University Tutors |

Christal Lee

Tutor Board Representative

As the 2020-21 tutor board representative, Christal will bring her knowledge and experiences from the classroom to the boardroom and will serve as an integral member of the Program Committee.

Han Kim

Han comes to the board with extensive experience in banking and finance. He is currently the Senior Vice President at Harvest and also a managing partner at Pogoda Investments. Han has two daughters, a SPS graduate and current high school senior

Corey Little

Development Coordinator,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound

Corey is an avid supporter of services/programs that level the playing field for all students accessing an equitable environment for learning. As someone who has favored non-traditional education, Corey seeks to empower students and educators with the right tools to ensure the best learning experience possible. Corey is a Madison, Wisconsin native and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community & Non-profit Leadership from the University of Wisconsin. Currently, he serves as the Development & Events Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound serving King, Pierce, and Kitsap Counties. Away from work, Corey enjoys hiking, camping, and home projects.

Carol Jahn

451 NE Thornton Place
Seattle, WA
98125

carolejahnboone@gmail.com

Not sure what kind of Bio you need. Here are 2 possibilities.

This will be my 6th year of tutoring at John Muir Elementary. I started tutoring at my son’s schools, then kept on since I found it so rewarding, even and especially with the challenges students can have. I love working in kindergarten, doing everything I can to help my teacher keep them interested, encouraged, happy, and growing.

I’m a widow with a college graduate working son. He has a disability, so I spent his early school years learning along with him how to overcome and succeed. We were very grateful for Seattle Public School programs, teachers, support staff. I started tutoring along with volunteering, and just kept on since I found it so rewarding.
This is my 6th year at John Muir.

Jenna Shames

Jenna Shames has been working with kids for over 10 years. She loves helping kids find a way to connect what they love with education. She was born and raised in the Seattle area and is passionate about being an advocate for anti-racism and equity.

Lena Snyder

Lena graduated from the University of Washington In June 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. She has been a UTSS tutor at Northgate Elementary since 2018.

Tricia Villanueva

Tricia graduated from the University of Washington in December 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology. She has been a UTSS tutor at Northgate Elementary since 2019.

Tetiana Vozniuk

I am Tetiana Vozniuk, a senior at the University of Washington studying Education. I have previously worked tutoring first graders, however, once graduated I plan to teach high school ESL. I am into all PNW things, such as hiking, kayaking, coffee, etc. I am looking forward to this school year!

Amy

Amy recently moved back to the Seattle area from Tennessee. She has a background in ESL teaching and international program management at local colleges and higher education institutions. She holds a Master and Doctor of Education and is seeking her K-6 endorsement through University of West Florida’s Teacher Ready program.

Zabia Colovos

I am very happy to be joining Mercer International Middle School as a tutor! I have been tutoring since I was in high school. I love it, and find it very rewarding. Outside of tutoring, I love to sing, read, walk, bike, and spend time with my daughter.

David Wishnick

David Wishnick is from Skokie, IL and graduated from Madison, Wisconsin with a B.S in Chemical Engineering and moved to Seattle, WA in 2005. Since then, he earned his MBA form Seattle University. He has been tutoring with UTSS at Chief Stealth International H.S since 2006 and lives in Beacon Hill.

Straton Spyropoulos

I am very happy to be joining Mercer International Middle School as a tutor! I have been tutoring since I was in high school. I love it, and find it very rewarding. Outside of tutoring, I love to sing, read, walk, bike, and spend time with my daughter.

Serena Swegle

Serena Swegle has worked for UTSS for two years at both Pathfinder K-8 and Chief Sealth International High School. Prior to working for UTSS, she was an IA at Seattle World School. She graduated from the U.W. in finance and accounting and has worked as an auditor, a financial analyst, a stock researcher, an investment banker and an SEC staff member. She has two kids of her own and is very passionate about education, especially about making great math education accessible to more students. To this end, she recently self-published her first book, Calculus for Middle Schoolers, which puts this subject into a format that young students can engage with and even enjoy.

