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April 2, 2025

Winter Sports Produce Multiple State Champions  

Rainier Beach and Ballard high schools pulled off some impressive wins in the winter sports state title competitions. 

At Rainier Beach, the Vikings won their 10th state title in basketball, beating Edmonds-Woodway 68-48 in the finals. The school hosted a celebration in their honor with a parade through the school where students and staff lined the halls to recognize the team.  

Ballard boasts state champions in gymnastics and wrestling. Their girls gymnastics team became the first Seattle Public School to win a State Championship in the sport. The team has multiple bragging rights, having an undefeated season, a Metro league title, and a District Championship win. Roosevelt High School finished 3rd. 

Also making an appearance at State were Ballard’s wrestling team. Senior Miles P. brought home a 3rd place finish. 

Not to be outdone, Ballard’s cheer team defended their National Champion title, earning their second USA Spirit National Championship! They finished 1st in varsity band chant and fight song, 3rd in crowd leader, and 4th in traditional. 

In the Unified Special Olympics, Roosevelt’s and Lincoln’s Unified basketball teams took second place.  

Merit Scholars in the Making 

Students from Ballard, Garfield, Ingraham, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and West Seattle high schools are National Merit Scholars semifinalists! 

These academically talented seniors have an opportunity to compete for National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. Finalists will be announced this spring. 

The semifinalists are:  

• Ballard: Ruth Jenkins, Alfie Koll-Williams, Cole Lyster, Holland Young 
• Garfield: Paloma Oh 
• Ingraham: Madeleine Buergel, Ana Small, Isabella Welch 
• Lincoln: Cleo Baernstein, Hanbilig Demberel, Ava Gharib, W Levi Hanscom, Caleb Hirschfeld, Fiona Kelly, Finnian Luebbe, Colm McLain, Raphael Thaler 
• Roosevelt: Matthew West 
• West Seattle: Aria Erickson, Ryan Wade 

Congratulations to these students on their academic achievements. 

SPS DECA Students Compete at State 

Business and Marketing students from Garfield, Roosevelt, Lincoln, and West Seattle competed in DECA, a career and technical education student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs with a career interest in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.  

Across all four schools, hundreds of students attended area competitions. Roosevelt’s Green and Gold Exchange, its school-based enterprise, achieved gold certification for the 2024-25 school year and will be recognized during DECA’s International Career Development Conference this month in Florida. Also, 50 SPS students advanced to the International Conference for outstanding achievements in their competition areas.  

SPS Security Manager Nominated for ORBIE Award  

PacificNorthwestCISO has announced April Mardock as one of its five finalists for its 2025 ORBIE Awards, which honors chief information security officers (CISO) who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership.   

Mardock is the district’s Information Security Manager who oversees the safety of student and staff data.   

The 2025 ORBIE Awards event is scheduled for April 10 at The Westin Seattle. 

Blaine PTA Earns ‘Best of Magnolia’ Recognition 

The Catharine Blaine K-8 PTA was recognized by the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce for being the best non-profit in Magnolia for 2024. The ‘Best of Magnolia’ showcases the neighborhood’s most innovative and impactful businesses, non-profits, volunteers, and inspiring leaders in our community. 

The recognition stems from the PTA’s advocacy in support of public schools last year and for the many community events the PTA sponsors and organizes. The award was presented in February at a Chamber of Commerce dinner.  

BRIDGES Teacher Named Storm Honorary Coach for May Game 

Kelly Walker, a teacher in the BRIDGES transition program, will be honored as the Seattle Storm Honorary Coach on May 23 in their game against Phoenix Mercury. Walker will be recognized for her dedication to public service and community impact. She runs the BRIDGES class housed at Swedish Medical Center on First Hill.   

Sponsored by Providence Swedish, the Honorary Coach program celebrates outstanding members of the community with a special pre-game courtside recognition ceremony before each Seattle Storm home game at Climate Pledge Arena. This initiative highlights unsung women heroes who are making a difference in their communities. 

Eckstein Teacher to Join Float Your Boat 

Jessica Levine will join a team of scientists and educators in Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) Alaska over spring break as part of the Float Your Boat program.  

