Check out the amazing staff who are dedicated to helping our students learn!

JANINE ROY
​Principal
jbroy@seattleschools.org | @janineroy3

​​I moved to Seattle in June 2016 to become principal of Queen Anne Elementary. With our Creative Approach focus on our Five Pillars, social emotional learning through Positive Discipline, Project Based Learning, and digital leadership, Queen Anne Elementary is truly my dream school. I am so fortunate to be part of this dynamic, enthusiastic community dedicated to empowering students to make a difference in the world. I was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada where I lived and worked for most of my life. After being an elementary teacher for many years, I became principal at an elementary school and an international middle school and worked as District Principal of Learning Initiatives for several years. My husband Robert and I have two wonderful children, Matt and Hayley. Robert and I joyfully hike, bike and travel around the Pacific Northwest. I tried kayaking for the first time this summer and loved it! I also love running (slowly), reading (voraciously) and eating (lots)!

If you want to reach me, I would love to hear from you. You can email jbroy@seattleschools.org or call the school at 206-252-2480. Follow me on Twitter @janineroy3. Please follow our Twitter hashtag #QAE to see what our students and staff are sharing with the world. ​Looking forward to our wonderful year together!

Erin Taylor
​Assistant Principal
ektaylor@seattleschools.org

I am so excited to have the honor of being the new Assistant Principal of Queen Anne Elementary and VOPP! I am a SPS parent to Maia (10th grade at Lincoln) and Drew (8th grade at Hamilton) and previously a SPS educator as a Consulting/Mentor teacher (7 years) and a Special Education teacher (18 years).

I was born and raised in South Seattle, am a SPS grad (Bulldogs!), and have lived in North Seattle for 20 years with my husband, who is a rival Roosevelt grad! In my spare time, I love to be outdoors - hiking, biking, paddle boarding, walking, and traveling.

​I'm thrilled to join an equity-centered learning community where staff and families partner to help each explorer grow and thrive. Together we'll collaboratively support our flourishing on site and virtual school! I look forward to working alongside you and can't wait to meet everyone!

KAREN ALVAREZ
Administrative Team
ksalvarez@seattleschools.org
​
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. 

PRIYANKA JAYANTHI
​Kindergarten Teacher
pcjayanthi@seattleschools.org

I am beyond thrilled to be part of the QAE community! I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and received my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After graduating, I moved back to Columbus where I subbed for one year. During that year, I had a long-term position for two months in a second grade classroom. I then worked for two years as a multiage teacher for K/1/2 and then K/1. In 2017, I wanted a change of pace from Ohio (although I still say Columbus is the greatest city in the world) and I moved out here and joined the Queen Anne Community. My first year here, I taught third grade and then I moved down to kindergarten the next year and I've stayed there ever since. When I am not teaching, I spend most of my time running, climbing, playing soccer, reading, exploring the mountains, and lounging around with my cat. I can't wait to meet you all!

KIANA SMITH (she/her)
Kindergarten Teacher
krsmith@seattleschools.org

I am full of gratitude to be a part of the Queen Anne Elementary community. I am Iñupiaq, from the Native Village of Kiana, Alaska (my namesake). I grew up in Olympia, Washington and moved to Seattle during high school.  I received a BA in Environmental Studies and American Indian Studies, as well as a Master of Teaching degree, both from the University of Washington.  I am so excited to be a part of a creative approach community that values equity, culturally responsive teaching, positive discipline, and project-based learning. My favorite thing about being a teacher is building relationships of trust and understanding with students and learning alongside our classroom and school community. When I’m not in the classroom, you will find me outside enjoying all the beauty that the PNW has to offer. Some of my favorite things to do are hike, paddle board, garden, and take my dog, Avu on walks. I look forward to continuing to build community with you this year at QAE! Taikuu (thank you)!