Sarah Zavaleta

Sarah grew up in Mount Vernon, WA with her parents and two younger sisters. She attended Pacific Lutheran University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, minoring in Hispanic Studies and Business Administration. Her passion for helping others through effective and transparent public administration led her to the UW Evans School where she received her MPA, specializing in analysis and evaluation. When Sarah is not working, she can usually be found drinking coffee and spending quality time with her husband and spoiling her two fur babies, Guapo and Bella.

Richard West

Richard West is from Fort Worth, Texas, and studied Linguistics and related topics at Grinnell College and Ohio University. He taught English in Thailand for a while, then he moved back to the US to teach ESL around Ohio and then Seattle. He lives in Seattle with his family and enjoys music, sports, games, and reading.

Peter Wu

Peter Wu has been teaching and tutoring middle school math for the past three years. He has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Education, and loves math, technology, and music.

Ngan Dang

This is Ngan Dang and she recently graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.S. Physiology degree. She worked as a UTSS math tutor when she was a Freshman and is back again after 4 years because she enjoys working with students as they engage in the learning process!

Nancy Renn

A.A degree in early childhood education; B.S. degree in psychology. Lead teacher church preschool. UW Psychiatry Dept., administrator. Mother. Twelve years as reading tutor in Seattle Public Schools. Mr. Ogata classroom assistant, John Muir Elementary School (2017-2018).

Christal Lee

Christal Lee is very excited to be working with students again after a hiatus from teaching mostly science and a little math for 8 years in Federal Way Public Schools. A life-long Seattleite and graduate of Seattle Public Schools herself, Christal’s Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is from the University of Washington. After a couple years discovering her passion was for teaching and not researching, she left a chemistry Ph.D. program at Penn State to get a Master’s in Teaching from Seattle University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and finds it endlessly rewarding to learn from students and to help students learn about both the world around them and themselves as individuals. When not in the classroom, Christal enjoys baking, hiking, playing board games, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and doing science with her elementary aged cousins.

Jessica Lohafer

Jessica Lohafer received her MFA in poetry from Western Washington University. From 2008 to 2011, she worked as the Program Director and Teaching Artist for Poetry in Public Education, bringing poetry to K-12 classrooms throughout Whatcom County. She lives in Bellingham with her family, and loves podcasting, reading, and writing.

Jacey Herman

I graduated from the University of Washington in 2019 with a Bachelors in Sociology. This is my 3rd year in the Seattle School District. I have worked at John Muir and Madrona Elementary schools in tutoring and afterschool care roles, respectively. I love Legos, Disney, and cooking!

Felicia Strange

For the past ten years I have worked with students in Seattle Public School, grades K-2, to help them develop strong reading skills in addition to what they are learning in class. I remember struggling with reading in the early grades and getting intervention myself, so now I try to help students have a positive experience around reading as I believe this is much of the battle in overcoming early setbacks.

Devlin Dinish

Seattle, WA central district native. Graduate from the Academy of Art University has done work with youth for over 6 years from Art programs to community outreach programs. Now at Ingraham he is Student Success Coordinator and also advocates for black and brown youth.

Danuta Sztuka

Danuta is a pre-service school counselor in Seattle Pacific University’s Master of Education Program. As a mom to two teens, she has seen the difference that can be made in the lives of children by effective educators and she is excited to be a part of that support system.

Brenda Walker

After working as an electrician for 25 years, Brenda decided to give back to the community by volunteering to assist teachers and run the Global Reading Challenge at John Muir Elementary School. Two years later Brenda was hired as a reading tutor. Today Brenda co-teaches 4th grade at John Muir.

Becky Nicholas

My name is Becky Nicholas. This is my third year with UTSS. I love being a reading tutor at John Muir! I have lived in Washington my whole life, and in Seattle for 20 years. Before joining the UTSS team, I taught pre-school and worked in childcare for 25 years. I have two kids, a 7th grader at Mercer and a Senior at Franklin. I love reading, spending time with my family, being outdoors, hiking, gardening, and walking or running with my dog.

