Student Bios
Danforth 24, 2011-2012
Khadijah Al-Shami
Certification:
Initial Principal
Internship Site:
Franklin Elementary, Tacoma Public School District
Academic Background:
♦ University of Denver, B.S. Biology
♦ Jones International University, MEd Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment with Teacher Certification
♦ University of Washington, Seattle, EdD (in progress)
Professional Experience:
My two years of teaching experience with Tacoma Public Schools and four years international teaching experience has increased my insight into instructional needs necessary to accommodate student diversity. It has also developed within me the sensitivity necessary to recognize culturally, diversified instruction at all levels and with internationally and locally represented backgrounds.
Professional Goal:
As a principal/instructional leader, I look forward to combining my international and regional leadership experiences to support diverse underrepresented students. Our school goals would be to eliminate the achievement gap by embedding research based equitable instructional practices designed to increase opportunity to learn for all students. This type of data driven inquiry process would establish strong professional learning communities that would be built from within and from mutual involvement of educators.
Chris Bach
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Nathan Hale High School, Seattle School District
Academic Background:
♦ University of Washington, Master in Teaching
♦ Portland State University, B.A., English
Professional Experience:
I have been a high school English teacher at Kentwood High School in the Kent School District for the past three years. I worked primarily with freshmen, but I have also taught sophomores and juniors. During this time, I worked in highly collaborative environment where I was podded with teachers from other disciplines and with grade level teams in the English department as part of the PLC model. While at Kentwood, I had the good fortune to work with the 2011 Washington Teacher of the Year, Jay Maebori.
My professional duties have also included a number of other activities: I have worked to design and teach a targeted teaching class that supported junior and senior ELL students. The work for this position included team-teaching as well as working with teachers to create scaffolds to allow students to stay in class as much as possible. I have also worked to design and implement both a school-year and summer credit retrieval program using an online program that resulted in over 100 students retrieving credit.
Outside of the classroom, I have had the fortune to be the Link Crew Coordinator for Kentwood High School. My duties included planning a high school orientation and transition program for over 500 freshmen. This work required recruiting and training over 80 upperclassmen to help with the orientation. I have also led building-level staff development sessions on using online assessment tools to improve student learning through the use progress monitoring.
Professional Goal:
My passion for education comes from my own experience. I have been a failed and disenfranchised high school student, and I almost did not make it. It is because of this experience that I seek to successfully prepare all students with a college ready transcript. My goal is to serve students by working as instructional leader who sets aflame the spark which causes all students to become actualized learners who are fully engaged with learning and the development of thinking dispositions which will enable success in adaptive settings. As a building administrator, I will work to be a strong instructional leader who works to create a collaborative and rigorous environment for both students and staff.
Eric Bauer
Certification:
Initial Program
Initial Program Administrator
M.Ed.
Internship Site:
TBD
Academic Background:
♦ University of Alaska, Fairbanks. B.A. English
♦ University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 6-12 Certification L.A. and Math
Professional Experience:
I taught Mathematics at Madison Middle School in West Seattle for 4 years. For the past two years I have been mathematics department head, head of the Grade and Promotion task force, and member of the building leadership team.
Professional Goal:
After some experience as a building administrator, I would like to work at the district or state level in the field of research and evaluation.
Vikki Berard
Certification:
Internship Site:
Academic Background:
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Professional Experience:
Professional Goal:
Judy Bowlby
Certification:
Initial Principal
Internship Site:
Creekside Elementary, Issaquah School District
Academic Background:
♦ Seattle Pacific University, Professional Certificate
♦ Walden University, Master’s of Science: Elementary Reading and Literacy
♦ University of Puget Sound, B.A.: Elementary Education
Professional Experience:
I am currently in a TOSA position as Program Assistant at Creekside Elementary in the Issaquah School District. My job entails working with children to problem solve, leading the implementation of the Leader in Me which is a process of building our school culture based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits, supporting our Educational Assistants, acting as school Testing Coordinator, working with our PTA to support their efforts, serving on our school’s Guidance Team to support students with or in need of support, IEP’s or 504’s, co-chairing our schools Green Team and Technology Team and working with our school counselor to find programs such as Peer Mediators to seek out leadership roles for our students.
