Gail Calvo - Second Grade Teacher

Location: West Mercer Elementary

Philosophy: “I love cooperative learning,” says Gail. “In a classroom there are varying degrees of abilities. One child is good in math, another in social studies. I encourage them to help each other, to give and take.” Gail believes that learning to cope in the world and problem-solve are as important as academics. “As the year progresses,” says Gail, “I encourage students to share their problems and explain how they resolved them.”

Gail also empowers her students to make a difference in the world. “One of the highlights in my second grade curriculum is the Giraffe Club project. This is where students stick out their necks, just like a giraffe to make a difference in their community. We study five different diverse leaders. Students then pick a community project where they can help out and make a difference. They learn about historical figures like Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who helped to free other slaves. They were shocked to learn that people were once owned, and they learned how individuals can make a huge impact in the world.”


Typical day: : “I like a daily routine that is individualized and covers multiple subjects,” says Gail. “For instance, we have an activity called Word of the Day. Students find a word in the dictionary; write out the syllables and the definition. As the year progresses, they are to determine by how many 'words of the day' they've done how many school days there have been. Let’s say it’s 85 days. I challenge them to come up with an equation where only eights are used. They all do something unique, and then explain how they got their equation. When they can explain to you how they know the answer–those are the 'Ah Ha' moments for me, to see the joy when they understand.”

Best part of the job: “I have what’s known as “quiet lunch” in my classroom, because the main lunchroom is big and noisy and overwhelming for some kids. Now and then former students will ask if they can join me for quiet lunch, just because they miss me. As time passes, you realize how much you impact some children. All it takes is to sit and listen to them. Kids teach us. I learned a lot in 2nd grade, as a teacher!”

Something people may not know: “I love dance,” says Gail. “Ballet, everything. I love the theatre. If I could retire I’d travel the world watching dance and plays. And eating!” Gail’s 27-year old son Joshua went through MISD schools.

Years in district: Gail began as a classroom aide for Lujean Whitmore in 1991 and became a full-time teacher in 1997.

Outside interests: “I love to cook,” says Gail. “And I love to read books that relate to cooking!” Gail is also an avid baseball fan like her mother, and lists chocolate and gardening among other enthusiasms. She lives on Mercer Island with husband, Mark, and they recently celebrated 33 years of marriage.

Joby McGowan - Kindergarten Teacher

Location: Lakeridge Elementary

Philosophy: Starting kindergarten can be an overwhelming experience for five-year-olds. “When kids are scared,” Joby explains, “I attempt to validate their concern rather than try to solve it for them. Just knowing someone gets how you feel is all it takes to have clearer vision. It calms you. If someone isn’t validated they don’t hear what else you say.” Joby has found that validation helps to comfort parents, as well. “When parents register concerns they are only advocating for their child. Knowing there are other adults who attempt to understand their child gives them a sense of peace. My job is about helping people feel connected. Both kids and adults need that.”

Typical day: “I roll in and whip up the rigor.” says Joby. “Then I welcome students, facilitate problem-solving, teach kids how to read, write, and be mathematicians. They have a snack. We read some great children’s literature, and I high-five them on the way out the door so we can do it again the next day.”

Best part of the job: Joby says there are three best parts of the job: 1) Watching kids make connections to the real world, 2) Watching a classroom community develop, 3) Teaching kids how to look at situations from more than one perspective. “Seeing other perspectives wasn’t my strong suit during my early years in the district,” he admits. “I appreciate that I was given an opportunity to grow and improve in that department. Oddly enough, teaching kids to be flexible in their thinking is the most enjoyable part of the job for me now, though I still have plenty of room for growth in that area. I need these kids more than they need me.”

Something people may not know: Joby was the homecoming king at his small Iowa high school.

Years in district: Joby has worked for MISD for nine years. He has taught first and second grades as well as kindergarten.

Outside interests: Joby has a glass fusing studio in his home. He makes trays, wind chimes and a variety of other things. He has even taught his students to fuse glass. “When you empower kids to be responsible they can handle it.” Joby also enjoys resort vacations in sunny destinations. “My favorite trip was to Cancun,” he says. “I love eating out and ordering Crème Brule for dessert before dinner. You sit by the pool, you don’t have to clean up, and who doesn’t like to be waited on?” Joby lives in Greenlake.

Barb Hallgren - Attendance Secretary and Fine Arts Secretary

Location: Mercer Island High School

Job description: The attendance office near the front entrance of the high school has a barista-like window facing onto the hallway. The person standing behind the window is often called upon to answer questions from passersby. Consequently, Barb sits at the other end of her office where she’s not easily seen. She does have a mirror above her desk should one of her TAs be unavailable. “If I sat at the window,” she laughs, “I’d never get anything done!” Officially, the attendance office is where students submit their absence-excuse notes. Barb ensures attendance accuracy and that all notes are filed. “If I didn’t have TAs,” she says, “it would be tough. They stand at the hallway window so I can do my work. I expect a lot from them.”

The Fine Arts portion of Barb’s job involves managing budgets for high school music, art, drama, and middle school music. She prepares open PO’s, processes bills and reconciles them against their respective budgets. “I move money around,” says Barb. “It’s a big job.” She also gathers the information for high school concerts, designs the layout of programs and produces them on the copy machine. She maintains the Fine Arts calendar for the district, coordinating with all elementary, IMS and HS music teachers.

Typical day: Barb begins her day at 7:30 a.m. For the first 45 minutes she is very busy with kids dropping off their absence notes. “It’s nonstop with a lot of ups-and-downs out of my chair,” says Barb. “It’s necessary to mesh both my jobs together and jump from one to the other as needed.”