Basha H. Nachman

Basha is a recent graduate of Goucher College with a B.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a double minor in Professional Writing and Dance. She grew up in Seattle and as a former SPS student is excited to collaborate with students to help them achieve their full potential. In her free time, Basha loves to dance, cook, walk along Lake Washington, and soak up the sun.

Barry Dorsey

I am a retired Elementary School Principal who substitutes in Seattle Schools, primary in grades K-2.

I have 40 years of experience in classrooms.

I am an avid storyteller who uses my stories to bring attention to social issues, build vocabulary and reinforce retelling strategies.

The use of drama and drawings are used to enhance comprehension and vocabulary.

I also use digital books from the Seattle Public Library for reading practice, making predictions, rhyming words, identifying sight words and building vocabulary.

Math is focused around computational fluency, Math games with movement and songs are the primary vehicles used to build fluency.

I have high expectations and encourage students to always give their best effort.

Azucena Orozco

Azucena Orozco is entering her second year at South Seattle College. She is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and hopes to work with athletes in the future. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, being outdoors, and painting.

Ayden Bolin

Ayden Bolin graduated from the University of Puget Sound in May of 2020 with a BS in Biology and additional minor coursework in Anthropology and Sociology. He hopes to build a future working with students to help them realize their potential as lifelong learners. In his freetime, Ayden likes to listen to music, watch Khan Academy videos, ride his bike, or go whitewater kayaking.

Anna Qadri

Anna Qadri received her BS in Social Sciences with a major in psychology from Karachi, Pakistan. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in School Counseling from Seattle Pacific University. In her free time, Anna enjoys going hiking, paddle boarding and cooking different cuisines.

Aniyah Mohammed

Aniyah Mohammed graduated from the University of Washington studying Psychology, Communication, and Arabic. She plans to pursue graduate work in school psychology to better understand and help underserved groups within the educational system. She continuously seeks opportunities that will equip her with the tools needed to address diversity in communities and the consequences brought upon by the pitfalls within the educational system.

Ana Rodriguez-Knutsen

Ana Rodriguez-Knutsen graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality. She enjoys cultivating a love for learning in children and believes empathy and education are key to creating a kinder world. Ana enjoys cartoons, video games, good stories, and occasionally speaking in third person.

Yitong Zhong

Yitong Zhong is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a degree in education at the University of Washington. She is passionate about supporting child education and wants to pursue a career in education in the future. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, cooking, and listening to music.

Molly Baryo

My name is Molly Baryo and I love being a tutor for UTSS. I have an Associates in Chemistry, a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and am working towards my pharmacy technician license. Math and science are my main focuses. I believe everyone deserves a quality education and love to be a part of that.

Rebekah

Rebekah is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College with degrees in both Psychology and Theater. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her two puppies (Zuko and Zayde), sing, paint, and go hiking! She grew up in Seattle and is excited to be back this year.

Mike Preiner

Mike has a background in technology, and has founded and sold two software and analytics companies. He has a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University. He is very passionate about education, and is currently exploring ways to use software and data science to improve outcomes for students.

Hailey Brumley

My name is Hailey Brumley and I am so excited to be a tutor for you this year! I attend the University of Washington and study Education, Communities, and Organizations. I enjoy being with friends and family, travelling, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Erik Hammen

This year will be my second year tutoring elementary school students. I love working with kids on reading, writing, language, and thinking! I also have two children who were students in Seattle Public Schools. In my spare time, I like to write and sometimes make movies.

Ellen Perleberg

Ellen Perleberg (she/her) graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Linguistics and Near Eastern Studies and minors in Spanish and Jewish Studies. She plans to pursue graduate work in Library and Information Science and study the intersections of language, migration, and information access while continuing her study of Arabic.

Dhani Srinivasan

Dhani Srinivasan graduated from Ballard High School in the SPS district in June 2020. She will be attending Pomona College in Fall 2021. She is passionate about educational justice and creating learning communities in the classroom as well as challenging racism in Seattle Schools.

