News Detail
Welcome New Faculty
Annie Wright Schools are happy to welcome (and welcome back) an impressively experienced, passionate and creative new cohort of faculty and staff.
Erin Bethel, Grade 3 Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her bachelor's degree in Theatre, (minoring in Music), and later her Masters in Teaching from the University of Washington, she taught for a decade with the Bellevue School District. She received her National Boards Certificate in Early/Middle Childhood Literacy, with a focus in reading, in 2008. Erin believes in the power of positive reinforcement and optimism. She's thrilled to be a part of the Annie Wright community and looks forward to putting down roots in Tacoma.
Erin Bethel, Grade 3 Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her bachelor's degree in Theatre, (minoring in Music), and later her Masters in Teaching from the University of Washington, she taught for a decade with the Bellevue School District. She received her National Boards Certificate in Early/Middle Childhood Literacy, with a focus in reading, in 2008. Erin believes in the power of positive reinforcement and optimism. She's thrilled to be a part of the Annie Wright community and looks forward to putting down roots in Tacoma.
Jan Buennagel, Grade 3 Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 1985, and after spending three years teaching in Turkey, joined us again in 2013. After earning his bachelor's degree in History/Elementary Education, he taught fourth and fifth grades, specializing in math. He believes that to learn students must be reflective risk-takers. Jan enjoys puzzles, cooking and the great outdoors.
Paula Coumou, School Nurse, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After graduating from Nursing School in Derbyshire, England, she joined The Royal Air Force, where she built upon her nursing experience. After serving for nearly ten years, she moved to Washington, where she has worked in a number of medical establishments, mostly within the field of pediatrics.
Jack Fallat joined Annie Wright Schools in 1981 as the Director of the Lower School. In 1987, a separate Middle School was established and he became the Director of the Lower and Middle Schools. He held that position until 2005 when he became Director of Operations. In 2010, Jack moved on to become the Head of NOVA School in Olympia. He retired from that position in June, 2013, and has returned to AWS as the lay chaplain. Jack's two daughters, Claire and Melissa, are both graduates of AWS. Originally from Pittsburgh, Jack is an avid Steelers fan.
Trisha Fintel, Enrollment Assistant, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning a BA from Colorado State University, she worked for the the Department of Defense in Kazakhstan, Uruguay, and Afghanistan. Trisha has significant experience in researching and analyzing international trends, including culture, politics, media and technology. An avid runner, Trisha began running with the Marines overseas and enjoyed it so much that she completed 10 full marathons, placing third in the Marine Corps Marathon.
Roberta Harnett, Upper School Science Teacher and Dorm Parent, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her B.S. in biology from Harvey Mudd College, she earned an M.A. in teaching science and an M.A. in biological sciences, both from Stony Brook University. She taught AP Biology, Biology I, and Science Foundations at Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, Nevada for 5 years before coming to Annie Wright. Roberta loves teaching science with an emphasis on inquiry and the process of science and is especially looking forward to teaching ecology in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys sewing, knitting, reading, and travelling.
Charlotte Hill, Lower School Music Teacher, joins Annie Wright Schools in 2013. She earned her BA in music education from the University of Miami and her MA in music education from Northwestern University. Prior to joining Annie Wright Schools she taught elementary through high school music in Japan, and elementary music in California. Charlotte believes that all of her students can develop creative and critical thinking skills through a high quality comprehensive and student-centered music education.
Emily Lynn, IB English Teacher and Dorm Parent, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. Emily earned her bachelor's degree in English and French from Scripps College and then completed her MA and PhD in Renaissance Literature at the University of Oregon. She taught writing and literature courses at the University of Oregon for seven years before deciding to transition into teaching high school, and she joined Annie Wright after being impressed by the enthusiasm, insightfulness, and creativity of the student body. Emily believes that literary texts raise valuable personal questions and enjoys helping students develop strategies for reading and interpreting in a way that is meaningful to them.
Amy Mesec, Pre-K Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her BA in Early Childhood/Primary Education from Indiana University, she taught Preschool and Kindergarten for many years in a small Colorado ski town and was director of a public Preschool for four years in Denver before becoming a stay at home mom. After moving to Washington in 2007, Amy earned her Washington State Teaching License with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining Annie Wright Schools, Amy substitute taught and provided in-home therapy for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. Amy believes in creating a calm and warm learning environment where children feel safe to explore and express themselves through interactive, hands-on experiences.
Emily Lynn, IB English Teacher and Dorm Parent, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. Emily earned her bachelor's degree in English and French from Scripps College and then completed her MA and PhD in Renaissance Literature at the University of Oregon. She taught writing and literature courses at the University of Oregon for seven years before deciding to transition into teaching high school, and she joined Annie Wright after being impressed by the enthusiasm, insightfulness, and creativity of the student body. Emily believes that literary texts raise valuable personal questions and enjoys helping students develop strategies for reading and interpreting in a way that is meaningful to them.
Amy Mesec, Pre-K Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her BA in Early Childhood/Primary Education from Indiana University, she taught Preschool and Kindergarten for many years in a small Colorado ski town and was director of a public Preschool for four years in Denver before becoming a stay at home mom. After moving to Washington in 2007, Amy earned her Washington State Teaching License with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining Annie Wright Schools, Amy substitute taught and provided in-home therapy for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. Amy believes in creating a calm and warm learning environment where children feel safe to explore and express themselves through interactive, hands-on experiences.
Jessica Paço, Lower School and Middle School Spanish Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her BA in Romance Languages and MEd from the University of Oregon, she left the United States to teach abroad in Albania. Jessica has passions for teaching and learning languages, travel and discovery of culture. Her adventurous spirit pushes her to try anything (for example skydiving and escargot) twice.
Daryn Sirota, Director of Kemper Center Theatre and Drama Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning a BA in English Language and Literature (with a minor in Education) from Smith College in 2005, she spent a year in Athens, Greece, where she taught literature to non-native English speakers at Athens College and Psychico College, an IB school. She went on to manage and teach the Gifted and Talented Inquiry Program for grades 4-8 in Rutherford, NJ, while simultaneously earning her MS Ed in Educational Theatre from The City College of New York. She later taught 6th grade at Hunter College Elementary School in New York City 2010-12. As a lifetime lover of the performing arts and a strong advocate for Theatre Education, Daryn is thrilled to contribute to the Arts program at the Annie Wright Schools.
Scott Starkoski, Grade 2 teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning his BA in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University, he taught Grades 2 and 4, as well as Kindergarten, at Pine Crest School in Boca Raton, Florida. Scott particularly enjoys teaching math and social studies and values the deep connections he makes with faculty, administration, families and students. In the classroom, he dedicates himself to helping his students grow emotionally and socially, as well as academically.
Luna Yu, Middle and Upper school Chinese teacher, joined Annie Wright in 2013. After earning her Master's degree in foreign language education from the University of Texas at Austin, she taught beginning Chinese to 6th and 7th grade students at YES Prep Brays Oaks for 2 years, and advanced Chinese to 5th and 6th grade students at Northwest Chinese Academy for another two years. Luna believes that Chinese is for everyone no matter your age, and it can be learned in fun ways. Luna enjoys water sports, especially swimming.