My prior educational experience includes nearly 10 years teaching at the elementary level: kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. I have worked in Tacoma Public Schools, The Annie Wright School and Issaquah School District. I also worked in an LRC 2 room where my charge was to integrate individual students, one diagnosed with Downs Syndrome and the other Autism, into the regular classroom.
Professional Goal:
I hold a passion for working with children and seeking out the leader that lies within each. As educators, we have the potential to leave lasting impressions on our youth and I believe it our charter to equip them with 21st century life skills necessary to achieve success in school and out. I have embraced and learned a great deal from my position as Program Assistant this year. My role is perceived as a leader in the school and, as such, my goal is to equip myself with the skills necessary to effectively guide and empower others toward leadership within their individual roles. I have always taught my own children to look at the big picture and create options in life; by engaging in the Danforth experience I hope to grow as an individual and expose myself to future professional opportunities.
Walter Chen
Certification:
Initial Principal
Internship Site:
South Shore P-8, Seattle
Academic Background:
♦Pomona College, B.A., Economics
♦University of California, Los Angeles, M.Ed.
♦National Board Certification – Mathematics/Early Adolescence
Professional Experience:
I am currently teaching 6th grade mathematics at Dimmitt Middle School and high school Geometry at Renton High School in the Renton School District. Prior to this year I taught middle school mathematics for 6 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District in downtown Los Angeles. While there I served as mathematics department chair and lead facilitator for the district’s pilot lesson study program. In addition, I supported beginning teachers in receiving their professional teaching certificate. I also developed and taped a biweekly math lesson for the Homework Hotline on the local Los Angeles PBS station.
Professional Goal:
I look forward to bringing my experience working with diverse populations into an urban community as a middle school principal or assistant principal. I strive to promote social justice in schools and close the achievement gap by maintaining high expectations for my students and staff. I hope to create a culture of academic rigor that prepares students for college, leadership, and life, and a culture of commitment, collaboration, and shared accountability amongst staff.
Stacy Crum
Certification:
Initial Principal
Internship Site:
Cedar Way Elementary, Edmonds School District
Academic Background:
♦ Stanford University, BS, Industrial Engineering
♦ Stanford University, MA Organizational Behavior
♦ Chapman University, K-8 Certification
Professional Experience:
I taught 1st, 5th and 6th grade for seven years in the Los Altos School District in California. Prior to teaching, I was an Industrial Engineer for American Express for three years. I have been home with my kids for the past 10 years, volunteering in the classroom and developing my leadership skills as PTA president, Site Council president, and serving on a district parent leadership committee for Union School District.
Professional Goal:
I would like to bring my unique educational, professional and volunteer experiences into a school community as an elementary principal. I am passionate about children, education and improving the educational system. My desire is to become an instructional leader and a builder of a culture that promotes the love of learning and respect toward all people.
Tara Gray
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Bellevue School District
Academic Background:
♦ Western Washington University, B.A., Psychology
♦ Antioch University Seattle, K-8 Certification, Psychology 4-12 Certification, 4-12 Spanish Certification and, M.Ed.
Professional Experience:
My experience includes over a decade of teaching in elementary and middle school as well as two years in the curriculum department supporting teachers district-wide. In addition I am a board member of our state’s professional social studies organization and a member of the OSPI Cadre of social studies standards and assessment trainers.
• Instructional Coach, Bellevue School District (2 years)
• Elementary Teacher, Bellevue School District (2 years)
• Elementary Teacher, French Immersion School of Washington (2 years)
• Middle School and Elementary Teacher, Edmonds School District (6 years)
Professional Goal:
My professional goal is to serve as a leader in an education setting where I can positively impact learning of all students. I believe that through support and working together with teachers, families, and the community, all students can have a school experience that prepares them to succeed in college, career, and life.
