My name is Kelly and I am a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Graham Hill Elementary. I am ecstatic to be a Blue Whale this year! This is my second year with Seattle Public Schools and my first year at Graham Hill. My passions include play-based therapy, social groups, and empowering early language learners to use their voice. I was born and raised in New Jersey, where I worked for a small SPED school district for three years. Here in Seattle, I love to hike, watch the Mariners, try new food, and walk my dog, Theo. I am excited for a fun year ahead!
I’m so happy to join the Graham Hill Blue Whales this year! I have loved meeting all the amazing adults and students here. What a great place to learn together! I am a literacy coach this year. Before this, I was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Olympic Hills Elementary.
I love to spend time outside - hiking, swimming, and backpacking. I enjoy cooking and eating with my family and friends. I live with my husband (Jason), dog (Agnes), and two cats (Fitz and Bruno).
My name is Anh Le, I am working with a very special group of students. Most of my students speak more than one language at home. I am so proud to work with the Graham Hill Community where we put students first and value their culture. This is my 10th year at Graham Hill Elementary.
I was born in Vietnam and escaped by boat when I was twelve years old. As a multilingual learner I struggled to learn English. I am dedicating my time to help the multilingual learners at Graham Hill to learn and grow with positive experiences.
I live in Renton. After school I walk with my dog around our neighborhood. I love traveling and eating many different kinds of ethnic foods.
I can't believe it but this is my 19th year teaching at Graham Hill. Actually, I have been part of the Graham Hill community for 20 years. My three children attended GH and one of them was here before I joined the team. My wife use to work as a tutor and so there were a few years when the whole family was here. We even moved closer to school just because the vibe was so good and Am so honored to teach here. How close? That is a mystery for you to figure out. I enjoy cycling, hiking, college basketball and football, and going on long driving trips.
This is my 4th year teaching at Graham Hill Elementary! Before that, I was teaching nutrition and physical activity lessons and coordinating community events as an AmeriCorps member. Graham Hill prioritizes relationships with families, staff, and students. And I will spend this year doing the same! I want to make sure every student feels heard and seen this year, whether that's in the read aloud books we listen to in class, or story problems in math. Outside of teaching, I enjoy running, reading, and hanging out with my cat, Suma!
I am excited to start my 4th school year as a Blue Whale!
This proud Iowan currently lives in Beacon Hill with my cat and partner. I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and trying to keep plants alive.
Before Graham Hill, I worked at a K-12 school in St. Paul, MN for 5 years and was also a sub with the Ramsey County Libraries (MN) and Seattle Public Libraries.
You can regularly find me at Seward Park, either reading by the water or making pottery on the throwing wheel at the clay studio.
This is my 7th year at Graham Hill & my favorite thing about our community is we ALWAYS put kids first. I taught outdoors for 4 years & incorporate questioning & exploration in science. Teaching math is a passion because I struggled as a kid. I am intentional in scaffolding content & I support ALL students in small groups, to reteach content or push them to the next level. After school you can find me reading historical fiction or cooking for my family.
I have been married to my awesome partner Ron for 35 years; and have two amazing adult sons - Ben and Clayton. Both my kids attended Graham Hill Elementary. I also have two fabulous cats - Russell and Sherman. Prior to teaching, I worked for a non-profit organization serving young people who were homeless. I love teaching! Each day I learn something new from my students. It’s a privilege to work at a school that’s embedded in the neighborhood I live in. I look forward to running into you at Safeway or bumping into you as I walk around Seward Park. I firmly believe that the work of education is a partnership that teachers and families engage in together.
Hello! My name is Deanna Sanekane and I am so excited to be joining the Graham Hill team! I am a first-year school psychologist and I am passionate about social-emotional learning and supporting students through multi-tiered systems of support.
I was born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii and moved to Seattle in 2015. In my spare time, you can usually find me baking, going on walks, or at a coffee shop!
Smock, Kirsten
Special Education Instructional Assistant (Distinct)
Hi! My name is Maddy Stephenson. The students call me Maddy. I am the new PE teacher here at Graham Hill, and I am so excited to be here! This is my fourth year as a teacher, and I previously taught at Olympic Hills Elementary School and Thornton Creek Elementary School, both in Northeast Seattle. I am originally from Northern California and I went to UC Davis for college. I also used to live in Busan, South Korea where I was an English teacher for several years. In my free time, I enjoy reading, swimming, riding my bike, hiking, going to Seattle Storm games, and hanging out with my 2 cats! I am so excited to get to know you and to be your PE teacher!