Staff Directory

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!

I grew up in Korea in a Christian home, and I’m grateful to my parents for laying a strong foundation of faith in my life. While attending the University of California, Berkeley, I made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ, and that decision has shaped every part of my life ever since.

For the past twelve years, my husband, our two sons, and I have had the privilege of serving in youth and college ministries at UC Berkeley and the University of Washington. Today, we continue that ministry by serving young working professionals throughout the greater Seattle area. Outside of work, my greatest joy is raising my two boys and spending time with my family. I also enjoy studying history, especially World War II in both the European and Pacific theaters, as well as the economic, political, and social development and modernization of East Asia. I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of students and look forward to partnering with families as they grow academically, personally, and in their character.

My name is Leah Marston. I started as a parent at Shoreline Christian School when my oldest daughter started kindergarten – and now she is in college!  When touring Kindergarten at SCS for my daughter I felt at home with the warm community, play based learning and educational philosophy holistically integrating faith in every area of instruction. 

I joined the SCS office staff pre-COVID as an office administrator and have been learning and growing since then. Please reach out if you are a SCS parent or student with questions about office paperwork, immunizations, parent and student volunteer hours, campus safety, student transcripts, SAT tests, FACTS, field trips etc.

In my spare time, you may find me enjoying time outdoors (often with my adorable doodle), spending time with my husband and three daughters, reading books, and canning/pickling!

After 33 years working as an financial analyst and manager for Holland America Line’s Alaska and the Canadian Yukon operations I joined Shoreline Christian in 2020. I am in charge of all maintenance, vehicle, security, and landscaping. My day is very hands on, unlike my previous career, and is filled with new and varied tasks everyday. Over the past 6 years I have strived to keep our facility running and looking in great shape. I also enjoy welcoming the students each morning and seeing them as they advance through their education. My wife Jennifer works in Extended Care here at school and our daughter Kylie attended SCS from Preschool all the way until she graduated in 2016. In my off time I enjoy traveling, gardening, watching sports, and photography.

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!

Hi, I’m Eric, the Marketing and Communications Manager here at SCS.

I’m a graduate of Calvin University with a degree in Film Production, specializing in Photography and Digital Design. I’ve spent most of my career telling stories and helping organizations grow their reach through high quality media.

My two children, Lucas and Chloe, attend SCS. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the school they attend, while also watching them grow into the people they become here.

Originally from Michigan, I have split sports allegiances between Seattle and Detroit teams. I also lead worship at Shoreline Christian Reformed Church, across the parking lot.

I am grateful to be part of the Shoreline Christian School office team, serving as an Office Administrator and Event Coordinator. I have been a parent at Shoreline Christian School since 2016 and have enjoyed being part of the Parent Teacher Fellowship and Secondary Support Squad.

I come from a long line of educators—my grandfather, aunt, mom, and twin sister have all worked in education—so education has always held a special place in my heart. I am passionate about connecting people with resources and with one another, as well as creating and organizing events that foster community and bring people together.

In my spare time, you’ll find me enjoying plants and flowers, browsing craft fairs, and exploring new bubble tea cafes with my daughter.

Hello! My name is Madison Rowland, and I am so excited to be the Office Administrator at SCS! I was born and raised in Spokane, Washington and I moved over to Seattle in 2022 to help start a new church. I am heavily involved in my church and love getting to serve the city of Seattle.

I am currently enrolled at Liberty University Online to get my Bachelors Degree in Biblical Studies and a minor in Christian Counseling. I love learning and diving into scripture. It truly is a deep passion of mine. 

If I’m not at work or serving at my church you can find me hanging out with my closest friends. I love going on adventures, discovering new cute coffee shops, and having deep conversations with them.

Hi There! This is my second 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!

Hello! My name is Jennifer Martin and I am so delighted to be joining the SCS community and to begin serving as your Elementary Principal. I graduated from Central Washington University with a BA in Elementary Education, and later obtained an MA in Special Education. In all areas of education, I hope to give witness to our great God and seek to ignite kids’ imaginations and love toward Him.

I have years of experience as a children’s minister, classroom teacher, learning specialist, and coach. My great joy is to walk alongside people of all ages encouraging and equipping them in the Lord. I am the wife of a pastor who will be joining the pastoral staff at Holy Trinity Edmonds, and I am also a mom of 4 great kids, all of whom will also be joining SCS. 

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.

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 9 years of marriage the Lord has blessed us with three wonderful kids together, and they all are going to Shoreline Christian!.

