2023-24 UPDATE Magazine

With the hiring of Extended Day manager Adrian Tello and many talented teachers, our Extended Day Program is bigger and better than ever. To meet the needs of all families, we opened more spots for students, added flexible drop-in options, and relaunched student clubs—beginning with our beloved Cross-Country Club, back for the first time in four years thanks to several parent volunteers leading the charge. See page 8 for more about our Extended Day team.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

kindness is evident in all they do, whether it’s a specialist teacher supporting a small math group, an administrator helping organize a game of gaga ball at recess, or our school counselor facilitating friendship groups throughout the year. Being known and seen creates an important sense of belonging for children, which contributes to their ability to grow and thrive as courageous learners and confident self-advocates. Epiphany School students and adults alike love what we do, and it shows!

Happy fall, Epiphany School community! After a sun-filled summer in Seattle, the school year is well underway and going smoothly, packed with many opportunities for fun, learning, and growing for both children and adults.

Innovative and individually responsive teaching and learning are core to our daily work, and a central guidepost of our school’s strategic plan. Our incredibly talented faculty are both teachers and learners themselves, growing in their craft through ongoing professional development and collaboration. Each year the leadership team identifies a professional learning theme, and this year’s—“Unlocking Potential in Learner-Centered Classrooms”—builds on several years’ work as a professional learning community to expand our faculty’s knowledge and ability to challenge and support all students in this increasingly complex world.

The boundless enthusiasm and motivation our students bring to school every day provide a strong foundation for developing deep relationships with their teachers and each other. Every faculty and staff member at Epiphany School puts students at the center of their work. Their care and

Of course, in addition to our “regular work” there are several other exciting events to anticipate this school year. We will celebrate our 65th anniversary throughout the year; look forward to more news about those celebrations! In year two of our NWAIS accreditation cycle, we have completed our accreditation self-study and will welcome the accreditation visiting team onto campus in early October, followed by their report and decision about re-accreditation this spring. Also exciting is our continuing work to develop a long-range campus master plan, aligning our school program and campus facilities to ensure we remain the premier elementary school in Seattle. We will share more as that plan develops.

As I start my seventh year and reflect on all the goodness—and a few surprises—that have happened over that time, I am eager to continue our work of providing the most exceptional educational experience possible to our students while living our mission and values every day. If you haven’t been on campus recently, please visit! We would love to welcome you to see firsthand how the Epiphany School “magic” happens today.

Warmly,

Jenn Elkin Head of School

U P D A T E

EDITOR

Jaime Gillin

CONTRIBUTORS

Gemma Alexander

Jenn Elkin

Danielle Green

Alanna Hamilton

Ron Koo

Ben Magnano

Andrew Schafer

Lauren Smith

Alexa Sparks

Nicole Travis

PHOTOGRAPHY

Libby Lewis Photography

Sheila Addleman

Adrian Tello

DESIGN

Beans n’ Rice

PRINTING

Capitol City Press

Printed on 10% post-consumer waste paper with vegetable-based inks.

Visit our website epiphanyschool.org

The Epiphany School Update is published annually by the Advancement team. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information presented. If you find an error, please notify us at communications@ epiphanyschool.org or 206-971-3061.

VISION

Inspiring every child to discover meaning and purpose in a life of learning

MISSION

Epiphany School challenges and supports all students to become confident, curious, and courageous learners through innovative teaching in a caring and inclusive environment.

VALUES

Epiphany School actively cultivates an awareness and respect for diversity in all forms. We strive to create a positive, joyful, and inclusive community by embracing the following values:

Respect: We encourage empathy through the strength of our differences, awareness of our global surroundings, and adherence to high standards of conduct.

Responsibility: We build integrity and trust by understanding our choices and owning our actions.

Resourcefulness: We foster resilience and expect all to search and find, to fail and learn, to risk and succeed in a changing world.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Epiphany School promotes and cultivates a diverse community as essential to academic success, social and emotional growth, and the development of good character. Engaging diverse perspectives stretches the mind and requires critical thinking, intellectual courage, and creativity. It takes careful listening and thoughtful expression, and manifests itself in cultural competency. Thinking beyond oneself and seeing the world through the eyes of others is the foundation of fairness and empathy, and thus prepares our students to live respectfully and lead responsibly in our pluralistic democratic society.

EPC Presidents’ Letter

Dear Epiphany School community,

Heading into my family’s sixth and final year at Epiphany School, I am excited to serve as Epiphany Parent Council (EPC) President.

We joined Epiphany School in 2018 when my daughter was in kindergarten. We immediately felt welcomed not only by Epiphany staff, but also by the families. After we enrolled, we were matched with a buddy family who kindly reached out, invited us to dinner, and planned family play dates at the school playground over the summer. As a single parent, their warm hospitality made me feel so welcomed and helped my daughter adjust and transition into the new environment.

As we settled into the school community, I attended many events and volunteered in many roles, including serving as Inclusion Chair for the 2018 Auction and Carnival Co-Chair for two years (one of them virtual!). In the process, this school has become a home away from home for not only my daughter, but for me as well. Volunteering and getting involved is a wonderful way to meet new people, support the school, and experience Epiphany’s warm, welcoming community.

Many of our favorite school events would not be possible without our engaged community— parents/guardians, grandparents, special friends, alumni, and alumni families. If you would like to help continue to create a strong community at Epiphany School, I encourage you to reach out to epc@ epiphanyschool.org to discover ways to get involved!

Warmly, Danielle Green

EPC President, 2023-24

2023-24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Ben Magnano, President

Lee Falck, Vice President

Jay Goyal, Treasurer

Jeff Shiu, Secretary

Somany An REB Bangert

Robert Blackwell

Jenny Cummins

Jenn Elkin

Mandy Gandt

Emily George

Danielle Green, EPC President

Bob Henry

Ronald Koo

Erin Lea

Kye Lee

Jamie Morris

Rob Phillips

Corrie Rosen

Joanna Smith

Kara Westhusing

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Jennifer Elkin, Head of School

Jaime Gillin, Director of Marketing and Communications

Allisen Haworth, Upper Elementary Division Head

Greg Jones, Director of Enrollment Management and Admission

Jude Miqueli, Director of Educational Technology

Alex Ramírez, Director of Finance and Operations

Celia Russo, Lower Elementary Division Head

Lauren Smith, Director of Development

EPIPHANY PARENT COUNCIL (EPC) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President: Danielle Green

Vice Presidents: Somany An, Erin Lea

Communications and Operations Co-Chairs: Laura Buursma, Khanh Tran

Community Engagement

Co-Chairs: Nitin Bhat, Nick Glassman

Secretary: Raquel Barrett

Welcome Committee Co-Chairs: Ashley O’Neil, Anna Shwab Eidelson

EPC COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Back to School Coffee: Robin Hagle, Sara Martin

Curriculum Night: Kate Krane

Fall Faculty Luncheon: Nick Glassman, Kye Lee

First Fridays: March Chao, Ellie Tobkes, Rob Tobkes

Grade-Level Reps (GLRS):

Pre-K GLR: Fleur Coe, Michelle Davis

Kinder GLR: Candice Houghton, Ashley O’Neil, Sarah Jayne

First-Grade GLR: Victoria

Eisner, Erica Gordon, Maggie Raelson, Anne Shukla, Elizabeth Siegel

Second-Grade GLR: Kristin

Leidle, Sarah Nicolson

Third-Grade GLR: Nick

Glassman, Ross Kessler, John Martin, Melissa Payson

Fourth-Grade GLR: Shannon Johnson, Nikki Putnam

Fifth-Grade GLR: Kim Allen, Jessica Barrett, Beth Colombo, Ann Felton, Robin Hagle, Jessica Hughes

Ice Cream Social: Sara Martin, Vanessa Thompson

Library Chair: Shannon Johnson

Lunch Program: Kaitlyn Bangert

Spring Carnival: Lauren Rolfe

Service Learning: Jessica Barrett, Shelby Clayton, Anna Shwab Eidelson, Julianna Hofmann

Staff Appreciation Flowers: Michelle Davis

Uniform Sale: Kim Allen, Melissa Payson, Ann Riederer

Follow Along

Engage with Epiphany School on social media for a window into our community and daily life on campus!

