The following is a list of new teachers beginning in the Enumclaw School District

Spencer Adam – Spanish 1.0 LOA Enumclaw High School

Mr. Adam earned his Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University majoring in Spanish Education. While attending Brigham Young, Spencer piloted an online continuing education program that focused on preparing students in Puebla, Mexico, to enroll full-time at a university. Spencer completed his student teaching in both Spanish and ELL programs the winter of 2012 at Thomas Jefferson High School in Federal Way. Following graduation, Spencer worked as a long-term substitute, teaching 10th through 12th grade Spanish at Fife High School.

Gunner Argo – English .6 LOA Enumclaw High School

Mr. Argo recently completed his student teaching at Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington. He worked with 9th grade English, 12th grade writing, and 9th and 10th grade AVID students. Gunner earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Central Washington University with a major in English/Language Arts and is currently completing his Master’s Degree in teaching from Saint Martin’s University. Prior to beginning his Master’s Program at Saint Martins, Gunner spent six years coaching track and field at the collegiate level.

Julie Baldock – Special Education, Enumclaw High School

Julie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts: Creative Writing, Literature and Journalism from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and a Master’s Degree from Long Island University in Brookville, New York. She is relocating to Washington after teaching Special Education English for 9-12 grades in Richmond Hill, New York for three years. She created lessons and curriculum for five separate ELS classes, modified and scaffolded curriculum with focus on autism and receptive language disorders and differentiated curriculum to accommodate special education students with modification. At her current position, she personally created and supervised production of the Annual Spelling Bee and Biannual Book Swap, among other activities. She has also spent time as a tutor for students from three to eighteen.

Jordan Barnett-Teacher at Sunrise Elementary

Jordan Barnett has worked as a teacher at Glacier Park Elementary School in the Tahoma School District since 2005. During the 2010 -2011 school year, he was a Fulbright Exchange Teacher. He worked at Stanford Junior School, in Brighton England, returning to Glacier after the exchange. Jordan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Washington State University. A Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from American College of Education followed in September of 2013. In addition to his teaching duties, since 2006, Jordan has worked with a group of 25 5th grade students on school wide broadcast projects. Jordon makes his home in Enumclaw and is eager to bring his talents and skills to Sunrise.

John Blair – MS Language Arts/History at Enumclaw Middle School

John earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies from Biola University in La Mirada, CA and is pursuing his Master’s in Education from the same university, with three courses left. He has worked for the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District in California since 2003, where he taught Language Arts and Social Studies at Hutchinson Middle School until 2009. In 2009, he became an elementary and middle and elementary school instructional coach for Gardenhill Elementary, Las Alisos Middle School and Hutchinson Middle School. He also provided ongoing Common Core and SBAC professional development tailored to each grade-level team’s needs and is currently working to revise NLAUSD’s 6-8th grade Language Arts curriculum to align with the Common Core Standards

Michelle Blanchard – Teacher at Southwood Elementary (LOA)

Michelle earned a Bachelor degree in Psychology from Carleton College, Northfield, MN followed by a Master’s of Art in Teaching from University of Puget Sound. The bulk of her teaching experience has been at the elementary level in the Auburn School District.  She lives in Buckley and has been active as a PTA and school volunteer. This past year she has worked at the Title 1 teacher at Elk Ridge Elementary. In this capacity, she has supervised and trained para-educators and served as the building RTI coordinator. In the spring of 2012, Michelle became highly qualified in middle school Mathematics. She has spent many years tutoring struggling students’ in math. Her strength in this area will greatly benefit Southwood staff and students. Welcome Michelle!

Rebecca Bogart – Speech Language Pathologist, District Office

Rebecca earned her Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders then completed her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from Western Washington University. She worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Lake Washington School District for the past six years. Prior to that, she worked in the same capacity for the Seattle School District. She recently relocated to our area. Rebecca has worked with students with a wide variety of delays and disorders including Prader Willi’s Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Diffuse Encephalopathy, Cerebral Palsy, Kleinefelter Syndrome, ADD, Down Syndrome, Apraxia and Emotional/Behavioral Disorder.

Ian Bugbee – Middle School Math at Thunder Mountain Middle School

Ian earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Western Washington University. He worked at Skyridge Middle School in the Camas School District teaching 7th grade algebra and math, after doing his student teaching at Mount Baker School District, teaching 8th grade math and algebra. Prior to that, Ian spent seven years working as a Preschool Teacher at St. Francis Childcare where he taught and planned activities for children ages 1-5. That experience greatly helped him to develop his teaching and classroom management abilities and was a big reason why he went into the math-teaching field.