Azka Qasim

Azka Qasim is entering her senior year at University of Washington. Her major is Education, Communities and Organizations. She has been working as a math tutor for the last year and loved helping kids understand math and make it easier for them. Her hobbies include hiking, board games, and she loves traveling and exploring new places/cultures.

Zhiyu “Z” Maile

Zhiyu “Z” Maile is entering her second year at University of Washington. She is studying Anthropology, a degree she hopes will further her passions for travel, photography, and working with youth. She hopes to someday work for an organization that promotes gender equity and creates opportunities for all students to receive the education they deserve.

Marisa Bier

Founding Program Director,
Seattle Teacher Residency Program

Marisa is the Founding Program Director of the Seattle Teacher Residency program, a teacher preparation program directly serving Seattle’s high poverty schools in partnership between Seattle Public Schools, the UW College of Education, the Seattle Education Association, and the Alliance for Education. Prior to taking on this role in 2012, Marisa was Coordinator of the Secondary Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington. She was responsible for all aspects of the program, particularly ensuring cohesiveness between program curriculum and school practicum experiences, building partnerships with schools in which teacher candidates were placed, and facilitating the work of university coaches who supported teacher candidates in the field. Marisa has been an educator for 25 years, beginning her career as a special education teacher of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism, ages Pre-K through 12th grade. While serving in a leadership role as a site coordinator of her school’s university partnership, Marisa developed an interest in teacher education and the role practitioners play in supporting new teacher development. She came to Seattle to pursue her Doctorate in Education at the University of Washington, which she received in 2009. There, her studies focused on teacher learning across a continuum from novice to veteran, with a particular interest in learning as it is negotiated within communities of practice. When not focused on education, Marisa enjoys world travel, fitness, good food, and returning to her Jersey shore roots for some beach time.

Kyle Morean

History & Social Studies Teacher,
Ballard High School

Kyle is committed to improving the effectiveness of classroom teachers and increasing opportunities for students to receive more personalized and focused support. As a former UTSS tutor and a classroom teacher of 10 years, Kyle believes in the mission of the organization. Kyle joined the board of directors to support tutor recruitment, training and to expand the impact of UTSS. Currently, Kyle teaches 9th grade honors world history and 11th grade US history at Ballard High School. He is passionate about media literacy, blended learning, ethnic studies and dialogue across difference. Kyle is a SPS district leader in blended and digital learning and an active member of Ballard’s STAR (Students and Teachers Against Racism). Before moving to Seattle in 2016, Kyle taught computer applications and media literacy and was Director of Student Portfolio Exhibition for 7 years at Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington DC. In 2013 he was selected as an inaugural Education Innovation Fellows and in 2015 he worked as a Pulitzer Center & Project Zero Global Lens Teaching Fellow.

Anthony Drew

Budget and Finance Analyst
Seattle Public Schools

Anthony Drew is a Budget and Finance Analyst at Seattle Public Schools. Previously, Anthony worked as a school finance researcher with the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University. He earned his Master of Education Policy degree from the University of Washington. While working toward his degree, he served as a classroom tutor with UTSS, where his belief in the mission of the organization strengthened. He continues this important work as a member of the board.

Liz Ryan

Program Director
lizr@utforss.org

Liz seeks to better prepare, support, and empower educators in their work to provide quality education to all students. As a former elementary school teacher, Liz understands the dynamic and challenging realities of a classroom environment and the unfortunate disconnect that often exists between district policies and student growth. Her experiences in the classroom drew Liz to the education policy field where since 2015 she has worked with The Seattle Public Library, The National P-3 Center, The MEP program at UW, and Edunomics Lab to support programs that seek to better understand educator challenges and mentor them in their work.

In her role with UTSS, Liz collaborates with Seattle Public Schools and local community-based partners to put more qualified adults into classrooms and to support the development of meaningful relationships for students and teachers. She also develops and facilitates training opportunities for administrators, teachers, tutors, and other adults working in classrooms.

