[Enter your text here]
The Perkins School is a candidate member of the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
9005 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
206-526-8217
Perkins School
Early Kindergarten - 5th Grade
The
Barry Wright
Head of School
Barry has been working in small independent schools in the Seattle area for almost two decades. He founded the fifth grade at The Valley School in Seattle in 1994. He taught and was the head of their upper grades for ten years. In 2004 he became director and successfully led the school until 2010. Barry is very excited about his new position at Perkins. He was drawn to the school because of its progressive, child-centered philosophy, caring and intimate community, and devoted staff. He believes that much of what defines quality education can be put in the context of inspiration. During his career, he has seen that when children have had a motivating and exemplary school experience, they are known not only for their academic preparedness but also for their self-confidence and love of school.
B.S., Biology, University of New Mexico, Teacher Certification Program, University of Washington. Other education: NAIS Institute for New Heads, Improving Schools, The Art of Leadership, Harvard Graduate School, PNAIS New Heads Institute. Published – Harpers, The Stranger, Nest Magazine, The Onion.
Rachelle Campf
Early Kindergarten/Kindergarten Core Teacher
As a teacher and progressive educator, Rachelle believes in John Dewey’s philosophy that “all genuine education comes about through experience.” She focuses much of her teaching on supporting young children’s interests and abilities, interweaving important social and academic skills that will prepare children to succeed in school, society, and life. Raised in Portland, Oregon, she spent 7 years teaching in New York City independent schools before returning to the Pacific Northwest. Outside of school, Rachelle enjoys photography, baking, scuba diving, and traveling the world.
B.A., Psychology, Whitman College; M.S., Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Bank Street College of Education
Larissa Leedom
First Grade Core Teacher & Learning Specialist
Larissa began working part time in the summer program before assuming the role of Extended Day Program Director. Larissa’s talents in arts and crafts have enabled her to lead innovative and engaging art classes for her extended day students. Larissa’s years of connecting with children have made her a compassionate and creative problem solver when children need help. After completing courses in physical education through Western Washington University, Larissa inspired students to participate in engaging fun activities in physical education classes. Larissa had a tremendously successful long-term substitution in Perkins’ first grade last year and completed her teacher training program at Western Washington University. A multitalented person, Larissa is adept in diverse tasks such as giving reading assessments, creating art displays, and carefully enriching social studies curriculum. Enthusiastic about all aspects of her profession, Larissa motivates both her students and teaching colleagues.
A.A., North Seattle Community College; BA K-8 Teaching Certificate & Special Education Endorsement, Western Washington University
Nancy King
Second/Third Grade Core Teacher/Curriculum Coordinator
Nancy has never, in over 30 years as an educator, lost her enthusiasm and excitement for teaching. She founded, and directed for 19 years, an independent school in Shoreline, Washington, but her heart lies in classroom teaching. She has taught single and multi-age groupings of every age from preschool through fifth grade in private schools in both Washington and Illinois. She also has extensive experience in curriculum development, writing for and directing children’s theatre, and leading workshops for educators.
B.S. of Ed., Elementary Ed/Children’s Theatre, Illinois State University; and Washington Teaching Credentials, K-12, University of Washington
Joe Tutch
Second/Third Grade Core Teacher
Joe is entering his 15th year as an educator, with a majority of those years being in the primary grades. He also has taught in many different types of schools ranging from Catholic to independent in places such as Tacoma, Aberdeen, Lynnwood, West Seattle, etc. All of the rich and diverse experiences from these schools have made him the teacher he is today. Joe believes in immersing his students in experiential types of learning so that his students can be fully involved in their learning process. Activating all senses through active and creative instruction is the best way to help an elementary school student grow. Joe is an avid cyclist, hiker, jogger, mountain biker, backpacker, and camper. He played and/or coached soccer, tennis, track & field, and football during his college years. He also is a HUGE Seahawks fan.
B.A., Elementary Education & M. Ed., Master Teacher, Central Washington University
Rebecca Peterson
Fourth/Fifth Grade Core Teacher
After teaching 7th, 8th, 9th, and 12th grade in the Kent and Issaquah School Districts, Rebecca decided to make a move to elementary school, and taught 3rd and 4th grade for three years in private school. Immediately, she realized that working with elementary students was where she really wanted to be. Their energy, enthusiasm, and excitement make each day an adventure in learning. Rebecca went back to school to earn her elementary certification, and is more confident and excited than ever to work with young students. She is especially excited to teach at The Perkins School, where she can work with upper-elementary students to guide them toward a lifetime of learning and service.
