From Faculty Brat to Faculty: Moneeka Settles ’86 Never Left School

For Moneeka Settles ’86, CRMS wasn’t just a place she attended—it was home. Growing up on campus as the child of faculty members Barb and Phil Settles, her early years were marked by a kind of freedom and connection that continues to shape her life today.

“It was pretty idyllic,” she recalls. “As a faculty brat, we had acres of land to explore, shared meals like a big family, and spent hours playing outside the Bar Fork.” From a young age, Moneeka joined Fall and Spring Trips—hiking canyon trails and cross-country skiing to backcountry huts alongside groups of students and families. These experiences instilled not just a love of the outdoors, but a deep appreciation for shared adventure and community.

That sense of connection defines her favorite CRMS memories. Whether heading out on a hut trip with classmates or participating in the school’s famously spirited fire brigade drills—followed by pancake breakfasts at dawn—Moneeka remembers the joy of working together toward a common goal. “There was something about the zaniness of it all,” she says, “and the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself.”

After graduating from Amherst College, Moneeka began her career in education as a dorm parent and Humanities teacher at Oregon Episcopal School, where she spent 15 years. She later joined the founding faculty at The Bay School of San Francisco as Dean of Students. Today, she serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.

Throughout her career, the lessons of CRMS have remained central. “CRMS taught me that every good meal requires someone to do the dishes, every great trip requires planning, and that living and exploring in community is incredibly rewarding,” she reflects. Whether in the classroom or in administrative leadership, she continues to “jump in” alongside colleagues and students to solve problems and build stronger communities. She has even designed courses to help first-year college students understand the value of collaboration and shared responsibility—principles she first learned at CRMS.

“I have always loved school, and I am so thrilled that I still get to teach students, laugh with them, and help shape school policy in the hopes of building the best school for our students,” she says.

“I think I’m addicted to living and learning in a school community,” she adds. “The rhythms of the academic year, the focus on ideas, and the opportunity to connect with others—it’s still so meaningful to me.”

Outside of work, Moneeka’s life mirrors the rhythms she fell in love with as a student. She hikes and backpacks whenever possible, serves on the board of Ashland Devo, a local youth mountain biking organization, and embraces the vibrancy of her small town—attending performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and heading out on adventures with family and friends. “I still participate in the annual telemark ski races that require dressing up in goofy costumes at the Mt. Ashland Tele-Lizard,” she says.

That spirit of adventure has also shaped her family life. One of her proudest accomplishments has been raising a son who shares her love of the outdoors. Together, they explored every valley of California’s Trinity Alps Wilderness over seven years, one valley each year. This experience reflects both her passion for place-based exploration and her commitment to passing that love on. “Knowing that he can picture each side of the high peaks in that wilderness area is super cool to me,” she says.

At its core, Moneeka’s story is a testament to the enduring impact of a CRMS education. The school’s emphasis on living, learning, and working together didn’t just shape her student experience—it became the foundation for her career, her community involvement, and her family life.

Her advice to current students echoes that same spirit: “Surround yourself with interesting people—that way you will be sure to do interesting things,” she says, recalling advice from Gene Hebert. “Also, keep your eyes open for new opportunities—CRMS offers so many. Say yes when they come along, and then pitch in to help make them happen. You go to an amazing school.”