higher education in 2019, joining the College of Education at Purdue University. Her focus was building community partnerships and service learning opportunities along with teacher mentoring and support.
Abby is excited to be in Portland with her husband, Tyler, who teaches fifth grade. They live with their pets Bowie, Simon, and Stella. Abby is an avid reader, community theater volunteer, and enjoys hiking, gardening, and being outside!
Chris Parrucci (he/him) was born and raised on Long Island, and lived most of his adult life in New York City. He has a Bachelors of Science degree in 7-12 Social Studies education from New York University and a Juris Doctorate from Maurice A. Deane School of Law from Hofstra University.
Chris has divided his career between the legal, education, and nonprofit fields. He has taught high school Social Studies courses in both New York and Oregon, including United States History and Government, Global History and Geography, Native American History, and Themes of World and United States History. He has experience as an outside educator and curriculum developer for various nonprofit organizations, where he has worked with students at all grade levels, as well as instructing workshops, courses and seminars for undergraduate students and seasoned classroom educators.
Chris spends his down time with his wife, Jennifer, and cat, Anacapri. He loves streaming his favorite series, going to the movies, listening to podcasts, and has recently become a hiking enthusiast since moving to Oregon in March of 2020.
Amy Sabbadini (she/her) is Civics Learning Project’s Regional Program Manager for the Central Oregon area, and a National Board-certified social studies teacher with decades of classroom experience. She currently serves as an instructor in OSU-Cascades’ Master of Teaching program and has been mentoring emerging professionals for years. Amy led Oregon Writing Project workshops for teachers over many summers and enjoys educator collaboration and curriculum development. She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies and M.Ed. Secondary Teaching Social Studies from UC Santa Barbara.
Amy has benefitted from many Civics Learning Project programs over the years and is excited to be part of an organization she values so highly. Amy grew up in San Diego County and has lived in Italy and Costa Rica. She moved to Bend in 2005, where she is raising a blended family of two children, two dogs, and one horse with her husband Dave.
Jen Talik, EDEIS, PCA (she/her) is the Program & Event Coordinator for Civics Learning
Project. With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, Jen has focused her career in
nonprofit organization professional development meetings and events across the United States
with a focus on higher education, equitable housing, and community engagement. Jen attended
Northern Michigan University, and holds certifications in Event Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Strategies, and Pandemic Compliance Advisory. She is passionate about creating memorable
experiences and bringing diverse audiences together.
Jen recently relocated from Detroit to Portland with her husband, Mike, their dog Bud, and cats
Fig & Bear. In her spare time Jen is an avid reader, enjoys cooking and baking for friends and
family, and exploring the PNW with its vast outdoor adventures. As a life-long Detroit Lions fan,
she is anxiously awaiting a Super Bowl win.
Interested in joining our team? Take a look at our employment and volunteer opportunities.