Check out the amazing staff who are dedicated to helping our students learn!
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DAN WARREN
Principal [email protected] Hello! I’m Dan Warren. I have worked in Seattle Public Schools (SPS) since 1999. During my 23 years in SPS, I have worked as a middle school social studies teacher, an assistant principal, an elementary principal (John Hay Elementary 2005-2010 and Sand Point Elementary 2010-2015), Human Resources, and now recently as an Instructional Coach. I graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s in history and from Whitworth College with a Master’s In teaching. Additionally, I earned my administrative credentials through the Danforth Educational Leadership program at the University of Washington. In each of my teaching and administrative roles, I have focused on the individual wellness and academic success of each student, supporting a positive and fun school climate, authentic communication and honoring and celebrating the humanity of each of my students and their families. I reside in Lake Forest Park with my wife Erin, our daughters Abigail (14) and Grace (13) and our golden retriever, Captain Solo (5). I love spending time outdoors in our beautiful Northwest forests and mountains, cycling, backpacking and cross-country skiing. Additionally, as a family we enjoy supporting our Seattle sports teams. I’m very excited about joining the Queen Anne community and meeting you and your child! |
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KAREN ALVAREZ
Administrative Team [email protected] Having recently relocated to Seattle from Orlando, Florida, I chose to work at Queen Anne Elementary as the Administrative Assistant because of this amazing community! I bring to QAE 25 years of working in the education field beginning as a Montessori classroom teacher, which has evolved into different positions in both public and private schools. Born and raised in Omaha, NE, I spent 11 years in Sacramento, CA and 14 years in Florida and without a doubt Seattle is my favorite city! I have one adult son, Charles, who also started a new adventure the year before we moved to Seattle. Together we enjoy many of the wonders that can only be found in the Pacific Northwest. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, reading, exercising and spending time with close friends. I look forward to meeting all of you and interacting with your child throughout the day. |
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MARA OBLAK
Preschool Teacher [email protected] My name is Mara Oblak and I am thrilled to join the Queen Anne Staff as the Developmental Preschool Teacher! I have spent the past 18 years working in schools and clinical settings in New York, Louisiana and Washington. I completed my undergraduate degree in 2005 at Gonzaga University (GO ZAGS!!!), where I studied Special Education and got dually certified as a Special Education and Elementary Education Teacher. Following graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue my graduate degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in the Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis Program. I completed my MA in 2007 and PhD in 2010. I then moved to Louisiana where I worked as a teacher in a full inclusion public school, serving as both the Special Education and General Education teacher of the classroom. I also had the opportunity to work with teachers in training from the local university. As a native Seattleite, my heart pulled me back to the PNW in 2012. For the past decade, I worked as a Behavior Analyst in a clinical setting here in Seattle. This is my second year working in SPS and I couldn't be more excited to be back in a school setting! Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, hiking, traveling, photography and spending time with friends and family. I'm also a proud member of the Croatian community here in Seattle and play music (Tambura) in a local Croatian orchestra! |
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KATHERINE DODSLEY
Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] I hold a Master in Teaching from the University of Washington with endorsements in elementary education and English Language Learners. I have Bachelor of Arts degrees in Art and Art History from UW, too. I have taught 4th grade, 2nd grade, and been a kindergarten literacy tutor. Before working in schools, I was a bookbinder and instructor. Some of my favorite pastimes include gardening, reading, listening to music and podcasts, and making things (anything - food, crafts, gifts). My husband, two teenage sons, and I stay active exploring city parks and beaches, hiking, playing soccer, playing card games, and watching anime. |
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PRIYANKA JAYANTHI
1st Grade/2nd Grade Split Teacher [email protected] I am thrilled to teach here at QAE! I started teaching in 2014 after graduating with my B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University. I moved back to my hometown of Columbus, Ohio where I spent three years teaching K-3rd grade. I relocated to Seattle and became part of the QAE community as a 3rd grade teacher. The next year, I moved to kindergarten and have stayed there since. I took a leave of absence last year to attend University of Washington and earn my M.Ed in Education Policy and am back at QAE for my 6th year teaching here! I love teaching kindergarten and getting to know our youngest explorers as they learn to love school. I live in Capitol Hill, but you can find me running and biking around any Seattle neighborhood! My other favorite activities included reading, soccer, cooking, and hanging out with my friends and my two extremely energetic cats. |
