The Teachers

Dan Golosman has worked as an educator since 1992.  He started teaching in Seattle Public Schools in 2001.  From 2004 to 2007 he worked as a school improvement coach for the non-profit Expeditionary Learning Schools.  Since returning to SPS in the fall of 2007, he has worked as an elementary literacy coach, social studies coach, and consulting teacher for the Department of ELL and International Programs.

When I was about ten years old, my Dad went to a school auction and bought several wooden student desks for me.  I set up my first classroom in our basement and invited the neighborhood to “play school”...

I most recently taught Kindergarten at Green Lake Elementary down the street and feel right at home in this great neighborhood! In Seattle Public Schools, I have taught Kindergarten, third/fourth grade, and special education. I have a great passion for teaching my students about the diverse and colorful world we live in!

I was born in Mexico City, one of the busiest cities in the world. When I was nine years old I moved to Cashmere Washington, and I am the oldest of three girls. I have two wonderful nieces that are getting ready to start preschool. I enjoy hiking, yoga, traveling and dancing.

 

KONNICHIWA!!

I am very excited to join McDonald Elementary School as a Japanese Immersion Teacher. I look forward to helping build the new program with all the wonderful staff, parents and students. 

I grew up in Wallingford and I attended Green Lake Elementary School, just down the street. I love living and working in the same neighborhood because I love feeling part of
a community.

After subbing this past year at McDonald I fell in love and instantly felt like this was the school for me. I am delighted to be a kindergarten teacher, if I could choose one grade to teach, it would be kindergarten!

I am so pleased to have the opportunity to join McDonald Elementary!  What an exciting time!  What an amazing opportunity to join a developing language immersion program!

My passion for teaching stems from the values inculcated by my mother, a former teacher and nurse, and my oldest brother, an elementary school teacher. They also spring from my own positive experiences with my elementary school teacher Tía Nana (I loved her class so much that I was almost always the first person to arrive every day!), from my work in Seattle Public Schools, and from the invaluable notes, conversations and discussions with teachers and peers during my graduate teaching program. 

Hola!

 I am thrilled to be joining such a committed community in building a new program of Spanish Immersion at McDonald Elementary.  I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain, where I celebrated the first 18 years of my life, and I feel fortunate to be able to share my culture and language while doing what I love most – teaching. 

I feel honored to be working with the phenomenal staff and parent community at McDonald Elementary this coming year.  The staff has set up the intricate framework of an immersion program and the PTA raised an incredible amount to fund said program - all in just a few months.   I feel fortunate to be a part of this special team so dedicated to the welfare of this school's children.

We are so pleased to be chosen as part of the new McDonald start up school staff.  We have been colleagues for about 15 years.  We have shared values and regard structure similarly.  We have challenging discourse regarding teaching and have shed a few tears and loads of laughter during our discussions.

What an adventure! I’m eager to join the McDonald community as we create a new international school.

I grew up in a very small town outside Portland, Oregon. I took my first art class in junior high school. I loved it so much that I kept taking art classes throughout high school and college. After graduating from Gonzaga University with my B.A. in art and theatre, I moved across the country to Providence, Rhode Island to work as an art educator with the AmeriCorps program at the International Gallery for Heritage and Culture.

I'm excited about the opportunity and challenge that comes with McDonald School. The enthusiasm of the staff, paired with the involvement of the parents and PTA make it a wonderful place for staff and students. 

McDonald Elementary's amazing kitchen manager aka Lunch Lady was recently featured in a Wallyhood.org article. Read it here. 

I am so pleased to be part of the McDonald community, and to have the opportunity to help build another international school in Seattle.  It feels as though history is repeating itself as I begin my relationship with all of you and this wonderful new program. 

Hello! My name is LaFawnda Williams, and I am the Program Director for Kids Co. at McDonald. My journey with Kids Co. began with me being the Assistant Director at Kids Co. at Graham Hill, before being promoted to Program Director for Kids Co. at McDonald.