Shoreline Christian Teachers & Staff

Staff Directory

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SCS Alumna
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Char DeKoekkoek

Head of School

Char DeKoekkoek

Head of School

My name is Char DeKoekkoek. After 15 years as the Director of Elementary at Shoreline Christian, I am now serving as the Head of School. My roots go deep here as I attended SCS 1st through 12th grade. Six of my children are SCS graduates!

Christian Education has always been an important part of my life, and I am so honored to be serving here. I attended Calvin University and graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Education. Shoreline Christian truly belongs to the Lord, and I am looking forward to seeing what He has in store for us this year!

SCS Alumna

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Daniele Ott

Director of Admissions & Community Relations

Daniele Ott

Director of Admissions & Community Relations

My name is Daniele Ott, and I have been a part of the SCS Community for almost 30 years. My husband, Jim, and I have five children who all attended SCS, and we are now proud grandparents. After my faith in God, family is the most important part of my life. That is why we love SCS. The relationships we have built here are precious and lifelong friendships! 

My background is in administration, psychology, counseling, human environmental science, and professional organizing. I was the personal counselor and Bible 10 teacher at SCS for 15 years. I am thrilled to be back and excited to be a part of the team. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of our families and continuing to build this amazing community.

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Helen Walsh

School Counselor

Helen Walsh

School Counselor

Hi There! This is my first year at SCS, and I am so thrilled to serve as your School Counselor! I am in the final year of my Masters in School Counseling Program at Seattle Pacific University. Prior to that I received my BFA in Musical Theatre from Anderson University. 

My goal is holistic student success. I work with K-12 students in the areas of Social/Emotional Learning (SEL), Academic Support, and College and Career exploration. I believe it is important for all students to be provided with specific instruction on the social and emotional skills that we expect of them at each age. Academically, I am here to support all families and students by connecting them with resources, and to collaborate with students by assisting with academic goal setting as needed. In addition, I am excited to assist students in planning for their futures. From exploring the idea of careers with kindergarteners to collaborating with 12th grade students to select a post grad plan, my intent is to ensure each student is set up for post-secondary success. 

When not at school (or studying), I enjoy spending time with my husband, Daniel, and our bernedoodle puppy, Boone. We love a nice hike or a walk around Green Lake. I am a big fan of live theatre (especially musicals), sports (especially football), and thrifting (especially with a coffee in hand).  

My door is always open for families and students. I look forward to getting to know each of your students this year!

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Leah Marston

Office Manager & Registrar

Leah Marston

Office Manager & Registrar

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King Jones

Director of Maintenance & Transportation

King Jones

Director of Maintenance & Transportation

I recently retired from Holland America Princess; a cruise line company based in Seattle. Over those 33 years, I held various analyst and manager positions overseeing 20+ hotel operations in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.

My wife Jennifer works in Extended Care at Shoreline Christian School. Our daughter Kylie attended SCS from Preschool on and graduated in 2016. I am looking forward to keeping the school and grounds looking great and in good working condition.

I enjoy traveling, gardening, watching sports, and photography.

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Cynthia Gray

Financial Manager

Cynthia Gray

Financial Manager

My name is Cynthia Gray, and I was born and raised in Ohio. I’m forever thankful and humbled by His love for me and that God answered my prayers to work at Shoreline Christian School in 2018. I have three children, Alicia, Blake, and Alora. I’m also blessed with seven grandchildren- being a grandma is so much fun (plus you get to give them back!). I graduated from The Defiance College in 1995 and have over 28 years of experience in accounting. I’ve worked for both small businesses and major corporations, like Campbell Soup. 

I’m a Buckeyes supporter and a diehard Cleveland Guardians fan (though also a Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Red Wings fan as well). I love getting to know staff, parents, and children. I thank God every day for Shoreline Christian School and the blessings working here has brought to my life. I am so excited to see what God has planned for the future of SCS!

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Chloe Rosman

Communications & Events Manager

Chloe Rosman

Communications & Events Manager

My name is Chloe, and I am grateful to be a part of Shoreline Christian’s staff and community! 

I have a BA in Marketing and Business Administration from Seattle University. I am passionate about my faith, exploring my creativity, and learning other people’s stories. Outside of school, you can find me spending time with my husband, playing at the dog park with our pup, or on the pickleball court.