Happy Pride Month! Our fourth graders raise the Progress Pride flag every morning at Epiphany School, a tradition we began a year ago and continue year-round. We’re proud to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community today and every day as our students, staff, and families live out our school values. #respect #responsibility #inclusivity #integrity #community #joy

Throwback to our first-ever STEM Night, a smashing success! Students and their families explored hands-on activities and exciting booths that showcased everything from neurosurgery to Bing AI chat to student coding, and enjoyed a breakout performance by our school’s new band, the Learning Legends. We hope this event and our school’s new STEM program helps spark a lasting interest in STEM fields and inspires students to keep exploring areas where science, technology, engineering, and math come together!

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Steve Ward, former Epiphany School math teacher, commented: “I’m so happy that someone has taken over the fun of matching their clothing to the school calendar. I started this quirky connection over ten years ago when I was the upper division math specialist. Ah the memories of trying to find a tie that matched my orange shirt!”

We asked for a pic—he obliged us with these photos of his classroom closet and his picture day headshot (above). Thanks for the memories, Steve!

Ramadan Mubarak! Today several third graders presented a personal powerpoint about how and why each of them celebrates the month of Ramadan and Eid. After their fabulous presentation, they shared traditional homemade treats with their peers. Second grade is celebrating giving, empathy, and kindness throughout the month of Ramadan with guest speakers, raising money at home in DIY Sadaqah jars, and running a toy drive for Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Last week’s Third Grade Biography Museum was a roaring success— students did an amazing job researching their contemporary and historical subjects, creating their museum displays, sharing prepared 30-second speeches, and answering visitor questions.

Happy National School Nurse Day to our amazing Nurse Abbie! Did you know she matches her scrubs to the color day on our school calendar?!?! Now you know!

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 and their families! ������

Election Day! Today second graders celebrated democracy and learned how to vote ��

It’s National School Counseling Week and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate— nor more grateful for— Sara Tebeau, our amazing school counselor! Sara is such a skilled counselor, SEL teacher, social justice advocate, integral member of our DEI Team, and so much more. Thank you for all you do, Sara!

With technology changing every industry on the planet, computing knowledge has become part of a well-rounded skill set for students. On Monday, fifth graders took part in the worldwide Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to computer science designed to demystify coding. You can learn more at hourofcode.com!

Nothing like the thrill of seeing your name in lights!

Second grade teacher Jess Carley recently presented at the annual NAIS conference (National Association of Independent Schools) on the topic of community— something she and other ES teachers excel at creating.

Wow! Thank you, ES families, for all your generous donations to our Sister Schools drive benefiting students in Uganda! Our fourth graders packaged up and loaded so many boxes full of notebooks, markers, books, balls, playground equipment and much more— all bound for Ugandan schools in need. #servicelearning

Our STEM classroom has been abuzz with energy as students dive into the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As STEM specialist Anna Johnson puts it, “STEM provides opportunities for learners to ‘think with their hands’ while problem-solving. It’s a chance for learners to have direct experiences and engage in real-world problems.” Our third graders are designing and building objects that use electricity; second graders are investigating how materials respond to light; kinders and pre-kinders are investigating force and motion through ramps and pathways; and first graders are exploring and documenting seasonal change in the school garden.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Jess Carley shared an excerpt of her PechaKucha-style presentation from the February 2023 NAIS conference, describing how she built a strong classroom community during the early days of the pandemic: “I interviewed students individually and asked them what they are experts in. What is important for you to share and teach? How can we know you better? What roles do you want to play in our class? My classroom is a place for children to learn and teach about friendships, community, and how to be a good citizen. Students feel loved and nurtured, not just by adults, but by each other. We strive to learn to lean in to differences to build a stronger community, and I knew that by giving my curious, adventurous leaders the task of teaching and leading each other, we could create a supportive, equitable, and empathetic society together.”

Day three of a new school year! It’s been a wonderful week so far as students settle into new routines, make new friends, and find the coziest new reading spots.

Hello, New Staff!

Since our last Update Magazine publication, we have welcomed many new team members!

New Hires for 2023-2024

Sarah DeCrosta, our new fifth-grade teacher, recently relocated from Connecticut where she worked as an elementary school teacher for over seven years in the public school system. She holds a MA in Elementary Education from the University of New Haven and recently served as a lead teacher in our summer camp program.

Outdoor Education Program specialist

Kacy Lebby has deep experience building differentiated outdoor experiential curricula with an integrated approach, pulling from a range of other subject areas across grade levels. She obtained her Master in Teaching from the University of Washington, completed Graduate of Education for Community and Environment training at IslandWood, and previously was a third-grade teacher at TOPS K-8 elementary.

The Development team has evolved and strengthened with the recent additions of Alanna Hamilton, annual giving and alumni manager, and Isaiah Khan, events and community engagement manager. Alanna has had a progressive career

in nonprofit fundraising supporting youth enrichment and performing arts programs. She was most recently at the 5th Avenue Theatre serving in several development roles, including annual fund and engagement manager and individual giving manager. Isaiah, a former art program specialist, instructor, graphic designer, and social media manager, has planned and executed large-scale events including summer workshops, admission events, and community events in prior roles at Pike Place Market and DigiPen Institute of Technology.

We are also excited to welcome a fleet of instructional assistants for the 2023-24 school year, including pre-kindergarten IA Becky Ginn, kindergarten IA Feruza Ghias, and first-grade IA Claire Santamarina.

He relocated from Oakland, California, where he served as the program site coordinator for Bay Area Community Resources. He is responsible for overseeing the Extended Day Program and its ten-person team, which includes new hires Baoyi Ma, an Extended Day lead teacher for first-grade currently pursuing her Master of Education from the University of Washington; Danny Garcia, Extended Day assistant teacher for first-grade with a background in circus arts; Lauren Achee, Extended Day kindergarten co-lead teacher, who has a background in Montessori education and an MS in Library and Information Science; and Bridget Comeau, an Extended Day pre-k assistant teacher with experience in communications and a Masters in Cartooning.

They join our strong existing team of instructional assistants, including pre-k IA Abby Magnani (hired December 2022), kindergarten IAs Jen Adam and Geslyne Barreta (August 2022), and second grade IA Katherine Menezes (August 2022).

Extended Day manager Adrian Tello joined Epiphany School last spring.

Belated Welcomes

We also wanted to highlight our talented faculty and staff who were hired last school year.

Katherine Brownlee, administrative assistant to the director of finance and operations and both division heads (April 2023) is responsible for managing calendars, organizing

grade-level and other team retreats, preparing for division, staff, and parent meetings, and providing other administrative support.

Megan Canape joined the kindergarten teaching team for 2023-24 after serving as a long-term substitute teacher last school year. Megan obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Dickinson State University and brings over nine years of experience working with children as a nanny, substitute teacher, and pre-school and kindergarten prep teacher at Bright Horizons.

Khadijah Cooper, IT specialist, is experienced in maintaining and implementing technology in both IOS and Microsoft environments, along with cloud-based software. She was hired in November 2022 to support our 300+ user community in overseeing hardware and software management information systems and ensuring our teachers and staff have the technology tools they need to work successfully.

Instructional coach Kristin Daniel (August 2022) received her Doctorate in Education from George Washington University and has over 15 years of education experience supporting teacher growth. Her coaching work integrates social-emotional learning, a social justice lens, and a wide range of educational strategies and tools to ensure our faculty and staff can successfully carry out Epiphany School’s mission and vision.

STEM specialist teacher Anna Johnson joined the school in August 2022 and hosted our inaugural STEM Night last April. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University and was formerly the STEAM Specialist at Maple Elementary in Seattle Public Schools. She has worked extensively in science education through Seattle Tilth and Pacific Science Center and brings a range of engaging projects to all grade levels!

Abbie Nutt, our school nurse and COVID-19 coordinator, served as a clinical education nurse at Johns Hopkins Community Physicians prior to joining the Epiphany team in January 2023. Her main areas of responsibility include addressing student illnesses and injuries, overseeing student health information and forms, developing health-related curriculum, and serving as a resource for faculty and staff.

