Staff

Education:
Bishop Blanchet High School

Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Reading Endorsement, Psychology Minor
University of Portland

Master of Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement
University of Portland

Why did you become an educator?
I became a teacher because I never want to stop going to school! School has always been a place I feel happy, challenged, and supported by the people around me. There is so much out there to learn, and school is a place where I can keep learning as much of it as I can.

What is your favorite quote?
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” -Roald Dahl

What is your favorite book?
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I am so excited to work at OLF because I love being a part of Catholic school communities. I have attended Catholic school my entire life!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Swimming (in pools and in the Puget Sound!), hiking, playing with my puppy, traveling, and reading

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Education
Arizona State University

Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction
Western Governors University

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator because I love learning, and I wanted to share and nurture the love of learning in my students.

What is your favorite quote?
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” –Mother Teresa

What is your favorite book?
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Why do I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I love teaching at OLF because the sense of community is so strong and welcoming. I enjoy collaborating the other teachers and staff, and I am energized by our students’ eagerness to learn and grow!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Traveling, baking and cooking, spending time with family and friends, reading, hiking and camping, exploring new places and meeting new people, and hanging out with my dogs!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
University of Washington

Master of Education in Learning Sciences and Human Development
University of Washington

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator because I believe that all children deserve to be seen and believed in by the adults in their lives. There is hardly any job like that of an educator in terms of making an impact on the world around us. Plus, I just love working with children – they are spirited and hilarious.

What is your favorite quote?
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” -Lao Tzu

What is your favorite book?
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke or The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

What I like most about teaching at OLF is…
Magnolia is a wonderful, family-oriented community, and OLF has been so welcoming and kind!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time outside with my family, running, weight training, snuggling with my cats, and reading books.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Music and Mathematics
University of Denver

Master of Arts, Music
University of Denver

BTIC (Bringing Theatre Into The Classroom) certified, James Hill Ukulele Initiative certified

Why did you become an educator?
I was inspired by my middle school music teacher who went out of his way to provide opportunities that challenged my skills beyond what was required in the curriculum. Also, I believe that growing up with two blind parents instilled an eagerness in me to help to those who struggle and may need things to be explained in a different way.

What is your favorite quote?
“You only need to practice on the days that you eat.”

What is your favorite book?
I having always been a fan of problem solving and puzzles, so I naturally love the stories of Sherlock Holmes.

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
OLF does a great job teaching students to have a growth mindset. They are challenged to improve and perform at their very best in all classes and at all times, no matter what their skill level is.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Performing for and attending theater around Seattle, playing tennis, traveling, and working with power tools.

Education: 
Bachelor of Arts, English
University of San Francisco

Master of Arts, Religious Education
University of San Francisco

St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN

Why did you become an educator?
Love children and teaching.

What is your favorite quote?
“I awake at dawn and give thanks for another day of loving.” -e.e. cummings

What is your favorite book?
The Bible

What I like most about OLF?
The people!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Reading, gardening, playing piano, and spending time time with my grandchildren.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Theater
Wagner College, NY

What is your favorite quote?
Less a quote and more a motto, it is Icelandic, “þetta reddast” [It will all work out].

What is your favorite book?
Hard to choose just one. My favorite children’s book is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I enjoy reading mysteries (especially Agatha Christie) and biographies.

What I like most about teaching/working at OLF is…
I love working at Fatima because it is a wonderful community with a great staff and fantastic children.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time with my family, traveling, swimming, reading, volleyball, skiing, and running.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Global Studies
University of Washington

Master of Education, Special Education
Seattle University

Why did you become an educator?
I am an educator because I want to make a positive impact on as many students as I can.

What is your favorite quote:
“Have courage and be kind.” –Cinderella (2015)

What is your favorite book:
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
What I like most about teaching at OLF is how committed our community members are in supporting our students as they achieve their academic goals.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Traveling and meeting new people.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts: English, Theatre Arts, Music (minor)
Saint Martin’s University

Master of Arts, Teaching
University of Portland

Why did you become an educator?:
I love teaching and learning. I believe that the ability to share, listen, and learn is the single most powerful tool human beings have to help one another reach our full potential.