Serving here has been an incredible privilege. It’s truly remarkable to be a part of students’ journeys as they uncover their God-given talents and establish their sense of belonging at SCS and in the world. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for Shoreline Christian School this next year!

”Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

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Elizabeth Sullivan

Office Administrator

Elizabeth Sullivan

Office Administrator

Hi, my name is Elizabeth, and I grew up in Shoreline, attending private Christian school. My time in Shoreline continued into my twenties, making me very familiar with the area. I currently reside in Kirkland and love to explore the nearby beaches, restaurants, and playgrounds with my young daughter, Amelia, whose favorite destination is the local cookie shop!  When I have alone time, I prefer to spend my morning taking an unhurried walk in nature, appreciating all of God’s beautiful creation.

I come from a background in esthetics as well as professional childcare. For the past decade, I have taken care of the beauty needs of the greater Seattle area and had a helping hand in raising the children in over half a dozen families. I am also a trained doula and active member at my local church.   

I am so excited to serve the families and my fellow team members at SCS. Feel free to come by the office and say hello!

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Anthony Jenkins

Office Administrator

Anthony Jenkins

Office Administrator

Hi, my name is Anthony Jenkins, and I am an Office Administrator here at SCS. I am new to this administrative role but am an eager learner and excited to invest more in SCS and the students. 

Currently I am an online student at Southeastern University studying Biblical Studies and minoring in Psychology. I am originally from North Carolina but spent most of my life in Tacoma. 

I love Jesus, and everything I do is to serve Him and others. The two greatest commandments are some of the pillars that I live by as a follower of Jesus.

I love SCS because of the community that has been built and the connections I have already made within this school. I am also the Girls’ Varsity Head Basketball Coach, which has been a fantastic experience.

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Erika Bakker

Elementary Director

Erika Bakker

Elementary Director

Hello! My name is Erika Bakker, and I am the Director of Elementary at Shoreline Christian School. My love for Christian schools runs deep. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years of teaching (in Vernon, British Columbia and here at SCS), and now it’s an honor to be the Director of Shoreline Christian’s Elementary program.

I love Christian schools for how they provide children with a learning environment that ultimately shows them who they are and how they fit into God’s story. I’m excited about the mission of Shoreline Christian School and honored to help coordinate this exciting integration of faith and learning!

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Susana McCulley

Pre-Kindergarten

Susana McCulley

Pre-Kindergarten

My name is Susana S. McCulley. I came to the United States last November 2015 all the way from the Philippines and got married in December of the same year. After almost 7 years of marriage the Lord has blessed us with three wonderful kids together, and they all are going to Shoreline Christian in Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten.

I like Science and Technology in general. I have graduated from Naga City Science High School, and I have an Associate degree in Secondary Education—Major in Biology—at the University of Nueva Caceres in the Philippines. My passion in teaching never left me, so when I saw the opportunity to be part of Shoreline Christian as a Pre-K Assistant. I took it as an answer to my prayers. God has given me the heart to teach and be with the little ones in this school. I am very blessed and so thankful to be part of their learning experiences.

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Allison Stewart

Pre-Kindergarten

Allison Stewart

Pre-Kindergarten

My name is Allison Stewart. I am thrilled to be a part of the Shoreline Christian Family as a Pre-K Teacher. I have devoted much of my life to caring for children, starting with my first job as an after school daycare assistant, where I learned that I could have a positive influence on children. While the parents were at work, I was able to share the love of Christ through my actions by caring for them. 

Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom to my three boys, Kaleb, Colton, and Oliver. Parenting alongside my husband, Andrew, has been the greatest joy and, with God’s help, has continued to stretch, shape, and mold me into a better person every day. As a family, we love to explore the outdoors, travel (usually to visit family), go on bike rides, play games, and bake delicious treats. During my kids’ preschool years, I had the opportunity to volunteer and work alongside their preschool teachers. I enjoyed being able to help teach the early learners and see their joy and excitement as they discovered new things. I have always had a heart for caring for children, teaching them biblical principles, as well as providing them with a strong academic foundation, and I am really looking forward to working with our wonderful Pre-K students and families.