Alexis Ortega, Epiphany School’s new middle school placement coordinator (May 2023), has over ten years of independent school admissions and financial aid experience, having previously served at Northwest School and University Prep. In this first-in-field position, she supports our fifth-grade families and students at every step of the middle school application process.

Third-grade teacher Aquonna Thornhill joined the team in August 2022 after relocating from Naples, Florida, where she

taught second grade for four years. Prior to that, she received a Master of Science in Merchandising and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and served as an adjunct business instructor at the American International College in Massachusetts.

Human resources manager Nicole Travis (January 2023) has over 15 years of experience across a wide variety of industries, from non-profits to commercial real estate, and brings a human-centered approach to her work. Her focus is on supporting the full employee life cycle, including recruiting and onboarding, retention, benefits administration, policy clarification and interpretation, and employee relations.

Returning Staff & Role Transitions

Jacqueline Hammar returned to Epiphany School in September 2021 as a pre-kindergarten instructional assistant.

Candice Houghton transitioned from pre-kindergarten teacher to first-grade teacher in August 2023.

Annie Kim returned to Epiphany School as a second-grade teacher in August 2022.

Sofia Piel moved from first-grade instructional assistant to music, drama, and movement specialist teacher in August 2023.

Alexa Sparks, former events manager and communications coordinator, became development and communications coordinator in August 2023.

Goodbyes

In the time since our last Update magazine was published in Spring 2022, we’ve said goodbye to many talented faculty and staff as they’ve moved on to other roles, retirement, and other adventures. With gratitude for their many contributions to Epiphany School, we wish the best to the following individuals.

Becky Melonson, kindergarten instructional assistant and curriculum specialist, 32 years

Lise Wolken, fifth grade teacher, 24 years

Leslie Larkin, music and performance specialist, 23 years

Davis Bell, science specialist teacher, 16 years

Mark Shone, third grade teacher, 16 years

Sarah Abbott, first grade teacher, 13 years

Angela Typolt, kindergarten teacher, 13 years

Nick Clements, director of technology, 12 years

Kate Moen, kindergarten instructional assistant, 4 years

Tyler Barham, development coordinator, 2.5 years

Tess Carges, pre-kindergarten instructional assistant, 2 years

Danielle Longo, Extended Day lead teacher, 1.5 years

Nani Trias, kindergarten instructional assistant, 1.5 years

Gretchen Boehm, middle school placement coordinator, 1 year

Laurie Goff, Extended Day manager, 1 year

Nicky Martin, lower elementary math specialist, 1 year

Marcelle Bearss, school nurse, 10 months

Bailey Wilkerson-Cooper, kindergarten instructional assistant, 10 months

April Ulinski, Extended Day lead teacher, 9 months

Michelle Raymond, first grade long-term substitute teacher, 7 months

Ian Erlichman, Extended Day assistant teacher, 6 months

Reflections on Epiphany School’s Past, Present, and Future

By Ben Magnano, Board of Trustees President

Happy fall! This season and the start of school always brings for me the intersection of excitement and begrudging acceptance of inevitable change. Walking around campus the first couple days of school, I observed a wide range of emotions, from outrageous laughing of upper schoolers to nervous hugs and tears from the newest members of our community—and trust me, I have felt many of the same emotions! While I love that my family now has fifth and second graders (and eleventh and ninth graders), I reflect and long for the days when our oldest was walking into Alan Barta’s pre-k class for the first time and life seemed a little bit simpler. Even as an Epiphany School long-timer, each year there are new names and faces to learn in both the family and faculty/ staff corps. Navigating this new reality, while daunting and uncomfortable at first, allows our family to look forward and embrace the evolution and continuous improvement of our school and its community for every one of our curious, courageous, and confident students.

As stewards of the school, it is the Board of Trustees’ remit to keep our strategic plan, mission, vision, and values top of mind. However, every Epiphany School family, past and present, plays a key role in setting up our school for future success. One important way is through giving—of your time and/or your treasure—at whatever level is personally meaningful to you.

As my wife, Effie, and I now step into our 13th year as Epiphany School parents, we’d encourage everyone to make the sacrifice to volunteer early and often and to eagerly contribute to the various fund-raising activities

throughout the year, big or small. These big and small commitments are a huge part of what drives the culture of giving that sets Epiphany apart from its peers and keeps us all “invested” in this special little place so near and dear to our hearts.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank all of the families and community stakeholders for helping our school evolve and positively grow coming out of the pandemic. While somewhat in the rearview mirror (touch wood), Jenn and the school faced down a scary, without precedent challenge and met it head-on starting with virtual learning, continuing with in-person learning (before most Seattle-area schools), and finishing with a marvelously executed 2022-23 “normal” school year. It is with this mindset of evolution and growth that the Board of Trustees will partner with Jenn throughout the 2023-24 year focused on how we as a school and community can become better. To that end, we have recently reaffirmed that the school is meeting expectations of its 2019-2020 Strategic Plan and, in so doing, we will take a critical look at our Campus Master Plan to ensure that our physical facilities and campus footprint are fulfilling all that we as a school and community could and should be doing.

2023-2024 will undoubtedly bring challenges, surprises, and opportunities all at once. Speaking for the Board, I can assure you we have never been in a stronger position from a human capital, curricular, operational, or financial standpoint. This is due to the hard work and sacrifice of prior generations of board members, faculty, administration, and families. I am equally confident that our current community will continue this level of commitment to our school—and to Epiphany School students present and future. Here’s to a wonderful school year!

Welcome to our Newest Trustees

By Ron Koo, Board Governance Chair

Responsible for upholding Epiphany School’s mission and values, the Epiphany School Board of Trustees provides oversight of the Head of School’s operation of the school as well as strategic guidance. It comprises 15-25 elected trustees including current parents, parents of alumni, and educational leaders. The Board meets monthly throughout each academic year. In addition to trustees, several community volunteers also serve on Board committees addressing areas such as development (fundraising), finance, and master use (campus and facilities).

The Board of Trustees extends its gratitude to Mark Callaghan, Ann Felton, Jessica Hughes, Amy McCullough, and Ken Miller for their dedication and service to the school over the past several years, as they rotate off the Board slate. And we welcome Somany An, REB Bangert, Emily George, Danielle Green, Erin Lea, and Kye Lee to new terms of service. Get to know our newest trustees below!

Somany An has been elected to the Board after serving as Epiphany Parent Council (EPC) co-president in 2022-23 and on the board’s Development Committee. After receiving her B.A. in Business from the University of Washington and working at Weyerhauser and Accenture, Somany now serves as Senior Business Operations Analyst and deputy chief of staff to the CEO of tech company F5. She and her husband, Martin, are parents of Abigail (fourth grade) and Ari (second grade).

REB Bangert ’95, an Epiphany School alum and graduate of Seattle University School of Law, joins the school’s board after serving for two years as a non-trustee member of the school’s Finance Committee. REB has served a similar role on the boards of Seattle Tennis Club and Kindering, a local non-profit. Previously serving in various roles at PACCAR Inc, REB is currently a Finance Manager at Amazon. He and his wife, Kaitlyn, have two children attending Epiphany, Claire (third grade) and Buster (kindergarten).

Actively involved in many community and neighborhood organizations, including various roles on the Downtown Seattle Association, Emily George joins the school’s board after serving for two years as a non-trustee member of the school’s Master Use Committee. Emily received her M.S. in Structural Engineering and is leading a design team at Boeing in Everett. She and her husband, Michael, are parents of Porter (fifth grade) and Effie (second grade).

Epiphany School is happy to welcome Danielle Green as our new EPC President. A Seattle native, Danielle grew up just a few blocks from the school, where her daughter Lorraine Knutson (fifth grade) currently attends. Danielle served as one of Auction Committee’s first inclusion chairs and served as the EPC VP of Community Engagement in 2022-23. Her commitment to service is evident in her professional life as well; she currently serves as a Case Manager Supervisor for Emergency Services at Compass Housing Alliance.

