Biography

Job Title: English Language Teacher, gr 3-5

What I love about James Baldwin: The vibrant curiosity of our students, the staff commitment to teaching the whole child, and teaching and learning from students from all over the world make this a wonderful place to be!

,Personal Message

Biography

What I love about James Baldwin Elementary is the warm community centered around our students, and that I get to learn something new from my students every day! 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 20^th 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.

Biography

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.

Personal Message

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!

Graduate of Seattle Public Schools and University of Washington. Trombonist in Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra. I teach mornings at: Leschi (M), James Baldwin (T), Licton Springs (W), North Beach (Th), and Sand Point (F). Afternoons I'm at Catharine Blaine.

I teach instrumental music to 4th and 5th graders at six schools, and middle school band and orchestra at Catharine Blaine.

My favorite subjects in school:

• Band
• French
• Geometry
• PE at Lawton and Columbia (when we did archery, unicycling, roller skating, and juggling)

Pets: I have three cats, even though I'm allergic. Their names are Toby, Prudence, and Jupiter.

Family: Spouse Becky, and two high schoolers. One attends school in Gig Harbor, and the other attends in Seattle. In fact, he commuted two hours each way with me to Seattle for all of middle school. (Can you imagine?!?) Thankfully, we now have an apartment in city!

Favorite food: MOD Pizza

Favorite movies: Frozen 2, Enchanted, and Edward Scissorhands.

Favorite books: the Silver Trilogy by Kerstin Gier. (For many years my favorite book was The Eight by Catherine Neville. And one day I would like to get all the way through Gödel Escher Bach by Douglas Hofstadter)

Favorite music: listening to my students after they've practiced something they're excited about!

What I've been working on: Becoming more technically proficient with computer apps like Schoology, the Source, and especially audio/video editing (which I know almost nothing about). I'm a semi-professional trombonist, but violin was my first instrument as a kid (for a very short time), and since coming to work in SPS, I've been working on my fiddle skills. It's a long road, but I know if I just keep doing it, I'll keep getting better. And the better I get, the more fun I have playing!

Other favorite activities: Road trips, camping, and enjoying nature.

Schools I attended:

• Pinehurst (gr. 1)
• Lawton (2-3)
• Columbia (4)
• Lynndale (5 through part of 6, in Edmonds)
• West Woodland (6)
• Whitman (7-8)
• Franklin (9-12)
• University of Washington (BA/BM, with teaching endorsements in instrumental music, choir, and math)

Biography:

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.

Personal Message:

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.

This is my fourth year at James Baldwin and Montlake @ Marshall. I put in many August hours setting up our new library spaces, and look forward to sharing them with our students. I am at James Baldwin on Mondays and Thursdays (and delighted to be at a school named after an author I admire). I am at Montlake @ Marshall on Tuesdays and Fridays (only a mile from my home, so my commute is great). Wednesdays alternate between the two schools.

When I am not at school, I enjoy reading, hiking, 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.

Biography

I have worked in Seattle Public Schools in various roles since 2001. I have taught Kindergarten since 2012 and been at Northgate/James Baldwin  since 2015.

Personal Message

I came to this school because I love the community, the families and the rewarding challenge of teaching a group of students that all bring their strengths, perspectives and diversity to the classroom. I love Kindergarten because of the energy this age brings to the class--they believe they can do anything, and I help them channel it so they do!

I am so glad to have the opportunity to lead such a wonderful School! The 2022-23 School year is my 6th year in school leadership. Before that, I taught in the Seattle Schools for 20 years. I love being in classrooms, problem solving, and supporting our amazing teachers, students and families. I have 2 daughters, one who attends Roosevelt high school and one recently graduated from college. When I'm not working, I love to read, travel and hike.  I believe that all students can be successful with a supportive environment, positive relationships and strong instruction.

Biography

Volunteer at James Baldwin! Visit our online application process

Personal Message

Together with our Office assistant, I am here to make your time at James Baldwin a success. Please stop by the office with any questions you might have and we will get them answered! We handle everything! Bus information, attendance, personal information updating, concerns, school supply needs, family support needs, etc. etc. etc. If we can't help, we know who can!

I started my teaching career in 2000. I taught middle school math for the first 17 years. I switched to 5^th grade in 2017 at Northgate/James Baldwin Elementary. This will be my 7^th years teaching 5^th grade, 2023. I am a mom of two teens. I loved being at James Baldwin for the following reasons: It’s feel like a family, it’s very diverse, all the staff care about our students, and we celebrate our differences.