What is your favorite quote?
“Above us, only stars. Below us, only stars. To all sides, only stars. Inside of us, only stars.” –Welcome to Night Vale

What is your favorite book?
An impossible choice! Really, I feel like English teachers should be exempted from this question for our whole lives.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Coffee and tea (in equal measure). Singing. Acting. Taize prayer. Reading, especially fantasy, YA fiction, and the classics. Hiking, and all other ways of experiencing the natural beauty Pacific Northwest.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Literature
University of Washington

Master of Education, K-8 Education
Seattle Pacific University

5th-9th Grade Math Endorsement

Why did you become an educator?
At the end of each day, regardless of how it went, the work of empowering children with knowledge is just and fulfilling work. I never get tired of seeing the light bulbs go off.

What is your favorite quote?
“No one can make your feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

What is your favorite book?
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I’ve never cried after any book like I did after this one!

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
The value placed on community and family, great colleagues, and students who challenge me and make me laugh.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Getting outside with my family, cooking, drawing, playing music, and watching my kids play sports.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, History and Spanish
Seattle University

Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Western Washington University

Why did you become an educator?
I like learning and serving others. Teaching is a way to satisfy both of these desires.

What is your favorite quote?
“…childhood is the one story that stands by itself in every soul.” -Ivan Doig, The Whistling Season

What is your favorite book?
I have to choose? The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig is a great book about teaching in rural Montana, and it speaks to me as a person curious about history and teaching.

Professionally, The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game by John Fox is a great history of different games we play.

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
The community of learners and the teachers!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
My wife and two kids, hiking in the North Cascades and Olympic Mountains, exploring Seattle, playing basketball, and traveling.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Communications
Marist College

Why did you become an educator?
I want to teach because I was greatly influenced by the educators I had as a child – many of the lessons learned at a young age I carry with me today. I also believe that it is our responsibility to help mold future generations. To be able to do this within such an incredible community is a real blessing.

What is your favorite quote?
“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” Theodore Roosevelt

What is your favorite book?
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Hanging out with my wife and three kids, going to concerts, coaching youth sports, and playing golf!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish
University of California at Santa Barbara

Graduate work in Spain, France, and Mexico

Endorsements in Spanish K-12, Elementary Education, Bilingual Education

Why did you become an educator?
The day I realized I wanted to become a teacher was when, as an instructional assistant, I was helping a little boy in San Diego who had recently arrived from Honduras who didn’t speak English and had already experienced some very difficult things in life at an early age. He needed academic support and was very serious. He didn’t smile. Finally, after several weeks of working with him, he smiled, and it was the best feeling in the world. I felt hope for him that he would progress. I realized, just as my teachers had made such a difference for me in my life, I too could possibly do the same.

What is your favorite quote?
“It’s a perfect day to have a perfect day!”

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I love the element of creativity we as teachers get to enjoy, and I am always appreciative that my subject allows me to talk with students about so many things! That exchange of energy with the students and getting to laugh with them is one of my primary joys as a teacher. I’m grateful for the enthusiasm that the students and parents have for learning languages here at Our Lady of Fatima, and I’m grateful for the community as a whole. I like the fact that OLF considers very important the mission of knowing others and of caring for one another. Toward that goal, if I’m able to help to create “world citizens” with my efforts as a teacher, that would make me very happy.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Reading in Spanish and French, and I am member of a Spanish language book club. My son, husband, and I enjoy hiking in the Northwest and cooking good food!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences, K-8 teaching certificate
Seattle Pacific University

Why did you become an educator?
I really enjoy children and presenting to them concepts and ideas in many different ways. I love watching them explore and grow while having many “aha” moments!

What is your favorite quote?
“…and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” -Micah 6:8

What is your favorite book?
There are so many, but I will choose, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. It’s an exciting adventure story that takes place around the early 1800s in France and is filled with mercy, courage, and hope.

What I like most about OLF?
What I like most about OLF is its desire to work for high academic excellence and the strong sense of community based on a shared faith. I love the fact that we are all here to support each other, seeing that everyone has the potential for being their best, while showing kindness and respect for one another.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Being with my family, being outdoors, spending time with my friends, working in my garden, baking, reading, and I love to travel!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts/Asian Studies
University of Puget Sound

What is your favorite quote?
“To laugh often and love much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” -“On Success,” attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is your favorite book?
Little Women was my favorite book growing up, and reading it again now as a mother of two girls, I appreciate it even more for the traditional parental wisdom and the special relationships between mother and daughter and between sisters. On vacation a few years ago, our family visited The Orchard House, Louisa May Alcott’s former home in Concord, Massachusetts, and the setting of Little Women. It was like walking into the book. We even saw the desk at which she wrote it.