Erin Lea joins the Board after serving as EPC co-president and Development Committee member in 2022-23. A graduate of Saint Louis University, where she played Division I soccer, Erin worked as a teacher and school psychologist in the Shoreline School District, where she grew up. She is an active volunteer in our community and chaired Epiphany School’s GATHER event in 2022. She and her husband, Clive, are parents of Holler (’23), Rosemond (fourth grade), and Poppy (second grade).

Kye Lee, an advisor and liaison in Seattle’s Office of the Mayor, joins the Board after serving as a non-trustee member of the Development Committee. Kye received his M.S. in public policy from Harvard University and has worked with several educational and non-profit institutions on development initiatives, including Epiphany Early Learning Preschool and the University District Food Bank. He and his wife, Beth, are parents of Madeline (third grade) and Abigail (kindergarten).

Nurturing Excellence

Meet Kristin Daniel, Epiphany School’s instructional coach

Tell us about your role as Epiphany’s instructional coach, aka the “teachers’ teacher.”

My role is to provide instructional support to our teachers, helping them build their teaching capacity and become the best educators they aspire to be. I serve as both a mentor and a coach, offering guidance, problem-solving, and reflection on classroom challenges. This supportive, trusting relationship provides a safe space for teachers to experiment with new ideas. Ultimately, the aim is to enhance the lives of students at Epiphany by continually improving teaching practices and engagement.

What strategies or techniques do you use to support teachers in their professional development and to enhance their classroom instruction?

At the start of the school year, I meet one-on-one with teachers, as well as with teaching teams, to collaboratively establish professional learning goals. We spend several months working together, engaging in an iterative

process of experimentation, reflection, and refinement. I’m a student-centered coach, so I spend a lot of time in the classroom, getting to know the students to better support the teacher.

I also contribute to our annual professional learning theme, maintain a faculty website with valuable resources, and provide professional learning during in-service days. I often attend conferences and training sessions and share insights and takeaways with our faculty, bridging the gap between research and classroom practice.

Looking ahead, what are some key areas of focus?

I’m excited about the future of professional learning at Epiphany! We’re committed to fostering a culture of continual learning and supporting our faculty’s growth. With this year’s professional learning theme, “Unlocking Potential in Learner-Centered Classrooms,” our focus is to create equity of learning so that all our students can be challenged, engaged, and inspired.

History Lesson

Did you know we have a 9-year-old historian on campus? Third grader Tomas Fernandez Afanador self-published an Epiphany School history book last year, and now you can check out the impressive tome from the Epiphany School library! Tomas and his father, Nicolas, spent summer 2022 interviewing teachers, trustees, and former heads of school to find out more about Epiphany School—an interest first sparked when Tomas noticed the portraits of past school leaders in Spock Hall. The book includes historic images, photos and drawings by Tomas, and many interesting facts gleaned from conversations with longtime community members like neighbor and former pre-k teacher Jenny Cummins. For example, the playground in front of the gym was formerly built of wood and, as Tomas writes, “two students broke their arms at the same time one day while playing on the monkey bars. Both went to Seattle Children’s Hospital together.”

The book is dedicated to all Epiphany School students. Tomas thinks other students should have the courage to pursue their own projects. He’s inspired to keep creating, too. He has many ideas but thinks he’s narrowed in on his next project, which will focus on his birth country: “Maybe I’ll make a book about the history of Colombia.”

Tomas Fernandez Afanador with his self-published book, “The History of Epiphany School.”

How to Cultivate a Mathematical Mindset

Curiosity and perseverance take the pain out of math

By Gemma Alexander

NOTE: This article was originally published on ParentMap.com.

If your child has ever cried doing homework, the odds are good the subject was math. More than any other subject, math tends to be met with frustration, confusion, and even fear. But math doesn’t have to be miserable. It’s normal for math to be hard, but making sure the struggle is healthy instead of horrible depends on developing a mathematical mindset.

The struggle is real

Math is a foundational skill for both the arts and the sciences. But mastering math concepts builds critical life skills, too.

“There is an element of perseverance and grit in mathematics, because answers don’t always come instantaneously. Growth happens when you struggle with something and work at it,” says Kelly Kursteiner,

Epiphany School’s upper division math specialist. Slowing down and working for an answer is more important than ever, because the digital age conditions us to expect immediate answers. But establishing a history of successful struggle is the recipe for building confidence.

“Mathematics is not a static thing that you learn and then are done with. It’s a way of growing and learning that is dynamic and interesting,” says Celia Russo, lower elementary division head. Most parents of school-age children have heard of a growth mindset—the idea that effort is more important to success than natural ability. But adults who encourage their children to practice sports and spelling still tend to get stuck in the idea that some people are naturally good at math and the rest of us aren’t.

“It’s absolutely not true. Anyone can learn math,” Russo assures. The secret, she says, is to develop a mathematical mindset of open-minded curiosity and perseverance.

Algorithms are for search engines

Curiosity is as important as perseverance.

“The youngest students are ready and curious. We want to capture that moment for them,” says Russo. Too often, adults jump straight to the flash cards and algorithms. These things have their place, but too much rote learning becomes drudgery, and memorization should never come before comprehension.

“Sometimes teachers try to enter at too high a level,” explains Kursteiner. “They try to start with the abstract before the concrete, or even before asking what students already know and don’t know.” Struggle is not valuable when it’s too far past what students already understand. Some students can master algorithms right away. But knowing how to find the answer can shut down their curiosity about why the algorithm works, making it harder to grasp the underlying concepts.

Another way that adults can shut down natural curiosity is by passing on their own anxieties about math. Many of us have been guilty of saying things such as, “I’m not good at math, so I can’t help with this.” A better approach is to show curiosity and be willing to learn. “I didn’t learn that very well in school. Let’s see how much of it we can figure out together. How should we start?”

Mathematical mindset

Russo and Kursteiner both strongly recommend Jo Boaler’s book “Mathematical Mindset” for parents who want to learn more about this approach to teaching math (for more reading suggestions, see sidebar). Building a mathematical mindset requires a safe space for learning. Teachers and parents need to reinforce the belief that mistakes are integral to learning.

“We refer to it as ‘wrong but brilliant,’ because wrong answers tell us something, too,” says Kursteiner. Mistakes can show us what we don’t understand yet. When

More on Math

If you’ve already read Jo Boaler’s book “Mathematical Mindset” and want to go deeper, lower elementary math specialist Lindsay Lang suggests these 5 additional resources:

“Fluency Without Fear” by Jo Boaler: “But what about the facts?” “I did timed tests!” Read more about what it means to be fluent in mathematics and why strong math students aren’t necessarily fast.

“Promoting Persistence with Appropriate Praise”: The language we use around math problem solving can encourage growth mindsets in our students. Learn why saying “you’re so smart!” might not support learning the way you think it does.

“Nine ‘New Math’ Problems and Methods”: Math is a highly visual subject! Offering students visuals helps them understand concepts more deeply. Check out these nine tools that bridge hands-on experiences to abstract problem solving.

“Let’s Play Math” by Denise Gaskins: This website and book of the same title offer math games for kids of all ages. Have just a few minutes? Nim is easy to learn and has endless variations!

“Early Family Math”: We’ve all heard that we need to read to our children before they enter school, but what about math? This website is chock full of playful and social activities to support early math awareness. Find links to all these articles, books, and web resources on our website; use the QR code!

you’re learning a concept, the process of figuring out how to get the answer is more important than the answer itself. When students themselves are too focused on getting the right answer, it can be helpful to start by giving it to them — then asking them to figure out how you got there. Adults can be as impatient to get the answer as students. But when frustrated adults rush kids towards a solution, they risk triggering a homework battle.

For kids who get stuck and lose confidence easily, try a technique called scaffolding. Ask questions to help the child get started, and then guide them through the steps slowly. When kids get stuck in “math panic,” it’s time to change directions. Try offering new ways of looking at the problem.

“Don’t think too much in terms of levels, because even very basic mathematical concepts can be very deep and complicated. It’s not backing up, it’s more about giving alternate pathways into a concept,” Russo explains.

