Niya Standish, co-Director of Religious Education, Children

Niya Standish was raised in Chicago. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University, she headed out West with stops along the way in Crested Butte, Colorado, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she taught dance and theatre. She settled in Oregon in 1977 and continued teaching throughout the state with the Artist in the Schools program. Marrying and having a son brought an end to her days as a traveling artist. Her focus turned to settling down with family, which led to search for a church community.

In 1977, Niya began her career as a Director of Religious Education, serving Wy'east UUC in Portland and then Eastrose UUF in Gresham. Niya has received recognition from the UUA for completion of all nine Renaissance Modules (UUA training programs for religious educators). She now teaches those programs for newer DREs. Her involvement in the denomination also includes serving as a District Religious Education Consultant and a Religious Education Covenant facilitator. She also has been an officer of LREDA (Liberal Religious Education Association).

Niya brings her creativity, leadership and years of experience to her work. She states, "I want the Religious Education program to be a place where children feel welcome and respected for who they are, where they are encouraged to think, ponder, question and share ideas. All this while having fun!"