What I like most about OLF?
I love that our community is like a big family. Everyone knows each other and looks out for one another. I tell all our prospective families this is a special place to be!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time with family and friends, attending my children’s activities, volunteering, traveling, walking/hiking, skiing/snowboarding, reading, and watching Husky sports (I am a Dawg by marriage).

Education:
Bishop Blanchet High School

Bachelors of Science: Elementary Education K-8, Special Education PreK-8
Central Washington University

Bachelors of Arts: Masters in Elementary Education, Reading Endorsement, English as a Second Language Endorsement
Saint Joseph University ACE program

Why did you become an educator?
I love being able to help students discover and learn new things. Watching that spark of excitement and grow interested in a variety of topics is so amazing to watch and be a part of.

What is your favorite quote:
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

What is your favorite book:
The Giver by Louis Lowry

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I enjoy working at Fatima because of the community. Everyone is so supportive of each other and you can see the love and care that everyone has for the students. In the classroom, I love seeing how excited students get about learning and how they always want to dive deeper into what they are doing. It is amazing watching students’ spark for learning grow and being a part of that process.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time with my family and friends, kayaking, playing board games, and traveling

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Communications
University of Washington

Master of Education in TESOL
Seattle University

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator to help build bonds within communities. As an ESL teacher in Rome, New York, and Seattle, my aim was to help my students connect to their world through language. As an instructional aide at Our Lady of Fatima, my goal is similar – I want to help our first graders learn and understand the value of our community and what it means to be a member of it. As an alumna of the school, I know firsthand how cherished the ties of this community are, since many of the relationships I formed in first grade are still significant to me now.

What is your favorite quote?
“That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.” -William Wordsworth

What is your favorite book?
Choosing a favorite book is a near impossible task. However, when I do think about some of my favorites, I am immediately taken back in time to my seventh grade English classes at Fatima with Mrs. Dewberry. It was in her classroom that she led us on fictional journeys all over the country – from the fertile California valleys in Grapes of Wrath to the hot summer days in Maycomb, Alabama, with Jem, Scout, and Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird – each book we read was both an adventure and a life lesson.

What I like most about teaching at OLF is…
Teaching at OLF will give me a chance to revisit my formative years and give back to the community that nurtured me.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Outside of school, running, reading, and baking are some of my favorite pastimes.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
University of Washington

Why did you become an educator?
Being able to teach young children has proven to be a real gift. It combines my love of children and learning. In Pre-K, there are no two days that are alike, and every day includes laughter and fun.

What is your favorite quote?
“We can fight change or trust God has a plan and a purpose.” -Tracie Miles

What is your favorite book?
The Glass Castle or Wild. Both are works of non-fiction about overcoming insurmountable odds.

What I like most about OLF?
Our Lady of Fatima has always been a special school to me because it is where my four children attended. I have always appreciated the strong sense of community here and am just so happy to be teaching in a place that holds so many precious memories.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending as much time as I can with my family, watching sports, reading, getting outdoors.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts: Early Special Education & Early Childhood Education
Gonzaga University:

Master of Arts: Curriculum and Instruction Literacy
Seattle Pacific University

Postgraduate Work: Science Technology Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) & Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Various Programs and Institutions

Why did you become an educator?
As a lifelong learner, I became an educator because I know that I have so much to learn from others and love watching communities grow stronger with love and empathy.

What is your favorite quote?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

What is your favorite book?
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

What I like most about teaching/working at OLF is…
I love watching us all grow and learn together as a community.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Playing outside: running, skiing, camping, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding. I love dancing and singing karaoke in our kitchen with my family.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts
University of Puget Sound

Master of Business Administration
Georgetown University

Why did you become an educator?
I wanted to feel that I was making a difference each day. I feel rewarded when I make a student smile or teach a student a new concept or help guide a student to be the best version of themselves.

What is your favorite quote?
Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.

What is your favorite book?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Volunteering, traveling, going to the theater, running, spending time with family and friends.

Education:
Associate of Arts, English
Skyline College, San Bruno, CA

Certificate in Applied Science, Landscape Horticulture
South Seattle College

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator because I love to help others learn. I know how difficult it can be for students to ask for help, especially if they feel their peers understand and they don’t. I want to contribute to a safe and positive learning environment so that each student can thrive.