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.

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.

Hello! My name is Sophia Irvine, and I am so excited to be back at Shoreline Christian as a Preschool teacher! 

I began my studies at Grand Canyon University and after that worked at a Montessori preschool in Eastern Washington, where I discovered the desire to teach and work alongside children. Last year, my passion for teaching, supporting children and learning all the things to succeed as a teacher was a huge blessing! I feel so grateful that God has had me join the incredible team of teachers at SCS, and be able to serve a community that once was my place of learning, growing and flourishing through Christ’s example. 

I look forward to working alongside your children, helping in the classroom, and being part of the meaningful work God is doing through Shoreline Christian School!

Hi! My name is Maiya Smith, and I am truly honored and excited to be joining the SCS family as the new Kindergarten teacher!

I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but moved to the Seattle area in my early teens. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from the University of Hawaii and spent several years in California working with students through outdoor education programs. Those experiences sparked my passion for teaching and mentoring children, which led me back to school to earn my master’s degree in Elementary Education.

When I’m not in the classroom, you can usually find me outside! I love hiking, running, playing sports, and soaking up the sunshine whenever I can.

I joined the SCS community as a Student Support staff member in January 2026 and quickly fell in love with the school’s Christ-centered environment. One of my favorite things about SCS is seeing students grow academically while also building a relationship with God each day. I am so excited to partner with families, invest in the lives of our kindergarten students, and watch them learn, grow, and discover the unique ways God is working in and through them. I can’t wait for a wonderful year together!

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.

Hello! My name is Lydia McCroskey and I’m so excited to be a part of SCS’s community. I have lived in the Seattle area my whole life and had the pleasure to attend SCS and be an alumni here.

I graduated from Whitworth University with a degree in elementary education and a minor in special education and reading instruction. I have had many amazing experiences with students in a variety of settings and grade levels. 

I’m so excited for this year to see God’s faithfulness and what He has in store.

I grew up in Southern California and received my Bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State. I received my Master’s degree in Elementary Education through Grand Canyon University. I discovered my passion for education and teaching at a young age and it became quite obvious that this was God’s purpose for me. I come from a family of educators and am very proud to follow in their footsteps.

In 2020, I moved to Washington and was blessed with the opportunity to get back into education. This will be my sixth year as a teacher and my third year at Shoreline Christian. I am very excited for the adventures to come this year!

Hello!  My name is Krista Riley and I am excited to teach 4th Grade at Shoreline Christian!  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.  I went to college and completed my student teaching at SCS and had such a great experience that I knew I wanted to teach here someday!  This is now my 4th year at SCS and my 12th year of teaching upper elementary in Christian schools.  

This year, I have the privilege of teaching with Sarah Wine!  I am looking forward to teaming up with her and sharing our passions with our students!  It is my desire to not only teach students academics, but also to touch their hearts in a way that brings them closer to Christ. I’m excited to build relationships with my students and experience life with them this year!

Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing piano on the worship team at church, hiking out in God’s creation, seeing beauty in the world, and spending time with husband, immediate family, and friends. I also have a sweet, orange, tabby cat, named Hamilton and enjoy drinking various kinds of tea!

SCS has been my home away from home for over 20 years now, and I’m so excited and grateful to come back from maternity leave to co-teach fourth grade with the amazing Krista Riley and also to coordinate elementary chapel! Now that I’m on my sixth year teaching fourth grade, I feel like it’s my duty to educate the masses on the amazing nature of ten-year-olds. You’ll never meet another group of people who will eat family-sized bags of Takis, create pet rocks at recess, deeply debate the morality of book characters, fall out of their chairs, pray for their classmates, accidentally call you mom, and then be better at spelling than you all in the same day. It’s a tremendous privilege to spend my time helping them discover and use their gifts to participate in God’s story of love and restoration. On the elementary chapel side of my role, I’m looking forward to helping make sure that chapel runs smoothly and is a blessing to our students!

While I’m not busy convincing my students that long division really is the best thing ever, you can find me hosting any party I can dream up, happily losing at board games to my husband Tristan, cuddling with my smiley and slobbery baby Ezra, spending 5 hours at Metropolitan Market with my 90-year-old grandma, making watercolor paintings of the bouquets I put together, hanging out with the whales at my family’s little cabin on Hat Island, or losing my voice singing Bruce Springsteen songs!