ALISA RUTHERFORD (she/her)
Kindergarten Teacher
arutherford@seattleschools.org

Joining the Queen Anne Elementary learning community feels like life coming full circle. I was raised in Seattle, as the daughter of a teacher and a skilled craftsman. I earned my B.A. from The Evergreen State College before continuing my education in the world at large. From learning about how our food is grown through the WWOOF program to teaching others about gardening and our food system in Hawaii and New Zealand I have traveled the world learning and teaching. In 2018 I earned my Master of Education from George Mason University and continued my international teaching career in China and Indonesia. In returning to Seattle, I knew I wanted to be part of the public education system that I graduated from and my mother and one of my brothers have taught in. I believe we are all students and teachers, and that learning can be a joy. I look forward to being part of the dynamic learning community at QAE.

KATHLENE DOMINGUEZ (she/her)
Kindergarten Teacher
kddominguez@seattleschools.org

I am so excited to join the Queen Anne Elementary community of learners this year. I am passionate about my work with students and families. I look forward to an exciting year being apart of this amazing group of educators.  My teaching career began in 1997 as a Third-grade team teacher at Malcolm X Academy in San Francisco. I then moved to my dream job to become a Kindergarten teacher. In my 16 years as a Kindergarten teacher I became part of the district’s Green School Yards team. We worked with the families and community to build an amazing outdoor learning space with rows and raised beds of fruits and vegetables.  I left the classroom to be part of a team of Pioneer educators and started the newest grade level in California, Transitional Kindergarten. For 8 years I worked as an Early Education Instructional Coach, Unit Lead Supervisor and Principal. Since moving to Seattle in March 2020 I have taught Kindergarten in the Mercer Island School District and as a Private Teacher in home supporting First and Second grade students.
​
I have a B.S. in Behavior Science with an emphasis in Family Studies from San Francisco State University. In addition to that I have a California Multiple Subject Teaching credential PreK – College with a special certification in Cross – Cultural Language Acquisition and Development. I also have an Administrative Credential Tier One certification in Educational Leadership from the Social Justice Master’s Degree from California State University East Bay.
Outside of the classroom I love to hang out with my family and our dog Baxter. We enjoy cooking, gardening, going to Sounders matches, listening to ALL kinds of music, reading, hiking, gold panning, rock hounding, camping and using our new kayak. We look forward to traveling again soon.   

KAITLYN KESSEL
1st Grade Teacher
kmkessel@seattleschools.org | @mskesselatqae

I am overjoyed to join QAE as a 1st grade teacher. I am thrilled to join a community that is passionate about making a difference in the world. I have always loved new adventures and I now can continue my next adventure with QAE Explorers. In 2013 I graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle (Go Dawgs!) with a double major in English and American Ethnic Studies. I received my Master of Arts in teaching with an endorsement in K - 8 education from the University of Puget Sound. This will be my sixth year teaching. I have taught Kindergarten and 1st grade. I absolutely love teaching 1st grade. It is a year full of mastering foundational skills and the amount of growth students make is remarkable. A few of my favorite things to do: running, paddle boarding, golfing, hiking, crafting and shopping at Target. When spending time with my family, we like to travel, play board games and go on hikes. I enjoy collecting children's books and sharing my passion for reading. My collection has grown to over 1, 000 books. I am beyond excited for this upcoming school year and to be a new member of this community. I can't wait to meet everyone. This will be a great year filled with exploring and learning. 

MIKAELA MICHALSEN
1st Grade Teacher
mmichalsen@seattleschools.org
​​
My name is Mikaela Michalsen. I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in 2019 and received my teaching certification through Woodring College of Education. I am currently working on completing my master's degree in Learning and Technology through Western Governor's University. I taught 1st grade for the past two years in the Bellevue School District and loved all the connections and experiences I had there. I grew up in Snohomish County and recently moved to Ballard! I already am loving the area and indulging in all the good food in the city. I am so excited to join SPS and Queen Anne Elementary! I love the relationships that I get to build with students and families. I am committed to providing an equitable and anti-racist approach to teaching through the online learning environment this year. I look forward to the year ahead and joining this dynamic community! 

KATHERINE DODSLEY
1st Grade Teacher
kdodsley@seattleschools.org
​​
I am excited to join the Queen Anne Elementary family teaching 1st grade!  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.