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Debbie Ruffcorn

Kindergarten

Debbie Ruffcorn

Kindergarten

I am glad to meet you! My name is Debbie Ruffcorn, and I absolutely LOVE kindergartners and their special world of learning. I have been an educator for eighteen years, ten of which I spent in my own classroom teaching second grade, first grade then kindergarten. God works in the lives of little children so transparently, and it is so exciting to see His teachings blossom with each child in my room. Having a Christ-centered and Bible-based learning environment allows students to grow spiritually as well as academically—a partnership I am passionate about! 

I am a Pacific Northwest native, and my husband, Ron, and I enjoy the natural beauty and great history of our state with road trips. I also am an avid gardener using native plants that encourage birds to visit our yard. We have a loving daughter, Hannah, who was married to her husband July 2020 and now has two children. 

I am honored to be your Kindergarten teacher and look forward to the blessings God will pour out on us at Shoreline Christian School as we journey together this school year!

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Monica Wheeler

First Grade

Monica Wheeler

First Grade

Hi! My name is Monica Wheeler, and I am very excited to be a part of the Shoreline Christian School Community as the 1st grade teacher! I relocated to Seattle from Georgia with my family years ago. I have a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from LaGrange College in Georgia, and a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education from Texas A&M University. I taught kindergarten in Georgia for 7 years and taught 1st grade in Texas for 3 years. I am excited to have the opportunity to teach in a Christ-centered school. 

I have been married to my wonderful husband Ben for 17 years, and we have 3 boys— Henry, Simon, and Lucas—who attend Shoreline Christian. We have absolutely loved exploring the outdoors in the Northwest and enjoy hiking and bike riding with our kids.

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Tori Bragg

Second Grade

Tori Bragg

Second Grade

Hello! My name is Tori Bragg, and I am thrilled to be teaching 2nd grade at Shoreline Christian School! It brings me great joy to work with students and inspire them to learn and do their best in whatever task is presented to them. I believe in providing everyone with quality education and the opportunity to succeed. 

I am from Edmonds but spent a significant portion of my childhood growing up in Germany before moving back to Edmonds as a high schooler. Since then, I have been living in WA and am thoroughly enjoying the beauty of PNW. I am very passionate about my faith, teaching, and dance. In my spare time, I enjoy being with friends and family, dancing, reading, hiking, and playing with my dog. I am so excited to experience the goodness of the Lord this year at SCS!

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Krista Bosman

Third Grade

Krista Bosman

Third Grade

Hello! My name is Krista Bosman, and I am honored to teach 3rd grade at Shoreline Christian. I recently moved to the area and come with 8 years of experience teaching 3rd grade at a private school. I really enjoy students at this age level, so I’m glad that I get to continue teaching 3rd graders at SCS!  

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was so impacted by my education growing up, that I wanted to offer the same quality, Christian education to the next generation of students. It is my desire to not only teach students academics, but also touch their hearts in a way that brings them closer to Christ. I’m excited to learn and grow with my new students this year!

Outside of teaching, I’ve enjoyed playing piano on the worship team at church, hiking out in God’s creation, seeing beauty in the world, and spending time with family and friends. I also drink tea most days and have an orange tabby cat, named Hamilton.

SCS Alumni
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Sarah Wine

Fourth Grade

Sarah Wine

Fourth Grade

My name is Sarah Wine, and I am so excited to be teaching fourth grade at SCS (in the very same classroom that I was once a fourth grader!). I believe that one way that we can worship God as students is by celebrating creation through creating as artists, mathematicians, writers, readers, scientists…etc. In the classroom, I love to have big discussions, get lost in good books, and make math into an adventure!

I grew up in Shoreline near Richmond Beach where my favorite hobbies were and still are collecting shells (and glue-gunning them into various creations), ballet/lyrical/jazz dancing, watercolor painting, and making big bouquets of flowers from my grandma’s rose garden. Whether at the beach or up in the mountains, I love to be out in nature and to document what I see through art and writing. Thank you for welcoming me back into this wonderful community; I can’t wait for all that this year will hold.

SCS Alumna

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Kyla Kim

Fifth Grade

Kyla Kim

Fifth Grade

I have been teaching for four years now, all at Shoreline Christian School. This place and these students have encouraged and helped me grow as an individual and an educator. As I continue to teach and walk alongside students, I pray they will know God’s love, see the world with wonder, and embrace the power of the word “yet”. 

Originally I was born in Illinois, but spent my childhood in Honduras (4 years) and South Korea (8 years). I got my bachelor’s degree from Calvin University in Elementary and Special Education. I enjoyed playing soccer and discovering my passion for teaching at Calvin. I now call Washington my home and love the mountains, water, and the many coffee shops. 

