Biography

I am from Whidbey Island, WA and have lived in Seattle since college. I love the Pacific Northwest and being active in the outdoors. A few activities I enjoy are volleyball, hiking, camping, paddle boarding, sailing, and snowboarding.

Personal Message

I have been teaching Physical Education at Wedgwood Elementary for 15 years.  I love teaching Kindergarten through 5th grade students about the importance of personal health and fitness.  Throughout the school year we work on cooperative activities and games, individual fitness, and movement and sports skills.  There is an emphasis on team-building, cooperation, and sportsmanship.  I love seeing our Wedgwood students be active, work collaboratively, and have fun together in PE class.  Go Marmots!

I have been working for the Seattle Public Schools since 1995. I started out subbing as a special education assistant, and worked for two years at Gatzert Elementary as a special education assistant in the blended kindergarten classroom. Since then I have worked as a reading teacher at BF Day Elementary and for the past 16+ (has it really been that long?) years at Wedgwood Elementary. At Wedgwood I have been the reading specialist and I have taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.

Things I Love About Teaching 5th Grade:

Teaching writing - I have had so many talented and creative writers in my classes over the years and I love to read the amazing stories, poems and essays that students write.

Social Justice - 5th graders are committed to social justice and ready to be activists.

Questioning - 5th graders ask great questions.

Feedback - 5th graders aren't afraid to give me feedback that makes me a better teacher.

Books - So many wonderful books to read and discuss!

Kids - 5th graders are awesome!

Things I Love Outside of School:

Reading, Gardening, Baking Tarts (They're my specialty), Hiking, Snowboarding (I snowboard like a grandma, but I still love getting outside in the Winter and enjoying the snow)

Biography

Passionate about connecting books with kids, teachers and families. Actively engaged in supporting students, teachers and families with technology tools.

Personal Message

Schoology Course (4th Grade): https://app.schoology.com/course/2873573701/materials

Schoology Course (5th Grade)

Kristi Leland joined the amazing staff at Wedgwood Elementary during the 2015-2016 school year.  Prior to coming to Wedgwood, she has taught every grade K-6 in the Lake Stevens, Issaquah and Seattle Public Schools.  As a long time resident of the Wedgwood neighborhood, becoming the librarian at Wedgwood Elementary felt like a dream come true.

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kristi earned her Bachelor's in Sociology at the University of Washington.  Deciding that education was where her heart lay, she then pursued her graduate studies at Pacific Lutheran University and eventually her Masters in Administration at Western Washington University. It was while taking some time to stay home with her young children that she realized that connecting books with kids was her passion. This led her to earning her library endorsement through Seattle Pacific University in 2015.

When her nose is not in a book, Kristi enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids, experimenting in the kitchen, traveling to warm weather locations, and trying out the latest exercise craze.

You can follow her reading suggestions on Instagram @ReadingMarmots or email her any time for book recommendations or tech questions.

Visit my Library page

Heather Lucas joined the amazing Wedgwood staff 17 years ago. She has enjoyed teaching 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades in Seattle. Prior to coming to Wedgwood Elementary, she taught 4th grade in California for 5 years.

Raised in Edmonds, Heather earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Washington State University (GO COUGS!). A few years later, she received her Master's degree in Reading Education from California State University Fullerton.

Heather lives with her husband and 2 daughters, Audrey & Brooke. They are a sports crazy family and enjoy playing soccer, basketball, and softball. In her free time, Heather enjoys relaxing with her 3 cats, gardening, cooking, and reading historical fiction books.