When not at work, Liz enjoys reading, baking sourdough bread, and playing outside with her husband and their dog.

Amy Yu

Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst
SightLife

Growing up in a family of educators, Amy is passionate about UTSS’ mission in education – particularly in addressing the educational inequities that exist today. While her work as a financial professional in a global health non-profit sector is creating impact in Africa and Asia, she is looking for opportunities to affect change at home in Seattle. Upon joining UTSS, Amy brings her expertise in non-profit finances: building sustainable solutions to current public education challenges, and to bringing more effective and efficient assistance to public school educators. As the Treasurer of UTSS Board, she is looking forward to raising awareness to educational challenges in the Seattle public school system through fundraising campaigns and bringing more resources to classrooms and students in need. Amy holds a BA in Economics from Emory University. In her spare time, Amy enjoys traveling the world, water sports, and visual arts.

Cassandra Johnston

Executive Director
cassandraj@utforss.org

Cassandra started with University Tutors for Seattle Schools (UTSS) in 2016 and has served as the Executive Director since September 2017.

Prior to UTSS, she served two terms as President of the Seattle Council (SC) PTSA, where she launched a partnership between SPS, SCPTSA and local food banks to further the impact of “Food for Schools”, a program that provides weekend food backpacks for students. Seattle Public Schools recognized her in 2015 for her outstanding service. She has also served as a member of the Seattle Mayor’s Education Advisory Committee, UWKC Impact Council, Chair of the Seattle Tutoring Coalition and the Board of the Woodland Park Zoo.

Cassandra has four daughters and enjoys tennis, being on the water, and traveling.

Cassandra Johnston

Executive Director
cassandraj@utforss.org

Cassandra started with University Tutors for Seattle Schools (UTSS) in 2016 and has served as the Executive Director since September 2017.

Prior to UTSS, she served two terms as President of the Seattle Council (SC) PTSA, where she launched a partnership between SPS, SCPTSA and local food banks to further the impact of “Food for Schools”, a program that provides weekend food backpacks for students. Seattle Public Schools recognized her in 2015 for her outstanding service. She has also served as a member of the Seattle Mayor’s Education Advisory Committee, UWKC Impact Council, Chair of the Seattle Tutoring Coalition and the Board of the Woodland Park Zoo.

Cassandra has four daughters and enjoys tennis, being on the water, and traveling.

Kyle Morean

History & Social Studies Teacher,
Ballard High School

Kyle is committed to improving the effectiveness of classroom teachers and increasing opportunities for students to receive more personalized and focused support. As a former UTSS tutor and a classroom teacher of 10 years, Kyle believes in the mission of the organization. Kyle joined the board of directors to support tutor recruitment, training and to expand the impact of UTSS. Currently, Kyle teaches 9th grade honors world history and 11th grade US history at Ballard High School. He is passionate about media literacy, blended learning, ethnic studies and dialogue across difference. Kyle is a SPS district leader in blended and digital learning and an active member of Ballard’s STAR (Students and Teachers Against Racism). Before moving to Seattle in 2016, Kyle taught computer applications and media literacy and was Director of Student Portfolio Exhibition for 7 years at Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington DC. In 2013 he was selected as an inaugural Education Innovation Fellows and in 2015 he worked as a Pulitzer Center & Project Zero Global Lens Teaching Fellow.

Liz Ryan

Program Director
lizr@utforss.org

Liz seeks to better prepare, support, and empower educators in their work to provide quality education to all students. As a former elementary school teacher, Liz understands the dynamic and challenging realities of a classroom environment and the unfortunate disconnect that often exists between district policies and student growth. Her experiences in the classroom drew Liz to the education policy field where since 2015 she has worked with The Seattle Public Library, The National P-3 Center, The MEP program at UW, and Edunomics Lab to support programs that seek to better understand educator challenges and mentor them in their work.

In her role with UTSS, Liz collaborates with Seattle Public Schools and local community-based partners to put more qualified adults into classrooms and to support the development of meaningful relationships for students and teachers. She also develops and facilitates training opportunities for administrators, teachers, tutors, and other adults working in classrooms.