Best part of the job: The students. “My first ten years in this district were spent as a paraprofessional at West Mercer,” says Barb. “I loved working with little kids. When I transferred to the high school I was afraid the students were going to eat me alive!” Happily, Barbs fears were unfounded. “It’s been wonderful,” she says. It’s also enabled her to track the progress of some students. “A young man came to my window and said ‘Mrs. Hallgren! You taught me how to read!’ I love seeing the kids grow up.”

Something people may not know: Barb graduated from MIHS. She married her almost-high school sweetheart, Dave – (“I met him just after I graduated”). She and Dave have been married for 37 years and still live on the Island.

Years in district: Barb has worked for the district for 21 years, starting as a paraprofessional at West Mercer when her children attended the school.

Outside interests: Barb loves spending time with family and friends. For 30 years, she and Dave have owned a little red cabin in Long Beach, WA. Says Barb, “We consider it glorified camping!” It’s 100 years old, 500 square feet, lacks insulation and a bathroom, but it does have an outhouse, a pitcher-pump kitchen sink, and a kerosene-stove heater. “It’s our home-away-from-home,” says Barb. Their other favorite getaway is a time-share in Hawaii, where they try to visit once a year. Barb and Dave have three grown children – Jason, Craig, and Lindsey, as well as a grandson, Landon. Barb loves to go for walks and to read.

Patri Collins - 8th Grade US History and Film-Photo-Music Teacher

Location: Islander Middle School

Job description: Patri teaches US History, which spans the beginning of the American Revolution to the post civil war era, to a wide spectrum of students. His Film-Photo-Music class is a trimester-long class in art appreciation that covers the history of film and photography along with different genres of music.

Typical day: “I don’t come in like gangbusters in the morning,” says Patri, who starts the day with a prep-period. “I take the bus to work from the U-District, which,” he notes drily, “only takes a little over an hour.” His bike-ride home is a much swifter commute.

Patri tries to break away from a rote method of presenting history. “As a kid growing up in London,” he says, “I didn’t have to be sold on history. I want to get my students excited about history and to challenge their assumptions.” Since it’s impractical to take a field trip to Independence Hall, Patri uses a project-based, inquiry-based approach. Students might produce a radio show about the interaction between natural disasters and history. Or, write an acrostic poem about manifest destiny, learn about map-making, or draw cartoons about the Monroe Doctrine.

His Film-Photo-Music class is an elective, so there is no homework or traditional exercises. Instead, students explore different ways of looking at the world through various art forms. Patri shows them classic and foreign movies such Trip to the Moon, Demolition of a Wall, and the 1933 version of King Kong. “Once they get over the shock of subtitles and black and white,” he says, “they actually like them.” The class recently took a field trip to the Experience Music Project to see a Nirvana exhibit. Says Patri, “I asked them to dress in grunge (a flannel shirt and jeans thrift-store fashion style popularized by the band), “and several of the kids pointed out that I dress in grunge, normally.” The class also held a Beatles vs. Rolling Stones contest. Students learn about folk and blues music, too. In the spirit of Woody Guthrie, they wrote their own folk songs based on articles from the Mercer Island Reporter. “It’s a fun class,” says Patri.

Best part of the job: “It’s nice,” Patri says, “when students come back years later and tell me they remember my class.”

Something people may not know: “I was born in an ambulance,” says Patri. “I was the first baby the attendant had ever delivered.”

Years in district: Patri began teaching for the district in 2001.

Outside interests: “I am interested in the idea of planned communities,” says Patri. To that end, he likes to visit the sites of historical utopian communities in the Puget Sound area. “There were a lot of these places in the 19th century,” he explains. “Some were political, some were religious. None of them are still intact, and there’s usually not even a plaque to show they were there. But I just go for kicks, and it’s a good way to see the state.” Patri plays guitar and likes to travel. “The last time I left the country,” he says, “I went to Oman and the United Arab Emirates.” Patri also likes to read, visit art museums, and roll sushi. He and his wife, Jill, have a kindergarten-aged son, Felix. “Actually,” Patri confesses, “I spend most of my free time playing with Legos.”

Ingrid Stipes - Fourth Grade Teacher

Location: West Mercer Elementary

How she sees her job: Beyond teaching district curriculum, “I teach kids how to think for themselves,” says Ingrid. “Today’s kids are very guided. They have so many things done for them. Busy lives in a hurried world have led us to this. I ask my kids to stop, look at what they are doing, and consider – ‘How do I think I did on this project? Did I work my hardest? Did I do quality work? What can I do differently next time?’ I want them to take it deeper. I don’t think 9-10 year olds are too young for that. I want them to know how to make informed decisions when they are grown up, to become productive and knowledgeable people of the world. I also teach time management, a skill they will need in the upper grades.”

Typical day: “The beauty of elementary school is that we are not on a fixed schedule,” Ingrid says. “We have the luxury of big blocks of time, so if a lesson gets really exciting we don’t have to stop.” Each day includes Readers Workshop, math, music, and literacy block. In addition, “every Wednesday we do an art project, no matter what!” Ingrid exclaims. “Art is a problem-solving experience. You can see into the minds of children in the art they create. But it’s not about the end product. It’s about what they learned during the process.”

Best part of the job: “Hanging out with 9-10 year olds who are full of new ideas, enthusiasms, and are excited about life. I feel lucky that I get to share in that. I found my niche in elementary school. I also feel really lucky to be with the excellent teachers and staff here at West Mercer.”

Something people may not know: “I’m a closet welder,“ Ingrid says, laughing. “I love to solder!” After a tin-smithing class, Ingrid designed a tin doll – a loose-limbed hanging piece. “I’m getting ready to solder some pleats in her skirt.”

Years in district: 33 years with MISD. Ingrid taught at the UW Lab School for four years prior, where she was trained to teach Special Education.