LORIN BELCHER
2nd Grade Teacher
Website | @mrsbelcherqae | ltbelcher@seattleschools.org

I am so excited to enter another year at Queen Anne Elementary School! My teaching career began in 2003 as a fourth-grade teacher outside of Boston, MA. I have a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and a Master’s Degree in elementary and special education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Over the years I have taught second, third, fourth, and fifth grades in both Massachusetts and Washington State. It is an honor to become a part of the families that I teach.

​Since relocating to Seattle in 2008, I have fallen in love with the PNW and its' awe-inspiring beauty. I love being active and outdoors and I especially enjoy rock climbing, hiking, biking and walking around Greenlake while listening to a podcast or audiobook. My family, which includes my two sons, my husband, dog (Kora!) and bunny (Audrey Hopburn!), enjoy backpacking, swimming, paddle boarding, bird watching, kayaking and sitting around our firepit. My newest hobby is gardening, and I have found great joy in cultivating garden beds around our home.

RACHEL SCHEER 
2nd Grade Teacher
rascheer@seattleschools.org​ ​| @msscheerqae

My favorite part of teaching is following student questions and interests and all of the unexpected places they take us! This is my tenth year as an elementary classroom teacher and I absolutely love being a lifelong learner beside my students. I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and attended the College of William and Mary in Virginia for my undergraduate degree. I later moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania for my graduate degree in education. After years of living on the east coast, I picked up and moved to Seattle in 2014. I felt an instant connection with this dynamic city and the surrounding mountains and water. I never want to leave! I currently live in Capitol Hill with my husband and two cats. If it's nice out, you can find us on our porch with friends, kayaking or hiking. You might also look for me on my yoga mat or at my artist table writing and illustrating comics!

KAELEIGH STRONG
2nd Grade Teacher
​kstrong@seattleschools.org

After ten years in and around the Seattle area, it is a very full circle moment for me to be joining the teaching team at Queen Anne Elementary as a new teacher. I moved to Seattle from my hometown of Olympia, WA a decade ago to attend Seattle Pacific University where I earned my B.A. in Educational Ministry as an undergraduate student. I began pursuing my M.Ed via Grand Canyon University in January of 2019 and completed my program at the end of 2020.  I have worked in education-adjacent work for the better part of the last decade; North Queen Anne Child Care with our school age students, managing before/after school programs, and running summer camps through Parks & Rec and the City of Seattle out of both Magnolia & Hiawatha Community Centers, and finishing up the 2020-21 school year working for the Shoreline Public Schools. When I am not teaching you can find me hiking, working through an never ending to-read list, trying my hand at a new recipe, watching football (or critiquing my Fantasy Football team!), or at home with my husband, our dog (Willow), and our two cats (Sally and Riku). I am so excited to learn with and alongside 2nd graders this year

JEANETTE RODRIGUEZ
2nd Grade Teacher
jarodriguez@seattleschools.org

I am extremely excited to be a part of the QAE community this year! I recently moved to Seattle, WA from Southern California with my partner Jonny. I was born in Orange, CA and grew up in Corona, California. I received my Bachelor's Degree from UC Riverside and my Teaching Credential and Masters degree in Education from the University of Redlands. After completing my student teaching, I took on a long-term substitute teaching position in kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year. I then began teaching as a certificated teacher in California where I taught kindergarten for the 19-20 school year and 2nd grade for the 20-21 school year. I am beyond excited to continue my teaching career now in Seattle, WA. My hobbies outside of teaching include hiking, snowboarding, yoga and spending time with my family and friends. Growing up in Southern California, my family and I developed an obsession with Disneyland so you could often find me there on school breaks. I am looking forward to this upcoming school year and I can't wait to meet you all!

BONNIE DUDLEY
3rd Grade Teacher
​bjdudley@seattleschools.org

This is my 7th 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!

ELIZABETH THRUELSEN
3rd Grade Teacher
emthruelsen@seattleschools.org

I am so excited to join Queen Anne Elementary this year! 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 8th 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!