What is your favorite quote?
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

What is your favorite book?
Dracula by Bram Stoker

What I like most about teaching/working at OLF is…
How excited everyone is to learn and grow!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Exploring the beach at low tide, traveling, and playing piano.

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Social Work
Master of Science, Social Work with a focus on School Social Work
Ohio State University

What is your favorite book:
What is your favorite book? I read Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid this summer and didn’t want it to end!

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
The close-knit community. I have been away for a few years, and I am eager to return to such a welcoming environment.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time with my family. We have four children, so we’re pretty busy with their activities, but I enjoy watching them explore their interests and participate in things that make them happy. My favorite time is summer, when things slow down a bit, and we travel to the Midwest to enjoy time with extended family and be on the lake!

Education:
Business Diploma, Accounting
NAIT

Why did you become an educator?
I love children and seeing their academic growth.

What is your favorite quote?
“A mistake is only a mistake if you don’t learn from it.”

What is your favorite book?
The Art of Racing in the Rain. I love how it’s written through a dog’s perspective.

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I love the community feel that the students and parents have about the school.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Hiking, running, walking Luna, and cooking.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Recreation and Leisure
Western Washington University

Master of Arts, Elementary Education
Seattle Pacific University

Why did you become an educator?
I love watching students grow in mind, body, and soul.

What is your favorite quote?
“Anyone can slay a dragon…but try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again. That’s what takes a real hero.” -Brian Andreas

What is your favorite book?
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time with family, friends, and my two cats. I also enjoy exploring the outdoors by hiking and mountaineering. 

Education:
Associate of Science, Health Science
Bellevue Community College

What is your favorite quote?
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

What is your favorite book?
My favorite book would be any that I was currently reading. I always have my nose stuck in a book.

What I like most about working at OLF…
I enjoy being around the unbridled enthusiasm of the students.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
I spend as much time as I can in the Boulder River Wilderness within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest camping, hiking and a wee bit of rock climbing.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, with Minor in History
University of Washington

Master of Health Administration
Kaplan University

What is your favorite quote?
“When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” -Paulo Coelho

What is your favorite book?
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

What do you most enjoy about working at Fatima?
Working with so many skilled individuals toward the same goal of educating our children and strengthening our community.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Practicing yoga and pilates, skiing, hiking with our dog, Watson, and spending time at home with my family.

Education:
Bachelor of Education, Elementary Education
St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN

Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction
Seattle University

Principal Certification, Principal/Administration Certification
Seattle University

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator to help guide young people to become the best version of themselves. Helping a child find their strength, overcome a challenge, find their voice, and be the kind, compassionate, Christ-like people they are meant to be is important to me.

What is your favorite quote?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

What is your favorite book?
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. This book was a favorite of mine when in grade school. I loved the thought of traveling through space and time, discovering new lands and adventures.

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I love the community at OLF. The students are happy, enjoy what they are doing, and love to read! This community has been very welcoming.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Travel, cooking, gardening, and reading.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
Minor in Human Development
Washington State University

Why did you become an educator?
In my 1st grade class, we were asked the important question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, and I wrote down, “I want to be a teacher.”  Since I can remember, there has been no other career I have wanted to do more. The best feeling in the word to me is when I see a child’s lightbulb go off in their head when they understand what you are teaching them. As a student in elementary school, I struggled. My reading and math skills were not as developed as the rest of my peers, but two teachers changed that for me. These two wonderful ladies altered my learning experience forever. They gave me hope in my academic abilities when I had none, they instilled confidence in me when it wasn’t there, and they had faith in me when I didn’t in myself. I am inspired to be in education because of them. I want to impact the future learners of this world the way they did for me. Having faith in someone and being that support system can change a student’s life. Being a teacher is more than just teaching a lesson plan, it is working with students when they are struggling and reassuring them all people develop and learn differently and that is okay. I want to inspire kids who feel they cannot succeed that they can. My teachers were my voice for me when I felt like I didn’t have one, and I plan do the same for all my future students.

What is your favorite quote:
“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.” -Confucius

What is your favorite book:
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
What I like most about working at OLF is being a part of the community. Every person, from faculty and staff, to the students and parents are kindhearted individuals who want the best for the people around them. This community creates an environment allowing for people to strive and reach their full potential as a learner, friend, and neighbor.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Outside of school I enjoy being with friends and family.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts
University of Washington

Teacher Certification
University of Washington, Bothell

Master of Education
Seattle University

Why did you become an educator?

