Faculty and Staff
Administration
 | George Edwards Head of School George’s 30-year career in education has included being the head of five schools. George’s educational philosophy is centered on building strong relationships within the school community and inspiring the students to always: “work hard and be nice.” George and his wife have four children and seven grandchildren. He spends his time reading, hiking and trying to learn to play golf. He received his B.A. in History from Harding College and his M.A. from Southern Methodist University. |
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 | Jessi Christiansen Assistant Head of School Jessi is an experienced classroom teacher and school administrator who serves as the Assistant Head of School. Jessi brings her years of experience to her job, which centers on faculty enrichment, working with parents and curriculum development. Jessi grew up in Germany and loves to hike and ski. She has a love of music, whether it’s playing her guitar or listening to opera. In fact she began her academic career as an opera major at Gettysburg College and received her Masters degree in Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. |
 | Anne Sarewitz Director of Admission and Financial Aid At one time or the other Anne has done almost every job there is to do at Epiphany School. She is a former parent, officer of the EPA, Board of Trustee member and Chair of the Board. She is now the School’s Director of Admission and Financial Aid and uses her great knowledge of the school community to attract wonderful new families to Epiphany School. Additionally, she acts as an advisor in the middle school outplacement process. When she is not at school Anne spends a great deal of her boundless energy raising her three daughters, playing tennis and being involved in a variety of civic and community activities. She is a graduate of Washington State University. |
 | Sally Amey Business Manager Every good school has someone who can do almost anything and at Epiphany it’s Sally Amey. For over 20 years, she has served as Business Manager at the school where she is responsible for all financial operations. Sally enjoys traveling; reading and the joy of seeing her grandchildren grow up. |
 | Jane Stonecipher Chief Financial Officer Jane joined Epiphany in July 2007 as the School's first C.F.O. With a background in finance and marketing, she will focus on long-range financial planning for the School. Jane has degrees from the University of Alabama and the Harvard Business School. She enjoys Camano Island beachcombing, Crimson Tide football, good books and playing soccer mom for her two daughters. |
 | Bethany Furubayashi Director of Development Bethany brings over ten years of development experience in Seattle's independent schools, having served as a classroom volunteer, Board Chairperson, Auction Consultant, and most recently, Annual Giving Manager. Bethany especially enjoys working with volunteers; she is a big believer in bringing different perspectives to the table in order to work together towards a common goal. Bethany's free time is spent with her husband and two teenage children, taking full advantage of all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Bethany holds a B.A. in both Mathematics and Computer Science from Indiana University. |
 | Jim Monnerjahn Director of Facilities Jim has had a lengthy career in the construction and maintenance field. Over the past two decades, Jim has been involved in all facets of construction and maintenance, including owning his own commercial remodeling business in New Orleans. After moving to Seattle in 1989, Jim worked over 18 years as National Facilities Director for Shurgard Self-Storage. Jim was responsible for maintaining and improving over 125 million square feet of storage buildings, as well as managing a national staff of 45 maintenance professionals. His attention to detail and commitment to quality makes Jim a perfect partner for Epiphany School's growth and sustainability. |
 | Bridget Dolan Office Manager Bridget comes to Epiphany School with a diverse background, including environmental and outdoor education, teaching experience with AmeriCorps*NCCC, and experience as an office assistant. Bridget is an alumna of Gannon University. She loves soccer, and in her spare time coaches a girls' youth team, in addition to playing on several adult recreation teams. |
 | Becky Melonson Registrar Becky wears many hats at Epiphany. She serves as the School's Registrar, assists with the Kindergarten program, helps supervises recess and wears a variety of hats that contribute to the life of the School. Becky has been at Epiphany School since 1990 and brings a vast amount of knowledge about Epiphany School's history. |
 | Chris Potts Development Coordinator After a career in Sales and Management, Chris is thrilled to join the Epiphany School Development Office. She will be heading up the 50th Anniversary Celebration. as well as many other things. Chris has a B.A. from University of Virginia, and a graduate certificate in Business and Communications from the University of Southern California. When not running around after her Epiphany first grader, Kathryn, Chris enjoys the outdoors, participating in triathlons, hiking, and horseback riding. |
Classroom Teachers
 | Jenny Cummins Pre-Kindergarten Teacher The Epiphany Pre-Kindergarten is a small place where the universe revolves around an inspiring adult: Jenny Cummins. Jenny has been teaching Epiphany students since 1989 and holds two masters degrees in education from the University of Virginia. She has three children, one who graduated from Epiphany. She enjoys watching the Mariners, reading and continuing to perfect the Pre-K curriculum. |
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 | Nikki Van Nimwegen Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Nikki has taught young children for just under a decade including several years as a head Kindergarten teacher at Trinity School in Manhattan. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University, and holds a Masters degree from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Fluent in Spanish, Nikki's hobbies center primarily around her young daughter Margo and enjoying city life with her husband, a Seattle native. |
