Our Trainers

Born in Auburn, NY, Helen moved to Spokane, WA at age 12. She graduated from North Central High School in Spokane before going on to Eastern Washington State College (now University) where she received a BA in Elementary Education. She has taken graduate level courses from various colleges and universities in the state of Washington. Helen was hired by the Kennewick School District upon graduation as a full-time 4th grade teacher. She has taught grades K-8 either as a substitute or full time teacher. She currently teaches computer exploratory classes at Highlands Middle School in Kennewick. She's also the Educational Technology representative from Highlands on the district committee, the school newspaper advisor, the Computer Club advisor, and teaches adult computer education classes for the district.

Sandra Bullock has been a third/fourth grade teacher at Mukilteo Elementary in Mukilteo, Washington for 5 years. She is the school's webmaster, a member of her school's technology team and the leader of an after school multimedia club. Sandra holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Central Washington University and a Masters Degree in Technology Integration from Lesley College.

Nancy is currently working as the library media specialist at Mountain View Middle School in the Bremerton School District. Her teaching duties include literature appreciation, library skills, research skills and technology. Her library duties include, acquisition and processing of library materials, upkeep and maintenance of audiovisual equipment, management of the library collection and all textbooks, and the technology support coordinator. She is in charge of the daily operation 36 PC computer lab and trains students in acceptable use of the Internet for the building.

Patti earned her Master's degree from EWU in Training and Development. She is currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Gonzaga University in Educational Leadership. Patti has been a member of the Learning Space since the beginning and helped the 70- member cadre train the 500 teachers receiving the grant in the second year. Patti also serves as adjunct faculty for Eastern Washington University in the College of Education. She teaches classes in multimedia and administration of media programs.

John Dobmeier teaches Technologies at Olympic View Middle School in the Mukilteo School District. His classes cover everything from woodworking to the latest multimedia production. John has been a member of The Learning Space since it's inception in 1997 and keeps actively involved with events and training. He says his focus has always been to fully integrate any technology in the classroom as a tool for learning be it a bandsaw or a digital video workstation.

John teaches in a K-6 computer lab situation, and fills the role of Technology Specialist. Along the way to this day, he has used the Chinook Indian Jargon to name buildings at Highline Community College and designed bronze plaques to carry the names. He has been named in several national registries, along with such people as Arthur Ashe (the tennis star). His colleagues have given him several awards over the years, i.e. Outstanding Elementary Teacher in Kent, Kent Education Assoc. Award of Excellence. Students have included him in the 1995 Who's Who Among American Teachers and the 2001 Who's Who Among World Professionals. Received a Right In Class Grant from Learning Space in 1999.

Louise is currently working as the library media specialist and computer specialist at the Commons Media Center serving Mount Baker Middle School and Little Mountain Elementary in the Mount Vernon School District. She also teaches librarians and teachers for the district and, in the past, for ESD 189, SPU, Microsoft, and Western Washington University.

Nita is currently teaching sixth grade at Grand Coulee Dam Middle School. Her teaching duties include Language Arts and Technology. She was responsible for creating the current sixth grade technology curriculum and teams with the other sixth grade block teachers to help integrate technology into all curriculum areas. Nita is in her second year of the Gates Foundation Teacher Leadership Project and has been selected to be an instructor at this year's participant's summer institute.

Lisa Hill works as Library/Media Specialist at Vista Elementary in the Kennewick School District. In addition to her duties in the library, Lisa acts as technology support contact and Accelerated Reader Coordinator for her building. She is a member of district educational technology committee, Vista site council and is staff development liaison for Vista. She holds a Bachelor's in Communications from Pacific Lutheran University and a Bachelors in Education from Eastern Oregon State University. In her spare time, Lisa practices the ancient arts of the webweaver using spindle, needles and loom.

Wanda Hill is currently working as a music teacher at Penny Creek Elementary and a technology trainer in the Everett School District. Her teaching duties include K-5 general music where she uses technology to enhance classroom instruction. Special projects have included students interviewing residents of a local retirement home to write their life stories, students emailing flood victims in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and students emailing people in other countries to find out about their instruments, holidays, customs and traditions. As a staff development trainer she reaches teachers, aids, maintenance, secretaries and administrators with her classes covering Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, and Appleworks.

Shelee is currently a K-12 Technology Integration Specialist for Mukilteo School District. Her duties include organizing technology related staff development course offerings, supporting the library media specialists, and motivating staff to use technology in ways that empower their students to be critical thinkers and analyzers of information. Shelee also coordinates an annual Technology Fair for the public. Previously, Shelee was a Learning Support Center Teacher where she found that the use of technology could level the playing field for at risk learners. Shelee has her Masters in Educational Administration. In addition to her work with Mukilteo School District, Shelee volunteers as a board member of The Learning Space. She is currently holding the office of Treasurer.

Vickie currently works at Eastgate Elementary in the Kennewick School District. She teaches in a fourth and fifth grade loop, taking incoming fourth grade students and keeping them through fifth grade. She teams with two other teachers sharing students and curriculum. Her curriculum areas are reading and social studies. In addition to her teaching duties, she works in conjunction with another teacher to provide an after school Computer Club for fourth and fifth grade students.