It is an honor to be the 5th grade teacher here at SCS!

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Alicia Brown

Elementary Student Support

Alicia Brown

Elementary Student Support

When touring SCS as a Kindergarten option for my daughter, I was instantly impressed with the warm community and
educational philosophy holistically integrating faith in every area of instruction. I grew up in Edmonds and attended
public schools until transferring to SPU as a Junior. After graduation I settled into a career as a professional nanny which
took me to Washington DC for almost a decade. It was there I met my husband and after we welcomed our daughter,
we decided to move closer to my family in the Seattle area. I’m delighted join the staff of SCS as a teacher’s assistant to
continue supporting families with our common goal of learning about and glorifying God by understanding and enjoying
His creation.


Outside of school you might find me in a pool, at a park or at home, baking, reading or playing games.

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Kori Tjoelker

Secondary Director

Kori Tjoelker

Secondary Director

I grew up in Canada and played field hockey at the University of British Columbia.  I’ve been at SCS for over 20 years. During those years, I have taught many different middle school and high school classes including: literature, geography, history, Bible, PE, and explorations. I am currently the Director of Secondary. This role allows me to work with students and teachers, create new programs and classes, and connect with families and the community.

Working at SCS has given me freedom to engage with teachers and learners in a wide variety of ways. The faith-focused community at SCS is a big part of what makes it so special and so rewarding to be a part of. 

I love cheering on our Charger athletes in sports, watching school plays, going to music concerts, and greeting all students in the parking lot. Outside of school, I enjoy skiing with my family and summer vacation adventures. My two children have attended SCS since they were in preschool.

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Beth Thompson

Secondary English, Curriculum and Instructional Specialist

Beth Thompson

Secondary English, Curriculum and Instructional Specialist

This year, I’m celebrating 20 years in the classroom! My favorite five years have been here at Shoreline Christian School teaching middle and high school English. I also support our teachers as an instructional coach, helping and guiding our amazing staff.  

I’m not only a teacher, but a Shoreline Christian School parent as well. My four children attend SCS, from elementary through high school. I graduated from Santa Clara University with a BA in History and Education, from Stanford University with a MA in Education and a clear teaching credential, and finally the University of Washington with an M.Ed in instructional leadership. I love being in the classroom with SCS students, and our small class sizes allow me to really get to know each learner. Together as a class community, we can share where we see God’s goodness and truth in literature, communication, and writing.  

In my free time, I garden, read, travel, snuggle cats, and practice French. 

SCS Alumna
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Emily Korf

Secondary Science

Emily Korf

Secondary Science

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had a passion for God’s Creation. I loved visiting the zoo, collecting earthworms, and especially learning more about how the natural world works in school. 

I grew up in Seattle and am an alumna of SCS. After 14 years at SCS, I attended Whitworth University where I earned a B.S. in Biology. Throughout my teen and college years, I fulfilled my dream of working at Woodland Park Zoo in the education department, providing engaging experiences for learners of all ages. 

At SCS, my passions were nurtured, and I was deeply known as an individual in our community. Now, as a teacher, I strive to provide my students with the same exceptional experience I had at Shoreline Christian where they are able to discover, develop, and belong. 

I’m excited to share my passion for biology, chemistry, physics (and more) while helping students explore their own God-given abilities and passions.

SCS Alumna

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Marta Stahlfeld

Secondary Social Studies

Marta Stahlfeld

Secondary Social Studies

Hello! My name is Marta Stahlfeld, and I am the Secondary Social Studies teacher at Shoreline Christian School. I was born and raised in the Burien area, and I love the Pacific Northwest. I earned my undergraduate degree at Wisconsin Lutheran College and my graduate degree in teaching at Seattle Pacific University. Soon after graduating from SPU, I moved to Shenyang, a city in northeast China, to teach at an international school.

I love history because people are endlessly fascinating. The study of history and social studies allows approaching those people—individuals, groups, and movements—that helped to shape the world they lived in and the world we live in.

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Heather Whitney

Secondary Mathematics

Heather Whitney

Secondary Mathematics

My name is Heather Whitney, and I am delighted to be at Shoreline Christian School teaching secondary math! I love the precision and beauty of mathematics, and I hope to inspire my students to develop both a practical and an awe-filled appreciation for the ways in which math reflects the elegance and extravagance of God’s Creation. 