Presenting concepts in a variety of ways helps different types of learners. Teachers will explain verbally, present visual illustrations, and offer games that allow kinesthetic learners to move around. They give students opportunities to work alone, in pairs, and in groups. Sometimes finding a pathway into a problem is about framing. Kursteiner gives the example of presenting subtraction in the form of addition: A student starts with 42 stickers and ends with 50. How many did they gain?

“All kids have some inherent understanding about math, but sometimes adults don’t validate or honor what they’re coming to us with, which can make kids shut down,” Kursteiner says. When, despite both your best efforts, you’re not getting anywhere, Kursteiner has advice that will help kids and adults breathe easier. Don’t finish the homework. Instead, stop and talk about how to ask the teacher for help at school tomorrow.

Teaching students how to advocate and ask questions, she says, is as important as the math itself. In time, students will not only learn how to ask for help from the teacher, they’ll start to recognize the tools that work best for them and use those strategies independently.

Playful math

Play is an important part of developing a mathematical mindset.

“There are so many different ways to solve math problems, so we want to give kids a lot of opportunities to just explore,” says Russo.

In Epiphany School classrooms, math play could look like open-ended exercises in which students find different numerical ways to describe dots drawn on the chalkboard or finding as many ways as possible to illustrate the concept of “five.” It could be card-sorting games for third graders; fourth graders exploring place value by building a wall out of blocks representing 10s and 100s; or fifth graders playing with the concept of base numbers by using coins of different values to represent different counting systems.

From little kids playing with blocks and puzzles to older kids practicing fractions while cooking, Russo says, “Math tools are available all of the time.” Connecting math concepts to topics that kids are already interested in is a fun way to solve problems— and further evidence that having a mathematical mindset helps us understand the world.

Signature ES Experiences

By Jaime Gillin

Epiphany School students get to experience so many memorable projects and units as they make their way from pre-k through fifth grade— all dreamed up by our talented teachers to enrich their learning. Whether it’s a brand-new approach to a subject or a beloved longtime tradition that has become a defining part of our school, these hands-on experiences go a long way toward the school fulfilling its vision: Inspiring every child to discover meaning and purpose in a life of learning. Here’s a glimpse at just a few highlights from last school year.

Pre-K

Every spring, pre-k students spend several weeks celebrating and learning about each other as they share personal stories, objects, and photos in class. The unit culminates with the Friends and Family Museum as student docents proudly welcome community members to carefully curated “museums” designed to help them share their personal stories. “Developing confidence, celebrating similarities and differences, and bringing families together have always been at the forefront of this project,” says pre-k teacher Alan Barta. “More than anything, we hope that students realize they are uniquely amazing and that their contributions are cherished and celebrated everywhere.”

“To watch students wholeheartedly, authentically, joyfully, and confidently share their story is not only heartwarming, but an example of what learning and acceptance should be in our world. ”

—Kirsten Wardell, Pre-K Teacher

Kindergarten

The Buddy Program is a schoolwide initiative that pairs younger and older students together for cross-grade projects, fun, mentoring, and bonding. It’s a leadership experience for our older students— as well as an opportunity for them to discover how much they have to learn from their younger buddies, too! No grade pairing epitomizes this more than our kindergarten-fifth grade buddies. Dedicated “buddy time” is built into the school schedule, allowing buddies to meet and forge deep and meaningful connections over the school year. The year culminates with a personalized “buddy book” that fifth graders write, illustrate, and hand-bind specially for their kindergartener. “Our goal is for kindergarteners to build their confidence and advocacy skills,” says kinder teacher Sophia Sneep. “Through consistent meetings, students are able to develop intentional, deepened relationships with a trusted older peer and confidently share their knowledge and feel proud of their individual accomplishments.” One measure of the program’s success? “The countless hugs, high-fives, and fist bumps EVERY time they see each other!” says kinder teacher Megan Canape.

First Grade

During the gray whale migration unit, first graders research and learn about the epic annual migration of Pacific gray whales, one of the longest migrations of any mammal. In this culminating curricular unit, students exercise the writing skills they have honed throughout the year to create their own seven-part, watercolor-illustrated narrative told from the perspective of a baby gray whale. Students also create a class map of the whale’s migration, create a scientific drawing of a gray whale, watch videos of gray whales, and build a glossary of specific vocabulary. The multi-week unit “really immerses first graders into the world of gray whales and everything they go through to give birth to calves and migrate north in order to eat,” says first-grade teacher Alison Holmes. Additionally, students internalize an important environmental lesson, says first-grade teacher Nikki Van Nimwegen: “They learn that Pacific gray whales are no longer on the endangered species list due to conservation efforts, but still face dangers that are human-created. In the process, they begin to really understand how humans can make positive or negative decisions that impact a species.”

Second Grade

As part of their “community” theme in second grade, students learn about themselves and the important role they play within their immediate and larger communities. Embedded within this theme is an economics unit, which gives students an opportunity to see how different parts of a community are interdependent and interwoven. This year, the teachers launched a new project where every second grader created a toy company and interviewed a “client” (their pre-k buddy). Second graders then tailored a toy that met their specific clients’ needs and wants, created a life-size sample of the toy, and ultimately participated in a school-wide Toy Expo to share their creations with the wider Epiphany community. Lastly, they gifted their one-of-a-kind toy to their pre-k buddy!

“Our hopes in doing this project are multi-fold: for students to understand the basic principles of economics, to see a project through from beginning to end, to build resiliency when facing big challenges, to be resourceful with the tools and resources they are given, to manage disappointment when something doesn’t turn out as they had hoped, and to work toward a bigger goal of bringing joy into a friends’ life.”

—Annie Kim, Second Grade Teacher

Third Grade

Third graders demonstrate confidence, courage, creativity, and well-honed performance and public speaking skills in a bevy of grade-level showcases including Poetry Night, the Third-Grade Biography Museum, and an annual music and drama performance. During the 2022-23 school year, that performance focused on a new third-grade curricular unit: the history and culture of the indigenous Métis people, descendants of European fur traders and indigenous Canadian peoples. In the leadup to their performance and cultural expo, students explored five elements of Métis culture: storytelling, finger weaving and the Métis sash, the traditional Red River Jig, fry bread, and Métis dot art. “The performance supported our humanities standards as it incorporated various art forms such as singing, dancing, weaving, acting, playing instruments, and stage crew work,” says third-grade teacher Aquonna Thornhill. “The students were extremely engaged in the process as they got to choose how they would contribute to the performance.”

Use the QR code to watch the amazing third-grade performance of “Mischief, Magic, and Morals: Stories of the Métis”!

Fourth Grade

For their pioneer unit, fourth graders dive deep into Westward Expansion and the growth of American territories during and after the 1840s. They do this by looking at the multiple perspectives of the people who were involved, including the Native American tribes, the U.S. government, the pioneers heading west largely due to the Homestead Act, and the Mexicans of California. Over several weeks, students play a wagon train simulation game, write a realistic first-person pioneer diary, and take an immersive day trip to Pioneer Farm, where they do barn chores, work in a blacksmith shop, learn about local Native American customs, and more. “A multiple-perspectives approach takes a complicated and analytical look at this huge historic event, giving students the chance to consider it from various points of view,” says fourth-grade teacher David Bush. “This helps students understand that some folks gained advantages and wealth during that time and some lost, negatively impacting future generations.”

Fifth Grade

NatureBridge—a two-night adventure into the Olympic National Park—is a capstone experience for fifth graders that all Epiphany students look forward to. As part of this environmental education program, students engage in hands-on field science and learn about the watershed, animals, conservation, and the scientific method. They canoe Lake Crescent to test water, meet Native elders who share their stories and traditional crafts, explore local geology and history, and hike Mount Storm King. Equally important, fifth-graders bond while participating in fun games and team-building activities, evening programs, and time together on the ferry and in their cabins. Establishing this closeness in the fall makes for an even more meaningful and connected final year at Epiphany School!

First in Field

Epiphany School’s new Middle School Placement Coordinator takes the stress out of the application process. Here are some tips for navigating the process and finding the right schools for your child.

By Gemma Alexander

A version of this article appeared on ParentMap.com in fall 2023.

