Mike Lein – “The Phone Guy”

Location: Central Administration Building

Job Description: Mike is in charge of the phone system for the Mercer Island School District including all low voltage wiring and repairs, from the faceplate to inside the walls. “I spend a lot of time in our building’s attics,” says Mike. He also works with the maintenance crew on every imaginable job, including clearing debris out of rain-filled parking lot gutters. Mike helps with video conferencing and the schools’ security systems. He spends a lot of time saving money for the district by fixing reusable items like computers, amplifiers and more.

Typical Day: Mike arrives at 6 a.m. and immediately makes sure the phones are working. He is always working on a myriad of repair projects, like a computer that was spilled on or an amplifier that may just need a new fuse. If a videoconference is scheduled at the high school, he makes sure the system is working ahead of time and stays close by to troubleshoot any problems.

Best part of the job: “I like fixing things that can be salvaged,” says Mike. “I hate waste, especially when the problem is as simple as a new fuse.”

Something people may not know: Mike has a teaching degree from Washington State University, with an endorsement in science. After his sophomore year, he and a friend traveled for three months throughout the South Pacific, from Majuro to Guam. “Back then it was one of the least explored regions in the world,” said Mike.

Years worked in the district: 16 years. Mike joined the maintenance crew in 1993 and volunteered to take over the new phone system that was installed in 1994/95. “I know everyone in the district,” he said. “But only by name!”

Outside interests: Mike and his wife Donna live in Fall City. They have two boys Justin and Kevin, ages 22 and 17. Mike enjoys fixing things at home. “I rarely hire anyone to help me, but if I do it’s only once because I watch and learn how to do whatever it is.” Mike also likes to spend time in his cabin in northern British Columbia.

Natasha Robson – Electives Teacher

Location: Islander Middle School
Job Description: Natasha teaches drama and advanced writing to middle school students. She also runs Islander’s Mentor/Structured Studies program with fellow teacher Bill Henneger. Until this year, she produced the IMS school play.

Typical Day: Natasha teaches five classes a day -- advanced writing in the morning followed by drama and structured studies in the afternoon.

Best part of the job: Working with students in her areas of interest. Natasha is a former actress and is in the process of earning her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University in Los Angeles. She and her middle school students enjoy working on assignments together, especially poetry. Her classroom is set up in a circle with comfortable chairs and footstools to help students feel more at ease sharing their writing with each other. In drama classes, Natasha’s students learn improvisation, theatre history and puppetry. They enjoy presenting puppet shows to elementary students.

Something people may not know: Natasha was born in South Africa and lived there until she was 14 years old. She has a strong South African accent, but you would never know it because acting classes taught her how to “speak American.”

Years worked in the district: Five years. Natasha came from Arizona where she worked as a long-term substitute. She received her teaching degree from Northern Arizona University.

Outside interests: Natasha lives in a condo in Kirkland near the lake. Besides writing prose poems and “flash fiction”, she likes animals and just got a kitten. Her students have promised to help her name it! Natasha is one of those rare people who loves Northwest winters. “I am an artist so I thrive on seasons and dark weather,” she says. “Our weather helps me to be more reflective.”

Susie Brown – Counselor at Mercer Island High School

Job Description: Susie works with four other counselors at the high school to help students make decisions about high school program needs as well as post high school plans. Most MIHS students attend college, but some choose technical schools, art school or taking a “gap” year to travel or work. On average with five counselors, each counselor works with about 280 students.

Location: Mercer Island High School

Typical Day: There isn’t one. Susie’s door is always open to students, parents and staff. In the fall, she manages freshmen registration and presents students with the “high school and beyond plan.” She helps students fill in the on-line plan, which includes a personality test and interest survey. She also works with college counselor Mj Hillstrom to assist students with the college selection process. Another important part of Susie’s job is helping students, staff and parents with crisis management and referrals.

Best part of the job: “The kids! I tell people I have 350 children. I love them all.”

Something people may not know: In 2004 Susie was diagnosed with cancer and has been fighting the disease ever since. She says, “I truly believe that the Mercer Island community and my students, families and colleagues are one reason I am still here. Everyone rallied around me – families helped me with grocery shopping and meals; my students took me to chemotherapy sessions and to the hospital. One family even volunteered to send me to Texas for treatment! This is a very special community.”

Years worked in the district: 18 years. Susie grew up on Mercer Island and in Bellevue. Before coming to MIHS, Susie worked for six years as a social studies and English teacher at Kennewick High School.

Outside interests: Susie enjoys learning new things and traveling, especially to Brazil. She is involved with the Quero Ser Institute in Brazil and the Stoneflower Foundation in Seattle to help Brazilian kids from “barrios” get access to a quality education and adequate medical care. She and teacher Patrick Rigby at Crest Learning Center are working on a partnership with the Quero Ser Institute and Mercer Island High School to engage high school students in learning about Brazilian life and culture. In her spare time, Susie teaches ESL at night to Portuguese-speaking immigrants.