Jami Carnino – .4 Kindergarten Southwood Elementary

Jami earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Pacific Lutheran University with minors in Special Education and Psychology.  She then received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Literacy from Walden University. She has taught in the White River School District for the past ten years, working with 3rd through 6th grade students.  Ms. Carnino will be job sharing in full day kindergarten with Ms. Markquart.

Joan Coffee – Preschool at Southwood Elementary School

Joan earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education from Central Washington University and recently her Master’s in Special Education from Walden University. She learned of our openings at the Washington Educator Career Fair. Joan returns to the Enumclaw School District as a special education teacher after running a home daycare from 2004 to present. She provided a nurturing and safe environment with consistent behavior management, creative lesson plans, quality parent communication and specific instruction/feedback to meet individual needs. She is eager to return to her profession and finds the Enumclaw School District a strong match for her positive skills and experiences.

Mindi Dribnak – PE, Enumclaw Middle School

Mindi earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Physical Education from Brigham Young University. She has taught a total of thirteen years in Orem, Utah; Union City, California; and Zillah, Washington. She has taught Physical Education, Health and Sports Medicine. She has a rich background in athletics all of her life through participation, teaching and coaching. She describes herself as an excellent organizer, communicator, hard-worker and a people person.

Marilyn Firnkoess – Teacher at Sunrise Elementary

Marilyn comes to us with 15 years teaching experience in grades 3-6. Her qualifications include Master’s of Teaching Degree, National Board certification- Middle Childhood Generalists, as well as five Washington State endorsements ranging from K to 12. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Central Washington University and in Business Administration from Washington State University. A Master’s in Education from Grand Canyon University followed. Marilyn is truly an example of a life-long learner. She comes to us from the White River School District with a reputation for strong collaborative skills, commitment to kids and the implementation of strong instructional practices. We are excited to have her join the Sunrise Staff.

Jaymi Fox- Teacher at Westwood Elementary

Jaymi has been teaching since 2003 in the Renton School District at Talbot Hill Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and ESL endorsement from Northwest College. She is an experienced MicroSociety facilitator of the school newspaper, a school café, a stationery store etc. She has implemented a standards based program driven by assessment data, student needs and interests. Jaymi has taken full advantage of the professional development opportunities in Renton taking classes in Core content strand training, Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, Response to Intervention training etc. Jaymi is an Enumclaw graduate who continues to make her home here. We are pleased to have her join our staff.

Morgan Franz – Elementary Teacher Westwood Elementary

Ms. Franz recently graduated from Central Washington University where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in English as a Second Language. Morgan completed her student teaching at Elkridge Elementary in White River School District and was nominated by her field supervisor for CWU Student Teacher of the Year. Since graduation this spring, Morgan has been working regularly as a substitute teacher in both White River and Enumclaw School Districts.

Kristin Haney – Elementary Teacher at Southwood Elementary School

Kristin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in social work and her Master’s Degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University, earning an Elementary Education endorsement. She has experience at the primary level in both public and private schools and has found that her background in social work and English literature complemented her understanding of students, classroom dynamics, curricula and the community. She had been working as a substitute teacher in the White River and Enumclaw School Districts, including a long-term assignment in second grade at Wilkeson Elementary School. Kristin is currently a Director at the Sylvan Learning Center in Maple Valley.

Alysha Holmquist – German 1.0 LOA Enumclaw High School

Ms. Holmquist earned her Bachelor’s Degree in German Language and Literature from Western Washington University.  She then earned her Master’s Degree in German Language and Literature at the University of British Columbia. During her Master’s Program, she spent time mastering her German language skills in Vienna, Austria as a Fulbright teaching assistant, where she created numerous interactive language activities for her students.  Alisha completed her student teaching at Meadowdale High School in Edmonds where she taught both German I and II as well as English.

Rachel Johnson – Music 1.0 Byron Kibler Elementary

Ms. Johnson is a recent graduate from Pacific Lutheran University. Rachel completed a practicum at Frontier Junior High in the Bethel School District and her student teaching at Mirror Lake Elementary in the Federal Way District. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, she went to work as a long-term substitute teacher in both Camelot and Lakeland Elementary schools where she taught K-5 music. Rachel is a member of the Collegiate National Association for Music Educators and has participated in multiple choral and mixed ensembles at PLU during her time there.

