Specialists
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Elizabeth Arzani, Art
Julia Brown, Resource Specialist Nancy Buran, Nutrition Lara Francisco, Academic Support Team Rhonda Gardner, Psychologist Slywia Johnson Mazur, Resource Specialist Emily Josefowitz, Resource Specialist Muriel Lorentz, Resource Instructional Assistant |
Helene McCormick, Academic Support Team
Tobi Nussbaum, Resource Instructional Assistant Jeffrey Riley, Librarian / Technology Specialist Frank Seeberger, Instrumental Music Julietta Skoog, School Counselor Karen Smiley, School Nurse Brianna Veleber, Physical Education |
Elizabeth Arzani, Art, elarzani@seattleschools.org | website
I am very excited to teach art at Queen Anne Elementary. I am a K-12 Certified Art Educator and for the past two years have been working for Seattle Public Schools, teaching grades kindergarten through fifth grade. My philosophy as both an artist and art educator is that an interdisciplinary subject such as art promotes all learners to he higher thinking collaborators, communicators, and problem solvers that persevere and enhance our world.
I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting as well as Art Education and Art History degrees from the University of North Carolina. I am a mixed media artist and collector of sorts. I have exhibited my work on the east coast as well as locally, here in the Pacific Northwest. My newest work is a public art installation that will soon be on view in a storefront at Amazon, in the South Lake Union area. Funded and supported by the Shunpike program, this work highlights my collaborations with other artists and inspirations from student work.
When I am not teaching or creating artwork, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and swimming in the lake.
I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting as well as Art Education and Art History degrees from the University of North Carolina. I am a mixed media artist and collector of sorts. I have exhibited my work on the east coast as well as locally, here in the Pacific Northwest. My newest work is a public art installation that will soon be on view in a storefront at Amazon, in the South Lake Union area. Funded and supported by the Shunpike program, this work highlights my collaborations with other artists and inspirations from student work.
When I am not teaching or creating artwork, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and swimming in the lake.
Julia Brown, jebrown@seattleschools.org
I feel so lucky to be a part of the Queen Anne community! I moved to Seattle from New Jersey, where I grew up and realized that special education is my calling. I have always been passionate about supporting children in need and guiding them as they reach their full potentials.
I graduated from Rider University and earned three teaching certificates - Elementary Education, Special Education, and Early Childhood Education. I have experience teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade in co-teaching and resource classrooms. My absolute favorite subject to teach is reading/phonics. Before I was a teacher, I was a camp counselor with 1st and 2nd graders.
I live in Belltown now, which is a lot of fun! It has been great exploring the area and trying new restaurants. I also really enjoy art - drawing, painting, crocheting, and playing guitar. In the winter, I love to snowboard. When it comes to exercising, I like kickboxing and I hope to find an adult basketball league here, too!
I graduated from Rider University and earned three teaching certificates - Elementary Education, Special Education, and Early Childhood Education. I have experience teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade in co-teaching and resource classrooms. My absolute favorite subject to teach is reading/phonics. Before I was a teacher, I was a camp counselor with 1st and 2nd graders.
I live in Belltown now, which is a lot of fun! It has been great exploring the area and trying new restaurants. I also really enjoy art - drawing, painting, crocheting, and playing guitar. In the winter, I love to snowboard. When it comes to exercising, I like kickboxing and I hope to find an adult basketball league here, too!
Nancy Buran, Nutrition, nlburan@seattleschools.org
Bio coming soon...
Lara Francisco, Academic Support Team, ldfrancisco@seattleschools.org
It is SO exciting to see my instructional position here at Queen Anne Elementary continue to grow, AND to be starting this year by teaming up with my good friend and co-worker, Laura Cooper. My teaching journey started 20 years ago when I graduated from Western Washington University with a Special Education major. Since that time I have been (among other things) an elementary classroom teacher, an after school Math Club instructor, a Roots of Empathy instructor, and a private business owner in education. All leading up to my current role as part of the Academic Support Team at QAE.
I was born in Alaska and raised for most of those years in Kodiak. I have also spent time living in Hawaii and Arizona. My husband (also from Kodiak) is a commercial salmon fisherman, which means that our family spends our summers in Alaska each year in a remote area of Kodiak Island. We love the fact that our boys are able to experience the world that we grew up in, as well as the life of living in a city. Our youngest son, Emmett, will be starting 4th grade at QAE this year. Our oldest, Garett, will be in 8th grade at McClure Middle School. We couldn't be more proud of our boys than we are, and we count our lucky stars for them on a daily basis! The other important members of our family are, of course, our very spoiled dog - Lucy (a Boston Terrier), and our aquatic African clawed dwarf frog - Froggy -Doo. My hobbies include photography, embroidery, listening to KEXP, and reading. Our family (except for Lucy and Froggy-Doo) loves to camp as well, but it is hard to do in Seattle when you are away from June to September...
I can't tell you how exciting it is to be here at Queen Anne Elementary, as this group of educators are truly unique. I have never seen so much passion, commitment, and collaboration, within a school. I know that Laura and I both feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this atmosphere, to be partnering together, and are looking forward to a fabulous year! Thank you so much for sharing your children with us, as they are definitely the reason that we are here and are what keeps us motivated!