Thinking about the transition to middle school can be daunting, especially since the application process for independent schools begins just as your child is settling into fifth grade. “It feels high stakes. A lot of well-known schools are pretty competitive,” says Alexis Ortega, Epiphany School’s new middle school placement coordinator. “But it’s important for families to remember that there is no one school that is great for every student, and there are a lot of schools that could be great for your student.”

At Epiphany School, we view the middle school placement process as a learning opportunity for our students. By thoughtfully and intentionally equipping students with the academic and social-emotional skills to transition to their next schools, we are also educating and preparing them for the many transitions they will face throughout life.

Epiphany School is the only Seattle-area independent elementary school with a dedicated middle school placement coordinator. Alexis Ortega, who has over ten years of experience working in the admissions department at independent schools, guides students and families through every step of the middle school application process, advising on right-fit options, interview and essay-writing best practices, and what to look for when touring schools.

We asked Alexis, as well as upper elementary division head Allisen Haworth and fifth-grade teacher Anthony McGrann, for some tips on navigating the middle school application process with confidence, calm, and the best possible outcome.

Keep it personal. Basing your choice on your family’s values and educational priorities instead of rankings or reputation gives your child the best chance to thrive in middle school. And “don’t just zero in on one school in particular,” suggests Alexis. “Sometimes there just isn’t space for everybody who is qualified.” She advises families to apply to three to five schools.

Stay in the present. Parents may think of their middle school choice as a way to get a jump on high school admission. But fifth-grade teacher Anthony McGrann says that’s not the best strategy. “I recommend thinking of the middle school choice as a three-year commitment. Parents should be thinking about what is going to be a good fit for their child now.”

Be transparent about your child’s needs. To find your child’s best fit, consider their strengths and interests, as well as their special needs. Parents should not think of students’ special needs or accommodation requirements as an admissions risk, and should be open about them in their application. “You want to know that a school is committed to helping your child succeed; that they’ve got what it takes to support them,” says Alexis.

Tour intel. When visiting a school, pay attention its culture and how well the school’s values fit your own. “Look the teaching style, what is the classroom experience like, what does the school have to offer outside of the classroom,” suggests Alexis. Don’t discount the importance of how a school makes you and your child feel when you are visiting. “Really, academic and personal success has a lot to do with whether they are in a place where they can shine and feel comfortable,” says Allisen.

Feel free to follow up. “It doesn’t hurt for families to call up a prospective school and say, ‘I have some questions,’ when they get to the point where they’re serious about applying to that school,” Allisen advises.

Let your child shine. “It’s important for your child’s voice to really come through in the admissions essay, and for them to think about how they want to present themselves on visit days,” says Alexis. You can prepare your child for school visits by helping them think about what questions they want to ask and what they want to learn from the visit. For the application essay, you might let them write something informal or silly to get started, then see if there are any ideas in that draft that are worth expanding.

Prep without stress. Students may have to take a standardized admission test, and it helps if they’re prepared. At Epiphany, all fifth graders take practice tests and learn some test-taking strategies. But Anthony emphasizes that test prep should never be high-pressure. Instead, it should make kids more comfortable with testing. “Part of my job is trying to keep that anxiety down and making sure that the students have a normal fifth-grade

year, and that they’re focused on their learning and not as much on the process of middle school,” he says.

Talk it through. Once the admissions results come out, the final decision ultimately rests with the parents. But students who have some input in the choice may be more invested in their middle school success. “Kids do a great job of thinking about what feels right to them,” says Allisen. If your child isn’t very enthusiastic about contributing to the decision, try to engage them in considering the pros and cons of each school. Talk about unique resources like a makerspace or great soccer team that are relevant to your child’s school experience. If they are still resistant, it might be a sign of anxiety. “Kids also pick up on what we’re feeling, so think about what emotional tone you’re setting,” Alexis adds.

And… don’t forget to celebrate! Choosing a middle school is exciting! “Middle school is such a formative time. It’s the stage in life where kids are really exploring their own identity and starting to do that more outside of the family context,” says Alexis. Parents can reassure children by reminding them how much they have already grown and accomplished, and give them opportunities to experience more self-agency and independence in the leadup to middle school.

Keep perspective. Remember, the admissions process is not about judging your family. It is an opportunity to find an environment where your child can thrive and grow. “Trust the process,” Alexis advises. “Even if you end up at a different school from what you hoped or expected, families usually land in just the right place.”

“I recommend thinking of the middle school choice as a three-year commitment. Parents should be thinking about what is going to be a good fit for their child now.”

Celebrating a Journey of Growth and Community: Epiphany School’s Class of 2023

By Lauren Smith, Director of Development

The graduation of the Class of 2023 marked multiple transitions for their families and for our school. Not only did we bid farewell to a group of exceptional young minds, but we also marked a significant moment for our community, with 22 fifth-grade families having their last or only child leave our hallways.

A remarkable

families—including those pictured here—said goodbye to Epiphany School as their last or only child graduated this past June.

There’s no denying the lasting impact that these families have had on our school community. Their contributions, involvement, and unwavering support have been instrumental in Epiphany School’s growth and success. Through countless volunteer hours, heartwarming moments at school events, and the genuine friendships formed within our community, they have woven a tapestry of memories that will forever be a part of the fabric of our school’s history.

We wish our students the very best as they step onto new paths and embrace fresh opportunities! The connections forged within these walls need not fade; rather, we encourage our departing students and families to remain engaged, stay in touch, and keep the flames of camaraderie alive. You will always have a special place within our Epiphany School community.

The Kosloff Family

David, Melanie, Maddie ’16 (not pictured), Ryan ’18, and Julia ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 14 years

The ES impact: Our children grew up at Epiphany. They were taught in a nurturing community that took time to know and understand them for their unique strengths and weaknesses.

What will you miss most? We will miss the parental involvement and seeing friendly faces of staff, teachers, and friends around campus.

We asked some families departing our school to reflect on their years here, the impact of an Epiphany School education, and what they’ll miss most.

“One of the most important things that I’ve learned at Epiphany is that there’s always something new to try. So if you keep your mind open, you’ll see that there are so many fun opportunities and activities. You might not like math at the time, but maybe a couple weeks later it will start growing on you. Trust me!”

—Julia Kosloff, ’23

The Kahssai/Gebreselassie Family

Mimi Gebreselassie, Yonathan Kahssai, and Millena, Gabe, and Abisan ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 7 years

ES in one word: That’s not a fair question— Epiphany cannot be described in one word. Epiphany was God’s gift, truly, to our family. We are forever grateful.

Why was this the right school for your family? The school focuses on the growth and development of the child above all else.

The ES impact: It’s clear as day to any parent who sends their child there—their kid will be polite, they’ll want to contribute to society. Our daughter tries to look for the positive in every person, in every moment. Epiphany will be part of her DNA forever.

The Falck Family

Jennifer and Lee Falck, and Samuel ‘20, Clara ’22, and Hannah ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 10 years

ES in one word: Exceptional. The faculty and staff knew our children and supported their journey differently, finding those special aspects that motivate them to learn and thrive.

Why was this the right school for your family? Each of our children experienced so much joy at school, fostered not only by friendships and after-school activities but by the integration of the program across grades and specialists, which created special and memorable moments.

What will you miss most? We will really miss parent-teacher conferences. Those discussions were impactful as teachers shared insights into our children and their strengths, motivations, and surprising experiences. As a couple, we would always take time after the meeting to reflect on and celebrate our children’s academic journey.

The Dunnam/Watts Family

Sarah Dunnam ’88 and Charlie ’17 (not pictured), Alvin ’20, and Alice Watts ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 13 years as a parent, plus 5 as a student myself

ES in one word: Community. It’s a small neighborhood school where it’s possible to meet and know every family, child, and faculty member.

What will you miss most? I will miss seeing how invested and passionate the faculty and administration was in the school’s mission. It was clear the staff and faculty genuinely care for all of the kids.

The Gandt Family

Mandy and Phillip Gandt, and Phoebe ’20 and Conrad ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 10 years

Why was this the right school for your family?

Epiphany is a warm, supportive, tight-knit community that fosters a love of learning through its amazing teachers and programs.

