Faculty & Staff Updates

Annie Wright Schools' faculty and staff commit themselves to students and their families, providing and supporting our exceptional programs and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.

WELCOME TO THE ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS COMMUNITY!

Tania Adams, Upper Schools Director of Learning Support
Tania joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington, and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Empire University, she spent nearly two decades supporting children, adolescents, and families across educational and clinical settings. Most recently, she led Upper School student support and wellness initiatives and taught humanities courses at Austin Waldorf School. Tania enjoys partnering with students, families, and educators to help students better understand how they learn, build on their strengths, and grow in confidence. Having grown up in Singapore and Southeast Asia, she values global perspectives and believes learning is enriched through place-based education, curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful relationships. Outside of school, she is a foodie and enjoys spending time on trails, being in nature, and doing photography.

Jim Albers, Grade 5 Teacher

Jim Albers joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Washington State University and a Master’s of Education degree from Pacific Lutheran University. Jim has been a professional educator for twenty-eight years, teaching in public, private, and international schools. His international teaching experience includes teaching at The American Embassy School in New Delhi, India, and The American International School of Muscat, Oman. Jim strives to help students see the world as both deeply connected and full of diverse perspectives. Through literature, writing, and research, he encourages students to explore local and global communities, ask meaningful questions, and make connections between their own experiences and the lives of others, helping them to better see themselves as global citizens.

Kamryn Artale, Grade 3 Teacher

Kamryn Artale joined Annie Wright Schools in the summer ahead of the 2026-2027 school year. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and playing collegiate volleyball for West Texas A&M, Kamryn taught in Stuttgart, Germany, and Austin, TX, as a Grade 1 Lead Teacher at international IB schools. She then spent two years in Kansas City, close to her hometown in Springfield, Missouri, where she has also been working toward her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Kamryn's teaching and learning philosophy strongly aligns with the IB. She loves the process of creating meaningful lessons and memorable units, while working closely with families to help their students shine. Kamryn is looking forward to contributing to the Annie Wright community and getting to know her students this year!

Ian Dexter, Upper Schools Math Teacher

Ian Dexter joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from McGill University, he taught math and computer science in the Czech Republic for two years. Ian values project-based learning and is particularly interested in how the field of mathematics has evolved. Ian loves playing and coaching soccer, which he has done at both the youth and adult levels.

Lydia Downs, Upper Schools English Teacher
Lydia Downs joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. After earning a Master of Arts in Education from Pacific Lutheran University, she served as a Fulbright English Teaching Grantee at a vocational college in Thailand for a year. Lydia believes that some of life's most important lessons transcend language barriers and are discovered through relationships, shared experiences, and a little time spent outside in nature. She is passionate about knowing each student as an individual and creating a classroom rooted in kindness and belonging.

Layne Gonzales, Front Office Administrative Assistant

Layne joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. She graduated from the University of Washington with her Bachelor's in Communication. After graduation, she worked at the UWT library. She's passionate about making students feel welcome and is excited to be part of the Annie Wright Schools team.

Mar’Shauwn Grays, Upper School for Boys Assistant Director
Mar'Shauwn Grays joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. After earning a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, he taught and was an assistant principal at Lewisville High School in Dallas, Texas. Mar’Shauwn shines when helping people grow, whether that is students, teachers, or colleagues. He is known for building authentic relationships, leading with empathy, and creating opportunities for others to succeed through collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement.

Joleen McCauley, Grade 5 Teacher
Joleen joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and, more recently, her Master’s degree in Educational Administration. Joleen has spent the last 10 years teaching Grades 4 and 5 at Harbor School on Vashon Island, where she also served as the IB PYP Coordinator. Known for bringing warmth, energy, creativity, and a strong sense of community to her work, Joleen is passionate about inquiry-driven learning and helping students grow into thoughtful, confident, and compassionate humans. She is excited to become part of Annie Wright’s vibrant and forward-thinking culture and honored to join a community with such a rich history of innovation, excellence, and heart.

Mary Catherine Muñiz, Grade 4 Teacher
Mary Catherine joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. After earning a BA in Geography from Macalester College, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of the Pacific, and a graduate-level certificate in Environmental Education from Hamline University, she has been teaching Grades 2 through 5 for twelve years at various schools, including Brightworks and Bayshore Schools in San Francisco. Mary Catherine believes scientific inquiry, the arts, and real-world projects are powerful tools that allow students to create connections between their learning in the classroom and their experiences outside of school. She strives to spark curiosity in her students and make learning meaningful.

Stephanie O'Hara, Lower School Art Teacher
Stephanie joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. She holds a BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. She taught an IB-based curriculum to Grade 5 students in Bellevue for four years before moving to Colorado. There, she worked as a K-8 visual arts instructor and fell in love with arts education. Moving back to Washington, she started her Annie Wright journey as a long-term sub in the art studio, which soon became her new happy place. Maintaining her footing in the world of arts, she's committed to guiding students to their fullest potential by curating a space full of creativity, risk-taking, and growth. Alongside teaching, Stephanie has worked as a Youth Soccer Manager and Program Coordinator, facilitating positive athletic experiences for children ages 2-18.

Sarah Ottman, Upper Schools Math Teacher
Sarah joined Annie Wright Schools in 2026. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from the University of Tennessee and her Master's degree in Biology from Austin Peay State University, she taught introductory biology courses at the University of Washington and served as a middle school science and math teacher, where she taught courses ranging from Algebra I through Algebra II. She also worked as an adjunct biology professor at Austin Peay State University and conducted field research as a bat biologist in New York. Sarah enjoys helping students make connections between disciplines and apply mathematics to real-world problems. She is known for her project-based, inquiry-driven approach to teaching, which encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful learning.

Claire Yuckert, Culinary Arts (s)Elective Instructor
Claire is a fourth-generation Tacoman who has always had a love for the culinary arts, starting as a young child making mud pies just blocks from Annie Wright. With more than two decades of experience working in food and beverage as a personal and private chef, caterer, and food processor, and most recently as owner and executive chef at Homesteady Goods and Services (a boutique event production company), she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for the gastronomic arts to everything she does. She is thrilled to come aboard at AWS to help ignite a love of haute cuisine and the service industry.