Outside interests: “I like to keep my old bones moving,” Ingrid says, laughing. She makes time for swimming and walking. Biking is an interest she shares with husband Jim, a retired MISD teacher. “We biked every day last summer,” says Ingrid. She also likes to read, and write poetry. Ingrid and Jim live on Mercer Island. They have three grown children – James, Sarah, and Matt. Now that the children are gone, a “darling barn cat named Cleo” keeps the household lively. “She’s a hoot!” says Ingrid.

Vicky Mann – Seventh-Grade Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher

Location: Islander Middle School

What she does: Vicky teaches two seventh-grade Language Arts/Social Studies (LA/SS) block classes, as well as one split-block class where she teaches the language arts section. “Language arts and social studies are so well-connected,” says Vicky. “Reading and writing is such a part of history, and it makes both subjects more interesting. We also explore current events and examine how they relate to issues from 200 years ago.” The social studies curriculum is Washington State history, which was transferred from ninth-grade to seventh-grade curriculum several years ago. “Initially,” says Vicky, “we feared it would be too dry for seventh-graders. I grew up in Massachusetts and I’m sure I took a class on Massachusetts history, but I don’t remember it.” IMS social studies teachers tailored the unit to their students. “Because it’s local, they can relate to it,” Vicky explains, “and so much of it is still new to me – a non-native– that it’s fresh and exciting. I hope I bring that to the kids.

Typical day: Vicky is in her classroom by 7:30 a.m. to answer email, confer with parents, and prepare for the day ahead. Class starts at 8:20 a.m. “We might work out of the textbook,” says Vicky, “read a story, or have a discussion. The kids try to get me to veer off on these crazy tangents so we can have long discussions!” Vicky has found that seventh-graders are stronger in verbal skills than written skills. “They are much more eager to talk,” she says, “than to write.” To develop writing skills, she has them write out their thoughts and arguments before allowing them to participate in discussions. “A large part of my day is spent encouraging them to work independently,” Vicky adds. “I’m always telling them, ‘use the tools you are given!’ They tend to want you to show them how to do it, rather than to follow instructions.” Tuesday through Thursday, Vicky can be found in the after-school Homework Center for students who need extra help or just a quiet space to do their homework. She normally ends her day around 5:00 p.m. “And I still have to take work home with me,” she confesses. “I’m trying not to, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.” After work she heads to the gym if she didn’t make it there that morning. “Going to the gym really helps me clear my head.”

Best part of the job: “I love the kids,” Vicky says, “but collaborating with the people at IMS makes it an incredible place to work. My friends say ‘don’t you just teach the same thing every year?’ but I don’t think there is any good teacher who is not a life-long learner. Keeping the material fresh and interesting is part of the job. The very first day of school is probably the scariest for me. The kids are staring at me with expectation, waiting for me to do my magic!” Vicky laughs. Some days, she feels she exceeds their expectations. “This job,” she says, “is about constantly becoming a better teacher, and I have a lot of help. We have so many resources in this district, but it’s the people who make it worthwhile.”

Something people may not know: “I had my glee on long before Glee!” Vicky laughs. In the summer of 1974, she sang with the acapella group, the Whiffenpoofs of Yale. “My high-school friends and I met them on vacation in Bermuda, and we sang Goin’ to the Chapel on stage.” Vicky met her husband, Hummie, at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she worked in the graphic design department and he was on a student visa from Canada. She followed him to Toronto where she got her Bachelors in Education at Ryerson University. After graduation, the couple moved to Los Angeles where Vicky obtained her teaching credentials, and became a special education junior high teacher. After visiting friends on Mercer Island, they moved here in 1996.

Years in district: This is Vicky’s 12th year with MISD. She began with the district as a long-term eighth-grade substitute. After being hired permanently, she taught one more year of eighth-grade before transferring to seventh-grade, which she has taught since.

Outside interests: “I don’t have a lot of time for outside interests,” says Vicky. But when she can, she enjoys films, world music, yoga, traveling, and her book club. Vicky’s husband, Hummie (yes, as Vicky explains, Hummie is his legal name but not the one he was born with – it’s a derivation of a young sister’s inability to pronounce his real name) is a film composer and an educator with his own program called the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program which has recently become affiliated with the Seattle Film Institute. Their two daughters completed their school years in the Mercer Island School District. Sarah is a professional dancer in Los Angeles who will soon make her debut on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. Jessi will graduate this year from George Washington University with a double major in dance and sociology, and will continue at GWU grad school to study public policy.

Karen Sherwood – AP US History/Honors English Block and World History Teacher

Location: Mercer Island High School

What she does: “I love taking students beyond facts and statistics to examine the big themes in history and why it matters. It’s not my job to tell them what to think,” says Karen, “but to teach them TO think.” This distinction comes up frequently when evaluating our nation’s policies, both in the past and in the present. In a recent unit on industrialization-era immigration, Karen’s students had a lively debate on the question of what factors should influence our immigration policies. They’d studied different points of view regarding current Arizona immigration laws in the news, and were making connections to those of the past, comparing how attitudes have changed and evolved. In the block class, History and English combine well to teach students to articulate their opinions in a clear voice. “They all have fabulous ideas,” says Karen, “and our class helps them learn to formulate those ideas into coherent arguments with strong support.”

Typical day: Karen’s day begins with two block periods (four hours) of AP/Honors American Studies followed by her prep periods and then 7th period World History. Though classes are over by 3:00 pm, she regularly stays after school for individual writing conferences with students. Most evenings are devoted to grading papers and projects because, as she says, “I really try to give them meaningful feedback.” Collecting 120 AP-level essays at a time requires significant time commitments for grading beyond the regular work day.