Hannah Kilcup – Library Media Specialist .6 Sunrise Elementary

Ms. Kilcup completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Central Washington majoring in Elementary Education and English as a Second Language.  Since completing her student teaching at Daffodil Valley Elementary she has worked in several longterm substitute teacher positions including Middle School Math, History, Language Arts and Elementary.  In addition to her teaching experiences, Hannah went on a mission trip to Guatemala for three weeks assisting with maintenance and upkeep of schools and churches as well as teaching at vacation Bible School.

Alice Lampkin – Special Education 1.0 Enumclaw Middle School

Alice earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Washington State University majoring in History and Anthropology. She then worked in retail, moving up to a managerial position where she worked for several years. In 2004, Alice began participating in the Home School Alternative Program, Choice, at the White River High School. During this time, Alice went back and earned a degree in Elementary and Special Education from Western Governors University. She student taught at Dieringer School District, teaching Special Education at middle school and general education at 2nd grade. Alice has dedicated many years to serving others. She has been active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, coached soccer, volunteered at women’s shelters, as well as her commitment to the Choice home school program.

Amanda Land – Elementary Teacher Sunrise Elementary

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Pacific Lutheran University. Since that time, she has worked primarily in the White River School District. In addition to several long-term substitute positions, Amanda taught in a variety of positions for White River. She taught Early Kindergarten for 2.5 years teaching five year olds kindergarten-learning standards in reading, writing, math, science and art. Amanda also worked as a teacher librarian for a year teaching library, literacy and technology skills to 1st through 5th graders. Lastly, Amanda taught a year of Highly Capable to 3rd through 5th graders at Foothills Elementary.

Jennifer Larimore – Elementary Teacher at Westwood Elementary School

Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Central Washington University. She has been doing her student teaching at Westwood Elementary School under LeeAnn Paschich. She has enjoyed the curricula used in the Enumclaw School District, finding it fun and motivating to teach. She found that Math Expressions allows the students to really connect with the math and learn on a deeper level. She is excited for the switch to the Common Core standards, using the knowledge gained at Central Washington University; she could be of help to her colleagues as the transition is made. She worked in childcare while pursuing her Associate in Arts degree from Green River Community College and is graduated from White River School District in 2009.

Kathy Lobdell –Teacher at Enumclaw Middle School

Kathy comes to us from Auburn School District where she was a CTE instructor for nine years.  She taught drawing and Graphic Design for grades 9-12 grade. Kathy earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Evergreen State College. We are excited to have her join the Enumclaw Middle School staff.

Carly Love – Speech Language Pathologist, District Office

Carly comes to our district from Texas, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin and just completed her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. For her student teaching, Carly provided speech therapy to students at all grade levels with a variety of language, articulation, fluency and autism spectrum disorders. She also spent time as a student intern working with inpatient and outpatient speech rehabilitation for Texas Health at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas.

Elizabeth Luke – Elementary Teacher at Southwood Elementary School

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Washington University. She has taught a long-term substitute position at Central Valley School District in Spokane, Washington, teaching in a Second Grade classroom, establishing a positive behavior plan that supported academic and social growth, while differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students. Prior to that, she has worked as a substitute teacher for two years in the Central Valley School District. She is also pursuing her Master’s Degree in Special Education and Autism in a program through Lesley University, expecting to graduate in June 2014. She is a proud EHS graduate from the class of 2005.

Kaitlin Norton – Ag 1.0 Enumclaw High School

Ms. Norton recently graduated in the spring of 2013 from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education. Kaitlin completed student teaching at Stanwood High School. Her student teaching experience included planning, instruction and assessment of Animal Science, Horticulture, Agriculture Science I & II, Agriculture Mechanics, and advising the Stanwood FFA chapter.

Desta Olds – Music 1.0 Westwood/Black Diamond

Ms. Olds is a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University where she majored in Music Education. In fall 2011, she completed a practicum in Puyallup School District at Woodland Elementary. In fall 2012, Desta student taught in the Bellevue School District at Tyee Middle School. After graduation, Desta taught as a substitute in Renton, Puyallup and Bellevue School Districts. Desta also works as a low strings coach forthe Bremerton Symphony Youth Orchestra as well as a camp coach for Music Northwest Chamber Camp.

Jennifer Post – .5 Counselor, Southwood Elementary

Jennifer is a graduate from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Human Development.  In 2013, she completed her Master’s in Education through City University of Seattle. During Ms. Post’s internship at Millennium Elementary she gained experience counseling individual students, leading small group counseling, and teaching classroom guidance.

Tom Riddell – TMMS

Megan Ritchie – Kindergarten Westwood

On June 9th 2013, Megan will be awarded her Bachelor of Education Degree at Central Washington University in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Middle Level Science. She is currently student teaching First grade at Meridian Elementary School in the Kent School District. Prior work experience includes substituting at the pre-school level and working at a day care center. She comes with wonderful recommendations from all who have worked with her and is excited to begin her teaching career in Enumclaw.