A.A., Arts & Sciences with an emphasis in English, Bellevue College; B.A., English, University of Washington; dual certification in Elementary Education and Secondary English, Seattle University
Colt Deese
Science Teacher/Instructional Assistant for Early K/Kindergarten
Colt was born in Portland, Oregon, and spent five years living and teaching in the Seattle area before joining the Perkins family in 2007. He has taught at several environmental education centers in the Pacific Northwest, including Tryon Creek State Park, Islandwood, and The Audubon Society of Portland and Seattle. His passion for creating a non-restrictive educational environment that encourages self-discovery, creative freedom and the opportunity to develop compassion for each other and the natural world are fundamental to his evolving teaching goals. In his spare time he enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, hiking, playing basketball, and coaching sports.
B.S., Social Science, Portland State University; M.Ed., University of Washington
Sara Akers
Extended Day Program (EDP) Director
Sara believes that all students should be actively engaged in a meaningful and enriching education in and outside of the classroom. For this reason, she is thrilled to be the Extended Day Program Director at Perkins. Born in Wenatchee, Sara has been an integral part of the City of Wenatchee Swimming Pool management team. After college, Sara moved to Seattle to pursue her passion working with children. In her spare time Sara enjoys swimming, running, baking, sewing and the sunshine. Sara's combination of enthusiasm and ambition is contagious. She looks forward to leading and expanding the Extended Day Program.
B.S., Elementary Education, University of Idaho
Jessie Carson
Physical Education Teacher
Jessie was born in Kalispell, MT. She moved to Seattle after college and worked at Seattle Academy of the Arts and Sciences for 6 years teaching Physical Education to 6th-12th graders and also coached volleyball, basketball and soccer at the middle school level. For several summers she returned home to Kalispell to work with Upward Bound, a college prep program for high school students. She left SAAS after the birth of her daughter and has spent the last two years as a stay-at-home mom. Jessie believes that healthy life styles and the love of being active all begins when we are young. She's always been passionate about participation in different athletic fields, healthy living and teaching people how to have fun while being active throughout their life.
BS Health and Human Performance, K-12 Physical Education Teaching Certificate-The University of Montana
Violy David
Art/Character Education/Drama Teacher
Violy brings a wealth of educational insight from teaching and dramatic arts experiences in the Philippines and remarkable volunteer experiences in the various military installations at which her husband has been stationed. She has taught at Perkins for over ten years. Her parenting skills to two wonderful sons have enhanced her teaching. Violy treats her students as an extension of her family.
B.S.E., Drama, Manila, Philippines
Alice Sandahl
Music Teacher
With her love for culture and world exploration, Alice is passionate about the richness that comes in our abilities to explore and communicate through music and movement. She is a firm believer in the power and importance of musical expression and its abilities to help children learn more about themselves and the world around them. When she is not teaching, Alice spends her time in local Seattle bands, singing jazz, crafting, and playing outdoors.
B.A., French, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; Certified in Orff Music Level 1, DePaul University School of Music
Claire Zaslove
French Teacher
Claire is entering her 10th year as a Perkins parent, and has taught many age levels up through community college. She is excited to be a part of the French program, which originally drew her family to Perkins. Born in Canada, her professional background is in theater. Claire looks forward to using dialogue and drama to help students become expressive and confident, and to have fun with French.
MFA, Directing for Theatre, University of British Columbia; B.A. English and Theatre Studies, Yale University
Meet The Staff
Jackie Kelly
Administrative Assistant
Jackie grew up in Seattle in the Ravenna neighborhood. She's been with Perkins 11 years, and is the school's 'go to' person. She's raised two children, loves children and animals, enjoys gourmet cooking and reading in her spare time.
Angie Gianelli
Admissions Director & Business Manager
Angie's been at Perkins for 3 years, having been a bank auditor and operations manager for many years. In more recent years she's enjoyed managing a small business, coordinating math competitions, and raising two sons with her husband.