Best part of the job: “The most exciting part,” says Karen, “is watching my students discover that they can be agents of change in the world.” Karen was the first MIHS teacher to participate in the Multicultural Scholarship Program run by Museum Without Walls, a non-profit educational organization. She accompanied students from MIHS and Rainier Beach High School on a Civil Rights tour of the American South. “It was so powerful for my kids,” says Karen. “They got to know the students from Rainier Beach and to see how different their lives are, even though they live only 10 miles away. They had meaningful discussions with them about race issues. They learned they could become people who make history happen.”

Something people may not know: “I am a total anglophile!” she says. “It stems from a three-week King Arthur study tour in eighth grade. My English teacher took us to England where we visited the fabled king’s haunts – places like Avalon and Glastonbury Abbey.” Her junior year of college at Oxford cemented her love for the UK. Born in Massachusetts, Karen and her family moved to Chicago, and then to Mercer Island. Karen is a 1991 graduate of MIHS. “I still have long-lasting, rich friendships from that time,” she says.

Years in district: This is Karen’s ninth year with MISD. “But I taught informally before that,” she says. As an employee of the City of Seattle, her job was to raise resources for emergency food providers. She created a middle school service-learning program to promote hunger-awareness on a local and global level. “The more I worked with the students, the more I realized how much I liked teaching,” she says. “It helped me focus my direction.”

Outside interests: Karen and her boyfriend, Jeff, like to kayak, and regularly visit the San Juans and the west coast of Canada. She credits her outdoor-loving boyfriend with pushing her to develop new skills in these pursuits. “I like that I’m not afraid to hop in a boat and have an adventure!” Karen also enjoys traveling, frequently visiting her sister Deborah who lives in the Netherlands. “Her home is a good base from which to jump around Europe.” Karen lives in Leschi. “I can see Mercer Island and the floating bridge from my balcony,” she says. “I check the traffic over my coffee in the morning!”

David Bynum – Trip Coordinator, Bus Driver, and Driver Instructor

Location: Transportation Department

What he does: As a trip coordinator, David schedules transportation for field trips. He will assign an MISD bus or, for long trips, such as to Spokane or Ashland, Oregon, he will charter a bus through a tour-bus service. As a bus driver, he drives an elementary route in the morning and afternoon, and a Kindergarten-route midday. To keep their certification, all MISD bus drivers are required to receive training at yearly in-services. David updates his driver trainer certification each year before school starts, where he obtains new information to pass onto drivers in his position as driver instructor.

Typical day: Although some days as many as 14 field trips are scheduled, three to five trips per day is the average. From 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning, David reviews the day’s trips, confers with the lot mechanic, and handles last-minute changes. Then he ‘pre-trips’ his bus – a morning routine of about 50 checkpoints that all drivers perform – tasks like checking the gas, oil, and tires. He then drives his bus route for Island Park and Lakeridge. He is back at his desk by 9:30 am for more trip preparation. MISD has about 650 field trips per year. After his last route, he returns to his desk for more trip-planning before his workday ends.

Best part of the job: “It’s rewarding to use my skills and abilities in service to the schools,” says David, “and to pull off a challenging trip, such as graduation or Day of Service. It’s fun to interact with the kids and staff.”

Something people may not know: ““Everyone knows I love to golf,” says David. “I think I’m pretty transparent!”

Years in district: 11 years. Prior to joining MISD, David was a partner in a local construction business for 12 years.

Outside interests: In high school, David rebuilt several car engines. Because of that, when his automotive shop teacher was hospitalized, the substitute, who knew nothing about auto shop, asked David to teach the class for most of that year! “I really like teaching,” says David. “I like teaching new drivers, and teaching kids how to ride the bus.” David and his wife Paula, a software company accountant, will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary this summer. They have five children ages 17-31 – Christine, Colin, Matthew, Erin, and Hannah. The family has lived in the Lake Hills area of Bellevue for 25 years. David and Paula plan to move to Arizona when David retires in a few years.

Ann Palmason – Music Teacher

Location: West Mercer Elementary School

What she does: Ann teaches elementary music using the Orff Method, developed by composer Carl Orff, in which musical concepts are learned through singing, dance, movement, drama and the playing of percussion instruments. She helped found the local Evergreen Orff Chapter which holds workshops and retreats in professional growth in music, and has helped train many music teachers. This June she will be teaching an Orff Music class to teachers at the University of Oregon. “The Orff Method is an active form of learning-by-doing that engages mind and body,” says Ann. “I try to create an atmosphere in my classroom that is expressive, and to bring all kinds of music and creative movement to the students. Music training not only helps with vocabulary, reading and writing, it also ties in with the district’s 2020 vision of personalized learning because the Orff method promotes using songs composed by the children themselves.” Ann’s students begin writing songs in kindergarten. Students have the opportunity to experiment with all sorts of instruments, too, from piano to recorder to ukulele to guitar. “This district has always supported music,” says Ann “and we are so lucky to have the PTA and the Foundation.”

Typical day: In the morning, Ann provides six half-hour sessions for different grade-levels, all before lunch. After lunch she teaches three more sessions. “It’s like this,” she says as she snaps her fingers rapidly - snap, snap, snap! “One class is leaving as the other arrives. I change hats from grade-to-grade in order to meet the needs of all age groups.”

Best part of the job: There are two ‘best parts’ for Ann: “Getting to know the kids,” she says, “and the fact that no two days are alike.” Because she minored in art during college, Ann incorporates artistic concepts into her music teaching. “The arts are an amazing way to teach kids. I get to work with their brains, their hearts and their senses of self. I’ll often give them lessons that are infused with art, color and design to show what they’re learning. As they grow up they will find art in everything.”