Geri Guerrero
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Seattle Public Schools
Academic Background:
♦ Lesley University, M.Ed, Curriculum & Instruction – Technology in Education
♦ University of Guam, B.A., Special Education with emphasis in Communication Disorders
Professional Experience:
♦ Supervisor, Special Education Services, Seattle Public Schools
-PreK – 12 grade
-High & Low incidence service models
-Related Services: Speech Pathologists, Audiologists, and Assistive Technology
♦ Consulting Teacher, Special Education Services, Seattle Public Schools
♦ Special Education Teacher
-♦Resource
-Self-contained
-Preschool
♦ Elementary General Ed Teacher and Specialist
-Technology Coach
-2nd grade
-Reading & Math Interventionist
♦ Speech & Language Therapist: PreK – 12th grade
Professional Goal:
To participate and provide exemplary Leadership in the development of School Districts’ vision and mission to serve all students. To create an awareness, commitment, and practice of building a school culture that embraces diversity, best practices in teaching and learning, and community partnerships.
Kristen Haizlip
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Interlake High School and Highland Middle School, Bellevue School District
Curriculum Department, Bellevue School District
Academic Background:
♦ Seattle University, Masters in Teaching
♦ Washington State University, M.A.
♦ Santa Clara University, B.A.
Professional Experience:
I am currently the Instructional Technology Curriculum Leader at Interlake High School. My role involves planning professional development for the staff, facilitating peer observations, providing instructional coaching, and offering technology support. I am a member of the Instructional Leadership Team, the Safe and Civil Schools Committee, and the Interlake Guidance Team. I have worked in the Bellevue School District since 2003 with a variety of roles and responsibilities, from Special Education IA at Tyee Middle School to Social Studies Curriculum Coach. My classroom experience is in teaching world history (including Advanced Placement) and AVID. I am passionate about making advanced coursework accessible to all students and ensuring that all IHS graduates are prepared to enter and succeed in the college or career of their choice.
Professional Goal:
My goal is to become an administrator in a middle school or high school, with a focus on staff collaboration around the central purpose of educating all students. I would like to be an instructional leader and develop a school community that constantly reflects upon and refines teaching practices to best meet the needs of diverse student needs.
Elaine Harger
Certification:
Initial Principal
M. Ed.
Internship Site:
Nathan Hale High School, Seattle Public Schools
Academic Background:
♦ Columbia University, MLS
♦ University of Utah, BA
Professional Experience:
I have been a librarian for over 20 years with all age and ability ranges -- kindergarten through graduate school. As a school librarian I have worked at a K-8 public school in New York City, and at both the elementary and high school levels in Washington State. Throughout my career I have been active in professional circles on several levels: serving 3 terms on the governing council of the American Library Association; working with the Social Responsibilities Round Table of ALA; co-founding the Progressive Librarians Guild and serving as the managing editor of its journal; co-facilitating action research groups with the Dual Language Fellows Program in NYC; running zine and book arts workshops for people of all ages; volunteering for the Newark (NJ) Literacy Program; serving on the board of the New York Labor History Association; and helping to organize Transition Snoqualmie Valley.
Professional Goal:
My goal in entering into a position of leadership in the field of education is to bring my experience and dedication into a school community that shares my concern about the world our children are facing. I know that that our society is woefully unprepared for the environmental and economic challenges ahead and I want to be part of a forward-thinking community dedicated to creatively and energetically rethinking the relationships between education, children, society, planet and the future.
Shannon Hitch
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Sunset Elementary School, Issaquah School District
Special Education Administration, Issaquah School District
Academic Background:
♦ Seattle University, BA Psychology
♦ Seattle University, BA Humanities
♦ Central Washington University, M.Ed. School Psychology
♦ Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Professional Experience:
I have worked as a school psychologist for the past 15 years and have been employed with Issaquah School District since 1997. I started my career working in Puyallup School District and Bethel School District. As a school psychologist, I have worked in multiple building placements, providing counseling and assessment services for children between the ages of birth to 21, providing behavior intervention services, and consulting with teachers and parents. I have served on numerous building teams and district committees (curriculum development and review, special education program development and review, assessment). I am currently working as the Lead Psychologist for Issaquah School District and serving on the district special education leadership team. I’m engaged in providing professional development for special education staff as well as mentoring and supporting our district school psychologist team. I am responsible for ensuring compliance on special education assessments. I also work as our district early childhood specialist, providing services to children and their parents who are moving from birth-to-three agencies to district special education programs.
