Patty Shipman – Elementary School Psychologist

Location: Island Park Elementary

Job Description: Patty works with children, families and classroom teachers on assessments for students who need learning interventions. Her goal is to help students succeed with the aid of several school programs such as the Learning Assistance Program, Title I and Special Education.

Typical Day: Patty works three days a week, from 8 am to 4:30 pm. She spends her days working with children, families and the Learning Support Team that assists parents with learning issues. She administers assessments and spends much of her time writing reports and handling paperwork.

Best part of the job: “I love the challenge of figuring out the “puzzles” involved in learning and watching students make progress. I have always enjoyed all kinds of puzzles, but nothing is more fun or challenging than this job!”

Something people may not know: Patty was an investigator for the Department of Defense before she became an educational psychologist. When her son had learning difficulties, she decided to change careers so she could help other students. She has a Masters in Counseling from WSU and Education Specialist degree from Seattle University. But unlike school counselors who deal more with emotional issues, educational psychologists are specifically trained to work with students who have learning differences.

Years worked in the district: 6 years

Outside interests: Patty and her husband Paul live on Mercer Island. Both of their grown children went through Mercer Island schools. Now they live with a “great dog” named Barley. Patty enjoys cooking, entertaining and … figuring out puzzles!

Doug Davis – 7th grade Science teacher and 7th/8th grade Media Tech teacher

Location: Islander Middle School

Job Description: Doug teaches general science to about eighty (80) 7th graders and Media Tech to over fifty (50) 7th and 8th grade students. His science classes cover physical science, the chemistry of matter, life science, genetics, evolution, plants and animals, microscopes and human biology. Media Tech students produce video news clips every other Monday, including fake commercials, announcements, teacher features, teacher/student competitions and more.

Typical Day: There isn’t one. Doug arrives at 8 am and begins with first and second period Media Tech classes. These classes involve a lot of troubleshooting with students to figure out the technology and to develop ideas. “My role is to help them come up with programming that is good-natured, fun and friendly,” says Doug. His science classes are “not the read-the-book kind of classes. All of us teach through hands-on experiences and constructivist learning. Today we are doing a chemical reactions lab, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen to show the difference between elements and compounds.”

Best part of the job: “Every day is different, every year is different. People sometimes ask me how I can do the same job year after year, but there are so many personalities to work with it’s like coming to a new job everyday. I always enjoy coming to work in the morning.”

Something people may not know: “I got good grades in school, but I was a terrible student because I never worked at it. I decided to become a teacher so I could be better than the ones I had.”

Years worked in the district: 16 years.

Outside interests: Doug and his wife Tahne Davis, a graphic designer, have two boys ages three and seven. They recently moved to Mercer Island from the Mt. Baker neighborhood. “We are an active family,” said Doug. “We spend lots of time biking, skiing, playing sports with the kids – anything outside.” Doug is also an elite level cyclist in the Pro 1 and 2 group. That means he rides with pro cyclists when they come to town! Doug confesses to owning 11 bikes. “You could say I have a passion for biking and bikes,” he says.

Tom Cox – Choir Director at Islander Middle School and Mercer Island High School

Job Description: Tom teaches choral singing at Islander and MIHS. He also teaches guitar at the high school. His main “instruments” are his voice and guitar, but he can “fake” playing the piano. Tom works with over 140 students enrolled in choir or in his guitar classes.

Location: Mercer Island High School, Room 503

Typical Day: “No such thing!” says Tom. He arrives everyday at 6:30 am and starts teaching at 8 am. He teaches at the high school in the morning and goes to IMS in the afternoon.

Best part of the job: Working with his students and the camaraderie he enjoys with the district’s other music teachers. “I love seeing the lights go on when my students master a difficult piece.” Tom also keeps in touch with many of his former students. “My wife and I were invited to a wedding of two of my former students who met in choir. They thanked us for being involved in their lives. That really meant a lot!”

Something people may not know: Tom has studied music for most of his life. He started performing while attending Olympic Junior College in Bremerton and ended up supporting himself as a professional musician throughout the 1970’s and into the mid-80’s. His band, “China” played at many of the Northwest’s most famous venues, including Parkers, Pier 70 and the Spanish Ballroom. Tom went back to school when he was in his mid-30s, earning a BA at the UW and a Masters in Teaching at Seattle Pacific University.

Years worked in the district: 18 years. Tom worked as a substitute at MIHS and ended up replacing long-time choir director Larry Potts. “I was in the right place at the right time,” says Tom

Outside interests: Tom enjoys spending time with his wife Valaree Cox, an accomplished artist, and their 17- year old daughter Callan. He still plays guitar and sings with various groups in the area, playing jazz, singing top 40 songs during 4-hour gigs and earning excellent pay. “I am a weekend warrior!” says Tom. “I love playing music.”