Float Your Boat is an outreach initiative developed by the International Arctic Buoy Program (IABP) and led by Dr. Ignatius Rigor at the University of Washington. This collaboration aims to incorporate Arctic literacy into lessons and activities.  

Through the Float Your Boat program, participants will study arctic animals then decorate small 8-inch cedar boats — each with its own identifying serial number — that I will deploy on Arctic Sea ice alongside a drifting buoy.  

“I can’t wait to deploy Eckstein wooden boats in the Artic and be part of this research with IABP,” Levine said.   

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February 5, 2025

Math Teacher Sara Rubio Brings Presidential Recognition to SPS

Sara Rubio, a math teacher at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) from former President Joe Biden. 

This prestigious award recognizes Rubio’s dedication to shaping the next generation of innovators, scientists, engineers, and explorers. She’s one of 336 exceptional teachers and mentors honored nationwide for their outstanding contributions to STEM education. 

Rubio has been an educator for more than 14 years and has been teaching middle school mathematics for 12 years. She started her career teaching STEM at Madison Middle School and is currently teaching seventh grade math and sixth grade Mathematics Empowerment at Eagle Staff. 

Rubio has been an active member of the mathematics empowerment professional learning community for eight years. This group of educators continuously learns about and implements innovative, research-based instructional strategies to empower students in mathematics. 

“Receiving the Presidential Award is a profound validation of my calling to be a teacher,” Rubio said. “I am deeply honored to receive this award and am grateful to all the people who have been a part of this incredible journey.” 

As the Mathematics Department Head, Rubio fosters collaboration in professional learning communities by looking at student work, reflecting on what students understand, determining what is next for them to learn, and improving lessons to meet the diverse needs of all students. 

A True Learning Experience

Congratulations to two SPS LEGO Robotics teams who advanced to the state finals on Feb. 2 – Madison Middle School’s MadBots and Catharine Blaine K-8’s ByteBeasts.

Although neither team made it to the nationals, both are already looking ahead to next year and getting excited for the new season in April.

This was Madison’s first year for having a robotics program and Catharine Blaine’s second. The school was one of only two SPS schools last year, so they’ve helped blaze the robotics trail as well as show how a team can grow after a little experience.

Elementary robotics is part of a larger push from the Career and Technical Education department to engage K-5 students in STEM learning, helping students to see themselves as STEM-capable from an early age.

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Jan. 8, 2025

New Year, New Accolades for SPS Students and Staff

Chief Sealth, Rainier Beach student-athletes take top honors at Seahawks Community Awards

Seattle Public Schools students and staff were recipients of the Seattle Seahawks’ inaugural Community Awards. The awards show was held in December and recognized those who have made a positive impact in their community.

Eleana Lee, a senior at Chief Sealth International High School was named Girls Flag Player of the Year. The award recognizes girls flag football athletes raising the game – both on and off the field. Lee was selected based on athletic accomplishments, community service involvement, academic achievement, and positive leadership traits.

Senior Akeem Murph Jr. was awarded the Seahawks Community Scholarship worth $10,000. Murph is a football and track student-athlete at Rainier Beach High School. His goal is to attend Howard University and pursue a career in architecture.

Girls Flag football was recognized as the Seahawks’ Community Story of the Year, which was accepted by SPS Athletic Program Liaison Kalani Igarta and James Neil of Tacoma Public Schools.  When the Seahawks first started supporting girls flag football, these two school districts immediately stepped up to launch teams.

SPS started with four schools in 2022; in 2025 there will be 99 schools across the state with Girls Flag teams. The Seahawks will continue to support the efforts of growing Girls Flag with an additional $200,000 to support programs in 2025.

Way to Go to these Excellent Educators

SPS congratulates the educators who have earned National Board Certifications or renewed their certification in 2024! Achieving certification is a tremendous accomplishment. There are now more than 500 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) and administrators in SPS, and the district ranks 21st in the nation for the number of new NBCTs.

National Board Certification requires educators to demonstrate advanced knowledge in their subject area, a deep understanding of students, and advanced skill in their teaching practice. In pursuing certification, educators volunteer to put their teaching skills, content knowledge, and professional practices up against rigorous professional standards.

