Kari Jo Rohr – Preschool
Mrs. Rohr has spent many years instructing a variety of Child Care/Teaching Programs and has extensive experience teaching early childhood gymnastics. She enjoys watching children grow and change, encouraging them to be independent thinkers, to make choices and discover more about their world. She believes that as preschool is a child’s first introduction to formal education, her job as a teacher is to provide a warm environment where children can explore, experiment, create, and learn through developmentally appropriate hands-on experiences. Kari has been with Soundview for many years as a parent and a teacher.

Nani Christensen – Junior Kindergarten
Ms. Nani moved to Washington in 2004 after living all of her life in Honolulu, Hawaii. She has four children and four grandchildren. She moved to Washington to take care of two of her grandchildren. Now that they are both in school, she has returned to teaching. Nani has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Butler University. Prior to moving to Washington, she worked over sixteen years in the kindergarten program at Punahou School in Honolulu, a prestigious independent school in Hawaii.

Stephanie Wallace – Junior Kindergarten/AM Playschool
Wishing to make a career change, Mrs. Wallace returned to school after 30 years, obtaining an Associate's degree as a Paraeducator. Her first position after graduation was with the Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma (one of Soundview's PNAIS peer schools) where she worked with a kindergarten class. At Soundview she assists in Jr. Kindergarten and is also in charge of morning Playschool.

Devin McClain – Kindergarten
Mr. Devin received his B.S. in Journalism from the University of Oregon, where he also minored in Computer Information Technology. He is has taken many additional courses in Elementary Education from Seattle University. Mr. Devin has experience working with children ages 4-16 in Easter Seal camps and sports camps, as well as coaching children 5-13 in basketball, baseball and soccer. He has also traveled extensively throughout Europe and taught in China for 3 months. Mr. Devin has been teaching at Soundview for the past 9 years.

Kirsten Johns – Kindergarten
Ms. Johns graduated with honors from both Central Washington University for her BA in Elementary Education and the University of North Dakota for her Masters in Education, emphasis on gifted education. She has been teaching kindergarten through 2nd grade over 9 years at Seattle Country Day School (one of Soundview's PNAIS peer schools) and is excited to join Soundview this fall as a parent and a teacher. The head of Seattle Country Day School said that she was one of his best teachers.

“I'm delighted to be teaching at Soundview School this fall. While touring the school during the application process for my daughter to enter preschool, I realized that this school would not only be a great fit for my children, but a wonderful place to teach. I appreciate the innovative curriculum and warm atmosphere. I feel so fortunate that Soundview school is in my neighborhood and that my family will be a part of the Soundview community.”

Chrissy Sinclair – 1st Grade
Ms. Sinclair received her B.A. in Government from Colby College in Waterville, ME. She also received her M.Ed. from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She has taught 2nd grade since 2004, headed a new department to integrate technology into the academic curriculum, and assisted with 1st through 5th grade. Ms. Sinclair has led a rock-climbing club, coached field hockey & lacrosse, and enjoys sailing, traveling, rock climbing, hockey, reading, and several other outdoor activities.

“I chose Soundview because it seems like an exciting place to teach.  I am excited to be able to continue working with academically motivated students, and I am intrigued by the IB curriculum and its global view.  I anticipate learning a lot, which is what I love to do!”

Matt Taylor – 2nd Grade
Mr. Taylor received his B.A. in English Literature from Georgia State University as well as a degree in Recording Arts from Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts. He also holds a M.S. in Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. Mr. Taylor taught 5th grade for 4 years in Brooklyn, NY. He is the recipient of two Americorps awards for community service. Previously, Mr. Taylor worked recording voiceovers as an audio engineer with educational companies such as Scholastic, Inc. and Oxford University Press and now leads Soundview’s Rock Band.

Beth Kern – 2nd Grade
Ms. Kern is joining us all the way from sunny Florida. She received her BA in Psychology and her Masters in Teaching from SUNY Potsdam in New York. She was born in California, but her family is from Ottawa, Canada. Ms. Kerns has experience in many different school and experiential education programs. She has been teaching a gifted class in an environmental Charter School. She will bring a passion for science and a love of the outdoors and kayaking to Soundview; she cannot wait to explore Washington!

“I chose Soundview for many reasons. Upon my initial contact with this great school I was greeted with warmth and encouragement from Mrs. Piercy. I appreciate her energy and commitment to the school. It is rare to find a principal who can express such passion for their school the moment you talk to them. I am also excited to teach at a school where innovation and creativity are both encouraged. I am thrilled to be able to teach and explore with the students and staff. I am also eager to work with a school that applies both the IB program and the Positive Discipline approach. I feel together we are able to teach children social responsibility and empower them to be the best students possible. I am excited to be teaching at Soundview this coming year!”