SIERRA TINHOF
3rd Grade Teacher
sntinhof@seattleschools.org

I am so thrilled and grateful to join the Queen Anne Elementary community as a teacher with the Virtual Option Pilot Program this year! I grew up in Eastern Washington, earning my BFA in Theatre Performance and Dance from Central Washington University. After college, I made the move to Seattle and discovered a passion for education. I believe the Pacific Northwest to be one of the finest classrooms in the world: I have had the honor to teach in the temperate rainforest of Bainbridge Island and in the emerald city with Seattle Public Schools! I earned my graduate certificate in Education for Environment and Community with IslandWood, and my Master’s in Teaching with the University of Washington. I love virtual teaching and learning because it invites students and families to make their homes and neighborhoods their classroom, offering the opportunity to connect learning to our community in an authentic way. When not in the classroom or learning about new ed-tech tools, I love to paddle on Lake Washington, enjoy a walk in the woods, or visit the dog park with my partner and our dog, Daisy

KRISTA TSUTSUI STEELE
​3rd Grade Teacher
kmtsutsui@seattleschools.org
​​
I LOVE being a teacher! I taught 3rd grade for five years and 4th grade for one year in the neighborhood I grew up in. Prior to joining Queen Anne Elementary, I was a 4th grade hybrid remote teacher with Shoreline Public Schools. I went to school knowing I wanted to be a teacher and earned my B.A. in liberal studies, my multiple subject teaching credential, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Fresno Pacific University. My other passion is teaching judo, a Japanese martial art, which I have been involved in for over twenty years. I am a third-degree black belt and have incredible memories of traveling the country and world as a competitor (back in the day) and, more recently, as a coach. I was born and raised in Fresno, California, and moved to Seattle in March 2020 with my husband who works for the local soccer team. I am called Mrs. Tsutsui and Mrs. Steele, and will happily answer to either! When I am not teaching or doing judo, I enjoy traveling with my husband, doing yoga, reading, cuddling our cat, Mochi, and spending time with my parents and seven siblings. I am overjoyed to be part of Queen Anne Elementary’s community this year and especially excited to teach with the Virtual Option Pilot Program! ​

LIZ SUGINO DAVID
​4th Grade Teacher
esdavid@seattleschools.org

I love being a part of the QAE community. After teaching in Southern California, I spent the past decade working in teacher education locally in Seattle and internationally. As a teacher educator at the University of Fukui (Japan), the University of Washington, and Western Washington University, I had the privilege of collaborating on international research projects, leading professional development programs, and coaching and teaching with educators from all over the world, focusing on project-based learning (PBL) and student-centered mathematics. After working on my doctorate at UW, I couldn't be more thrilled to be back in the classroom. All my experiences led me right back to the most important part about teaching: students. Teaching in a community focused on students' social and emotional learning and PBL is wonderful. I love working with students on phenomenon-based science inquiry, having fun and meaningful mathematical discussions, learning how to be global citizens, and sharing our narrative and fiction stories and PBL reports with each other. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy cooking and trying new foods, hanging out with my dog Ginger, traveling, and doing anything that gets me outside, like hiking and rowing.

LEVINA ROBIN
​4th Grade Teacher
lrobin@seattleschools.org
​
Welcome to Planet 4th Grade!
This is my first year at Queen Anne Elementary and my 6th year in education.
Born and raised in Mumbai India, I started reading in English at 3 years old because my uncle and aunt would buy me books. They knew how powerful reading was and the privilege that is education so they did everything in their power to provide me access even in a small town in India. Eventually, we moved to the United States and I fell in love with learning. I grew up in Ventura, California and then went onto Santa Clara University for a Bachelor’s in 2015. I moved to Washington to teach a group of second graders and absolutely fell in love with teaching. My teaching philosophy is based in social emotional learning, presence, and equity along with play. I graduated with my Master’s in Education from the University of Washington in 2019 and wrote my first children’s book on equity and mathematics!
Outside of the classroom, I absolutely love moving my body, being outside, and taking walks with my sweet dog, Luna. I am so ridiculously excited for this school year!

