News Detail
Introducing... Our Wonderful New Faculty
Prekindergarten: Becky Kristovich
Becky grew up in Tacoma and graduated from PLU with a BA in Elementary Education. A National Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood Education, she began her career in the Franklin Pierce School District, working with hearing-impaired children in a preschool setting. She was a Head Start preschool teacher for 10 years and most recently taught both Kindergarten and Grade 1. Becky spends her free time enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family, and fishing in Alaska.
Kindergarten: Laura Barnes
Born and raised in North Seattle, Laura received her BA in Elementary Education from Linfield College in Oregon, and her Master's in Teaching from Seattle University. She taught Grade 2 at St. Paul’s Episocpal School in Bellingham and Kindergarten at The Lake and Park School in South Seattle. In her spare time Laura helps run a youth group at her church. She also enjoys swimming and spending time with friends and family.
Grade 1: Jamie Parrott
Jamie is returning home to the greater Tacoma area after overseas teaching assignments in Venezuela, Thailand and most recently Egypt. Holding a BA in education from Western Washington University and a certification for teaching Grades K-8, she has taught lower school for seven years, including four years in Grade 1, and has experience with the International Primary Years Program, similar to the IB. Jamie loves to travel but is excited to be back home in Washington, where she can be closer to friends and family. Her husband, Steve Parrott, will be teaching Grade 4.
Grade 2: Becky Stickler
A Seattle native, Becky attended PLU and graduated with a BA in Elementary Education, with endorsements in Reading and English as a Second Language. She taught in both the Tacoma and University Place school districts as well as at an international school in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she learned the native language and immersed herself in the culture. Becky enjoys running, hiking, skiing and reading, as well as spending time with her husband, Todd, and dog, Skye.
Grade 4: Steve Parrott
An avid outdoorsman, Steve is excited to be moving to the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Jamie, who will be teaching Grade 1. His 14 years of experience include teaching positions in international schools in Venezuela, Thailand, and most recently Egypt. Nearly half his career has been spent teaching 4th and 5th Graders. Born and raised in London, England, Steve has credentials for teaching students ages 3-12 and experience with the International Primary Years Program, similar to the IB. Other than globe-trotting and spending time in the great outdoors, Steve enjoys photography and playing guitar.
Grade 5: Sarah Smith
Sarah grew up in Portland and currently lives just up the street from the Annie Wright Schools. She has a BS from Oregon State and a Master’s in Teaching from Concordia University, and is certified for Grades K-8. Experienced in teaching gifted and talented programs and developing curricula and assessments, Sarah most recently taught Grade 6 in the Franklin Pierce School District, where she was a grade-level team leader and mentor teacher. Sarah and her husband look forward to having their two sons at Annie Wright.
Middle School Japanese: Mick Churchman
Mick double-majored in Linguistics and Japanese at Western Washington University, and earned his MA in Japanese Linguistics from the University of Hawaii, where he taught Japanese 101 and 102. He lived in Japan for five years, teaching English and polishing up his Japanese. Originally from Puyallup, Mick enjoys hiking, camping, travel, movies, books and music.
Middle School and Grades 4 & 5 Spanish: Angelica Ferandez-Calcote
Angelica was born and raised in Tacoma. Starting at age five, she traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, every summer to visit extended family, where she developed a passion for the culture and language. Angelica earned her BA from the Evergreen State College and her Master’s in Education from PLU and is a board certified teacher with 10 years experience. She currently lives in Tacoma with her husband and two sons, and is looking forward to having her elder son at Annie Wright this fall.
Middle School Science: Patrick Rusca
Patrick most recently served as Middle School Principal in Omaha, Nebraska. Before that he was Science Department Chairperson at a private school in New York City where he helped start a rooftop garden and coached wrestling. Patrick has a BA and an MA in Private School Leadership from Columbia University. A Spokane native, Patrick is a die-hard Seattle Mariners fan and is excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest. Go Gators!
Physical Education and Coach: Amy Edmunds
Amy holds a BA in Physical Education and Health from PLU and an MS in Education from Walden University. She is certified to teach Grades K-12. For the last six years she has taught PE in the Bethel School District in Spanaway, and she has coached volleyball, basketball and track at both the high school and middle school levels. Amy enjoys spending time with her husband and two small children as well as dirt biking, camping and sports.
Upper School Spanish, Dorm Parent: Maria Kupper
Maria received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and History from Guilford College and has most recently taught Spanish to Grades K-8 at St. Raphael School in Louisville, Kentucky—her hometown. Absorbing Spanish language and culture has been her passion, from hosting Mexican exchange students in her home to studying abroad in Madrid and working at a summer camp in Alicante. Outside of teaching, Maria enjoys running, playing with her dog Athena, and working in the garden with her husband.
Upper School Science, Dorm Parent: Londa Morehouse
Londa began at Annie Wright last year and comes to us with previous teaching experience in the US, as well as in Windhoek, Namibia, and Helsinki, Finland. She has taught General Science, intro Biology, IB Chemistry and IB Biology. Londa completed her undergraduate degree in Biology from Washington State University and an International Teaching Certificate from The European Council of International Schools through Cambridge International Examiners. A Tacoma native, Londa has enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends in the area.
Upper School English and Theory of Knowledge, Dorm Parent: Ema Shirk
Ema has a BA in English from the University of Washington and a MA in Rhetoric from San Diego State University, where she studied the connections among education, literacy and citizenship. Her favorite part of teaching is working with students to strengthen their writing across subject areas. Ema served as a Peace Corps volunteer in China 2009-2011 and enjoys experiencing different cultures. She has taught in Spain, the US and China.
Upper School French: Olivier Soustelle
A native of Lyon, France, Olivier has lived in Tacoma since 2002, and has been teaching French in Annie Wright’s Middle School for the last two years. Before joining Annie Wright’s faculty, Olivier was a researcher at the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and taught French and Art History at several local colleges, including PLU and the Evergreen State College. He received his MA in art history from Sotheby’s Institute in London. Olivier’s two daughters attend Annie Wright Day School, and the family enjoys traveling, exploring art galleries and museums, and taking long walks in the woods.