After a previous career in wealth management and finance, I spent the past 15 years as an educator and academic coach in the broader Seattle area, with a particular focus on executive functioning support, gifted education, and the intersection between the two. I love helping my students grow as learners, develop an awareness of their own unique interests, lean into strengths, and embrace challenges.

In my free time you’ll often find me hanging out with my family, walking my dog, Ruby, leading worship, cooking, or watching Sounders games (or Arsenal games really early on Saturdays or Sundays)!

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Mary Hudon

Secondary English

Mary Hudon

Secondary English

Hi – My name is Mary Hudon. I was born and raised in Olympia, but have spent brief stints living in Alaska and abroad. I love the PNW—the hiking, skiing, and water sports available here are truly amazing. I now live in Snohomish with my husband Mike and my daughter Landen. I was baptized in the Catholic faith and am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach in a faith-based environment.

I have a bachelor’s degree in English from the UW Seattle and a master’s in education from SPU. However, I always tell my students that I loved the time I spent at Everett Community College (2 years of premed).

In my spare time, I enjoy writing and illustrating, playing cat Olympics, and bird watching.

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Adam Haulter

High School Mathematics and Science

Adam Haulter

High School Mathematics and Science

I am originally from North Central Indiana and moved to the Seattle area in 1999. This is my 20th year of teaching at SCS and 19th year of coaching basketball. SCS has been a special place for me and my family. My wife, Tammie is an alum (class of 1995), and we have one child who is an alum of SCS (2022) and also another in 7th grade (class of 2029!).

I love sports of all kinds, hiking, running, reading about economics, culture, and philosophy, and love being outdoors. I appreciate chances to get together with friends and family and have great conversations.

I always want to help students learn and grow in an environment where they feel connected, seen, and loved for exactly who they are, as I believe Christ sees and loves them. Thank you for sharing your students with me.

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Roxana Soto

High School Spanish and Yearbook

Roxana Soto

High School Spanish and Yearbook

Being a Christian, foreign language teacher, and native Spanish speaker led me to apply for the job many years ago. Meeting the kids and their families encouraged me to stay.

God commands us to love one another as much as He has loved us. To communicate His love to His people, we need to learn about others and their language. Cultural understanding starts with developing sensitivity to the possibility that people vary in how they think, live, and behave.

1 Corinthians 13 describes the importance of love in all we do. I feel so blessed when my students ‘get it’ engaging in the language-and-culture learning process, as well as becoming God’s transforming influences in a bigger world than their own! I also love being with my family, dancing, eating great food, and watching my students flourish!

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Ben Zabel

High School Bible

Ben Zabel

High School Bible

Hello! My name is Mr. Zabel (or just “Ben”). I grew up in the Church, with a father who served as a pastor all over North America. I attended North Park University in Chicago, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in Biblical & Theological Studies.

After graduation, I spent 9 years serving in youth ministry and worship ministry roles in a few different churches while completing coursework and internship requirements for a Masters of Divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary. I hold ordination in the Evangelical Covenant Church, which is the denomination I serve as Lead Pastor at Shoreline Covenant Church. When I’m not working, I love to watch and play soccer, play board games with friends and family, and sit around the campfire in our backyard.

SCS Alumnus
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Brooks DuBois

Athletic Director & PE Teacher

Brooks DuBois

Athletic Director & PE Teacher

My name is Brooks DuBois. I was born and raised in the Shoreline/North Seattle area, attending Shoreline Christian School (Class of 2017). I enjoy playing with my dog, bowling, and really anything that involves the outdoors. When I am not teaching I work with a non-profit organization coaching kids. I am also a commercial fisherman!

I have always enjoyed athletics and fitness for as long as I can remember, playing organized sports from the moment I was old enough to sign up. I played highschool varsity football, basketball, and baseball. Earning all league honors in baseball and all-state honors for football. My passion for the two sports led me to Bethany College in Kansas where I received scholarships for both sports and continued to further my education.

While at Bethany, I studied Education for the first two years of my college career, eventually changing my major to Political Science with a minor in Religion. After finishing college, I worked at the Edmonds Boys and Girls Club as their Athletic Director and Healthy Habits grant manager in partnership with the Edmonds School District for a year before coming back to SCS as a faculty member. 