Carolyn Guldberg – 3rd Grade
Mrs. Guldberg is intrigued by puzzles of all kinds. Whether figuring out how to answer a logic problem or where to go next in a story, Mrs. Guldberg loves nothing more than showing her students how to solve problems and puzzles. As a tutor with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus, Mrs. Guldberg spent a lot of time with puzzles and mysterious things. She also learned how to juggle, a skill she enjoys sharing with students. She received her B.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University and an M.A.T. from Tufts University. She holds elementary teaching certificates in both Massachusetts and Washington. She worked at Seattle Country Day School before she joined Soundview, where she also leads the Beginner Chess Club.

Tammy Yanagi – 4th Grade Homeroom (Humanities and Math), 5th Grade Humanities
Ms. Yanagi, an eager traveler, joins us most recently from San Diego, CA where she teaches the 4th and 5th grade. Past cities in which she has resided include: Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Shanghai and Barcelona. She received her BA in Psychology and Chinese Studies, from Wellesley College, and earned her MA in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also attended Harvard University as a visiting undergraduate student. She was involved in the Study Abroad Program during her summer semester at Shanghai Normal University. She has taught in the classroom and coached on the pool deck over the last half decade. She holds teaching certification in Washington, California and New York.

“I am excited to be a part of the Soundview community! I chose Soundview because of its unique style of educating and nurturing the growth of the whole child. I am a true believer of education being a lifelong process, and that a love of learning is fostered at a young age. Children aren’t perfect or flawless, neither are adults; I am very much looking forward to being in an environment of learners, both students and educators, who are constantly trying to better themselves and those around them.”

Laura Higgins – Music (Kindergarten-4th Grade)
Mrs. Higgins earned her Bachelors of Music Education at Northern Arizona University, and did her graduate work in clarinet performance and conducting at California State University, Long Beach. She also studied with professors from The Royal College of Music during residence in London. Her teaching experience includes directing private and public instrumental programs; adult and youth church music ensembles; and marching music instruction with high school and independent programs. She enjoys stage managing entertainment events and has worked for Disneyland Entertainment & Drum Corps International. She completed the Kodaly music education method program, a way of developing musical skills and teaching musical concepts beginning in very young children. Mrs. Higgins, who is also a parent here, has engaged every child to become enthusiastic singers.

Li-Ting Hung – Art
Ms. Hung is a native of Taiwan (ROC), but was educated in the US as well. She received a B.S. in Earth Science and Geography from Bridgewater State in Massachusetts, an M.A. in Human Geography from West Virginia University, and an M.S. in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked as a visual and language arts teacher at Victoria Academy, Elementary and Junior High School, in Toulou, Taiwan, and, in Seattle, she directed the Montlake Art Program at McGilvra and Lowell Elementary Schools. She is a sculptor and often participates in art shows around the Seattle area. Ms. Li-Ting’s art class encourages students’ individual expression, creativity and reflection. The artwork from each grade that decorates the walls of the school is evidence of our students’ success. Additionally, many of our students receive recognition from local art contests. Ms. Li-Ting also leads Chinese Class after school.

Tim Cole – P.E., Athletic Director, Summer Programs Director
Mr. Cole graduated from Cedarville University with a BA in Elementary Education. He spent one year teaching English overseas in Seoul, Korea. He also taught 5th grade for two years at Kent View Elementary and formerly taught the Robot Workshop Camp during the summer at the Pacific Science Center. He has five years coaching experience including 2 years high school and 3 years at the collegiate level. He is a USATF level one certified track coach and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Mr. Cole brings a creative PE curriculum to Soundview. He is also a Positive Discipline coordinator as well as the Summer Camp Director.

Carolina Garcia – Spanish
Our new Spanish teacher, Señora Carolina Garcia has nearly 20 years of experience in education. Señora Garcia is a native Peruvian. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru. She also attended Complutense University in Madrid, Spain to study her Doctorate program in Psychology and Education Methodology for 5 years. She conducted research at the Paris VIII University in Paris, France for 4 years as well. She has been teaching Spanish to K-5th and 6-8th graders for the past two years at Oak Hill School in Eugene, OR, an accredited member of the PNAIS schools. She also taught French I and II there, and has several years of experience as a Spanish and French tutor. She comes with high recommendations from the Oak Hill administration. Señora Garcia is also the former National Director of the Terre des Hommes International Federation of the Netherlands, where she created a local network of 15 non-profit organizations working for Children’s Rights, Multicultural Strategic Planning and Local Frameworks for Education and Health. She spent her time developing and implementing technical training plans for children.