Professional Goal:
In the future, I would like to pursue a position as a district special education administrator. I am lucky to be working with an outstanding district leadership team and I have learned from some of the best special education administrators in our state. I welcome the opportunity to take my experience and knowledge to become an effective and progressive special education leader. I have a passion for working with special needs children and their families. I believe that it is our responsibility to work with the most vulnerable children and send them into the world prepared to meet the challenges of further education, employment and independent living. I also believe in supporting the teachers and special education staff that work tirelessly to provide these services to children. I hope to create a climate of collaboration and best practice that is felt in the classroom, within a school, and throughout a district.
Katy Kayler
Certification:
Internship Site:
Academic Background:
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Professional Experience:
Professional Goal:
Erin King
Certification:
Internship Site:
Academic Background:
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Professional Experience:
Professional Goal:
Joan Lawson
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Endeavour Elementary School, Issaquah School District
Academic Background:
♦ Washington State University, BA
♦ Lesley University, M.Ed.
Professional Experience:
I have taught in a self contained Behavior Programs at Jefferson Elementary, Port Angeles School District, Fairwood Elementary, and Kent School District and as a Special Education teacher (Resource Room) at West Mercer Elementary, Mercer Island School District. I started working within the administration building when I became a Behavior TOSA and Truancy Representative for the Auburn School District, during this time I reviewed IEP’s for compliance and was a part of the South King County IST and Auburn Youth Partners.
Presently, I am a Behavior Interventionist and Truancy Specialist within the Issaquah School District. I work with building teams regarding students with truancy and behavior issues and am the lead Behavior Specialist that participates in the Leadership Team meetings at the Administration level. I teach data management and Right Response classes for teachers and educational assistants. I represent the Issaquah School District with the King County Truancy Court and the Northeast King County CRT team meetings. I have begun to review district IEP’s for compliance, support staff with Individual Educational Plans and behavior plans and participate in IEP meetings as the district representative.
Professional Goal:
My goal would be to work within a building that would give me the opportunity to help close the achievement gap, as well as, help those students who are not challenged to reach their potential. To do this, I would like to better learn how and become more engaged in the process of providing professional development for a community of teachers, while involving the local communities and resources that support our students. This would also provide the opportunity to work with staff and students around teaching and implementing strategies for curriculum and behavior.
Melinda Leonard
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Interagency Academy, Seattle School District
Academic Background:
♦ University of Washington, College of Education, Master in Teaching, Middle Level Math and Science
♦ Stanford University, A.B. Human Biology, Psychology
♦ Seattle University, Public Administrationy
Professional Experience:
I’ve taught middle school math and science in Seattle since 2003, including two years as a Curriculum Coach and one as a Math Specialist. I currently support math instruction at Interagency Academy, Seattle’s alternative and safety net program for middle and high school students. As part of my position, I lead the intake, assessment and placement program for the school. Prior to teaching, I enjoyed a successful career in social work administration, including work for the City of Seattle Human Services Department managing community and school based programs for children, youth and families, and leadership positions in local non-profit organizations.
Professional Goal:
I hope to apply my leadership skills to closing the achievement gap and creating the conditions for all children to learn, as a building or program manager.
Andra Maughan
Certification:
Internship Site:
Academic Background:
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Professional Experience:
Professional Goal:
Mike Montgomery
Certification:
M. Ed.
Internship Site:
Open Window School, an Independent School in Bellevue
Academic Background:
♦ Northwestern University, B.A., Economics
Professional Experience:
Starting four years ago, I created and taught the middle school math and science curriculum for the newly founded middle school division of Open Window School called Vista Academy. As the school enrollment grew, I have continued to teach science for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. I have been able to gain leadership skills through this experience as the founding of a new school required filling many roles, including forming partnerships universities and organizations devoted to math and science, developing programs to build empathy and character, and serving on task force committees to develop school vision, curriculum, and philosophy.
Professional Goal:
I am enthusiastic to apply my experience and education to a leadership position in an independent school, such as a Dean of Students or Head of School. In the long term, I am interested in serving as an executive director of an educational non-profit. I am a passionate advocate for challenging and experiential education that uses neuroscience research to drive best teaching methods and assessment.
