I’m so happy to join the Graham Hill Blue Whales this year! I have loved meeting all the amazing adults and students here. What a great place to learn together! I am a literacy coach this year. Before this, I was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Olympic Hills Elementary.

I love to spend time outside - hiking, swimming, and backpacking. I enjoy cooking and eating with my family and friends. I live with my husband (Jason), dog (Agnes), and two cats (Fitz and Bruno).

Personal Message

I was born in Spokane Washington but raised in Seattle since age three. I grew up in the south end and Central District of Seattle where I attended Van Asselt, Wing Luke, Madrona, Meany, and then graduated from West Seattle High School in 1994. I attended Whitman College and graduated in 1999.

The majority of my work experience is in guidance counseling and school intervention programs. I have also worked at the Washington State Penitentiary, in healthcare as a Patient Care Coordinator, and in social services as a Program Director of Emergency Services for the homeless.

I started my family in Walla Walla in 2000 with my high school sweetheart. In 2011, I received my Masters degree in Guidance Counseling from City University. I currently live in West Seattle with my wife and three kids. My oldest son Elijah Zephon 17, a senior, attends Chief Sealth High School with his younger sister Kai Malika, age 15 freshman. My youngest son is Taien Cyrus 13, 8th grader, attends Denny. My wife Jennifer works for her mother‘s adult home family business where she does geriatric care for dementia patients. My oldest son, Elijah, will be attending Eastern Washington University next year on a full ride Division I basketball scholarship.

Biography

Instructional Assistant in the Rising Star Preschool classroom.

• Rainier View: Grades K-3
• Rising Star: Grades 2-3

Biography

Interventionist

Personal Message

“My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.” - F. Gump (1994)

Biography

I am the Extended Resource room Teacher K-5.

I love being a speech therapist and helping students find the best way to communicate. Some particular parts of my job I love are seeing students interact with each other in social groups, pushing into the classroom to see them apply what they have learned in our sessions, and how excited students get when they master a tricky sound! In my free time I love to hang out with my husband, Ashan and our two little kids Ayaan (3yo) and Aila (2yo). We love to go on nature walks, play basketball, and do fun science experiments. I also love to bake and love to try new foods!

Personal Message

When life gives us lemons, we make lemonade.