TOM ROREM
​4th Grade Teacher
trorem@seattleschools.org
​
I am honored to be a part of the Virtual Online Pilot Program. I recently earned my MAT from Seattle Pacific University in a career shift away from being a professional musician. After a yearlong discernment process, I realized I had a passion for working with kids and made the decision to apply for grad school. This shift in direction was not a surprise after looking at the experiences I have had throughout my life. Many of my past jobs included working with kids in various capacities. Whether through after school clubs, summer camps, or kid-focused events at a board game shop, I have gained valuable experience in managing groups of children of various ages. In reflection, it was these experiences that have given me the confidence and passion to pursue teaching. I value creativity, collaboration, and delight in the classroom. I hope to create an environment that encourages deeper learning within a community that ensures every student is met where they are and guides them to where they need to be. I believe that kindness, compassion, and wonderment are at the center of a successful and long-lasting education. The values, attitudes, and tools that we learn in the classroom shape us into full human beings. Outside the classroom I spend my time gardening, disc golfing, playing board games, playing music, and spending time with my wonderful wife and lovely children.

MIKE BACKMAN
4th Grade Teacher
mcbackman@seattleschools.org

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 7 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 5 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!​

SARAH GOLDMAN
4th Grade Teacher
​Website | szgoldman@seattleschools.org

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. 

MICHELLE SANFILIPPO
​5th Grade Teacher
msanfilippo@seattleschools.org
​​
My name is Michelle Sanfilippo, and I am proud to be an explorer! I am originally from Los Gatos, CA, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Santa Clara University, and my Master's in Education from the University of San Diego. I am certified to teach Elementary Education and this will be my ninth year teaching. I have a true passion for finding joy in learning! I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures growth in a positive, fun environment. On a more personal note, I just got married this summer and have a three-year-old chocolate lab named Kona! I enjoy running, cooking, going on hikes, and spending time with friends and family. I look forward to working together with you as partners in your learner's growth and development!!

LAUREN APPEL
Visual Arts/MakerSpace
leappel@seattleschools.org

I am very excited to be part of the QAE community! I hold a BA from Smith College and a M.S.Ed in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education. After many years working as an educator at 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 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, I am thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, students, and families at QAE to explore visual arts and grow our MakerSpace together! Prior to joining QAE I was Director of Arts Integration at Arts Corps, and worked as a teaching artist with the Highline Creative Schools Initiative. I currently serve as a faculty member of the Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab. When not teaching I am seeking creative outlets for myself and my four-year-old, spending time outdoors, telling my two cats that I have already fed them, and engaging in social justice solidarity work in my community.

NANCY BURAN
Nutrition
​​nlburan@seattleschools.org

I can’t believe that I am starting my eighth year as Lunchroom Manager for Queen Anne! Every year I thoroughly enjoy welcoming the incoming kindergarten students and watching them grow and develop over the six years they are with us. It brings back many happy memories of my time volunteering when my own two children were in elementary school.

Although I have lived in Seattle for over 30 years, I grew up on the East coast in a small town in upstate New York. I have been married for 34 years to my husband Tom who grew up in a similar small town across the Susquehanna River from me. We live in Ballard and as a family we enjoy travel, hiking, backpacking, scuba diving and soccer. Visiting National Parks is one of our favorite things to experience. Tom and I are essentially “empty nesters”. Our son Eli is in graduate school at Portland State University getting his masters in Public Health and our daughter Anna is a senior at Linfield College in Oregon majoring in Biology and Math. 

I am very happy to be in our “new” school and look forward to an exciting year of learning!

 Fun fact: In July of 2020 I will be heading to Arizona with family and friends to hike the Grand Canyon from the North rim to the South rim!

MEGAN CHARBONNEAU
Speech Language Pathologist
mncharbonnea@seattleschools.org

I am so excited to return to Queen Anne to support our speech & language students!

I grew up in Eastern Washington in the small town of Nine Mile Falls (just outside of Spokane), where I developed my love for the water, outdoors, and athletics. I attended Western Washington University in Bellingham for my undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, before returning to the eastside to attend Eastern Washington University while pursuing my masters degree in Communication Disorders.