I was born in Alaska and raised for most of those years in Kodiak. I have also spent time living in Hawaii and Arizona. My husband (also from Kodiak) is a commercial salmon fisherman, which means that our family spends our summers in Alaska each year in a remote area of Kodiak Island. We love the fact that our boys are able to experience the world that we grew up in, as well as the life of living in a city. Our youngest son, Emmett, will be starting 4th grade at QAE this year. Our oldest, Garett, will be in 8th grade at McClure Middle School. We couldn't be more proud of our boys than we are, and we count our lucky stars for them on a daily basis! The other important members of our family are, of course, our very spoiled dog - Lucy (a Boston Terrier), and our aquatic African clawed dwarf frog - Froggy -Doo. My hobbies include photography, embroidery, listening to KEXP, and reading. Our family (except for Lucy and Froggy-Doo) loves to camp as well, but it is hard to do in Seattle when you are away from June to September...
I can't tell you how exciting it is to be here at Queen Anne Elementary, as this group of educators are truly unique. I have never seen so much passion, commitment, and collaboration, within a school. I know that Laura and I both feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this atmosphere, to be partnering together, and are looking forward to a fabulous year! Thank you so much for sharing your children with us, as they are definitely the reason that we are here and are what keeps us motivated!
Rhonda Gardner, Psychologist, rjgardner@seattleschools.org
Bio coming soon...
Slywia Johnson Mazur, Resource Specialist, smmazurjohns@seattleschools.org
Bio coming soon...
Emily Josefowitz, Resource Specialist
Bio coming soon...
Muriel Lorentz, Resource Instructional Assistant, mjlorentz@seattleschools.org
I am a life-long Queen Anne Hill resident, and I even attended the original John Hay Elementary (now Queen Anne Elementary). Working with children has always been my dream, so after thirty years in business, I am now able to fulfill that dream in the very buildings where I attended kindergarten through 6th grade!
I am mother to my daughter, Teresa (called Tracie), who was married this past summer to her high-school sweetheart, Cole.
I am mother to my daughter, Teresa (called Tracie), who was married this past summer to her high-school sweetheart, Cole.
Helene McCormick, Academic Support, hemccormick@seattleschools.org
I am delighted to be part of the academic support team at Queen Anne Elementary. It’s very special to be able to teach literacy skills to young readers as the Reading Support Teacher, as well as teach second language learners in my role as the ELL teacher. I enjoy collaborating with the families and staff that make up this unique and wonderful learning community.
Raised in Ojai, California, I have lived in Seattle since 1994. I earned my Bachelors degree in Political Science from UC Santa Cruz. I received my teaching certificate from Western Washington University in Bellingham. My teaching endorsements are in Elementary Education, Special Education, ELL, and Political Science. I have been teaching for almost fifteen years. My teaching experience includes classroom teaching as well teaching reading and ELL in the Seattle and Mukilteo School Districts.
I live in Ballard with my husband, my two young children and our corgi Oscar. I enjoy spending time with family outside, gardening, reading, and traveling.
Raised in Ojai, California, I have lived in Seattle since 1994. I earned my Bachelors degree in Political Science from UC Santa Cruz. I received my teaching certificate from Western Washington University in Bellingham. My teaching endorsements are in Elementary Education, Special Education, ELL, and Political Science. I have been teaching for almost fifteen years. My teaching experience includes classroom teaching as well teaching reading and ELL in the Seattle and Mukilteo School Districts.
I live in Ballard with my husband, my two young children and our corgi Oscar. I enjoy spending time with family outside, gardening, reading, and traveling.
Tobi Nussbaum, Resource Instructional Assistant, tlnussbaum@seattleschools.org
I am thrilled to be a new member of the learning community at Queen Anne Elementary! I adore creativity and curiosity and truly find my job inspiring. I have been working with children, in particular those who face obstacles in learning and/or who struggle with social/emotional challenges for a number of years. I firmly believe that all children have the ability to learn. I strive to meet each student at their own level, while having realistic and caring expectations for growth and self-awareness. I attended the Evergreen State College majoring in Expressive Arts and Psychology. Every day, I learn more and more about myself and my community from the breadth of wisdom that children have to offer.
Currently, I am completing my certification in the Feldenkrais Method of Movement Education, have a rich artistic life, a passion for creative writing and a love for gardening. I have helped raise two very special friends- a chicken named Helen and a furry feline named Isabelle.
~ Per aspera ad astra ~
Through adversity to the stars
Currently, I am completing my certification in the Feldenkrais Method of Movement Education, have a rich artistic life, a passion for creative writing and a love for gardening. I have helped raise two very special friends- a chicken named Helen and a furry feline named Isabelle.
~ Per aspera ad astra ~
Through adversity to the stars
Jeffrey Riley, Librarian / Technology Teacher, jsriley@seattleschools.org | website
I am very excited to be part of the founding team at Queen Anne Elementary. I have been an educator for eighteen years and served in a variety of roles including classroom teacher (kindergarten and grades 2-5), technology specialist, and instructional coach for Seattle Public Schools. I join Queen Anne Elementary having just completed my Library Media Endorsement. I am particularly excited about bringing my love for teaching, reading and technology to the new school in this position of Teacher/Librarian and Technology Specialist.
