Hi! I currently teach the 4th and 5th grades at James Baldwin Elementary. I started teaching 4th grade at Northgate Elementary (now James Baldwin Elementary) in 2013. Each year since then, I have either taught the 4th grade or a 4th/5th-grade split. Before moving to Seattle in 2013, I was a special-education teacher in Broward County, Florida at the middle school level. There, I taught the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Even before that, I was an attorney practicing, among other things, employment and discrimination law for nine years.

I believe that all students bring valuable experiences, insights, and talents to our classroom and school communities!

There are so many things I love about James Baldwin that I cannot possibly write them all here. Here are some of them: We have an amazingly diverse group of students, families, and staff. I also love being part of a classroom and school community which focuses on inclusivity to make sure everyone is learning and is being respected.

When I am not teaching (or preparing to teach), I love spending time at home with my husband and our two dogs. My husband and I are both very adventurous with seeking out and trying new cuisines. We also both enjoy exercising at the gym, paddle boarding, camping, and traveling.

Originally from a small country in south of South America by the Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay. Born and raised from a Brazilian mother and a Uruguayan father. Grew up as an only child in a bilingual family. Attended an only girls’ school for PreK-12th grade. Graduated from college in 2008 with Regular Education and Special Education Degrees.

Favorite Book: Little Prince.

Favorite Author: Paulo Coelho from Brazil.

Favorite things do: travel and get to know people and cultures.

Favorite Places in the world: Paris and Montevideo.

Favorite Food: French Onion Soup and Uruguayan Empanadas.

Dreams: to live in Paris, and to spend a summer in Uruguay doing my favorite activity as a child, enjoying the sun, the ocean and walking on the warm sand.

Favorite Activities at school: Reading and Gardening.

What I love about James Baldwin Elementary:

• The warm community centered around our students
• The vibrant curiosity of our students
• James Baldwin Staff commitment to teaching the whole child
• I get to learn something new from my students every day!

Teaching and learning from students from all over the world makes this a wonderful place to be! In addition to teaching, I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my children.

I started teaching in the Seattle Public Schools in 1996. This is my 20th year at James Baldwin. I have taught first through third. Everyone in our family attended Seattle Public Schools and graduated from the University of Washington. Jake, our son, taught kindergarten at Emerson Elementary and Mandy, our daughter, taught children with autism. Stacey, our eldest daughter, worked in finance. All of our children are taking time off to stay with their children.

I am honored to be a part of a diverse community and staff. Our staff works as a team to support all of our students. I am an advocate for my students who strives to support my students growth. It is important to me that I help my students to learn academically, emotionally and socially.

When I am not teaching, I love going to Husky games and spending time with my family.

Heather McQuarrie (Ms. McQ) has been teaching in Seattle Public Schools since 2018. After three years as a second grade teacher in Ballard, she worked as a head teacher at Adams Elementary to support admin, teachers, families, and to create a building-wide Social Emotional Learning plan to help the building transition back to in-person learning. Following her maternity leave in 2022, she joined the James Baldwin family and loves being a part of this community.

Heather lives with her husband Toby and her toddler son Cavan in Edmonds. In her spare time, she enjoys singing & playing music, cooking, reading, and crafts.

I am originally from Cuba. I speak Spanish and English. I am a mother, a wife, and a pet owner. I have been an educator since 1993.

Hello James Baldwin Community [COME-UNITY],
Welcome to Kindergarten!

I have been an educator since 1993. I began my teaching career in Cuba prior to coming to the USA in 2002. There, I taught students from Pre-Kindergarten-6th grade.

I started teaching in Seattle Public Schools in 2003, and came to James Baldwin Elementary in the Fall of 2014. My experience as an educator working with Seattle Public Schools have covered Kindergarten- 5th grade.

As an educator, I integrate extra curricular activities and skills with the core content subject areas to ensure learning is relevant and meaningful for our diverse group of learners. Furthermore, I believe in meeting students where they are at and help them move along while keeping them learning, engaged, and having fun.

In addition to teaching, I am a wife, a mother, a pet owner, and a lover of arts such as music, dancing, and crafts.

Let's work together to have a wonderful school year!

Thank you/ Gracias!

Proud graduate of Seattle Public Schools. Bass trombonist and brass doubler in Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra, Harmonia, and Better As Brass. Cat mom to Orion.

My schedule:

• Monday: Leschi & Stevens
• Tuesday: James Baldwin & Adams
• Wednesday: Green Lake
• Thursday: North Beach & Blaine
• Friday: Sand Point & Laurelhurst

Random facts about me:

• I ride unicycle (sometimes while playing an instrument)
• I won a frozen yogurt eating competition
• I love MOD Pizza
• I don’t actually eat much froyo or pizza
• My real favorite food: decaf coffee
• Favorite music: listening to my students after they've practiced something they're excited about!

I am originally from Laos. I can speak Lao, and Thai, in addition to English. I am a wife and a mother of twin boys.

Welcome to 2nd grade at James Baldwin Elementary School. I am really excited to get the school year started and on its way! I hope to make it a truly successful experience for your child. It is my priority that your child leaves school each day feeling positive and excited for another day of learning.

I started teaching in Seattle Public Schools in 1998 and came to the Northgate/James Baldwin community in the fall of 2017. I love the diverse students and staff at James Baldwin Elementary. I have taught 1st through 5th as well as split grades.

When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family, I enjoy traveling, learning new languages, and experiencing new cultures.

I have been a librarian for 10 years now, and love talking books with young people. Originally from the Midwest, I earned my teaching and library degrees at the University of Washington and a master's from Western. I am proud to be part of Seattle Public Schools. Being with children inspires me.

When I am not at school, I enjoy reading, gardening, being outdoors with my dog, or challenging my husband or daughter in a game of cribbage. I also enjoy getting loud as a drummer in the Riot, the OL Reign's pep band.