SCS Alumna

Hello! My name is Karen Foxley and I am so excited to be joining the SCS community as a 5th grade teacher! I have always loved working with students. My love of teaching began in the Sunday School classroom, where I started teaching kids at age 14!

I graduated with a Business degree from the University of Washington, but after staying home to raise my sons (12 and 14) for the past several years, I got into education as a substitute teacher, and eventually graduated with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education to pursue my passion for teaching.

What I love most about teaching is building relationships with students and families and cultivating a joyful classroom community where everyone is challenged to reach their fullest potential. I am so looking forward to weaving discipleship and faith into my teaching at SCS. I hope to meet you soon!

I have been teaching for five 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 6th grade teacher here at SCS!

Hi! My name is Briana, but on campus I go by Coach Bri. I’ll be in our gymnasium teaching Elementary P.E. and coaching our high school volleyball teams. I think I have the best classroom here!

My goal as the elementary PE teacher is to create a safe space for every student – whether going to the gym is their least favorite, or their very favorite part of the school day. The way we learn about our bodies and movement as they relate to sports is a critical element of both our mental and physical development. Everyone remembers their early PE experiences, and the memories are either overwhelmingly positive or negative, not a lot of neutral. If our gym is the place where students learn (and continue!) to love sports and movement, then I think we’re doing it right.

When I’m not in the gym, I love to be in the sun. My favorite way to unwind and re-center is to pop in my AirPods, listen to an audiobook, and tend to my yard. My other job as chief scheduler and wellness manager for my five kiddos (+husband +dog) keeps me alert at all times. What’s the saying? “Full schedule, full heart?” I’m thankful for it all.
Looking forward to a great year here at SCS. Go Chargers! 

I grew up in Canada and played field hockey at the University of British Columbia where I earned my teaching degree.  I’ve been at SCS for over 20 years. During those years, I have taught many different middle school and high school classes including: English, geography, history, Bible, PE, and explorations. I am currently the Secondary Principal. This role allows me to work with students and teachers, create new programs, 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 connecting with students by cheering on our Charger athletes in sports, watching school plays, going to music concerts, and spending time in the hallways. Outside of school, I enjoy skiing with my family, photography, and summer vacation adventures. My two children have attended SCS since they were in preschool and are both in high school now.

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

Hello, I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan and I have spent the past 3 years teaching in the Upper Peninsula. I love hiking, Dungeons and Dragons, biking and backpacking. I graduated from Calvin University in 2023 with a bachelors in History and Social Studies education. I am super excited to be in Seattle, and teaching for Shoreline. I am a product of thoughtful Christian education and feel so blessed to be able to be a part of it for the classes to come. 

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)!

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.

Hello! My name is Keith Adams, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve at Shoreline Christian School. I grew up in Shoreline and graduated from Shorecrest High School. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Theology from Portland Bible College, a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a Master of Divinity from Western Seminary.

Before coming to SCS, I spent six years as an associate pastor and have also worked as a soccer and basketball referee and a substitute teacher. I began teaching secondary Bible and English here in 2026, which includes a variety of high school Bible courses, 8th grade English, and Yearbook!

I have a deep passion for teaching and helping students grow in character, competence, and understanding. My hope is to spark curiosity, equip students to engage tough questions with biblical wisdom, and challenge them to think critically about the world and their faith. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, studying the Bible, exercising, playing tennis, and spending time with my family.

My name is Rachel Mesenbrink, and I am so excited to be at Shoreline Christian School. 

I moved to Washington from Canada to expand my teaching experiences and to be auntie to my new nephew. Since moving, I find that I am most excited to be an aunt 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, painting, or sewing.  

Teaching has always been a passion of mine, whether it be in the classroom or on the street. I worked 8 years as a Frontline worker at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission and 5 years as a Paraeducator. I earned my bachelors degree at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, and my teaching certification through the University of Washington. Through these experiences I have learned a lot about how God created and loves each and every person.  It is an honor and a joy to walk through life with people to help them realize their full God-given 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 am thankful for all of the wonderful opportunities that are before me and I 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. 

Hi, my name is Cole Hinkel, and I am blessed to serve as the Secondary Physical Education teacher here at Shoreline Christian School. I strive to create a positive and energetic environment where students can grow both physically and spiritually. My goal is to teach students the value of teamwork and discipline. In all that we do, we aim to glorify God, whether on the field, in the gym, or in our daily lives.

I have lived in the Seattle area my entire life and have taught PE for the last 4 years in Christian education. I have a passion for sports and have coached both high school varsity boys and girls teams, as well as AAU travel teams.