As an educator I strive to engage all students, using the power of technology to make connections and celebrate new learning. I am ready for the next step in my teaching journey, running the heart of the school – the Library! – and creating a language-rich environment that fosters a love of reading and is accessible to everyone.
My husband Andrew, our daughter Madeline and I are fellow Queen Anne residents. We enjoy the many friends, restaurants, parks and conveniences of living in the neighborhood and are excited about working with the community in creating Queen Anne Elementary – the school for 21st Century Learners.
As an educator I strive to engage all students, using the power of technology to make connections and celebrate new learning. I am ready for the next step in my teaching journey, running the heart of the school – the Library! – and creating a language-rich environment that fosters a love of reading and is accessible to everyone.
My husband Andrew, our daughter Madeline and I are fellow Queen Anne residents. We enjoy the many friends, restaurants, parks and conveniences of living in the neighborhood and are excited about working with the community in creating Queen Anne Elementary – the school for 21st Century Learners.
Julietta Skoog, School Counselor, jcskoog@seattleschools.org | website
I am the school counselor here at Queen Anne and am honored to be a part of such a dynamic, solution focused team with the best teachers I have seen in the district! I have been a school psychologist and counselor with Seattle Public Schools for over twelve years, supporting schools including Graham Hill, Muir, McDonald, John Rogers, Dunlap and Salmon Bay K-8. I joined Queen Anne Elementary in their inaugural 2010 school year and after five years as both the psychologist and counselor here at QAE we were finally big enough that I needed to pick just one; I have loved growing the SEL program here and wanted to continue the important work in that role.
I earned my Ed.S in School Psychology and Masters in School Counseling from Seattle University in 2005, and am also a certified Positive Discipline Trainer, offering parenting classes for parents and trainings for teachers and parent educators. I feel so passionate about respectfully teaching long term life skills to our children.
I was raised in Berkeley, California, and received my undergraduate degree in dance from the University of Washington. I danced professionally with d9 Dance Collective until 2008, when I retired to start our family. My husband Jon is a teacher also, and we have two daughters, Josephine and Violet. Our third daughter is due in May 2017 and I will be out on maternity leave through the 2017-2018 school year. When I get a spare moment or summer I love to travel and practice yoga.
I earned my Ed.S in School Psychology and Masters in School Counseling from Seattle University in 2005, and am also a certified Positive Discipline Trainer, offering parenting classes for parents and trainings for teachers and parent educators. I feel so passionate about respectfully teaching long term life skills to our children.
I was raised in Berkeley, California, and received my undergraduate degree in dance from the University of Washington. I danced professionally with d9 Dance Collective until 2008, when I retired to start our family. My husband Jon is a teacher also, and we have two daughters, Josephine and Violet. Our third daughter is due in May 2017 and I will be out on maternity leave through the 2017-2018 school year. When I get a spare moment or summer I love to travel and practice yoga.
Frank Seeberger, Instrumental Music, fjseeberger@seattleschools.org
Bio coming soon...
Karen Smiley, School Nurse, kmsmiley@seattleschools.org
I am the new school nurse at Queen Anne Elementary. I come to Seattle from the Highline School District where I worked for several years as a school nurse. Since Seattle is my home, I am thrilled to now be a part of this wonderful school. I have a Bachelor's degree in International Studies and in Nursing, both obtained from the UW. After I graduated, I moved to Mexico where I taught English and helped in a rural clinic. I spent time translating for a volunteer eye doctor, and worked with an American doctor who has dedicated his life to helping rural Mexicans get access to health care.
I speak Spanish, play the ukulele, love to travel and love being a mom to my 3 kids. I look forward to working with you all to ensure that Queen Anne is a safe and healthy community.
Brianna Veleber, Physical Education, bcveleber@seattleschools.org | website
I am thrilled to be welcomed at Queen Anne Elementary as the Physical Education Teacher. After graduating from Gonzaga (Go Bulldogs!) with my certificate in Health/Fitness and Elementary Education, I spent a year substitute teaching with Edmonds School District then taught PE for 6 years at a private school in Bellevue. My goal as a physical educator is to provide students with the tools to develop in to physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social wellness.
I grew up in Shoreline with a wildly big family, spending most of our time playing outside or playing sports. During the summer, I spend my time fishing commercially for salmon in Alaska on my family’s boat with my husband and older brother. I love to spend time outside, enjoying all that we are so lucky to have surrounding us in the PNW, as well as cooking and baking for friends and family. Some of my favorite ways to move around enough include running, hiking, mountain biking, soccer, softball, and snowboarding.
I grew up in Shoreline with a wildly big family, spending most of our time playing outside or playing sports. During the summer, I spend my time fishing commercially for salmon in Alaska on my family’s boat with my husband and older brother. I love to spend time outside, enjoying all that we are so lucky to have surrounding us in the PNW, as well as cooking and baking for friends and family. Some of my favorite ways to move around enough include running, hiking, mountain biking, soccer, softball, and snowboarding.