The ES impact: Our kids have grown into confident, respectful, curious, and kind learners.

What will you miss most? Everything!

“At Epiphany I learned that it’s important to be courageous when it comes to learning, and to always be respectful and kind to one another.”

—Conrad Gandt ’23

The Rosauer Family

Amanda and Matthew Rosauer, and Lauren ’19, Kate ’21, and Mason ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 11 years

ES in one word: Engaging. Epiphany kept our children engaged academically, and our family engaged with its inclusive community.

Why was this the right school for your family?

Epiphany is a special place for so many reasons it’s hard to pick one! We feel very lucky to have found a school that balanced such a nurturing and warm environment with solid academics that prepared our children for their next steps. Strong leadership and excellent teachers and staff make a huge impact, and Epiphany has both.

The Pak Family

Grace and Perry Pak, and Afton ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 6 years

ES in one word: Welcoming. The school staff and teachers have always been so kind and generous with their time.

Why was this the right school for your family? Our daughter, Afton, is now thriving in middle school as a curious, confident sixth grader at a brand-new school.

What will you miss most? We will miss the amazing supportive teachers and the warm parent community.

The Baker Family

Kim and Andy Baker, and Elizabeth ’14, Katherine ’16, Claire ’21, and Natalie ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 15 years

Epiphany in one word: Community. Over the years our closest friends were the parents of other Epiphany students. The school culture, open campus, and encouragement to get involved all fostered a strong sense of community.

Why was this the right school for your family?

Epiphany School provided the best combination of a good education and strong community.

The ES impact: Lifelong friends for both parents and children.

The Gaultieri Family

Devon Gaultieri and August ’23

Total years at Epiphany: 7 years

ES in one word: Dependable. Epiphany has been our rock. No matter what was happening in our lives or in the world, we could always depend on Epiphany to be loving, safe, and joyful.

Why was this the right school for your family? I know Epiphany was the right choice because August was happy to go to school every single day. We are so fortunate to have experienced a seven-year streak of Epiphany sunshine!

What will you miss most? The frequent opportunities to interact with Epiphany faculty, staff, and families. But you can be sure to catch us at the next Carnival!

“The most important thing I learned is that it’s okay to be wrong sometimes because you learn from your mistakes, too.”

—August Gaultieri, ’23

Get to Know...

Kacy

Lebby, Outdoor Education Specialist

What drew you to this role?

This is such a unique position, and one you don’t see at most elementary schools! When I saw the job posting for an Outdoor Education specialist at Epiphany School, I was so excited because the role merges so many of my passions and prior experience. I’ve worked in a variety of youth development settings such as residential outdoor education programs, adventure programs, summer camps, and as a classroom teacher for six years. I really wanted to find a role where I could build meaningful connections with students, enrich their learning, and help them develop a deep connection to Seattle, their school community, and the natural world around them.

Outdoor education is an exciting addition to our curriculum! How will it enhance students’ learning and overall development?

My goal is to collaborate closely with classroom and specialist teachers, aligning our outdoor activities with the curriculum to create hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Outdoor ed offers students so many benefits! Connecting with nature can promote wellness and mindfulness. Through activities like gardening, they’ll learn about seasonal changes, patience, stillness, and calmness. Outdoor ed is also a chance for students to move their bodies differently and learn important life skills like teamwork and environmental stewardship.

Can you share some more examples of the types of outdoor adventures and projects our students can look forward to experiencing in your classes? How do you plan to make the most of our school’s natural surroundings?

Our students have some exciting adventures ahead! I’ll work with other teachers to develop field trips, neighborhood walks, and cross-curricular projects. Students will soon harvest vegetables and design a winter garden. We’ll also engage in orienteering, scavenger hunts, and recording seasonal changes. With our school’s natural surroundings, including Madrona Woods, Marilyn’s garden, the duck pond, Lake Washington, and many green belts, we have a wealth of diverse landscapes to explore.

Lasting Legacies

In this issue, we say goodbye and THANK YOU to three longtime Epiphany School teachers—Lise Wolken, Leslie Larkin, and Becky Melonson—who have helped shape our institution for the better over their combined 80 years of service. Through joyous and challenging times alike (hello, pandemic!), these women have been among Epiphany School’s guiding lights, never wavering in their dedication to our students and to their colleagues, epitomizing Epiphany’s core value of lifelong growth and learning. Forever part of our community, we wish them the very best as they move on to new adventures.

Profiles by Gemma Alexander

Becky Melonson: A Life of Learning

If you suspect an adult is an Epiphany School alum, Becky Melonson has a trick to find out: quote the opening line of “Polar Bear in the Frigidaire.” Even if they are well into middle age, Epiphany alumnae will recite the poem to the end, usually with choreography from a long-ago Epiphany show. For Becky, the days when students memorized poetry with former kindergarten teacher Candi Coe are precious memories.

Becky was a neighborhood mom to five kids when her son transferred to Epiphany as a sixth grader. She took on a part time job supporting the school librarian to help pay for his learning skills support—and the rest is history. She wore many hats over her 32 years at Epiphany School, from part-time library assistant to Friday PE teacher to curriculum support specialist to, most recently, kindergarten instructional assistant and leader of Epiphany’s service-learning committee. Over

the years, other family members joined her at Epiphany— her youngest son did half-day pre-k, and eventually her daughter taught there. Over the years, Becky was involved in nearly every aspect of school life.

“You wouldn’t think of an elementary school as a resource for knowledge, literature, the arts. But everybody had something they would share with others,” she says, crediting her coworkers with expanding her world view.

Her colleagues feel similarly about the gifts she brought to the school. Kindergarten teacher Sophia Sneep says, “Becky was technically my instructional assistant. But in reality, she was my mentor and took me under her wing with grace, humor, and compassion.”

Although Becky’s memories are full of joy, as a foster parent to special needs kids, she values Epiphany most for meeting every child’s needs. “The whole point of being there is for the children,” she says. “There have been a number of kids with different abilities over the years and we’ve always met their needs. I think that says a lot about who we are.”

For years, Becky’s children played in sports leagues with Epiphany students, so she got to see a lot of Epiphany kids grow up. “I’m just so proud of all the children. No matter what obstacles they had, they met them, persevered, and blossomed, confident in who they were,” says Becky. “My last few years at Epiphany, some of them came back with their own children. To see them as successful adults with their own families—I’m not talking about successful as far as money, but successful in terms of being a terrific person—that’s a real joy.”

Becky retired in summer 2022. Since then, she has kept herself busy with crafts, sewing, gardening, exploring her Beacon Hill neighborhood, and especially reading. Becky suffered devastating losses among her closest friends and immediate family during the past few years, and retirement has given her time to grieve. But she misses the camaraderie and community of school life. She is already making plans to start volunteering in her neighborhood school this year.

Lise Wolken: Magistra Forever

According to Lise Wolken, she grew up a lot in her 24 years as a teacher at Epiphany School. Lise started out as a middle and high-school Latin teacher. Then, during a stint as a stay-at-home mom, Epiphany invited her to teach Latin to their oldest students “very part-time.” Starting at three hours per week, she built Epiphany’s Latin program—a unique offering in Seattle, and still one of Lise’s proudest achievements.

In 2017 she transitioned from Latin specialist to fifth-grade teacher and her moniker, Magistra (which means “teacher” in Latin), remained, as did her greatest strengths as an educator. “Her genius is her ability to build rapport and trust with each student in a way that she can then support and challenge them to move forward,” says learning skills specialist Lindsay Sanders. “She knows

her students well and how to leverage their strengths and nurture their areas of growth.”

Anthony McGrann, Lise’s fifth-grade teaching partner, concurs. “Lise makes sure no student slips between the cracks. She follows through on every child, has high standards, and makes sure every child is successful.” That applies to her relationships with adults at Epiphany as well. “Lise is first and foremost a caretaker,” says Anthony. “Whether it’s her students,

colleagues, or family members, she steps in whenever she’s needed—and she doesn’t wait to be asked. Ask any of her colleagues: Even when Lise’s plate is full and she’s juggling a million things, she will find time to help you with whatever you need. Always.”

