Preschool Extended Day Staff, BA & MA English
Alicia Guinn has worked at Giddens School for five years as an Extended Day teacher and preschool assistant. She shares a passion for the values and vision of the Giddens community, and in the classroom she engages joyfully and authentically with kids to create supportive, nourishing relationships. She loves sharing her creative passions with young kids -- reading, writing, yoga, knitting, dancing, filmmaking and sewing.
Librarian, BA English, MA Curriculum and Instruction, Certified Teacher- Library Media and Language Arts
Audra has worked in education for twelve years, primarily as a teacher of secondary language arts. She became invested in early literacy through her work with teen parents and their young children, and is excited to begin her career as a teacher-librarian at Giddens! In her spare time, Audra loves to read (of course), cook, and take weekend trips with her family in their camper van.
Second & Third Grade, BS Early Childhood Education, Minor Anthropology, Certified Teacher
As an educator, Beth is inspired to work at a school where teachers can work creatively and children are invited to think deeply about issues that matter and to help them understand ideas from the inside out. Outside of school, Beth enjoys Bikram yoga, a wonderful practice to help re-energize and to clear the mind at the end of a busy school day.
Fourth & Fifth Grade, BA Environmental Science, Certified Teacher
Christy has spent the last four years working as a field scientist and teaching environmental education and science to students. She loves to explore and discover with the students at Giddens, and the opportunity to teach environmental education in relation to social justice and equity. When she's not working, she enjoys long hikes, playing with her dog, gardening, and experimenting in the kitchen.
Extended Day Staff, BA, MSc & DPhil Archaeology
Before joining Giddens in March 2010, Colleen trained as an archaeologist in Canada and the UK, and briefly taught university courses at Oregon State University. Colleen is excited about education at all levels, and is delighted to be a part of Giddens School, where she can connect with much younger students and inspire love of learning and critical thinking skills in children. She is continuously surprised by the inventiveness and creativity of the Giddens kids. Outside of school, Colleen also teaches online community college courses and enjoys cooking, knitting, gardening, and spending time with family and friends
Extended Day Staff, BA Government, JD Law
Dan joined Giddens for 2012's Summer Blast Camp and continues to have a blast as an Extended Day preschool teacher. Dan left the practice of law to join Giddens and has never been happier. The high energy of the kids, exuerbance of the staff and administration, community environment, and committment to diversity and social justice are just a few of the many reasons he calls Giddens home. In his free time, Dan enjoys staying active, watching sports (Go Zags!), road trips, cooking, eating, and spending time with his partner, John, friends and family.
Fourth & Fifth Grade, BA Music, Certified Teacher
Daniel has taught elementary school for the past several years, as well as piano, martial arts, and mountaineering. His favorite thing about Giddens so far is the enthusiasm, kindness, and curiosity of the children. He also loves the school's mission of social justice. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing basketball, and playing piano.
Pre-K Classroom Assistant, BA American Studies
Before joining Giddens School's community, Edith taught in public elementary schools in Santa Cruz, California. She takes great pride in being part of Giddens School's sincere, inclusive, and dynamic commitment to peace and social justice. Edith has a culinary arts education, and loves to cook with the children. She is awed by how Giddens students already know the connection between the earth, food, and their bodies at the preschool level. When Edith is not playing with four and five year olds- she likes to play with her dog, craft, cook, practice yoga, dance, and hike around Seattle.
Technology Coordinator & Webmaster, BA Gender Studies & Computer Science
Emma has a background as a computer science and technology educator for kids and adults alike. She was drawn to Giddens because of its mission, and is excited to have the opportunity to share technology with kids in a space that values equity and social responsibility. When not at school, Emma teaches classes for 3rd-5th graders at the Technology Access Foundation and plays lots of Scandinavian fiddle music.
Music Specialist, B.Mus. in Music Education, Certified Teacher
Julia received her degree and teaching license in Music Education from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!). Her primary instrument is voice and she has sung in various choirs and bands. Julia played djembe for Dance Africa, an African Dance group in Eugene, for many years and continues to play in the Seattle area. It is incredibly exciting for her to work at Giddens because the students are highly intuitive and creative - which makes them amazing musicians!
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Early Childhood Education Credits
Kari has more than twenty years of teaching experience. She believes Giddens is a community, not just a school; it sets the stage that invites all cultures, races, lifestyles and beliefs to come together, share their experiences and become lifelong learners. When not teaching, Kari works on her comedy routines, art and enjoys life with her family and friends.