When not at work, Liz enjoys reading, baking sourdough bread, and playing outside with her husband and their dog.

Marisa Bier

Founding Program Director,
Seattle Teacher Residency Program

Marisa is the Founding Program Director of the Seattle Teacher Residency program, a teacher preparation program directly serving Seattle’s high poverty schools in partnership between Seattle Public Schools, the UW College of Education, the Seattle Education Association, and the Alliance for Education. Prior to taking on this role in 2012, Marisa was Coordinator of the Secondary Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington. She was responsible for all aspects of the program, particularly ensuring cohesiveness between program curriculum and school practicum experiences, building partnerships with schools in which teacher candidates were placed, and facilitating the work of university coaches who supported teacher candidates in the field. Marisa has been an educator for 25 years, beginning her career as a special education teacher of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism, ages Pre-K through 12th grade. While serving in a leadership role as a site coordinator of her school’s university partnership, Marisa developed an interest in teacher education and the role practitioners play in supporting new teacher development. She came to Seattle to pursue her Doctorate in Education at the University of Washington, which she received in 2009. There, her studies focused on teacher learning across a continuum from novice to veteran, with a particular interest in learning as it is negotiated within communities of practice. When not focused on education, Marisa enjoys world travel, fitness, good food, and returning to her Jersey shore roots for some beach time.

Anthony Drew

Budget and Finance Analyst
Seattle Public Schools

Anthony Drew is a Budget and Finance Analyst at Seattle Public Schools. Previously, Anthony worked as a school finance researcher with the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University. He earned his Master of Education Policy degree from the University of Washington. While working toward his degree, he served as a classroom tutor with UTSS, where his belief in the mission of the organization strengthened. He continues this important work as a member of the board.

Amy Yu

Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst
SightLife

Growing up in a family of educators, Amy is passionate about UTSS’ mission in education – particularly in addressing the educational inequities that exist today. While her work as a financial professional in a global health non-profit sector is creating impact in Africa and Asia, she is looking for opportunities to affect change at home in Seattle. Upon joining UTSS, Amy brings her expertise in non-profit finances: building sustainable solutions to current public education challenges, and to bringing more effective and efficient assistance to public school educators. As the Treasurer of UTSS Board, she is looking forward to raising awareness to educational challenges in the Seattle public school system through fundraising campaigns and bringing more resources to classrooms and students in need. Amy holds a BA in Economics from Emory University. In her spare time, Amy enjoys traveling the world, water sports, and visual arts.

Any Classroom,
Any Curriculum.
In Person & Remote.

PARTNERS

IMPACT

MISSION

ABOUT UTSS

OUR STAFF

Cassandra Johnston

Executive Director

Liz Ryan

Program Director

Ana Rodriguez-Knutsen

OUR Board

Amy Yu

Financial Planning

Kyle Morean

History & Social Studies

Anthony Drew

Budget and Finance Analyst

Marisa Bier

Founding Program Director

Corey Little

Development Coordinator

Han Kim

Christal Lee

Tutor Board Representative

11 Partner Schools. 50+ Committed Tutors.

CONTACT US

QUICK LINKS

FOLLOW US

CONTACT US

206-414-8266

info@utforss.org

Any Classroom, Any Curriculum. In Person & Remote.

PARTNERS

IMPACT

MISSION

ABOUT UTSS

OUR STAFF

Cassandra Johnston

Executive Director

Liz Ryan

Program Director

Ana Rodriguez-Knutsen

OUR Board

Amy Yu

Financial Planning

Kyle Morean

History & Social Studies

Anthony Drew

Budget and Finance Analyst

Marisa Bier

Founding Program Director

Corey Little

Development Coordinator

Han Kim

Christal Lee

Tutor Board Representative

11 Partner Schools. 50+ Committed Tutors.

CONTACT US

Any Classroom,
Any Curriculum.
In Person & Remote.