My first five years as a school-based speech language pathologist were spent in Federal Way Public Schools, where I supported a middle school, served as an SLP department lead for the district, and coached track and gymnastics. Eventually the commute became too much, so I decided to join the team at Seattle Public Schools. This will be my fourth year in SPS, and my second year supporting Queen Anne Elementary. I also live on Queen Anne, and love that I can now walk to school in less time than I was spending in the car to Federal Way!

​When I’m not at school, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, paddle boarding, seeing live music, knitting, caring for my indoor plants (I have over 50!), and relaxing with a good book.

KIM CHIN
Nurse
krchin@seattleschools.org

​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. 

MELISSA COILEY
Special Education Instructional Assistant
mscoiley@seattleschools.org

I am looking forward to my first year at QAE as a special education IA! Supporting and teaching students is a second career for me and the most meaningful work of my life. I started on this journey by volunteering at Broadview Thompson K-8 and tutoring special needs children in my neighborhood. After this I worked at Olympic Hills Elementary as a long-term sub in special education and then at Olympic View Elementary as an IA in Intervention for the past four years. 

I enjoy biking, hiking, yoga, playing clawhammer banjo and spending time in community with friends and family. My husband and I live just north of Green Lake on a small green belt where we share many special moments birdwatching together. I have also enjoyed traveling extensively. While in Asia I learned about Buddhism and have continued to explore the benefits of its teachings, namely the importance of connection, compassion, and gratitude. I do my best to keep these alive in my life daily. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to meet and work with the QAE community!

ALEX DUGDALE
​Instrumental Teacher - 4th & 5th Grade
agdugdale@seattleschools.org

Queen Anne Elementary is so fortunate to have Alex Dugdale as our Instrumental Teacher for our fourth and fifth grade students. Alex Dugdale is a graduate of Roosevelt High School and holds a B.M. degree in Jazz Performance from the Eastman School of Music and a master's degree in education from Seattle Pacific University. He first performed with SRJO in 2006 in the Duke of Ellington Sacred Music Concert and has done that every year since then. In 2016, he received the Earshot Jazz Emerging Artist of the Year award. Alex teaches band and orchestra at the elementary level in Seattle public schools. He is a faculty member at Jazz Port Townsend. He also works as a private instructor and frequently performs in Seattle and western Washington with his group FADE. 

HELENE McCORMICK
K - 2nd Grade Reading Specialist
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 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.

KARI MINAS
Special Eduction Teacher
kpminas@seattleschools.org

I am excited to join the Queen Anne Elementary Staff.  I have worked in Seattle Schools for over 10 years and was a teacher at QAE 6 years ago, before my family moved abroad to Amsterdam.  Upon our return to Seattle, I have been teaching Special Education at COE and Lowell Elementary.  I am excited to be back at QAE! As a resource room teacher, I aspire to help students ignite their academic and creative potential! I live on Queen Anne with my husband and our two children.  We enjoy being active in the outdoors, traveling and making dinner together!   You will often find me running or walking the Queen Anne loop with our yellow lab, Tater.

DR. EMILY VALDEZ
​Librarian
​elvaldez@seattleschools.org

I'm so excited to be part of the QAE community as a teacher librarian. After earning my BA from Bowdoin College, I traveled the world for a year on my own to get a better sense of what I wanted to do with my life. After a short stint in a software start-up, I went back to school to get my M.Ed in special education. For three years I taught special education in high school in rural Idaho and decided that I wanted to get my doctorate. I headed for Seattle and started the program at UW. After fifteen years of doing research on education innovations and policy, I decided that I missed the classroom and most of all I missed daily interactions with students and other teachers. I recently went back to school (again) to get my endorsement in library and media science at SPU where I discovered the best job possible - teacher librarian, which combines my absolute love of books and kids. When I'm not in the library, I enjoy hiking, camping, and playing sports with my daughter, Eva; my husband; and my black lab, Helo. 

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TOBY JARMAN
Learning Lab Teacher
tjarman@seattleschools.org

I am thrilled to be joining the team at Queen Anne Elementary! 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 two cats who love to photo-bomb my remote lessons. I love writing, hiking, gardening, yoga, and visiting the harbor seals at the Ballard Locks.

JOSIE HALEY
PE Teacher
jhaley@seattleschools.org
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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…