Spanish Teacher, BA & MA: Education
Before coming to Seattle, Karina was a third grade teacher in Guatemala. She became a Classroom Assistant in one of Giddens School's Preschool classes until we began a Spanish program. Karina stepped into that role and now works with all of our students. Karina appreciates the diversity she’s found at Giddens as well as how the community nourishes and respects every child’s values and ideas while providing a high quality education.
Pre-K Classroom Assistant
Preschool Classroom Assistant
Kindergarten & First Grade, BA Elementary Education, Certified Teacher
Portia worked as an elementary school teacher in Guam for three years before moving to Seattle. She loves the school’s commitment to social justice and anti-bias and the collaboration and support that teachers offer each other. Giddens School is her family. Portia is a kid at heart! She’s the kind of person that will jump in a pile of leaves in the fall, sled down a hill using a cardboard box in the winter, climb a tree to pick a flower in the spring and build sandcastles in the beach during the summer.
Kindergarten & First Grade, BS Human Services, MA Elementary Education & Reading Specialist, Certified Teacher
Rachel has been working as a classroom teacher and reading coach for over ten years. She loves working at Giddens School because it is a community that inspires her to keep learning every day. A fun fact about Rachel is that she was a children's librarian and loves to read books written for kids!
Integrated Studies Specialist, BA Drama, MA Human Development, Certified Teacher
This is Reba's seventh year teaching at Giddens and her tenth year working as a teacher. Her focus on education came during her years as a co-op preschool parent where she learned about anti-bias and social justice curriculum, and served on the board. Giddens continues to inspire her to continue learn about, practice, and teach from a social justice perspective.
Instructional Coach, BA American Studies, MA Human Development, Certified Teacher
Regan has been an educator for over 25 years working as a classroom teacher, parent educator, and instructional coach. She enjoys being part of the Giddens teaching team and supporting the school’s creative and academically excellent instruction. When not busy parenting her own growing children, she helps families figure out how to choose a school for their child.
Preschool Teacher, AA Early Childhood Education
Samara has ten years of Early Childhood Education experience. She chose Giddens because of the school’s commitment to children: at Giddens children are encouraged to be who they are and to make a positive impact on their community. In her spare time she enjoys doing yoga and experimenting with vegan cooking.
Second and Third Grade, BA English, M.Ed
Sharon comes to Giddens by way of NYC, where she spent the last ten years as a first and second grade teacher, as well as a K-3 Reading Coach. She was drawn to Giddens because of its strong emphasis on social justice, community, and lifelong learning – and considers herself lucky to have landed in such a supportive environment. When not in the classroom, she enjoys running, eating, and exploring the great outdoors.
PE and Movement, BA Sociology & Liberal Studies
Shaun went to college and played basketball down the street from Giddens at Seattle University. Before starting at Giddens, Shaun worked at Seattle Children's hospital as a pediatric mental health specialist and at an elementary school in Portland, Oregon as a PE and Movement teacher. Shaun has a mind full of games and ways to get kids excited about being physically active. Shaun appreciates Giddens' commitment to diversity and thoroughly enjoys how creative and imaginative Giddens students are. In his spare time, Shaun enjoys coaching and playing basketball and spending time with his friends and family.
Kindergarten & First Grade, BS Psychology, M.Ed, Certified Teacher
Siri is new to Washington, having moved to Seattle in February of 2009. Previously she had been traveling in Peru, and getting her Master’s in Education in Santa Cruz, California. She was drawn to Giddens because she wants to continue teaching and learning in an environment that supports social justice and lifelong learning. In her spare time she loves to play soccer and explore Seattle.
Pre-Kindergarten, BA History
Steve has been teaching at Giddens School for over 16 years and has worked with a variety of ages ranging from pre-K to 5th grade. He has stayed at Giddens because of the mission of the school, the nurturing sense of community, and because it has provided the opportunity to work with a wealth of interesting and wonderful families. When not changing diapers and crawling on the floor with his baby daughter, he tries to find time to create paintings with acrylics, oils and wax.
Preschool, BA History
Steve has been teaching preschool for 17 years, 11 of them at Giddens. He works here because he believes the school to be a great place for children and families. He likes to spend time outdoors, camping, gardening, and biking.
Preschool Classroom Assistant
Taryn has been at Giddens since her senior year of high school, thirteen years ago. She came to Giddens because she loves children and wanted to learn how to teach. She stays because of the community, and especially the way that teachers and staff support each other and show their passion for teaching. Taryn now has a son who goes to Giddens too!
Preschool, AA Early Childhood Education, BA Religious Education
Zada has been working with young children for many years and is inspired by our growing community and our diversity and professionalism here at Giddens! She loves poems; loves writing them, and loves sharing them with her children, friends and fellow teachers.
