Seabury Staff

Seabury School is proud of its dynamic and experienced staff. All staff email addresses are formatted as (first name)(last initial) @seabury.org. Links on this page browse to classroom blogs.

In the classroom

	Lyndsey West, prekindergarten
	Cathy Miles, prekindergarten assistant Cathy Miles works in the prekindergarten with Lyndsey West. She has a Child Development Associate certification and has worked in schools for more than 14 years. She lives in Northeast Tacoma and has a daughter at Western Washington University. She enjoys working in her flower beds, reading and playing with her dog Lucy.
	Rebecca Young, librarian and prekindergarten assistant Becky Young studied children's literature and received a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. She has worked as a writer and editor and has been writing children's book reviews for newspapers since 1990. She's been working in the Seabury library since 1994. Becky spends Wednesdays working with the Ladybugs.
	Helene Vanderhoff, kindergarten Helene Vanderhoff is a teacher with 19 years teaching experience in preschool through ninth grade. Helene has her degree in elementary education with an emphasis in psychology. Helene has been at Seabury for 12 years in the kindergarten classroom.  Although she has taught at various levels, kindergarten is her absolute favorite age group.
	Amanda Dumler, kindergarten Amanda Dumler is beginning her first year teaching at Seabury School, joining Mrs. V in the kindergarten classroom. Before Seabury, Mrs. Dumler taught preschool and accelerated first grade. She is certified preschool through twelfth grade, with a B.S degree in elementary education and an emphasis in early childhood education.
	James Snyder, kindergarten student teacher James is currently finishing his teaching degree through Lesley University. He has worked at Seabury for more than two years, and has been involved with Summer at Seabury, the Seabury extended day program, and is now student teaching with the kindergarten team. He was born in Tacoma and lives in Federal Way.
	Janice VanRavenswaay, first grade Janice VanRavenswaay has taught kindergarten through third grade for more than 12 years and has spent the last four years at Seabury. She has earned a master’s degree from the University of Washington in education, and is currently working towards a National Board Certification in early childhood education. Janice is also a parent to a Seabury student.  Outside of school, Janice enjoys spending her time reading, sewing, and sailing.
	Mary O'Brien, second/third grade Mary O’Brien has taught first-fifth grades over the last eight years. Mary earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, and is currently working toward National Board certification in Early Childhood Education. Mary loves to work with bright, creative and funny Seabury students!
	Jennifer Sinclair, third/fourth grade Jennifer has been a teacher for five years.  She is a graduate of Western Washington University and has a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Jennifer’s hobbies include traveling, reading and spending time with her adorable three year old daughter and the rest of her family. She loves teaching and feels that it is an excellent way for her to share her joy of learning with others.
	Marion Head, fifth grade Marion Head began teaching in 1978, first in Florida then South Dakota where she was the Rapid City School's Elementary Gifted Coordinator. Besides teaching, Marion has been a professional musician, published author and photographer.
	Tamara Ritchie, middle school humanities Tamara grew up in New Jersey but made her way west to the mountains of Wyoming and Montana to get her bachelor’s degree in K-8 education with an emphasis in teaching reading. She has taught for over 15 years with experience in special education, multi-age classrooms and gifted education. She has taught overseas in New Zealand and Japan. Her favorite niche is middle school humanities, especially since her sense of humor holds about the same maturity as middle school students. She is a mom to two daughters and two fuzzy, black dogs. She loves spending time with her family, being outside and reading.
	Paul Gonzenbach, middle school math and science Paul Gonzenbach grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and studied at UC Berkeley. He has experience teaching grades 1 through 8 and was the Gifted Education Coordinator in Woodland, WA. He is currently in his sixth year of teaching at Seabury. Outside of school, Paul spends his time obsessing over music.
	Adam Brock, middle school technology and integrated arts Adam Brock has a master of fine arts degree in performance and interactive media art from Brooklyn College. When he is not teaching at Seabury, Adam walks up the street to the StoryLab at the Tacoma Public Library where he is the Digital Media Specialist.
	Nancy Nelson, physical education Nancy’s penchant for play and learning began in the field of education over thirty-five years ago. She is a veteran teacher in classroom subjects and physical education; from preschool through beyond high school; and with general, adult and alternative students. Through teaching, trainings, facilitations and workshops. Nancy creates applications to anti-bullying, anti-drug education, health, life skills,  physical education and social/emotional learning.
	JoAnn Olliphant, French Jo Ann Olliphant is  teacher with over 40 years of experience teaching French to preschool through adults and has been at Seabury since 1990. Jo Ann is a world language methodology consultant and the author of books on teaching through play and song.
	Léa Tulasne Boston, French Madame Tulasne was born and raised in the french countryside. She came to the United States as part of an exchange program to be an au pair for two years. She married her American boyfriend and is now living the American dream. "It is an honor for her to have the opportunity to learn teaching techniques with Madame Olliphant and teach her native language to young Seabury students."
	Jessica Blackwood, music Jessica Blackwood has taught music for seven years at elementary schools in Wyoming and Colorado. Before coming to Seabury, she designed and directed educational programs for the Seattle Symphony. Jessica recently earned her master’s degree from the University of Washington, and publishes articles in the fields of music education and ethnomusicology.
	Sandi Wollum, head of school Sandi Wollum has worked in both public and private school education in the region for nearly 30 years.  In 2002, Sandi left public school to join the faculty at Seabury School.  Sandi served as a teacher and assistant head of school before being named head of school in 2005. Sandi and her family love the outdoors and enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and a great book.
	Joslyn Kearns, administrative assistant Joslyn Kearns has a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Washington, Tacoma.  She has worked and volunteered for nonprofit agencies in the local Tacoma area for many years.  She also has a background in the maritime world, working on petroleum tankers as a third mate.  Her greatest accomplishment is raising three beautiful girls.
	Janice Spika, business manager Janice Spika has been the business manager at Seabury for the past seven years.  Prior to that Janice worked in the office of the first Seabury Middle School located in Dash Point. She received her BA in Business from Washington State University. In her free time, Janice and her husband Nick enjoy biking, running and snow skiing. They have two children, Mallory and Brad, a Seabury alumnus.
	Karen Perry, development director After a twenty-two year career in the finance industry, ending as vice president of community relations, Karen has been a development professional for the last eight years. She worked at Forest Ridge School as the capital campaign manager, assistant development director and co-chaired the school’s centennial celebration. Karen also spent a year as the interim development director at Bishop Blanchet high school in North Seattle. She has three daughters, raises show horses and has many four-legged family members.
	Halley Griffin, marketing director Halley's favorite subject of conversation is Seabury School - and being an alumna, she tends to have no shortage of great things to say. After Seabury, she attended Stadium High School and the University of Washington, then took a job as an education reporter at a newspaper. Back in Tacoma, she loves marketing Seabury and running Tacoma KOMO.