I have always felt that God has planned for me to be with kids as both a mentor and educator. I feel as if I am answering a calling. I love Christian education as it made the man I am before you today. Without Shoreline Christian’s love and direction for me as a teen, I would not have achieved what I have at this point in my life. Additionally, it allows for a broader scope of community to be involved, as when developing an individual it takes a village of well-equipped adults who care for themselves, others, and the well-being of our kids.

SCS Alumnus

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Cathy Lian

Pre-Kindergarten – 12 Inclusion Specialist

Cathy Lian

Pre-Kindergarten – 12 Inclusion Specialist

My name is Cathy Lian, and I am excited to step into the role as the PreK-12 Inclusion Specialist. I have over ten years experience in Special Education roles such as a self-contained behavior classroom, pull-out Resource Room, and self-contained life skills classroom. I am particularly eager to join Shoreline Christian School and support the inclusionary model. I believe that each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) and that God has a clear purpose for everyone. Therefore, I am called as an educator to help children believe in something bigger than themselves, discover their God-given talents, and recognize who they are as God’s chosen child. I approach children with compassion, patience, understanding, and respect. I seek to teach students to learn from mistakes, persevere through things that don’t come easy, and to believe in themselves. 

My husband and I live locally in Shoreline, and we have three children ranging from 2 to 9 years old. Together, we love to visit our property on Hood Canal, play board games, and go to the park. I enjoy being outdoors, running, coaching my son’s soccer team, and playing the piano. 

I am honored to walk alongside your child’s educational journey and support their academic, behavior and social/emotional growth.

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Jeff Miller

Technology Integration

Jeff Miller

Technology Integration

I love to tinker on just about anything mechanical, and derive great pleasure in spending entirely too long on something, so it is just right when finished.

When I’m not at school and not doing normal family stuff you will find me with my wife and three children hiking, boating, or flying.

My goal is to help each student expand their ability to think logically, critically, and creatively. Through this, they can better understand our Creator’s world and how to best live in it.

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Dora Van Der Giessen

Pre-Kindergarten – 2 Music, Elementary Support Staff, Extended Care

Dora Van Der Giessen

Pre-Kindergarten – 2 Music, Elementary Support Staff, Extended Care

I grew up in Iowa, and after graduating from college, I moved to Seattle where I met my husband, Eric. He graduated from SCS (when it was Watson Groen) and our four children who also attended SCS. The SCS community and Shoreline Christian Reformed Church, whose facility the Preschool is housed in, have become my family in Washington!

I love helping young students develop the gifts God has given them as they learn through play. I believe learning God’s love for them and how to play and get along with others is even more important for a preschooler to learn than how to write all the letters. Besides playing and learning with the kids, I enjoy gardening, camping, playing violin, and spending time with our adult children.

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Chris Peck

3-12 Music

Chris Peck

3-12 Music

Hello, my name is Chris Peck. I am a transplant from Boise, Idaho. I have always loved music and am a life-long multi-instrumentalist and singer. I worked for years as a worship pastor before deciding to make the switch to education. When I am not at school, I can be found about town, playing board games, or on the water somewhere fishing. I love all things having to do with Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, guitars, and fishing.

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Sam Vance

K-12 Art, Secondary Worship & Chapel

Sam Vance

K-12 Art, Secondary Worship & Chapel

My name is Sam Vance. I am an interdisciplinary artist and educator. In a varied career, I’ve lived simultaneously in the worlds of theatre, music, and visual art. During the course of the last 30 years, I’ve worked for such organizations as Teatro ZinZanni, Taproot Theatre Company, MoPop, the Museum of Glass, A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle Public Schools, and Northwest University among many others. I am married to actress Candace Vance, and we have three great kids; Max, Echo, and Zoe. 

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Emily McLean

Elementary Reading and Math Specialist

Emily McLean

Elementary Reading and Math Specialist

I have been at SCS since 2020 and have been teaching since 2016. My elementary and ELL endorsements are through CityU. I am Wired for Reading Level 2 trained. I also have an MFA in Children’s Writing through Simmons College and was a children’s bookseller for 8 years.