I would like the world to grow more peaceful, just, and innovative with every day.

To do this, I know that we have to have a foundation of Unconditional Love. This is why I choose to teach at a Catholic School. Here I can be a part of a collaborative effort to educate others to be their best, and, through the love of God, make the world a more peaceful, just, and innovative community.

What is your favorite quote?

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince.

What is your favorite book?
All of them. I love to read and explore new worlds from my couch. Stories are wonderful ways to have new experiences and open one’s mind to new perspectives.

What I like most about teaching at OLF is…
I can’t wait to find out.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
I play the cello, participate in the Edmonds Kendo Club, and go for long walks as often as I am able.

Education:
Associate of Arts, General Education/Cosmetology
San Jose City College

Studied Art in France, Italy, Austria, Ireland, and Mexico.

Why did you become an educator?
To share my love of Art & Faith.

What is your favorite quote?
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
-Maya Angelou

What is your favorite book?
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Angelou weaves a story like no other.
Reading her books is like singing a song. Her writing is descriptive, poetic, and speaks of hope.

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I love sharing my knowledge about Art with the students. I love the joy and excitement it brings to the students when they work on a lesson and are full of confidence and joy when they see their finished piece. I love the camaraderie that exists within the OLF staff. The staff works as a team to build an environment of love and growth for each student.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Yoga, running, and painting. I also enjoy going on traveling adventures with my friends and family.

Education:
Bachelor of Social Work
Seattle University

Master of Social Work – Administration and Policy
University of Washington

What is your favorite quote?
“Love is an action, never simply a feeling.” – Bell Hooks

What is your favorite book?
The Giver by Lois Lowry

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Outside of school I enjoy going for walks, playing video games, and petting my cat, Kiki.

Education:

Associate of Arts, Finance
Clark County College, Las Vegas

Bachelor of Science, Business and Economics
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Master in Business Administration: First Data Merchant Services Executive Program
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business

Project Management Professional Certification
Payment Systems Professional, NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association)

What is your favorite quote?
“Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love for they enkindle and melt the soul.” -St. Teresa of Avila

What is your favorite book?
Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. I love this book because it reminds me of the wide open possibilities our young people have before them. It speaks of adventure, courage, and faith in oneself and in the future. Our children and each one of us at the turning points of our lives are on an incredible journey, and this book reminds me that it is in fact the journey, not the individual achievement, that is truly important. At each juncture, on each leg of our journey, we have the ability to fully step into our roles and hopefully leave the world a little better place in our wake.

What I like most about OLF?
I love the community of Our Lady of Fatima Parish School. I love the children, watching them grow up and seeing them in the village as they get older. I cherish the heritage of this school. There are many families in the area who have been a part of its founding and have had multiple generations come through our school. I love the staff and feeling as if I have a place and can contribute to our community in my little way.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Taking care of my father and my family. I also help elderly people with in-home care, bathing and the like. I thoroughly enjoy being in service. I feel so very blessed to be able to care for people on such a deeply personal level and help them retain the dignity that is infused in their soul through God. I enjoy reading, walking, and sailing.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Public Policy
Duke University

Why did you become an educator?
I have always been inclined towards teaching whether it was TA’ing in college, coaching kids soccer, tutoring, or supporting my kids through Covid. Teaching requires being present and in the moment with the material, skill, and people with whom I am working. I love finding the moments of connection and focus within the fast pace that envelopes a classroom.  

What is your favorite book?
Because I am a preschool teacher, I’m going to take that route….I love The Rabbit Listened by Cori Coerrfeld.  It is a sweet book for students, parents, and educators alike to reflect on the best ways to support each other during the tough moments. And the illustrations are beautiful.

What I like most about OLF?
The strong sense of community makes OLF an exciting place to work. My kids attend OLF, so I have been a part of many aspects of the school as a parent, and I am now excited to experience our community from another angle.  

Outside of school, I enjoy…
I enjoy being active outside with my family. We love to hike, bike, and spend time on the water. I love urban hiking through Seattle (which must include delicious food), and exploring new places. I recently took up pottery but realized that hobby is too time consuming for a teacher with kids.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
Western Washington University

Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction
Western Governors University

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator because I felt a calling at a young age. I believe there is no greater gift than to be able to be a part of the learning journey of children. I am constantly inspired by children and learn so much from them. I want to create a safe learning environment for my students, where they feel inspired and encouraged to discover a passion for learning.