Edward Castro – Music (5th-8th Grade), Service Director
Dr. Castro’s education formally started at the Manhattan School of Music (Bachelor of Music), Yale University School of Music (Master of Music) and at the University of Washington (Doctor of Musical Arts) in trumpet performance. In addition to teaching, Dr. Castro has an active professional life as a performer and frequently plays with local orchestras and ensembles. He also regularly arranges music for the groups with which he plays. Dr. Castro has been a trumpet and brass instrumental coach for bands and orchestral ensembles for several Puget Sound area schools and organizations. Dr. Castro’s passion for music, creativity and knowledge inspire our jazz and concert band students; consequently, the Soundview Jazz Band has been honored with local awards.

Robbee Tonubbee – Math
Ms. Tonubbee grew up in a small town in Southeastern Oklahoma. She attended Bryn Mawr College and received a B.A. in Mathematics, then obtained her M.Ed in Secondary Mathematics at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. After six years teaching middle and high school math in Oklahoma – and serving as a foster parent to more than fifteen children – she decided to explore education outside the U.S., moving to the Bahamas to teach at a private school. Her love for Math has led her to tutor students in all Math subjects as well as the ACT, SAT, SSAT, and the BJCE (Bahamas Junior Certification Exams). Ms. Tonubbee is a MYP (Middle Years Program) coordinator as well as a math department lead. She has led the very successful Quiz Bowl Club and is heavily involved with all middle school activities. Ms. Tonubbee is also an advisor for the student council.

Michael Fleming – Science
Mr. Fleming will be teaching 4th-8th grade science. He received his BS in Biology and minor in Chemistry from The College of New Jersey. He also received his MS in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Mr. Fleming held several teaching positions in New Jersey, but for the past four years he has been the Life and Earth Science/Math Teacher at Seattle Waldorf High School. He has a one year old daughter and is interested in our excellent early childhood program. Mr. Fleming’s director commented that he will be missed tremendously by the students and the school community.

“I chose Soundview because I was seeking an educational environment that encouraged students to develop their capacities not only as learners but as citizens of the world. I was immediately drawn to the school's emphasis on creativity, flexible and critical thinking, and social justice. I want my students to view their education not as a means to an end, but as an end itself that will continue for the rest of their lives, and I think that Soundview's philosophy provides a perfect opportunity to encourage this kind of growth in its students.”

Chris Watson – Humanities
Mr. Watson is an educator whose love for teaching and learning has grown more over the years. He received his Teaching Certificate and Bachelor’s Degree in English and History from Central Washington University. His Professional Certificate is from Pacific Lutheran University. Mr. Watson received his M.Ed. in Private School Leadership from HAIS/University of Hawaii. He was most recently a Freshman English Sub-Department Head and coached the debate team.
Mr. Watson has two websites of students’ work: Watsoncommon & MrWatsonsClassPages

“When I imagine the kind of school where anything is possible, I envision an eclectic and collaborative faculty, a small and motivated student body, and an engaged parent community. This is what I think I've found at Soundview School. I'm excited to join a school community wedded to what we know is best for kids, at the same time, committed to innovation and vision. Of course, the newest and truest reason Soundview School is the right fit for me is that I would send my own daughter there. I'm excited to return home, meet the Soundview community, and begin the next stage of my personal and professional journey.”

Valerie Stein – Library Media Specialist
Mrs. Stein received her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies from Oregon State University and holds a Library Technician Certificate from Highline Community College. In addition, she has studied and taught fiber arts and holds certificates in Design, Embroidery and Weaving from the City and Guilds of London. She has taught weaving in continuing education programs at Oregon State as well as North Seattle and Edmonds Community Colleges. Mrs. Stein worked for several years as an educational assistant at the elementary level in the Everett school district where her focus was on reading, language arts and math, doing both individual and small group tutoring, as well as coordinating services for ESL students and their families. She will have added responsibility as a PYP (Primary Years Program) coordinator on top of her library duties. Her daughter is a Soundview graduate. Mrs. Stein is entering her 9th year at Soundview.

Arlene Phillips – Playschool
Ms. Phillips was born in Chicago, Illinois and received a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Math from the University of Indiana/Champaign-Urbana. After working for a year in the Urbana School District, she moved to the Pacific Northwest and continued education at the University of Washington. She has taught math at both middle and high school levels in Snohomish County. Ms. Phillips enjoys tutoring students, playing games, doing puzzles, crafts and playing with her active and intelligent border collie. She enjoys working with all the students at Soundview.

Samantha Hutchison – Playschool
Miss Samantha was born in Edmonds and raised in Mukilteo, WA. She graduated with honors from Kamiak High School in Mukilteo in 2004. She tried out a year at Shoreline Community College as a Music major, but got wanderlust and has explored many different interests since. Now she goes to school at Edmonds Community College. She has worked with children for the past 6 years and loves every minute of it!