When I am outside of the gym, you can find me cheering on my favorite sports teams, and spending time outdoors with my two daughters. 

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.

Shoreline Christian is a new home for me this year and I couldn’t be more excited about it! I’m Jeremy, the new secondary music teacher and a follower of Jesus Christ, along with my wife, daughter, and our two dogs. We have lived in Washington since 2018, originally being from California and Las Vegas (which means I firmly reject any notion of comparison between Dick’s and the mecca of fast food burgers known as In-N-Out). Beyond teaching orchestra, choir, band, general music, gym, and coding classes for the past 10 years, there are several hobbies and interests that I hope I might connect with students through, (such as fitness/sports — with a focus on hockey, food, some video games, board games, reading, and many more).

One thing about Shoreline that drew me in was the generational/legacy characteristic of its community, with so many families having been connected for decades! I ultimately hope to serve this school’s community in myriad ways through any and all gifts and opportunities God blesses me with.

Nate’s capabilities include advanced musical arrangement and composition, instruction in music theory, fretted instruments, and vocal coaching. He brings a deep musical vocabulary and a broad understanding of instruments, equipment, and musical styles. Having spent his life in music, he understands music as a language we speak to one another—with many dialects.

His past experiences include:

• Leading worship teams at several churches
  
• Serving as lead guitar player for CCM artist Shawn McDonald, performing with him up and down the West Coast. Working with him to record his debut album with Sparrow Records
  
• Teaching guitar lessons to students of all ages and skill levels, both individually and in groups

Nate also studied at the Mannes School of Music in New York City, taking coursework in music theory.

“God has not only left His mark on my heart through the work of His Son, but His Spirit moves me day by day. As I instruct—especially as I instruct—everything that I do has to point to Him. What am I calling attention to in class that points to the fruit of the Spirit and godliness? How am I living, speaking, teaching, and breathing in ways that let students know, every single day, that they are loved by God, because God is clearly at work in me?

I grew up in Shoreline and now live in Seattle. I majored in visual art at Seattle Pacific University in the 90’s and got my master’s in art education from University of Florida in 2016. I started my career teaching K-12 art at Carachipampa Christian School in Bolivia, and then taught at Eastside Christian for 22 years. After teaching mostly Spanish in a public and a non-Christian private school, I am thrilled to teach at a school where I can openly share my faith and get to teach art to all levels again.

I love working in a wide variety of artistic media and styles, mostly drawing and painting. Although my gifts are more in visual art than music, I enjoy playing guitar and percussion, mostly for worship at my church in Wallingford. I am a fervent bike commuter and love competing in triathlons when I can. As a Seattleite, I also enjoy all sorts of outdoors activities, especially when the weather is good. 

As a teacher and athlete, I’ve coached cross country running and track and field most of my career and love working with our student athletes at SCS. 

I’m thrilled to be joining the Shoreline Christian staff as the PreK through 3rd Grade Music Specialist and Secondary Drama Teacher.  While you may have seen me around campus before as a parent or coordinating the after school plays, stepping into these roles is a true honor and a deepening of my commitment to the Shoreline Christian Community. Hands down the most influential teachers in my life were music teachers and I’ll be intentional about speaking encouragement into your child’s life and empowering them to understand music as a beautiful gift God has given us.  We will hide God’s word in our hearts through song and learn how to understand, appreciate, analyze and express ourselves through music. 

I bring with me my experiences at Seattle Pacific University where I earned degrees in music and theatre and 20 years as a drama, music, and musical theatre educator. I will still continue in my work as the Founding Artistic Director of Dandylyon Drama and support growing a robust theatre program to SCS and filling the arts gap at other local schools.  I am also a worship leader, vocal performer, playwright and have written 6 musicals.  My husband Ken and I have been married 20 years and we have 3 children, Ella (12th grade at Shorecrest), Klayton (9th grade at SCS) and William (5th grade at SCS).  Our family serves at our church The Salvation Army Seattle Temple as musicians in the worship team, choir (Songsters) and Seattle Temple Band (I’m the only person in our family who doesn’t play a brass instrument!).

Hi! My name is Beth Knutsen. I grew up in Bothell, and attended SPU for both my undergraduate and graduate studies.  I deepened my love of Spanish during a two month mission/service trip to the Dominican Republic at the end of my freshman year of college. I later participated in the Latin American Studies Program in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Cuba which was a deeply impactful and meaningful experience. I earned my Masters in Teaching degree with endorsements in ELL and Spanish, teaching in local public high schools until I had my second child. My husband and I are thrilled to have our 4 boys in the Shoreline Christian community!