Something people may not know: “I love to windsurf,” says Ann. “A fellow teacher taught me how, years ago. He and I windsurfed most of the way around the island.” Ann also loves to climb, both mountains and buildings! She climbed Mt. Rainier and the old Mt. St. Helens before doing her really ‘Big Climb’ for lymphoma/leukemia research, walking up 69 flights of the Columbia Tower. Ann hails from a large Mercer Island family with roots on the north end of the island as well as with the school district. Ann and her sister still live on property purchased by their grandparents in 1911. Their father, aged 97, was a member of the school board when West Mercer was built, and both of Ann’s children attended West Mercer. Ann herself attended Mercer View Elementary when a boys’ detention camp was located at present-day Luther Burbank Park nearby. “Sometimes during class we’d hear a loud alarm go off, which meant a boy had just escaped!”

Years in district: Ann began her music-teaching career at MISD and will end it here when she retires in June. She started 39-years ago at South Mercer Junior High School, as well as elementary-level at Island Park, Mercer Crest, and Mercer View. She went on to teach in Bellevue, the Bush school (for 19 years), and six years in Edmonds. Ann returned to teaching on Mercer Island at West Mercer five years ago.

Outside interests: Ann and her husband Jon, a tenor, are very involved in the arts in Seattle. She sings in the choir and produces musicals for her church, and has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan shows. She and fellow teacher David Baxter (“my brilliant co-producer”) have produced musicals for West Mercer. Her entire family, in fact, is musically inclined. “My son, Scott, is an improvisational actor and also performs in musicals in Los Angeles. My daughter, Jenny, works for a record company in L.A. and is a wonderful soprano.”

Ann and Jon enjoy traveling. They’ve been to Iceland and have toured through Europe. After retirement, Ann will substitute-teach, visit museums, and possibly teach private music lessons. She also plans to create a home art studio and do a lot of cross-country skiing.

Debra Vandegrift – Third Grade Teacher

Location: West Mercer Elementary School

Goal as a teacher: “I want to help each of my students grow as a learner,” says Debra. She has taught different age levels but believes “third grade is the best because that’s when students discover their passion for learning. They find that reading becomes a skill they can use. It’s so exciting!” Debra’s own passions are teaching science and math.

Another of Debra’s passions is the environment. “I love to tuck in a lesson on the environment where I can. The kids are composting leftovers from their snacks (apple cores and orange peels) and all paper towels used in the class. It gives them a feeling that they are not powerless. They can do things to keep their environment healthy.” Since 1994, Debra has taken students annually to Padilla Bay, a National Estuarine Research Reserve in Anacortes. At Padilla Bay, they learn that Puget Sound is a watershed, and their actions affect it. If they wash their car, the water goes into Puget Sound. They learn about playing their parts in taking care of the world. “If you talked to former students of mine,” says Debra, “they’d probably remember best our field trips to Northwest Trek and Padilla Bay. To think this is the last year I’ll go there with my class!” she exclaims, referring to her impending retirement.

Typical day: “Busy!” says Debra. “They walk in at 9:00 a.m., sit down and go to work.” In the morning, the class covers math and language arts. In the afternoon they alternate science and social studies. “At the end of the day I often hear them talk about how hard they worked. I have high expectations for them and want them to do their best.”

Something people may not know: Before kayaking became a common outdoor activity, Debra and her husband were paddling around in ‘ocean boats’ in the early 1980’s. “We put the first ocean boats in Yellowstone Lake,” she confides. The couple regularly took ocean-boat trips around Vancouver Island. “At a lot of the places we went,” says Debra, “we never saw anybody.” Now those pristine places are crowded with people and the ocean boats are gathering dust in the Vandegrift garage.

Years in district: In 1978 Debra joined MISD as a special education teacher at Mercer View Elementary, eventually transitioning to general-education third grade. She will retire at the end of this school year.

Outside interests: Debra is a self-confessed ‘bird nerd’ who enjoys hiking, gardening, and reading. She and her husband, Eric, live in Wallingford. “Our backyard is always full of birds,” says Debra. “Also a worm bin and a goldfish pond. This way, we don’t need a pet-sitter when we travel!” The couple went to Yellowstone last summer, and think of Costa Rica as an all-time favorite destination. “If you’re a birder,” says Debra, “it’s an absolute must-do trip.”

Vicki Wittenberger – Speech Pathologist

Location: Lakeridge Elementary School

Job description: As a speech pathologist, Vicki evaluates and delivers specialized instruction for students with language, articulation, fluency and voice disorders.

Typical day: In the morning, Vicki attends meetings with staff and/or parents, organizes her day ahead, and works on student evaluations and plans, otherwise known as IEP’s. “There is a lot of paperwork,” says Vicki, although nowadays most of it is done online. She has seen many changes in her 40 years with MISD. “When I first started in 1971, I had a caseload of 110 kids. There weren’t any special education laws then, so we had very little paperwork. Ideally now, a full-time caseload would be 45 students.

At 9:20 a.m., when school starts, Vicki sees students individually or in groups of up to four, every half hour. She works with them on their individual speech and/or language goals. As an example, some children have difficulty pronouncing their ‘R’s. Vicki likes to focus on a sound they are able to make, such as the ‘K’ sound and work towards the ‘R’ sound. As both are made with the same high, back tongue position, this muscle work is a way of tricking the tongue. Eventually the tongue is strong enough and the students are on their way to correction.

Best part of the job: “All the staff I have worked with over the years.” But for Vicki, the greatest reward has been working with students. “I feel like I’ve made a difference in a lot of kids’ lives.”

Something people may not know: “I’ve been here since I was 21 years old!” Vicki exclaims. “There’s not much about me that people don’t know!”