I have taught and assisted in many grades, and my favorite has been reading intervention (of which I have done for many years now). When teaching beginning readers, much of our time is focused on learning phonics and other pre-reading skills through chants, discussions, and interactive games. For more advanced readers, I like to use books of their choice to decode/discuss, while still utilizing interactive games. (I love redeveloping classic games and individualizing strategies that are unique to each child.)

For math intervention, I empathize with students who struggle with numbers and calculations. (Math was so hard for me as a kid. I was almost screened for dyscalculia.) Once I found patient teachers who didn’t make me feel stupid over “not getting” even the simplest problems, numbers started making sense. I was able to climb over the barrier of math making me feel stupid and inadequate. Through my years of teaching math, I have found ways to break down each step of even a “simple” math problem into approachable segments.

Some non-educational facts: I have two cats, Hunter and James. I attend Trinity Church Seattle (in Ballard), I commute by bike, I love sketching (mainly ink and watercolor) and digital drawing, and I love coffee and chocolate.

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Dre Zabel

Elementary Student Support Staff, Middle School Bible

Dre Zabel

Elementary Student Support Staff, Middle School Bible

I am a mama of four who has homeschooled for the past seven years and have now moved from coast to coast! I was born and raised in Massachusetts and have slowly moved across the country with my husband and family for ministry. I lead worship at our church and own a small “paint and sip” business. You can find me in my garden, on a hike, or reading a great book! I also love to go camping and spend as much time with my family as I can!

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Leanna Ramos

Secondary Student Support Staff

Leanna Ramos

Secondary Student Support Staff

I am Leanna Ramos. My current position here at Shoreline Christian School is in Secondary Student Support, and I teach the CTE 9 class. I have been in education for 15+ years. In the past, I have taught all subjects in grades 5 through 8. I enjoy seeing students succeed. A driving factor for me to go into education was the fact that I was a student who struggled—but didn’t know I struggled—so I didn’t understand why I didn’t get good grades. Then in 7th grade everything started to make sense. I say that this is when “God turned my brain on.” I believe all students can learn; we just all learn in different ways and at different rates.

I have taught in a Christian private school for 10 years and 3.5 years in public school. I did my undergraduate studies at Seattle Pacific University and my Masters In Teaching from City University. I enjoy being able to integrate my faith into my teaching.

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Rachel Mesenbrink

Secondary Student Support Staff

Rachel Mesenbrink

Secondary Student Support Staff

My name is Rachel Mesenbrink, and I am so excited to be joining the Shoreline Christian School team as a Support Staff. In 2020, I earned my bachelors degree at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, and I am continually working my way towards earning my full teaching degree. The past three years I have worked in Canada, B.C. as an Education Assistant, helping students with diverse-abilities. I have always had a passion for teaching and helping people to realize their full potential. God has given us all a different story and varying ways that we can thrive, whether it be through academic work, social interactions, or extracurricular activities.  

I moved down to Washington to expand my teaching experiences and to be auntie to my new nephew. Since moving, I find that I am most excited to help my sister with the new baby and to explore the Pacific Northwest. In my spare time, I love to be outside in nature; hiking, biking, or swimming. Additionally, when the weather is not so nice, I love to drink tea and create new things by crocheting, scrapbooking, or making a new craft.  

I am thankful for all of the wonderful opportunities that are before me and am excited to see how God uses me through Shoreline Christian School. I can’t wait to be in the classroom helping students to discover their God-given talents and find a place to belong. 

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Jennifer Jones

Extended Care

Jennifer Jones

Extended Care

My name is Jennifer Jones and I work in Extended/Childcare. I have been at Shoreline Christian since 2004 when my daughter Kylie was in second grade. She graduated from SCS in 2016. I enjoy working with different age groups of kids, which makes childcare a perfect fit as we work with children from Pre-K to 5th grade. I love hearing about their day and watching them have fun with their friends as we play games, be creative in art, read books and get exercise outside. As this is my 19th year at SCS it has been fun to watch kids I have known since Preschool excel and grow all the way through high school graduation. Some even return to help out in childcare during their high school years which is very rewarding.

I feel blessed to have been married to my incredible husband King for the last 34 years. He has been the head of Maintenance the last 3 years so SCS has been a real family affair for us. In our leisure time our family loves to travel. We especially enjoy road trips to visit our beautiful National parks and cruising. This past summer we enjoyed our first extended trip to Europe with a 35-day tour of Italy, Greece and Rome, including a 19-day cruise.