 | Candace Coe Kindergarten Teacher “Candi” loves Kindergartners, the outdoors, traveling, and opera. Candi has molded Epiphany Kindergarten students since 1981. Our Kindergarteners not only know their academic basics but also understand the importance of having good manners and friendships. Candi combines a variety of teaching strategies from reading to her class, teaching them to save nature, and listening to her favorite operas. |
 | Denise Dyette Kindergarten Teacher Denise has enjoyed teaching Kindergartners since 1995. What she loves about Epiphany School is the feeling of community. In class, her students are encouraged to take thoughtful risks, celebrate mistakes, and invite each other to the "peace bench" in order to resolve conflict. She is a graduate of the University of California and has served three years as an educator and Program Coordinator in Peace Corps, Paraguay. She is currently working toward her Masters Degree in Education at Seattle University, and in her spare time enjoys reading, making scrapbooks and spending time with her family. |
 | Lee Badovinus First Grade Teacher “Ms. B” has been teaching First Grade at Epiphany for over a decade. She received her B.A. in English and Elementary Education from the University of Washington and an advanced Montessori certificate from the University of Puget Sound. Her classroom is always a place where children can enjoy learning, speaking their minds, and constant, positive reinforcement. Lee’s varied interests include interior design, travel and the adventures of her two grown children. |
 | Megan McGrath First Grade Teacher A Seattle native, Megan earned her B.A. in Drama from the University of Washington and her teaching certificate from City University. She has continued her education through Seattle Pacific University, Antioch, and University of Puget Sound. In a teaching career that spans over two decades, Meg has worked with children from the ages of one to fourteen in a variety of educational settings and says, "I thoroughly enjoy kids." Meg, a Ballard resident, loves to walk, swim, read, travel, sing, and dance. |
 | Anthony McGrann Second Grade Teacher Anthony has been teaching for more than ten years and brings those skills to the Second Grade. He holds a B.S. and a B.Ed degree from the University of British Columbia and has a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle University. He is a firm believer in making his students independent learners who gain confidence in their social, emotional, and academic development. Anthony stresses the use of different learning styles in his classroom and maintains wide-ranging interests in art and music outside of Epiphany. He is currently serving on the Program Advisory Board for the Curriculum and Instruction program at Seattle University. |
 | Dina Pigott Second Grade Teacher Dina brings great enthusiasm and energy to the classroom. She is a graduate of Hamilton College and recently completed the Professional Certification Program at Seattle University. Dina is currently working on her Masters in Curriculum Design and Instruction. Following her role as the school's librarian, Dina enjoys the close relationships she develops with her second graders and looks forward to exploring a variety of areas of the curriculum with her class. Outside of school Dina enjoys spending time with her family and reading books of all genres. |
 | Mark Shone Third Grade Teacher After graduating from Harvard University with a focus on political philosophy and Russian studies, he spent five years in the business and investment banking worlds before making a career commitment to education. Mark first taught in the New York City public school system, at which time he also did curriculum development and college-level teaching, and then served as a director for Sylvan Learning Center here in Seattle. Mark enjoys playing rugby, but in the interest of health and safety, he may soon be returning to his prior love of sailing and horseback riding. |
 | Amanda Pierce Third Grade Teacher Amanda is thrilled to be joining the Epiphany School community after returning to Seattle in 2005. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Music Education, she attended Boston College where she received her Masters degree. She began her teaching career in Marin County, California where she gained a wealth of experience as an educator and administrator. Amanda loves singing with her Seattle ProMusica family, is an avid marathon runner, and finds the laughter of children to be the sunshine she needs on a grey Seattle day. When she's not teaching, she can be found exploring the great Northwest with her spouse Denise and their lab, Ben. |
 | Sally Stafford Fourth Grade Teacher Sally has been teaching Fourth Grade at Epiphany since 1988. Her students thrive in a very interactive classroom, where they are expected to state their opinions, take risks and stay organized. She has a B.A. from the University of Washington, a M.A. from Leslie College and has taken a variety of courses at UCLA, SPU and California State. Sally’s two grown daughters are both Epiphany graduates. |
 | David Bush Fourth Grade Teacher David comes to Epiphany School with twenty years of experience as a professional educator. He graduated from California State University with his degree in social work and a teaching credential. David brings a diverse background of experiences with him from public school instruction, specializing in gifted education, working with diverse culture and language groups, teaching and living overseas in China to most recently being a guest teacher at Bush School. David is a strong believer in experiential learning, high standards in the classroom, nurturing close relationships with students and parents and promoting optimal child development through music, art and physical fitness. David is a marathon runner, a volunteer for Big Brother/Big Sisters and a worldwide traveler. |
 | Celia Russo Fifth Grade Teacher A graduate of Brown University with a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University, Celia taught for seven years at the Pacific Science Center where she held many roles, including curriculum writer, outreach performer, and community education supervisor. Celia also taught third grade in the Seattle Public Schools. She believes that both science and math provide tremendous opportunities to engage a child's natural curiosity and individual learning style. An avid reader and hiker, Celia also enjoys working with her husband, David, who is a filmmaker |