Years in district: Vicki started at MISD in 1971 and student taught at Mercer Crest Elementary in 2nd grade and in speech therapy. When a space opened up that year, Vicki, who has a dual-degree, became a full-time speech pathologist, and began shuttling between different schools for the next 40 years. “I’ve been at every school that ever existed in this district!” Vicki says. “But I’ve been at Lakeridge continuously throughout, and it’s always been home.” Vicki will retire at the end of this school year. “I don’t know how I’ll do it,” she says. “I may come back as a substitute!”

Outside interests: “I guess I’d better find some, eh?” Vicki jokes, referring to her impending retirement. Actually, she is an avid quilter and loves to travel. “Last year, my husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in Europe,” says Vicki. “We spent four weeks touring Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, and London. We wanted to do it while we could still jump on the trains!” At home, Vicki enjoys running, riding her bike and hopes to do more volunteering. She and husband, Mike, whom she met while in high school – he was the older brother of a friend – also enjoy golfing. Vicki and Mike live in Bellevue and have two sons, Jason, who is married, and Jeff, who will be married this summer.

Clay Laughary - Technology TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment)

Location: Mercer Island High School and Crest Learning Center

Job goal: Clay’s primary goal is to help teachers and staff learn to use technology effectively in their teaching. He tackles problems and questions as they arise, holds before- and after-school training sessions for teachers and staff, and confers individually with staff as the need arises.

Typical day: It might include researching and implementing technology for specific lessons or units, going into classrooms to assist teachers with new programs, researching iPad applications and then making staff aware of the applicable ones, fielding technology integration questions, and training staff on a variety of technology usages. This is Clay’s first year as a technology TOSA. He’s on leave from his regular position as a math teacher. "People aren’t going to ask me to teach poetry, but if they want a poetry blog so students can have a more authentic audience and have "conversations" about each other's work, I can help set up the blog! It’s a lot of multi-tasking. Actually, I like to think of it as ‘multi-switching.’” Demonstrating his ability to multi-switch during this interview, he asked, “What’s the next question?” as he downloaded a program that would help this interviewer with transcribing.

Best part of the job: “Helping to smooth out some of the frustrations that teachers have with technology,” says Clay. “I know how busy the days are when you teach. It’s valuable to have someone on hand to make technology tasks easier and faster.”

Something people may not know: Clay is an award-winning baker! At his previous school, Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, his apple pie won first prize in the annual pie-baking contest. “I think it won because the crust had a maple leaf design and it was really flaky,” says Clay. “I spent a lot of time on it, and no, I’m not giving up my pie-baking secrets!” Clay, who completed his National Board Teacher certification in 2009, might have trouble locating that particular certificate but, “I know exactly where my winning pie contest certificate is!”, he says with a laugh. (It’s hanging in his school office). Clay’s family prizes his baking talents, as well—every Thanksgiving there is a standing order for his rolls.

Years in district: This is Clay’s sixth year with the district. He followed older brother Creighton to MIHS several years after Creighton was hired as an English teacher. Two brothers who share a last name and whose first names start with C sometimes cause workplace confusion but, surprisingly, “we look nothing alike,” says Clay.

Outside interests: Clay is a competitive Life Master bridge player. ”I should be a Bronze Life Master before summer starts. And I’m looking forward to playing in the National tournament held in Seattle this upcoming fall,” says Clay. “I try to play in a club game at least once a week.” Clay grew up in Spokane, WA, attended WABASH College, and earned his Masters in Teaching at Arizona State.

Marlene Liranzo - Family and Consumer Science Teacher

Location: Mercer Island High School

Job description: Marlene teaches Image, a course that is mainly for grades 9-10, and Personal and Family Relations (PFR ), a course geared primarily towards grades 11-12. “My classes are about life,” says Marlene. Image, billed as a time management, organizational skills, team building and cooperative learning skills course, covers a spectrum of ‘life’ topics including stress management, self-esteem, healthy coping skills, nutrition, fitness, healthy relationships, and internet safety. PFR covers topics such as goal setting, listening skills, conflict resolution, sexual assault information, alcohol and drug issues, parenting choices, financial health, and social concerns. “I am into happiness,” says Marlene. “I want to be a role model for health. I want my students to see that they can choose to be positive and to take care of themselves. I think parents recognize the importance of these classes and believe they are good for their kids.”

Typical day: “Very hectic!” says Marlene, who works closely with MI Youth and Family Services, colleagues and community experts on regular class presentations. Any day might include a representative from Youth Eastside Services to talk about dating violence. Someone else from the Public Health Department might be in to discuss sexuality. Ron Feinberg, a Mercer Island clinical social worker, has given talks about relationships. Betsy Zuber, from MIYFS, regularly presents information about aging. Why do high school students need to learn about aging? “Because,” says Marlene, “by the year 2030, for the first time in history, there will be more older people than younger people in the United States. These kids will be a part of that demographic.” Betsy also talks to the PFR class about aging relatives and dementia. “I learn from our resource people, too!” says Marlene.

Besides teaching classes, Marlene co-chairs the CTE department and is an advisor to the Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) club, which orchestrates drives for homeless shelters and Childhaven, and presents talks on subjects such as suicide prevention. She is also co-advisor (with Cathy Gentino) for Natural Helpers. The Natural Helpers club is comprised of a group of 9-12^th graders who are selected by their peers to develop their natural communication and empathy skills. These students are identified in their school community as safe people to go to for help with problems who can provide resources, including referring to an adult, if necessary.

Best part of the job: “The kids,” says Marlene. “They are funny and dear. I try to connect with them so that by the end of the semester they will know I’m here as a resource for them and also, maybe, for other people in their lives because relationships are part of health. Even if just one kid knows I’m here and that I care, it makes it worth it for me.” Marlene cherishes the connections she has made over the years and marvels at how small the world can be. “Last Christmas I was in Cabo, watching a Husky game, and a former student found me in the crowd and came up to talk. Another time, I ran into a former student when I was in Sorrento, Italy!”

