I attended Drew University in NJ and then moved to Seattle. After working in a day care for a year I knew that I wanted to work and teach children. So, I went to Western Washington University to obtain my certificate and have been teaching in Seattle for 19 years. Many of my years were spent as an Instructional Specialist helping students with reading and mathematics. Last year, I moved to first-grade and I love it!
Personal Message
I love teaching and working with Elementary students. I wake up every day excited and enthused to go to work. Honestly, there is nothing else that I would rather do.
I also enjoy playing the drums, swimming, and spending time with my family.
I am passionate about empowering children through culturally responsive educational opportunities, social emotional learning, personal connections, and challenging growth mindset. I am committed to advocacy and social justice work. I believe that children who are encouraged to discover and learn about issues that matter to them build the capacity for empathy, leadership, and self-awareness.
Personal Message
Background Information:
I have worked with children and families in various capacities for over 22 years and have taught at Wedgwood since 2012. Before joining the Wedgwood community, I worked in early childhood education through high school and college. Fun facts: I’ve also been a barista and a hotel concierge.
I feel so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of so many family’s lives over the years. Kids are complex, joyful, hilarious, interesting, kind, and sometimes frustrating humans. I love being around them and gain so much hope and strength from building connections with them.
Some of my favorite activities include spending time with friends and family, reading, making music playlists, going to Mariner's games, engaging in activism, spending time with my 2- year old niece, Mavis, floating on lakes, creating soup recipes, and sleeping.
If you talk to Donna for more than a few minutes, you can tell she began her teaching career on the East Coast -- over 30 years ago in Washington, D.C. She and her family moved to Seattle in 2001, and she has worked in many SPS programs over the past 15+ years. Donna currently supports students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) at Wedgwood, helping them to access general education, grade level curriculum.
When not in the classroom, Donna loves to spend time with her 3 adult children, to dig in her garden, and to wander the Wedgwood neighborhood.
I am excited to work together this year and to discover how to best support your Wedgwood Marmot!