We commend each of these educators for their commitment to the teaching profession and hard work on behalf of the students they serve. Congratulations to these new NBCTs:

• Grace Armstrong, Mercer International Middle School – Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
• Elisabeth Brace, John Stanford International – English as a New Language/Early and Middle Childhood
• Kelli Calvin, Emerson Elementary – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
• Natasha Daviduke, Emerson Elementary – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
• Vanessa Fuller, Olympic Hills Elementary – Generalist/Early Childhood
• Sofia Garcia-Garcia, Bagley Elementary – Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
• Emma Gee, Emerson Elementary – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
• Emily Goldner, Fairmount Park Elementary – Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
• Margaret Johnson, Montlake Elementary – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
• Carrie Kwong, Dearborn Park Elementary – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
• Lanh Lam, Bailey Gatzert Elementary – Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
• Yiming Lin, Rainier Beach High School – Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
• Karly Muller, Salmon Bay K-8 – English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
• Tessa Nesbit, Seattle World School – English as a New Language/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
• Autumn Tocchi, Rainier Beach High School – Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
• Paul Traver, Emerson Elementary – Generalist/Early Childhood
• Natalie Tuck, Hawthorne Elementary – Generalist/Early Childhood
• Jacqueline Wilson, Roosevelt High School – Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood

West Seattle Elementary Counselor Earns Distinguished School Social Worker Award

Tracey Thompson was honored as the Distinguished Social Worker of the Year by the state professional organization, Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW). The honor given to those who are outstanding in the field and recognized by their peers and colleagues.

Thompson’s ongoing commitment to create the best experience for children, families, colleagues, and those furthest from educational justice is one of the many reasons Thompson received the honor. Although she currently works at West Seattle Elementary, Thompson has worked in many schools and made an impact.

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SPS Shout Outs: District Educators Level Up 

From becoming Amazon Teacher Ambassadors to earning paraeducator certifications, we are shouting out SPS staff took their learning to a new level.  

Arbor Heights, Louisa Boren Teachers Chosen for Amazon Ambassador Program 

Two SPS Educators have been chosen for the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Program. 

Jennifer Sawade and Sarah Gerhardt were selected among hundreds of eligible teachers from across the U.S. for the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Program.

The fellowship is meant to inspire their students and colleagues to build computer science skills and increase access to STEM education  

During this two-year paid fellowship, they will play a vital role in bringing computer science education and career exploration to students across the Seattle area. 

Jennifer Sawade brings over 16 years of teaching experience to her role at Louisa Boren K-8, where she teaches art, technology and career and technical education courses.

Sarah Gerhardt started her 14-year teaching career in rural Kansas before joining Arbor Heights Elementary, where she has taught kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grades. 

One of their first major projects will be to conduct a local listening tour, engaging with students, parents, educators, and community leaders to understand the barriers and challenges they face in STEM and computer science education. This understanding will help shape the future of computer science curricula. They will also pilot innovative instructional strategies for teaching computer science in the classroom and receive professional development training opportunities.  

Paraeducators Moving Up After Completing Certificate Program 

More than 150 SPS educators completed the Paraeducator Certificate Program, which offers statewide standards-based training for all paraeducators. It also supports career growth for those who wish to advance their career as a paraeducator or pursue a teaching profession. 

Each paraeducator must complete 98 clock hours to earn the General Paraeducator Certificate. Those who already hold that certificate can complete an additional 75 clock hours to earn the Advanced Paraeducator Certificate.  

Seattle Public Schools recognizes these paraeducators who have completed the requirements for certification. We appreciate their dedication to continued learning. 