What is your favorite quote?
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is your favorite book?
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. The first time I read this book, I was a student at Our Lady of Fatima and we read it as a class. I’ve loved it ever since! It’s a wonderful story about life’s important lessons.

What I like most about teaching at OLF is…
My favorite thing about teaching at OLF is getting to return to a very familiar and wonderful community that I have been lucky enough to be a part of throughout the years. I had such an incredible experience at OLF as a student and am so excited to be back here as a teacher, where I get to be a part of this journey with the students!

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Traveling, hiking, spending time with family and friends, reading, playing sports, and cooking!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN

Master of Education, Literacy and Language Acquisition
University of Toronto

Master of Education, Educational Leadership & Accountability
Grand Canyon University

Why did you become an educator?
I have been an educator for 30 years, and I remain passionate about walking with students on their journeys of discovery. Witnessing a student grow over the course of a school year, both academically and socially, fuels this passion. To see students grapple with a concept, and then watch the light bulb go on as they achieve understanding is most satisfying.

What is your favorite quote?
“I never lose. I either win or learn.” -Nelson Mandela

What is your favorite book?
Any poetry by Mary Oliver

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
The sense of community and shared values makes Fatima a great place to teach. It truly takes a village, and the partnership among faculty, parents, and parish support the growth of our students.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Backpacking, gardening, fishing, cross-country skiing, and yoga.

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Biology
University of Washington

Master of Education, Teaching
Seattle University

Why did you become an educator?
I love the energy that my students express every day. It’s contagious and fun. They are our future and it’s an honor to help shape them and our world.

What is your favorite quote?
“Be creative – in your thoughts, in your feelings, and in all your actions. Apply your own uniqueness to everything you undertake.” – Wayne Dyer

What is your favorite book?
Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer. The quotes and proverbs in this book speak to me as they relate so much to how we are interwoven into life all around us. Nature provides us with the answers on how to live our lives to the fullest!

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I like the small school and the closeness that is felt here. It’s easy to get to know my coworkers because of the small size. It’s easy to work with everyone because of that smallness. We are in it together and that’s obvious by the way that the teachers interact with each other.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Running, hiking, traveling with my wife, spending time with my kids and grandkids and with my dogs, Wilson and Abby.

Education:
Business
University of Washington

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator to teach young people and help the community.

What is your favorite quote?
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

What is your favorite book?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
The best part about working at OLF is the great community and friendly people.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the movies, and playing basketball.

Education:
General Science
University of Oregon

Why did you become an educator?
I became an educator by accident. I have been volunteering at OLF for the past 11 years helping out in various roles including in the art classes. I enjoy seeing kids realize their creative side. The joy and satisfaction of witnessing a child accomplish something that they didn’t think they were capable of is really inspiring.

What is your favorite quote?
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” -Amanda Gorman

What is your favorite book?
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

What I like most about OLF?
What I like most about teaching/working at OLF is the community we have built. The community within the walls of the school and the community we share outside these walls. The staff really cares about the kids and works hard to support each other.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Outside of school I enjoy running, reading, and finding ways to be creative.

Education:
Montessori Certificate
University of Puget Sound

Certification of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Archdiocese of Vancouver

Why did you become an educator?
When my son started kindergarten, they were looking for a teaching assistant at my son’s school. I had really never thought about being a teacher. I worked in a Montessori Classroom with a wonderful mentor. I was so drawn to the Montessori Method of teaching and felt it was unsurpassed as a way to get through to children. When I saw a child’s eyes light up upon the completion of a lesson or a work in the classroom I knew this is where I was meant to be.

What is your favorite quote?
“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts.” -Albert Einstein

What is your favorite book?
The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell

Why I enjoy teaching at OLF?
I absolutely love watching the children draw closer to God in their response after a presentation, prayer, candle snuffing, or singing the Liturgical Colors song.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Spending time with my family, cooking, baking, and sewing!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, History
Sonoma State University

Why did you become an educator?
My love of learning and a want to share my knowledge and experience.

What is your favorite quote?
“If you obey all the rules, you miss the fun.” -Katharine Hepburn

What is your favorite book?
The Eight by Katherine Neville. It combines realistic fiction with history and mystery.

What I like most about OLF?
OLF’s strong sense of community.

Outside of school, I enjoy…
Running, hiking, paddle boarding, reading, and my favorite thing is spending time with my family exploring new places.