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If you know a someone who deserves to be in the spotlight, let us know at goodnews@seattleschools.org.

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

SPS Educator Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award

Cleveland STEM High School special education teacher Makena Gadient has been nominated for National Life Group’s 2024-25 LifeChanger of the Year award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the U.S. who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership.

Gadient was nominated for her dedication to ensuring every student’s needs are met, regardless of race, ability, faith, or gender. With a strong commitment to inclusion, she works tirelessly to support students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and collaborates closely with colleagues, including special education instructional assistants, to ensure those needs are effectively addressed.

Gadient’s passion for project-based learning helps create opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge in flexible and creative ways. While the cost of these projects can add up, she is constantly seeking ways to make these opportunities accessible for her students.

“Ms. Gadient’s unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of all students and providing them with engaging, inclusive learning experiences makes her an invaluable member of the school community,” the nominator said.

Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals and will be announced in early 2025.

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