Something people may not know: “I love humor and being silly,” says Marlene. “The kids make me laugh. I joke with them that I want to be a standup comic and use material about THEM!”

Years in district: Marlene started at Mercer Island School District when her daughter was in first grade in 1987. Her daughter, Lindsey, is now a teacher herself.

Outside interests: Marlene is big-time Husky fan and has season tickets. She lives in Sammamish with her husband, Rich. She enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with daughter and son-in-law, Lindsey and Matt, and son, Michael. Traveling is a favorite thing to do, and she never knows which former student she might run into!

Libby Wotipka – Third-Grade Hand-in-Hand Paraprofessional

Location: Island Park Elementary

Job description: “I imagine my job is what being a grandparent is like,” says Libby, “We get the fun stuff, while the teachers and counselors, like parents, have the hard work.” But a paraprofessional’s job is more than just fun – it’s hard work, too. Hand-n-Hand Paraprofessionals are unique to Island Park Elementary. The positions are funded entirely by parent donations. They help in classrooms providing learning support and friendship support. “I work with students in small groups and observe things that teachers don’t always have time to see. I catch wind of problems and report my concerns to the teachers and counselors. We brainstorm together to come up with solutions.”

Typical day: “We rarely sit down during the day,” says Libby. “I’m lucky if I get a minute to check emails in the morning!” Libby rotates between all of the third-grade classrooms, where she helps small groups with reading, math, computer lab, or science. “Our third grade has 107 kids and you actually do get to know each of them pretty well.” In addition to her assistance in the classrooms, Libby conducts ‘recess camp’ for 3-5^th graders once a day. Children who are struggling, having trouble making friends, or are simply quieter souls looking for alternatives to the playground, thrive with the TLC provided in recess camp.

“Working quietly on a project in camp will often help children with behavioral issues improve without negative intervention,” Libby says. For her recess camp, Libby started a sewing group that caught on like wildfire with the girls, but not many boys were interested so she started a Lego project for them. “Sometimes we have 30 kids crammed into our little workroom!” Wanting to teach her kids to reach out beyond themselves to those less fortunate, Libby developed the ‘pillows for homeless kids’ project. Both girls and boys took to this sewing project. “On weekends while watching the football game with my husband, I’d cut shapes out of polar fleece – aliens, birds, fish – for the kids to use in their pillow designs.” They pin their creations together, and, until recently, Libby took their pieces home to sew together on her mom’s old sewing machine. But after the PTA granted her request for an inexpensive sewing machine to use at school, they can now do their own sewing. “The kids like the idea of helping others and are okay with not keeping their pillows for themselves. They can always make their own at home,” says Libby.

Best part of the job: While Libby cites the creativity and variety of her job as major perks, she concedes that the best part is “when you connect with a child and they have that ‘aHA’ moment. It’s a terrific feeling.”

Something people may not know: During college, Libby worked in fish canneries in Seattle, the San Juans, and Alaska. “They were smelly, long hours and it was a lot of hard work,” says Libby, “but it paid great. I am not big on cooking fish today but if someone else cooks it, I’ll eat it.” The same goes for donuts, due to a high school job at Winchell’s, which was located on the present-day site of the downtown Bellevue Park.

Years in district: This is Libby’s sixth year with MISD.

Outside interests: Skiing and knitting are two of Libby’s passions. She often, surprisingly, pairs them together – knitting during weekend drives to the mountain passes to ski. “I’m a novice knitter.” Libby confesses, her New Years resolution was to learn to make Norwegian hats.

Tracy Davis – Fifth Grade Teacher

Location: West Mercer

Her job: Tracy uses the principle of Multiple Intelligences in her classroom. Multiple Intelligences theory suggests that there are limitations to I.Q. testing. Instead, a child (or adult) will have natural affinities for one or two of the following multiple intelligences:
• Linguistic intelligence – word smart
• Logical-mathematical intelligence – number/reasoning smart
• Spatial intelligence – picture smart
• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence – body smart
• Musical intelligence – music smart
• Interpersonal intelligence – people smart
• Intrapersonal intelligence – self smart
• Naturalist intelligence – nature smart

In the beginning of the school year, Tracy helps her students discover what their learning strengths are. She then tries to craft personalized lessons that will align with those strengths. “I got my Masters in Creative Arts in Learning,” Tracy says. “It’s all about visual arts, drama, movement, poetry, and story-telling. Personalized learning makes teaching so fun for me!”

Typical day highlight: “I love adding some kind of art throughout all subjects,” says Tracy. The class is currently doing a science unit on the human body. “They each read a book about a physical or mental disability,” Tracy explains. “Then they research the disability and complete a project using options that I provide through the Multiple Intelligences.”

Best part of the job: “Brainstorming how to be more creative in my teaching,” says Tracy. “I stick to the curriculum but love coming up with new ways to make it interesting. I taught art at various Mercer Island schools. That’s why I love to integrate arts in the curriculum. Doing this with fifth graders is great because they are still young enough not to think it’s silly. They can still be kids.”

Something people may not know: After growing up on Mercer Island and graduating from college, Tracy became a flight attendant for American Airlines. “I loved the traveling,” Tracy confesses, “but being a flight attendant was hard living. I shared a one-bedroom apartment with six girls in New York City. I had to leave for work three hours early on the subway. It was a great after-college job because I got to travel, but I barely got by, financially.” After three years, Tracy quit the airline and became a substitute for MISD.

Years in district: This is Tracy’s 16th year with MISD.