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SOPHIA MANDELL
2nd Grade [email protected] I am so excited to be back at Queen Anne Elementary! I started teaching in 2021 and have worked at many schools within SPS. It has always been a dream to teach in SPS because I grew up in Seattle and attended Seattle Public Schools K-12 (Salmon Bay and Nathan Hale). I went to Washington State University (go Cougs!) and graduated with my BA in Elementary Education and an Endorsement in Middle Level Mathematics. After finishing my student teaching in the unique year of 2020, I went back to school and received my M.Ed in Instructional Design. Outside of the classroom, you will likely find me walking my 2 dogs, reading, golfing, cheering on Seattle and WSU sports teams, and spending time with my family and friends. |
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BONNIE DUDLEY
3rd Grade Teacher [email protected] This is my 8th year at Queen Anne Elementary. After working as a tutor in all of the 1st grade classes for several years, I was so inspired by the teachers and students here that I went back to school to get my teaching certificate with endorsements in both elementary and special education. My husband and I have two daughters, one in college and one in middle school. An additional family member is a large white and brown dog named Pippin. We all love spending time together, travelling, walking, and beachcombing. I like to garden but can't seem to get anyone else in the family on board. Maybe one of these days! |
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ELIZABETH THRUELSEN
3rd Grade/4th Grade Split Teacher [email protected] After spending a decade away from the area, I am so inspired to find the school of my dreams right back in my home. Project-Based Learning, partnerships with parents, and an intentional focus on Social-Emotional Learning? Yep, I knew QAE was "the one!" I studied Spanish Language and Culture and earned my TESOL certificate at Western Washington University in Bellingham. Years later, I returned to school and graduated with my MA.Ed at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Over the years I've been so fortunate to have teaching experiences in a public dual-immersion school in Los Angeles. Every experience in my teaching has reaffirmed with conviction that our children are at the center of education, not teachers. Now, coming into my 9th year of teaching, I can't imagine a better place to be than at Queen Anne Elementary. Outside of the classroom, I am a Pacific Northwest enthusiast: I love coffee-house culture, our excellent alternative rock scene, and a good hike. I'm an active member in a lay-Buddhist organization and recently became a member of the Nordic Heritage Museum. After filling my passport last year, I'm determined to travel abundantly and fill my new one! I'm looking forward to meeting the families and children of Queen Anne Elementary and joining this great community! |
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SARAH GOLDMAN
4th Grade & 5th Grade Teacher Website | [email protected] After a journey that has taken me across the country, I am so excited that I have landed in my new home at Queen Anne Elementary! I am thrilled to be joining such a dynamic community of learners, teachers and families. I come by way of the Northeast, the Midwest and the Northeast (again). Raised in the Boston area and growing up in the child of an educator, I never imagined that I, too, would find my passion in teaching. I had meaningful experiences teaching 3rd and 4th grade in Chicago Public Schools before moving back "home" to work as a 4th grade teacher in a wonderfully nurturing Boston-area public school. As an educator, I am driven to foster learning environments that inspire risk-taking and critical thinking as well as encourage students to envision and create a more socially just world. My background also includes a love for the theater arts and I am continuously looking for ways to incorporate dramatic play into everyday teaching and learning. My partner Kristina and I have been drawn to Seattle for its proximity to natural beauty as well as good friends. Outside of education, my joys in life include playing with my little nieces and nephews, singing karaoke with friends, traveling, basking in nature and getting sucked into a fantastic book. |
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MIKE BACKMAN
4th Grade & 5th Grade Teacher [email protected] I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the Queen Anne Elementary team! I have been working in education for the past 8 years after earning my B.A. from The University of Iowa and my M.Ed from Seattle University. After graduating from Iowa, I spent time teaching in Ireland, Thailand and Minnesota before I decided to move to the pacific northwest 6 years ago to teach 5th grade. I fell in love with Seattle immediately and have never looked back on my decision to move west from snowy Minneapolis! When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time outside hiking, running, reading, and drinking coffee. I look forward to leading 5th grade explorers in math and science this year as we navigate these challenging times together! |
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LAUREN APPEL