Carole Leininger has been a teacher for over 20 years with the Bremerton School District. For the last 7 years she has administered the Title I program at the Mountain View Middle School. She uses technology to teach research skills and reinforce basic skills.

Sue is currently working as a second grade teacher and Principal Designee at Liberty Lake Elementary in the Central Valley School District. She is responsible for facilitating and implementing staff development within her school as well as teaching the second grade curriculum.

Linnea is currently teaching middle school math in the Mukilteo School District. She teaches pre-algebra to 7th grade students and algebra to both 8th and 9th grade students. As a recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Teacher Leadership Grant, Linnea's classroom has a ratio of two students for every one computer, which allows technology to be a readily accessible tool and promotes math-related higher order thinking skills. All geometry is done on Geometer's Sketchpad and all data is collected on student-designed spreadsheets. Being an avid proponent of teaching personal finance skills, her students participate in Economic America's ten-week online Stock Market Game.

Mary Kate Olson has been teaching for the past 13 years. Her experience includes teaching third and fourth grade as well as elementary special education classes. She is currently working for the Mukilteo School District teaching fourth grade at Olivia Park Elementary. Mary Kate integrates technology in her classroom on a daily basis. In addition to teaching, Mary Kate is a member of Olivia Park's technology team. Mary Kate holds a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from Gonzaga University and a Master's Degree in Learning Disabilities from San Francisco State University. She was also a recipient of the Right in Class Grant from The Learning Space in 1999.

Rick has worked as a special education teacher in the public schools, and computer instructor at the college level. Teaching duties have included language arts, reading, math, study skills, and computer technology. Levels of experience ranges from preschool to adult learners.

April is currently working as a 7th grade social studies teacher, a high school technology teacher and a technology specialist for her district. Her high school class builds and maintains the district web site. The high school class also produces weekly video news shows broadcast throughout the building. As a technology specialist for her district, April assist teachers with integrating technology into the curriculum. She also administrates the local building server and the K-20 video conferencing unit.

Vicky is currently a Junior High School library media specialist where she teaches research skills and literature appreciation. The staff works with her to develop meaningful research assignments for their classes. She is responsible for the acquisition and processing of new materials and equipment. Other duties include the administration of the Accelerated Reader Program and the STAR reading assessment program as well as training students and staff in the use of those programs. Assisted by students, she developed and maintains a library web page with links to a variety of sources critical to her students. Previously, she was responsible for the management of a Macintosh network in an elementary school.

>
Vicky has been a library media specialist in the Mukilteo School District for seven years, though she is currently assigned to the district office as a Technology Integration Specialist. She has served as her school Webmaster, computer specialist, and network administrator. She is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Instructional technology. Vicky was an original cadre member of the Learning Space.

Coming from the sunny state of Florida, Jeffrey graduated from the University of Central Florida with an Elementary teaching degree. In 1992, he bought a truck and relocated to the great Pacific Northwest, site unseen, to begin his teaching career. He has taught intermediate grades at Camelot Elementary for nine years. In 1995, he received honors in a masters degree in Educational Technology and strives at integrating technology into all areas of the curriculum. He gives workshops on teaching reading strategies, writing workshop, and using the Internet. He has presented on a national level at many conferences, where he shares his ideas, strategies and students' accomplishments. He truly believes that every student can be a reader and strives at making sure all students have equal opportunities. Jeffrey's many passions include camping, hiking, opera, classical music, red wines and of course, great food.

Kelli currently teaches Spanish at Kentridge High School in the Kent School District. She is a member of her school's technology committee and also teaches computer-related staff-development classes for the Kent School District. She enjoys creating projects with her students that incorporate technology such as web pages and PowerPoint.

Sue currently is the Fine Arts Specialist at Keene-Riverview Elementary in Prosser, WA. Keene-Riverview is a primary building housing pre-school through 2nd grade. During the school day, she teaches the fine arts to 500 students a week in half hour blocks. Poetry, Visual Art, Dance, are her areas of interest with her forte being music. Sue also has an after school computer club for 2nd grade students with their final project being their personal web page. At Keene-Riverview, Sue is one of three POD Tech Leaders - having 12 people under her to assist with problem-solving aspects of computer applications.

Twenty-eight years of teaching experience ranging from Kindergarten to Adult Education. He has taught middle school math, high school and junior high science, middle school and elementary computer lab and been a Technology Integration Specialist and a Teacher on Special Assignment in Technology. He has coordinated the Internet and technology needs for the Tomorrow's Classroom conferences as well as serving as a Planning Committee member and a Learning Space Board member.

has been teaching for the past 6 years in elementary education. She teaches a full-day Kindergarten program and loops between Kindergarten and first grade at Olivia Park Elementary in the Mukilteo School District. In addition to her duties in the classroom, Brandi is the technology support person and webmaster for her building. She is a also a member of the technology team and a PTA representative. Brandi holds a Master's Degree in Educational Technology and a Bachelor degree in Education from Western Washington University. She was a recipient of the Right In Class Grant from The Learning Space.