Outside interests: Tracy enjoys playing tennis and swimming. Husband Jon was a teacher for the Bellevue School District in the 90’s but left teaching for a sales job. When Jon and Tracy married three years ago, Jon decided to return to teaching. He started a job this year as a Learning Support paraprofessional at Lakeridge and “he loves getting back into the classroom teaching kids, boosting their self esteem,” says Tracy. She and Jon have a blended family of four children, ages 9, 12, 13, and 14. Though they live on Mercer Island, the family recently purchased a weekend getaway/future retirement home in Cle Elum.

Jan Lamont – Administrative Assistant for Human Resources

Location: Administration Building

Job description: As assistant to the HR coordinator, Jan processes all employment applications, prepares job announcements and posts them to the district’s website. She is in charge of maintaining all personnel files, including subs, coaches and archived files. Certificated staff must complete 150 clock hours over 5 years to maintain a continuing teaching certificate or to move up on the salary schedule, and Jan assists them by recording their continuing education clock hours. Jan meets with new employees, subs and coaches, and processes their paperwork, fingerprint info, answers questions about benefits and retirement. She prepares the contracts and letters of assignments for all employees.

Typical day: For Jan, it begins at 7:00 a.m. by answering the voicemails and emails that have come in overnight. Then she tackles the project of the moment. Currently, the payroll and human resources departments are in the process of moving to Skyward. It is a new interface to the main database where school districts house all of their records on students and personnel. “We have to clean up a lot of data for the big conversion in April,” says Jan. “It’s a steep learning curve, but we’re getting trained monthly in Everett.” The rest of her day is filled with greeting applicants, welcoming new employees, and answering employment and benefits questions for current employees. “I am a people-person,” says Jan, “so I especially enjoy that part of my job.” “I do a lot of tracking,” says Jan. “I track mandatory employee trainings, staff evaluations, optional hours and technology training forms. A lot of different things go on in our department.”

Best part of the job: “Of course, I work for the best boss in the world,” Jan smiles, referring to Judy Shannon, the HR coordinator. “She’s like no other boss…kind, caring, funny, she’s just great.” Another highlight for Jan is the opportunity to meet new people and learn about current employees. “I’ve always been good at connecting people,” she says. “In a previous job, I knew a person who needed to sell her house. I knew another person who wanted to buy one. I set the two of them up and they closed the deal! I guess you could call it matchmaking.” And yes, over the years she has instigated one or two meetings that led to marriage.

Something people may not know: Jan owned and managed a secretarial/answering service company for 22 years. She also worked in the Issaquah School District for six years prior to MISD. “I dragged my husband, John, out of retirement to be a full-time bus driver,” Jan says. “He was bored, he needed something to do. He loves the eclectic group of drivers he gets to work with, as well as the kids he drives and their parents.”

Years in district: Nine years. Jan started as the receptionist in the MISD administration building.

Outside interests: “I like anything that involves the great outdoors,” Jan says. “I ski, bike and hike.” She and John travel frequently. A favorite destination is Hawaii, where they regularly house/dog sit for two families. “It’s wonderful. We get to be in the sun, play with dogs, and stay in palatial houses.” Back home in Sammamish, Jan and John enjoy spending time with their grown children, son Kevin, and son Darren and daughter-in-law Tracy. The family is completed by two border collies, Louie and Pepper. Jan has a low-key side business as provider of border collie puppies to many district employees. “I often get Christmas cards from MISD employees with pictures of the dogs they got from me. They love them so much!”

Jane Sullivan – MIHS Special Education Teacher/Case Manager

Location: Mercer Island High School

Job description: Jane teaches students in grades 9 through 12 who have been identified as needing specially designed instruction in one or more areas. She manages their caseloads and liaisons with their general education teachers, families, outside consultants, and specialists, such as speech and language pathologists.

Typical day: “It’s long!” Jane replies, laughing, when asked to describe one. Jane teaches three resource classes, where her students work on individual learning goals. As an example, “One might be learning to edit an essay,” Jane offers. “The goal would be to read an unedited paragraph and identify and correct grammar, punctuation and word usage with 75% accuracy. The I.E.P's (Individual Education Plans) are very specific.” After Resource Room, Jane teaches two Foundations classes, which is a special education class in U.S. history and math.

Best part of the job: “When one of my kids feels successful according to his or her own terms,” says Jane, “and not by how society defines success. We all, every one of us, have things we’re not so good at. Learning is hard. If I were to study ballet or the Russian language, I'd make lots of mistakes and be frustrated. When my students walk through the classroom door, I want them to feel welcome and that this is a good place to be. If they can't do something one way, we will find another way. These kids are amazing. I learn from them every day.”

Something people may not know: Jane hated high school, and was not a good student, but went on to graduate from college and earn two masters degrees. Jane had another career for 25 years prior to becoming a teacher. She was in the apparel manufacturing business, with Levi Strauss in San Francisco, and moved to Seattle to become a vice president of merchandizing and design for Britania and Union Bay, finally ending up at Eddie Bauer as a director of women’s product development. After starting her own line of women’s apparel called Favour she decided to change careers - says Jane, “all that travel got old, and the job was definitely not rewarding.” In the MIHS special education classrooms, everything matters. Says Jane, “I used to sit around and agonize over how many boot cut and straight leg and stone washed jeans needed to be in the product line. It doesn't matter!” So Jane went back to school 25 years after earning a Masters in Business, and earned an endorsement in history at the UW. “In college, I figured out how I learned and I loved it. I could go to school for the rest of my life!” She went on to get her Masters in teaching at Seattle University and is now a fully endorsed special education teacher.

Years in district: This is Jane’s eighth year with MISD.

Outside interests: Jane is mother to five children in a blended family; two of her children went through the special education system at MIHS. "I am very proud of all my kids,” she says. “They are each successful and unique.” Jane enjoys sports and keeps fit with bicycling, skiing, and yoga. She also likes to read, and travel. Jane moved to Seattle three years ago after 20 years of living on Mercer Island.