Visual Arts/MakerSpace [email protected] I am so fortunate to be part of the QAE community as both a teacher and a parent! I have worked in arts education for over 20 years and love collaborating with colleagues, students, and families at QAE to explore visual arts and grow our MakerSpace program together! I am also a faculty member of Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab. Prior to my role at QAE I was Director of Arts Integration at Arts Corps and I’ve worked at a number of cultural institutions in Washington and New York, including Hilltop Artists, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Youth Theatre Northwest, Rubin Museum of Art, Henry Street Settlement, and the Guggenheim Museum. When not teaching I am seeking creative outlets for myself and my kids, spending time outdoors, telling my cat that I have already fed him, and engaging in social justice solidarity work in my community. |
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JOSIE HALEY
PE Teacher [email protected] I am beyond excited to come aboard the QAE team! Children’s health and well-being are my passion and I have 4 kids of my own; Carlos, Helen, Kelly and Joe. I look forward to collaborating with this outstanding staff and getting to know and learn alongside this wonderful community. Outside of school you’ll more than likely find me with my extensive family in Poulsbo, Bellevue, Phoenix, Boston, San Diego, Mexico, Sweden, Australia… |
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HELENE McCORMICK
K - 2nd Grade Reading Specialist [email protected] 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 bachelor's 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 as reading and ELL in the Seattle and Mukilteo School Districts. I live in Ballard with my husband and my two children. I enjoy spending time with family outside, gardening, reading and traveling. |
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TOBY JARMAN
Learning Lab Teacher [email protected] I've been a joyful member of the Queen Anne Elementary team since 2021. Engaging with children in creative work and play is a passion and a calling. I’ve worked with Seattle Public Schools since 2012 – as an instructional assistant at B.F. Day Elementary, as a UW student teacher at Wing Luke Elementary, and as a special education teacher at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School. I grew up in Pennsylvania, but Seattle feels like home. I live in the Fremont neighborhood with my husband, our delightfully quirky teens, and our two silly cats. I love writing, hiking, gardening, yoga, and visiting the harbor seals at the Ballard Locks. |
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LAUREN GRINNELL
Nutrition [email protected] Hello QAE community my name is Lauren and I am the new kitchen manager here at QAE. I was born in Madison WI but am pretty much a Seattle native and attended SPS from 6 to 18 yrs. old. I went to Seward for K-2 and then attended Montlake Elementary for 3 to 5. For middle school I went to T.O.P.S in the Eastlake neighborhood and finished my 9-12 at Garfield High School. After high school I joined AmeriCorps to focus on early childhood education and worked at T.O.P.S in the Kindergarten classes assisting the leads!! I received my AA degree at Seattle Central and then took a big adventure and moved to the Windy City Chicago and worked at the Chicago board of trade learning the hustle and bustle of business there!! I moved back to Seattle about two years later and then had my daughter Brooklyn in Aug of 2005. I have a deep passion for art and being creative specifically in fashion and styling and I went to cosmetology school to earn my cosmetology license and worked in downtown salons before I moved up the hill to Queen Anne and started my own business “Lalascuts” that I have run for 10 years now. I started my nonprofit “Runway to Freedom in 2010 to support domestic violence survivors and ran that for 12 years. My daughter attended John Hay and then McClure for middle school and just graduated in June from Lincoln High School. My son Leo is 7 and attends Coe elementary. We have three dogs and I love them so much! One is a chiweenie named Josie and the other two are French bulldogs named Ella and Crunch wrap!!! I am so happy to be in such a kind and fun environment here at QAE. I look forward to getting to know all the kiddos here and provide balanced and yummy lunches each day!! |
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KIM CHIN
Nurse [email protected] Hello QAE! I have been a Registered Nurse for twenty years with almost the entirety of my career being based in family planning and reproductive health. A few years ago, I made the switch to school nursing and am loving this new adventure in health care. I grew up in a military family, so I've been fortunate to have traveled the world from the beginning of my life. I think this early childhood "life on the go" has stuck with me. I'm an avid traveler and use any free time to travel the world with my partner Brian and our Kids Kohen and Beckett. This summer we are headed to Peru! Aside from traveling, I love capturing images on my camera, backpacking, sailing and I also run a non-profit arts organization with my partner. |
QUEEN ANNE ELEMENTARY PTSAOur Vision: Create, maintain, and support a healthy and successful environment within the QAE community and support staff, students, and their families in the quest for an excellent education.
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CONTACT |
SCHEDULE2024-25 On-Site Schedule
7:55am - School Day Begins 2:25pm - Dismissal Wednesday Early Release 1:10pm - Dismissal |
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