Advanced Paraeducator Certificate 

• Yen Hoang, Bilingual Instructional Assistant, David T. Denny International Middle School 
• Valentina Visscher, Parent Ed Lab Coordinator, Alan T. Sugiyama High School 
• Christopher Willis, Special Education Assistant/ISE, Rainier Beach High School 
• Marcus Daniels, Special Education Assistant/ISE, Rainier Beach High School 
• Connor Lee, Special Education Assistant/ISE, Louisa Boren STEM K-8 STEM 
• Larisa Bestor, Special Education Assistant/ISE, Roxhill Elementary 

General Paraeducator Certificate 

• Sheila Lambert, Interagency Programs, Corrections Education Associate 
• Malik Prince, Ballard High School, HS Graduation Success Coordinator 

General Paraeducator Certificate – Bilingual Instructional Assistants 

• Nhu-Hien Nguyen, Seattle World School 
• Sorayya Aly, Dunlap Elementary 
• Quang Hoang, Aki Kurose Middle School 
• Peony Chung, TOPS K-8 
• Luis Chavez, Seattle World School 
• Dan Doan, Emerson Elementary 
• Amy Anderson, Aki Kurose Middle School 
• Linh Lin, Lowell Elementary 
• Juan Lopez, Chief Sealth International High School 
• Kwan Cheung, Franklin High School 
• Boon Siew, Thornton Creek Elementary
• Harumi Chappel, McDonald International Elementary 
• Amanda Cumbow, John Muir Elementary 
• Eden Tumbaga, Aki Kurose Middle School 
• Liliana Calimlim, Hawthorne Elementary 
• Maridith Dollente, Madison Middle School 
• Marta Janer-Villanueva, McDonald International Elementary 
• Saleban Ibrahim, Emerson Elementary 
• Maria Parker, Mercer International Middle School 
• Luul Abshir, John Muir Elementary 
• Ann Pham, Washington Middle School 
• Habtamu Kassa, Bailey Gatzert Elementary 
• Arus Haji, Chief Sealth International High School 
• Xue Li, Maple Elementary 
• Nina Machuca, John Stanford International Elementary
• Sai Ho Lo, Maple Elementary 
• Philip Ssebuliba, Mercer International Middle School 
• Michael Gebrehiwot, Jane Addams Middle School 
• Fekadu Tuli, Seattle World School 
• Atsede Gebrehiwot, Hazel Wolf K-8 
• Esther Vazquez Montano, Graham Hill Elementary 
• Liandi Yuan, Beacon Hill International Elementary 
• Getachew Yihdego, Seattle World School 
• Karol Palacios, Franklin High School 
• Yemane Kassa, James Baldwin Elementary 
• Lijun Huang, Mercer International Middle School 
• Yihua Zhou, Maple Elementary 

General Paraeducator Certificate – Braillist Vision Assistant 

• Pamela Lohse, Special Ed Sensory Services 
• Natalie Van Gaver, Special Ed Sensory Services 
• Dawn Ketterling, Special Ed Sensory Services 
• Aileen McCormack Montojo, Special Ed Sensory Services 
• Jenna Comstock, Special Ed Sensory Services 
• Susan Johnson, Special Ed Sensory Services 

General Paraeducator Certificate – Family Support 

• Toni Hunter-Washington, Family Educator II – Head Start 
• Sarah Dennis, Family Educator II – Head Start 
• Jennifer Allen, Family Support Specialist 
• Elizabeth Browning, Preschool Family Services Coordinator 

General Paraeducator Certificate – Instructional Assistant 

• Charles Lackey, South Shore PreK-8 
• Michelle Keowla, Dunlap Elementary 

General Paraeducator Certificate – Language Immersion Instructional Assistant 

• Junko Cole, John Stanford International Elementary
• Mayra Castanos-Burgueno, McDonald International Elementary 
• Naomi Saavedra, John Stanford International Elementary
• Gabriela Ausland, John Stanford International Elementary
• Yuko Wylie, McDonald International Elementary 

General Paraeducator Certificate – ELL and International Programs 

• Haile Wubneh, ELL and International Programs  
• Lanie Luu, ELL and International Programs  