Sara Jo Pietraszewski
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Sunny Hills and Discovery Elementary Schools, Issaquah School District
Academic Background:
♦ University of Puget Sound, Masters in Teaching and K-8 Certification
♦ Hillsdale College, BA in History and English
Professional Experience:
After starting my teaching career in Tacoma, I spent the last several years in the Issaquah School District. I taught 4th Grade for eight years. As the team lead, I enjoyed various leadership roles and responsibilities including a wide-variety of both building and district positions on committees and in curriculum work. In addition, I prepared and presented professional development at both the building and district levels. For the past three years, I worked as a TOSA in a Program Assistant position. This position allowed me to pursue some of my passions such as instructional coaching, data analysis and goal setting to improve student achievement, best-practice implementation of a new literacy initiative, and problem-solving with students that needed additional academic or behavioral support. I enjoyed building positive and productive relationships with the various parts of our school community including all staff, students, families, and the PTA.
Professional Goal:
I believe that my experiences as an educational leader and my passion for learning and growing as an educator, will serve me well as either an elementary school principal or as an instructional coach. I am also interested in curriculum work.
Patricia Rangel
Certification:
Internship Site:
Academic Background:
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Professional Experience:
Professional Goal:
Garth Reeves
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
Highline Big Picture High School, Highline School District
Academic Background:
♦ The Evergreen State College, B.A.
♦ Antioch University Seattle, M.Ed., Secondary Certification English & Social Studies
Professional Experience:
I have taught the last three years in the Highline School Districts’ Big Picture HS, working in a highly personalized, experiential project and internship-based program for secondary education. I have worked to develop and maintain a highly collaborative and reflective practice of instruction and professional development. I sit on the building leadership team and have been co-designer of building-wide professional development. As Lead Advisor, I am responsible for strategic planning, agenda setting and facilitation of weekly meetings framed around a reflective examination of practice and outcomes for adults and student learning.
Professional Goal:
I am deeply interested in the field of education as a force for equity that serves a personal and community empowerment mission. I look to develop leadership through inquiry, collaboration and reflection while building relationships with staff, students, families and the community in an effort to foster student achievement.
Elena Sanchez
Certification:
Initial Principal
Initial Program Administrator
Internship Site:
TBD
Academic Background:
♦ Western Washington University, B.A., Spanish
♦ Seattle University, MIT, Elementary Education
Professional Experience:
I have worked in public schools as an intermediate teacher for 6 years. During this time I have served on building and district committees and teams focused on improving student performance, data analysis, instructional practice and implementing new curriculum. I am a National Board Certified Teacher (Middle Childhood Generalist).
Professional Goal:
I am committed to providing high-quality instruction, particularly to students in urban communities. I want to work with a staff that is devoted to eliminating the achievement gap, by setting high expectations for all students, and dedicated to instruction that is focused and meaningful. I feel that this type of instruction is possible when it is facilitated and supported by strong leadership that understands and embraces that their role is imperative to a successful learning community.
Kathy Torres
Certification:
Initial Principal
Internship Site:
Mill Creek Middle School, Kent School District
Academic Background:
♦ Oklahoma City University, B.S. Computer Science
♦ Oklahoma City University, MBA Information Systems
♦ Antioch University Seattle, Teaching Certification, Secondary Math
♦ National Board Certificated Teacher, EA Math
Professional Experience:
As an instructional coach I merge my previous experience as a manager of global teams of software developers in the telecommunication industry and my classroom teaching experience into a dynamic, multifaceted approach to team building with a focus on student achievement. As a software development leader, I established my team building skills, discovered and developed my leadership style, and realized the importance of strong relationships to facilitate motivation and collaboration. As an educational leader, I have learned the importance of flexibility - a flexibility that accounts for the end goal while demanding multiple pathways to the goal to accommodate students learning styles and instructional needs. These two diverse experiences provide me foundational tools necessary to be a compassionate, effective leader in the educational setting.
Professional Goal:
I aim to bring together my experiences in school leadership and corporate management to drive academic excellence by creating an educational framework that cultivates personal efficacy, persistence, and character. I want all students to know they can achieve success academically, socially, and personally. I will advocate for students, staff, and families within the community.
If you would like to make any changes to your biography please email Brieanne Hull at k12admin@u.washington.edu