Karen Schwartz – Special Education at Sunrise Elementary School

Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Adventist University and will graduate this month with her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Washington, Tacoma branch. She is currently employed by the Sumner School District as a part time Preschool Learning Specialist. She is currently a substitute teacher with the Auburn, Sumner, White River and Enumclaw School Districts on her days off with the Preschool position. She has previously worked as a teacher at the Kirkland Seventh-Day Adventist School, Tacoma Seventh-Day Adventist Christian School and Buena Vista Seventh-Day Adventist Schools. She applied for and received the Don Keele Award, a grant awarded to teachers with innovative ideas in teaching. She used the grant money to buy iPods and reading bags for students to use for outside reading. It was a way to engage them in reading in a fun, exciting way, while easing the burden of working parents who might not have the time to read with their children as often as they would like.

Alisha Snell – Counselor 1.0 Enumclaw High School

For the past three and a half years, Alisha has been working as an Educational Planner at Green River Community College. She works primarily with Running Start students guiding them in making decisions for life beyond high school. Her goal has been to help students acquire a greater knowledge of the higher education system and develop educational and career goals. Prior to working at Green River, Alisha worked as a high school counselor for a total of five years at both Washougal and White River High Schools. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Washington majoring in Social Work and later earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from City University.

David Stokke – Leadership/Activities, Enumclaw High School

Returning to the Enumclaw School District after teaching at Bonney Lake High School since 2005, Dave has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Education from Central Washington University and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Walden University. His endorsement in Career and Technical Education includes Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Diversified Occupations and CTE Marketing Education. He is currently President of Washington Association of Marketing Educators and on the Washington DECA Board of Directors. He looks forward to developing an excellent leadership program that fits our vision in the Enumclaw School District and the compassion to create a servant leader culture at the school.

Tia Thomasson – Elementary Teacher at Sunrise Elementary School

Tia earned her Elementary Education with a minor in science degree from Central Washington University. She did her student teaching at Elk Ridge Elementary School in Buckley. Since graduating in November 2012, she has gaining experience in working in kindergarten through twelfth grades. Being a substitute, and many times being called in the early morning for that day, has taught her to always come prepared and ready for anything the day can come with. As a waitress, student and colleague, she has worked with many different people in a large variety of settings that has enhanced her communication skills and ability to relate and work with others.

Cheryl Thomson – Teacher at Southwood Elementary School

Cheryl earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Governors University this year in Interdisciplinary Studies while working part time as a Para Educator for Southwood Elementary. Prior to coming to Enumclaw School District, she worked at Eagle View Christian School.  We are excited to have Cheryl join the Southwood Staff.

Victoria Timko – .6 MS Language Arts/History at Enumclaw Middle School

Victoria is relocating from Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bradley University in Illinois and earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University. She has held teaching certificates in Illinois and Wisconsin and has now earned her residency certificate in Elementary Education, Middle Level Science and Middle Level Humanities for Washington State. She most recently taught “looping” 7th and 8th grade Language Arts, English and Reading curricula, was actively involved in the middle school PLC, participated in the district’s Common Core English/Language Arts Implementation Committee, using technology and Smartboard in the classroom and taught a World Language Enrichment Course in Mandarin Chinese.

Cora Valentine – Science 1.0 Enumclaw High School

Ms. Valentine originally majored in Biology, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from Fort Lewis College. She then worked for the Forrest Service as a Forestry Technician at the Pacific Northwest Research Station in Portland, Oregon and the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Ogden, Utah. She then returned to Fort Lewis College to earn a teaching certificate. Cora completed her student teaching in New Mexico and then taught Biology and Earth Science for two years at Montrose High School in Montrose, Colorado. Cora then moved to Washington and taught Biology, AP Biology, and Earth Science for four years at Arlington High School. During her time at Arlington, she also completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Technology. In 2008, she moved to Kentridge High School where she has taught Chemistry, Physics, and Biology for the past five years.

Renee Woods – Science, Enumclaw Middle School

Renee returns to the Enumclaw School District after working one year in the Orting School District. Renee completed her student teaching here and worked as a leave of absence science teacher at EMS in 2011. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Level Science and Elementary Education from Central Washington University. While at Central, she was nominated as a “Top 10 Student Teacher of the Year.” She has experience collaborating with a PLC team and used the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning in her classroom. Her mission is to develop lessons that are meaningful and relevant to middle school students.