For Lise, teaching doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Over the years, Lise assisted with math and literacy in some grades and played piano for all the school shows and graduation. She remembers escorting fourth graders on late-night trips to the outhouse during overnights at Pioneer Farm and mountain climbing with fifth graders at NatureBridge. She also helped lead Epiphany School’s service-learning program, building long-term relationships with Treehouse and the Emergency Feeding Program. “Kids love to help,” says Lise, “and it’s a treat to see their joy as they learn what they can do and that they can make a difference even as an elementary-aged child.”

When Lise calls Epiphany “a family affair,” she doesn’t just mean the students. For years, her husband, Tom, took yearbook portraits of the entire fifth grade, and, for an

annual kindergarten show-and-tell session, he’d bring in Judith, a five-foot cast of a dinosaur skull he keeps in their house (photo at top right). Her colleagues feel like family, too. She credits her peers with teaching her how to establish a classroom culture you’d want to be part of, how to adjust her teaching methods for different learning styles, and for helping her understand the importance of “really knowing every student, not just by name,” she says.

She claims that’s easier to do at a school like Epiphany where she has known many of her students from birth because their older siblings were also in her class.

“I was young when I started there,” says Lise, on the cusp of her retirement. “Now I’m one of the old ones, but I still stand on the shoulders of the great teachers that have gone through Epiphany before. I learned everything from the people I worked with.”

The Performance of a Lifetime

Music and Performance Specialist Leslie Larkin made music class a highlight of elementary school for 23 years.

When Leslie Larkin was a student at the celebrated New York City high school from the movie “Fame,” she didn’t know that her most important audience would eventually be four- to eleven-year-olds. But for 23 years, she gave the performance of a lifetime as the music specialist at Epiphany School.

“I just absolutely fell in love with teaching,” says Leslie, who worked as a professional flutist before taking a job at Epiphany School in 2000. “I never loved anything as much as I loved teaching music.”

Inspired by Epiphany’s “culture of learning for their staff and faculty,” Leslie enrolled in a degree program focused on Arts Integration. Her studies inspired a new approach to music instruction at Epiphany School, as she worked closely with classroom teachers to connect the music curriculum to grade-level units and integrate multiple art forms into her lessons.

She took a student-centered approach to teaching, especially when helping each grade develop their annual performance. Even the youngest students got a voice in developing their grade’s show.

“We used their artwork and got their buy-in on the songs and poems so that it came from them instead of being teacher-directed,” says Leslie. This sense of agency and engagement results in more meaningful learning. For example, in the 2022-23 school year, third graders studied the creative culture of Canada’s Indigenous Métis people. For their winter show, they not only

performed Métis songs, dance, and stories on the stage, but also offered the audience interactive workshops, demonstrating weaving and teaching them how to sing and dance (see page 22 for more). Compared to a traditional recital, “it was an incredible whole-body, whole-brain learning experience,” Leslie says.

Her colleagues relished the chance to collaborate with Leslie, whose infectious laughter, collaborative spirit, and positive outlook greatly enriched the school. She served on the admissions and scheduling committees and eagerly took on numerous leadership roles, including serving as a new employee mentor and co-leading Epiphany School’s NWAIS school accreditation process in 2022-23. For four years, she co-taught pre-k music/library classes with librarian Jen Wilkinson. “Leslie is brilliant at adjusting lessons to meet the needs of students, both in advance and in the moment,” reflects Jen. “Her enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring. Her ideas are endless. It is not an exaggeration when I say [working with Leslie] has been some of my best professional development as an educator.”

Fourth-grade teacher David Bush, who worked with Leslie for 16 years, concurs. “Leslie is one of the most joyful, creative, student-centered, and caring teachers I have ever known. She works miracles with students and makes it look easy. She brings out of them something that makes the students look like musical geniuses. Leslie can take students without much experience and give them something musical to enjoy that will challenge them at their level and build up their confidence.”

In 2022, Leslie’s son, Henry, enrolled at Bridges Academy, a school for twice-exceptional students. She was intrigued by the possibilities for applying her integrated learning approach in that environment. This fall, Leslie became a fourth-grade teacher at Bridges. But as she says, “I’m only six minutes away! Epiphany has been like a home, and I will miss seeing everyone every day. I will try hard to keep in touch.”

Unlocking Opportunities Through the Annual Fund

By Lauren Smith, Director of Development

Each year, Epiphany School embarks on a journey to provide the best possible educational experience for our students. The destination is clear: a thriving and enriched learning environment that empowers young minds to reach their full potential.

The Annual Fund is a cornerstone of philanthropy at Epiphany School and critical to helping our school meet its mission of challenging and supporting every student, every day. It is a collective effort, involving families, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and the wider community, all coming together to support our school’s fundraising initiatives. The Annual Fund provides immediate and ongoing support for the day-to-day needs of our school.

Contributions are unrestricted, meaning they can be directed to the areas where they are needed most. This flexibility enables us to respond to the evolving needs of our students and faculty.

Most recently, the Annual Fund helped launch our new Outdoor Education program, helping connect students to the natural world while growing their environmental literacy (see page 32 for more). It funded new phonics and social-emotional learning curricula and the expansion of our music program to include drama and movement, so all students can find a way to express themselves creatively. It supported the significant expansion of our Extended Day program to meet the needs of more families, as

well as campus-wide security improvements and safety training for all staff. And as always it powered professional development opportunities so our faculty and staff remain at the forefront and our school can achieve its vision: to be the leader in Seattle elementary education.

We also believe in recognizing and celebrating the commitment of our donors. That’s why each year we host a series of special Leadership Donor Events for those who go above and beyond in their support of our annual fundraising initiatives. These events are designed to express our gratitude and provide a unique opportunity to connect with fellow donors and school leaders.

The Annual Fund and our Leadership Donor Events are

not just a fundraising initiative; they’re a powerful force that fuels our mission to provide an outstanding education to all our students. Your support, at any level, makes a meaningful difference. We hope you will join us this year in shaping the future of our students and our community by contributing to the Annual Fund. Together, we can unlock countless opportunities for young minds at Epiphany School.

Learn more about the Annual Fund and giving levels at epiphanyschool. org/annualfund or give now using the QR code at right.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

Staying in touch is easier than ever in today’s digital age. Whether it’s through our alumni network, social media platforms, or special events designed to bring our community together, the Epiphany School community extends beyond the physical boundaries of our campus. We invite all our families, past and present, to continue sharing their stories with us. By doing so, you’ll remain an integral part of the rich narrative that continues to unfold at Epiphany School.

Share your updates at epiphanyschool.org/ alumni-updates or use the QR code above.

Class Agents

To build and maintain even better connections with our alumni students and families, Epiphany School’s development team has hired Alanna Hamilton into a new position for the school: Annual Giving and Alumni Manager (read about Alanna on page 8).

As we increase our efforts to engage alumni, we would love your help! By becoming an agent for your graduating class, you can help get the word out to fellow alumni about important news and upcoming events. If you are interested in becoming a class agent, reach out to Alanna at ahamilton@ epiphanyschool.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

We have many opportunities for alumni or parents of alumni to stay involved through volunteering. Whether you’re an alumni high schooler in need of service hours or just looking for a way to give back to your former school community, we would be happy to connect you with available volunteer openings!

Like, Follow, Share

By following Epiphany School on our social channels, you can stay apprised of all the fun things going on at our school! Keep up to date on events and activities and reminisce on all the moments that were so special from your time at Epiphany.

Instagram: @epiphany_school

Facebook: @epiphanyseattle

Class of 2017 Reunion

SAVE THE DATE!

June 1, 2024

Every year we are excited to come together and celebrate former Epiphany School students as they graduate from high school! Make sure to save the date for this special occasion to connect with friends, family, and teachers from your time at Epiphany School.

The Class of 2017 at their fifth-grade NatureBridge experience.

Epiphany School

3611 East Denny Way Seattle, WA 98122

206-323-9011

office@epiphanyschool.org epiphanyschool.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Alumni and families of alumni! We love to stay in touch. If your contact information has changed, please update us at epiphanyschool.org/alumni-updates— or use the QR code!