General Paraeducator Certificate – Special Education Assistant/ISE 

• Liwliwa Ucol, Maple Elementary 
• Anne McJunkin, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Andrea Russell, Roosevelt High School 
• Israel Garcia, Madison Middle School 
• Lorie Buob, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Beverly White, Bailey Gatzert Elementary 
• Sharon Worth, Daniel Bagley Elementary 
• Natacia Vanison, Orca K-8 
• Elizabeth Enriquez, West Seattle Elementary 
• Joyce Hall, Meany Middle School 
• Karin Haines, West Seattle Elementary 
• Pamela Davis, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Karla Boyd, Arbor Heights Elementary 
• Fualaau Areta, Cleveland High School 
• Jill Jeakins, Olympic View Elementary 
• Julia Anderson, Whittier Elementary 
• Sharon Newman, Daniel Bagley Elementary 
• Rana Coffee, Nathan Hale High School 
• Ann Schlossman, Jane Addams Middle School 
• Akemi Miyama, Roxhill Annex 
• Martha Levenson, Hazel Wolf K-8 
• Sasha Anderson, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Dennis Fletcher, B. F. Day Elementary 
• Leslie Norman, Loyal Heights Elementary 
• Jean Catron, Thornton Creek 
• Kerry Lindal, West Woodland Elementary 
• Marie Walker, Ballard High School 
• Amanda Trainum, TOPS K-8 
• Benjamin William Zook, Mercer International Middle School 
• Rebecca Northway, Pathfinder K-8 
• Chika Imanishi, John Stanford International Elementary
• Azeb Hailu, Nathan Hale High School 
• Adam Jose, Emerson Elementary 
• Jackie Harden, McClure Middle School 
• Marla Rasmussen, West Seattle High School 
• Shelley Cowan, Genesee Hill Elementary 
• Julie Fisk, Genesee Hill Elementary 
• Karen Lindburg, Olympic Hills Elementary 
• Alyssa Seni, Wing Luke Elementary 
• Kiana Harris, Dunlap Elementary 
• Amanda Price, Ballard High School 
• Katie Chevalier, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• John Anderson, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Mary Lundemo, Ballard High School 
• Yayoi Avakyan, Olympic Hills Elementary 
• Herminia Cornelio, Chief Sealth International High School 
• Jeanette Bath, Franklin High School 
• Elizabeth Andrews, David T. Denny International Middle School 
• Penny Eachus, West Woodland Elementary 
• Uchenna Aroh, Rainier Beach High School 
• Darci Severns, Arbor Heights Elementary 
• Leanne Brock, Madison Middle School 
• Richard Pham, Maple Elementary 
• Heather Cowan, Broadview-Thomson K-8 
• Kathie Simicich, Ingraham High School 
• Kathleen Roll, Whittier Elementary 
• Michele Farnung, West Woodland Elementary 
• Timothy Johnson, McClure Middle School 
• Melanie Nalbandian, Washington Middle School 
• Ian Raezer, Franklin High School 
• Cynthia Lucas, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Kyong Yun, Arbor Heights Elementary 
• Lisa Books, Bailey Gatzert Elementary 
• Mary Sanderson, Arbor Heights Elementary 
• Nigel Farr, Aki Kurose Middle School 
• Sima Daad, Lincoln High School 
• Mary O’Neil, Franklin High School 
• Winona Roberts, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Rebecca Schmidt, Hazel Wolf K-8 
• Brian Rohloff, West Seattle High School 
• Takara McCoy, Emerson Elementary 
• Wiroonrat Harris, Fairmount Park Elementary 
• Daniel Natter, Ballard High School 
• Janet Battaglia, Thurgood Marshall Elementary 
• Kevin Pape, Olympic View Elementary 
• Aeryn Gray, Louisa Boren STEM K-8 
• Kareen Cavalerie, Olympic Hills Elementary 
• Jelisa Manuel, Franklin High School 
• Ellen Morgia, Special Ed Transition/Voc Ed 
• Monte Carlow, Loyal Heights Elementary 
• Tifany Russell, South Shore PreK-8 
• Lakisha Sheffield, Emerson Elementary 
• Shou Chiu, Nathan Hale High School 
• Chung-Ho Lee, Chief Sealth International High School 
• Alexis Espinosa Roldan, Lincoln High School 
• Lauren Lee, Wing Luke Elementary 
• Rhianna Dolley, Chief Sealth International High School 
• Kristen Beers, Speech Language Pathologists 
• Micheal Melonson, Franklin High School 
• Mahamoud Gaayte, ELL and International Programs