When I am not in the classroom you can find me on the soccer field walking around chatting with friends or listening to an audiobook and watching my boys practice. If I have free time I love hiking around St. Edwards, watching theater or ballet, baking, gardening, playing games, puzzling, and spending quality time with my friends and family! 

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 3 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 from preschool to undergrad, and my favorite has been reading intervention. 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 quality literature to discuss, while still utilizing interactive phonics and morphology games. 

For math intervention, I empathize with students who struggle with numbers and calculations. Through my years of teaching math, I have found ways to break down each step of even a “simple” math problem into approachable segments. I also make sure every math concept is hyper hands-on.

Being neurodiverse myself, it really helps me understand the frustrations my neurodiverse students (dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, etc.) face in the classroom. I empathize that sometimes the approach that works for “everyone else” in the class makes zero sense and needing a different foundation is okay. Furthermore, I can help neurodiverse students see their valuable strengths and talents. (Disability is really an unfair label, as God made our brains to work in different ways. Dyslexic students can learn to read efficiently, and dyscalculia students can conquer math, it just takes a different pathway in the brain to get there. Many of history’s greatest leaders, inventors, scientists, artists …, were neurodiverse.) 

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.

I am Shaylin Arseneaux, the Extended Care Lead Supervisor at Charger Kids Club and Elementary Student Support at Shoreline Christian School. My background includes a BAS degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies, certification in Early Childhood Education, and almost twenty years of ministry experience that shapes my approach to supporting children and families. As a parent of two neurodiverse children, I understand how essential it is for students to feel seen, supported, and encouraged.

During my internship at Vision House’s Children’s Village Childcare Center, I strengthened my skills in social-emotional learning, positive behavior support, structured observation, and culturally responsive practice while serving immigrant, refugee, and unhoused families. Since joining Shoreline Christian, I have supervised Extended Care and Summer Camp programs and continue to support students through relationship‑centered, regulation‑focused guidance.

I am committed to helping every child feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. I look forward to partnering with families and staff to support student growth, well‑being, and spiritual development.

Hello! My name is Laura Stuart and I am so excited to return to the Shoreline Christian community as Elementary Student Support. Our family fell in love with SCS when our oldest son started in the preschool program. I am now honored to be able to provide guidance and support to our students as they learn and grow!

I graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in administration. For the past several years I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and raise my two boys. Before motherhood, I worked at a couple law firms as a Legal Assistant as well as an Executive Assistant at Paul Allen’s investment arm of Microsoft. Outside of school, I enjoy volunteering with the children’s ministry at our church, embarking on adventures with my family whether it is a hike or exploring a new destination, and riding horses.

Hi, my name is Alysia Hoffman. I am very excited to be joining the Shoreline Christian School staff this year. I grew up on the east coast of Canada, in a little province called New Brunswick. I attended a Christian college in Saskatchewan (Canada) where I met my husband.  Straight out of college we were called into church ministry, and we have moved around a bit across North America. 

We moved to Washington almost 15 years ago and have loved living here on the west coast. I have spent much of the last 12+ years raising our three wonderful children. We stepped into homeschooling when our oldest started school and it was a beautiful season for our family. This will be our first year stepping out of the homeschooling ring.  We are all very excited for the new adventures ahead for us this year at Shoreline.

I have always been very passionate about working with children. I have a background of 20+ years of working with children in many capacities (church, school, and camp ministry). I am very excited to spend each day helping students be successful and seeing what this year has in store.

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, where I met my husband.  After we welcomed our daughter we decided to move closer to my family in the Seattle area.  I’m delighted to continue supporting families with our common goal of learning about and glorifying God by understanding and enjoying His creation through my work in Charger Kids Club.

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

My name is Colleen Funk! I have a physics, math and education background, but I have taken a break from teaching for 9 years to raise my two beautiful daughters. I am excited to step back in the education world as a student support specialist. It is my joy to work with students on a more individual level and work to encourage them in their strengths and support them through their challenges. 

I am the Nursery Coordinator at my local church, and spend a lot of time loving on little ones and their families. In my free time, I love reading books, hanging out with friends, doing projects with my daughters and going on walks. 

I am Leanna Ramos. My current position here at Shoreline Christian School is in Secondary Student Support. 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.

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.