Subject Specialists
 | Julie Archer Upper Grade Math and Technology Specialist Julie is thrilled to be back at Epiphany School as the School's first full-time Math and Technology teacher. After graduating with honors from the University of Manitoba, with her BEd, she taught for over a decade in elementary and middle school classrooms in Winnipeg, the Seattle Public Schools, and Bush School. In her free time, and with her educational knowledge as the foundation, Julie and her husband Karl co-founded their own game company that has developed multiple award-winning games emphasizing divergent thinking and teamwork. Most of all, Julie loves spending time with her young daughter, Grace. |
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 | Alan Barta Pre-Kindergarten Assistant |
 | Davis Bell Science Teacher Davis brings over twelve years of both public and independent school teaching experience to his position of Epiphany's Science Teacher. He has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and has taught in Japan, China, El Salvador, Poland, and Mexico as well as the United States. Davis received his B.A. from Rhodes College and a M.I.T. from Seattle University. His wife Stacey Archibald is also a teacher, and remains at home for the full-time responsibility of caring for their two young children. Davis enjoys time with his family, gardening, backpacking, skiing and cycling. |
 | Tina Bell Physical Education Teacher Tina is very excited about her recent relocation to Seattle and becoming a member of the Epiphany School community. She is very dedicated to teaching children the importance of a healthy lifestyle, good sportsmanship, and teamwork. She received her B.S. in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education from Missouri State University and has her masters in Curriculum Design and Instruction. Tina has brought with her twelve years of teaching experience to a variety of age levels while in Missouri. Her free time is spent enjoying a variety of outdoor physical activities and she is looking forward to this upcoming year. |
 | Autumn Bock Lifetime Fitness Teacher Autumn holds a teaching credential in physical education and has taught elementary PE for several years at Marin Primary and Middle School in Larkspur, CA. Autumn has a B.S. in Health Education from Idaho State University and obtained her teaching credential at California State University, Fresno. Besides raising their son Samuel, Autumn and her husband enjoy a variety of activities such as the outdoors, and fitness. |
 | Barbara Buchman Art Teacher When you visit our campus one of the first things that you will notice is all the student art work on display. The art curriculum provides opportunities for the children to study and express their ideas in the elements (line, shape, space, pattern, color, texture) and principles (unity, harmony, balance, rhythm, contrast, emphasis) of art. She is an accomplished artist in her own right with a B.F.A. from Youngstown State University and an M.F.A. from the University of Washington. Barbara coordinates Epiphany's Poetry Pageant, Spring Musical, Fundraiser Art and the Visiting Artist Program. |
 | Marilyn Henry Lower School Math Specialist Not only does Marilyn grow almost everything in her garden, she uses the harvests to teach her students. Her garden, only two blocks from school, has become an outdoor classroom. Marilyn teaches math to our Kindergarten to Second grade students, and holds a B.A. from the University of Washington. She has been teaching at Epiphany since 1986. |
 | Leslie Larkin Music Teacher |
 | Chaya Keefe French Teacher Foreign languages seem to come naturally for Chaya. Not only is she fluent in French and Kannada (an Indian language), she has also studied Italian, and is working on her Portuguese. In the classroom, Chaya strives to create a safe environment where her students can explore cultures and perspectives that may differ from their own. She earned her Masters degree from Antioch in 1996, and has a broad range of educational experiences. When she’s not speaking French at Epiphany, she enjoys reading, cooking, and keeping up with her two young children. |
 | Susan Mackay Librarian |
 | Lise
Wolken Latin Teacher |
Learning Skills
 | Teri Barnett Director of Learning Skills and Testing Teri is the Head of Epiphany’s Learning Skills Program and Director of Testing. She has been teaching at Epiphany since 1989 and has two children attend our school. Teri received a B.A. from Colgate University and her M.A. from the University of Washington. Her roles as teacher, learning specialist, and parent have confirmed her belief that children thrive in a close community of fellow learners and caring adults. When not teaching, Teri and her family enjoy reading, soccer games, skiing and travel. |
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 | Logan Favia Learning Specialist A native of New York, Logan has enjoyed working with students of all ages in one-on-one and small group settings for several years. Logan earned her B.S. in Biology with a Minor in French from Dennison University, where she on the Dean's List and a member of the Women's Diving team. Outside of school, Logan is passionate about yoga and enjoys spending time at the local farmers' markets, cooking and baking with her friends. |
 | Judith Hewitt Learning Specialist Judy possesses extensive experience as a learning specialist in both the public and the private sectors. In her long association with the Edmonds School District, she held a variety of positions including staff development and special education. Currently, she operates a private tutoring practice and specializes in assisting individuals who have learning disabilities and AD/HD. Judy is a graduate of Cornell College and has a Masters degree from the University of Oregon and a Masters degree in Special Education from Seattle Pacific University. |
 | Lindsay Schwartz Learning Specialist After growing up in Baltimore and earning her B.A. and M.A.Ed from Washington University in St. Louis, Lindsay moved to Seattle and loves it here. Lindsay has both classroom teaching and one-on-one tutoring experience. Along with her enthusiasm for teaching reading, Lindsay enjoys swimming, playing kickball and spending time outdoors. |
