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Administration
 Maria Ling
Latona School Associates has been my professional home since 1989, when I moved to Seattle from Los Angeles with my late husband Steve. I was hired as the Extended Kindergarten Teacher and Assistant Director, back when SPS was offering only morning kindergarten!
I was born and raised in Greece and graduated from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, with a BA in Psychology and Philosophy and a minor in Education. I attended Boston University for graduate studies in Counseling. Prior to coming to Seattle, I worked in primary and secondary schools in Los Angeles. I arrived to this country at age 22, and as an immigrant, setting roots, belonging to a community, appreciating diversity and enjoying the privilege of choice, are all important to me. Being a mother of Natalia, now a college freshman, I regard the trust you have placed in us to care for your children, as a tremendous honor. Every day, as I share in the journey of your loved ones’ development, I revel in how special my job is! |
 Dallas Artz
I began my time at LSA as a substitute Assistant Teacher when I was 19. After 15ish years, I'm still here, and enjoying everyday. As the program has grown, so have I, completing my BA at the UW in Environmental Studies, and a Masters' of Public Administration at Seattle University. I even met my now wife, Anna, at LSA. We welcomed our first child in February of 2017.
What originated as an interest in environmental education, slowly transitioned into a passion for organizational development and leadership as my studies, personal interests, and responsibilities at LSA changed over time. Whether working with children or adults, the focus of what I do will always be to encourage and advocate for smart, sustainable, responsive growth and development in individuals and organizations alike. When I'm not working, I enjoy writing, photography and film making, mountain biking, and camping. Lastly, I am thankful to the JSIS/LSA community for the tremendous support, faith and trust that it has, and continues, to instill in me. |
Lead Teachers
Phoebe Muth, Kindergarten Lead
I have been working with kids for almost fifteen years. I grew up in Seattle and currently live in Wallingford. I have a BA in fine arts from The Evergreen State College and an AAS in graphic design from Seattle Central Community College.
Throughout the years I have worked at several area schools, mainly with preschool aged children. I was most recently at The Children's School, a Montessori preschool. Now I return to LSA, where I began years ago shortly after graduation as the dedicated kindergarten assistant. I have always had such fond memories of JSIS, having grown up in the neighborhood and with my sister having attended back in Escuela Latona days. I love the strong community surrounding the school, and am a big advocate of Seattle Public Schools having attended throughout childhood on up through high school.
I am so happy to be back here at LSA for my second year now, as a lead in the first grade classroom. I am really interested in student driven curriculum, lots of art projects (!) and above all, just having fun. In my free time I like making my own art, knitting, music, and road trips.
I have been working with kids for almost fifteen years. I grew up in Seattle and currently live in Wallingford. I have a BA in fine arts from The Evergreen State College and an AAS in graphic design from Seattle Central Community College.
Throughout the years I have worked at several area schools, mainly with preschool aged children. I was most recently at The Children's School, a Montessori preschool. Now I return to LSA, where I began years ago shortly after graduation as the dedicated kindergarten assistant. I have always had such fond memories of JSIS, having grown up in the neighborhood and with my sister having attended back in Escuela Latona days. I love the strong community surrounding the school, and am a big advocate of Seattle Public Schools having attended throughout childhood on up through high school.
I am so happy to be back here at LSA for my second year now, as a lead in the first grade classroom. I am really interested in student driven curriculum, lots of art projects (!) and above all, just having fun. In my free time I like making my own art, knitting, music, and road trips.
Libby Kaczmarek, First Grade Lead
If my life were a room, it would be a cacophony of color; books of poetry stacked on a desk, Turkish rugs hung on the walls, chewed-up dogs toys strewn across the floor, a corner devoted to hiking boots and snorkels and high-heeled tango shoes. I spent my adolescence and undergraduate years hoping that the eclectic interests and experiences I'd collected would coalesce into something cohesive, a straight path forward into adulthood. My degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Creative Writing are tributes to my wayward passions, simultaneously precious and desultory.
Joining the community at LSA became a keystone in the formation of my identity. I've worked with kids before, but never in environments that cultivated imagination, creativity, ingenuity, and community among classes as LSA does. Here, I am able to bring together my explorations and experiences into activities and experiments for the classroom. As our class community flourishes, we develop a common language and share a common culture. My hope is to create a safe place in which every student can authentically be themselves, and it is my pleasure to share in this space.
If my life were a room, it would be a cacophony of color; books of poetry stacked on a desk, Turkish rugs hung on the walls, chewed-up dogs toys strewn across the floor, a corner devoted to hiking boots and snorkels and high-heeled tango shoes. I spent my adolescence and undergraduate years hoping that the eclectic interests and experiences I'd collected would coalesce into something cohesive, a straight path forward into adulthood. My degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Creative Writing are tributes to my wayward passions, simultaneously precious and desultory.
Joining the community at LSA became a keystone in the formation of my identity. I've worked with kids before, but never in environments that cultivated imagination, creativity, ingenuity, and community among classes as LSA does. Here, I am able to bring together my explorations and experiences into activities and experiments for the classroom. As our class community flourishes, we develop a common language and share a common culture. My hope is to create a safe place in which every student can authentically be themselves, and it is my pleasure to share in this space.
Kit Fellner, Second Grade Lead
I am so pleased that I found LSA in 2016 shortly after moving to Seattle. This year, I am very excited to be the second-grade teacher. I am committed and passionate to provide a safe, inclusive, engaging and fun environment for all children.
I discovered my love for teaching and childcare while attending Evergreen State College starting in 2012, where my studies in performance arts and cultural anthropology quickly transitioned into an interest in education. During my first two years working with children, I held the position of Site Director for the YMCA in Thurston County, providing before and after-school programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grades. In addition, I have orchestrated numerous YMCA camps including music, nature, academic skills, and sports.
Outside of work, I spend my free time studying dance and performing, as well as playing tennis and hiking. Recently, I joined a Brazilian dance troupe called “Bahia in Motion,” and have begun my training in capoeira. My experience in dance and somatic studies has taught me how vital movement is to human development and health. I love teaching dance to children.
My mission in the classroom is to bring forth ideas, adventures, creativity, and build a community founded on respect and responsibility.
I am so pleased that I found LSA in 2016 shortly after moving to Seattle. This year, I am very excited to be the second-grade teacher. I am committed and passionate to provide a safe, inclusive, engaging and fun environment for all children.
I discovered my love for teaching and childcare while attending Evergreen State College starting in 2012, where my studies in performance arts and cultural anthropology quickly transitioned into an interest in education. During my first two years working with children, I held the position of Site Director for the YMCA in Thurston County, providing before and after-school programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grades. In addition, I have orchestrated numerous YMCA camps including music, nature, academic skills, and sports.
Outside of work, I spend my free time studying dance and performing, as well as playing tennis and hiking. Recently, I joined a Brazilian dance troupe called “Bahia in Motion,” and have begun my training in capoeira. My experience in dance and somatic studies has taught me how vital movement is to human development and health. I love teaching dance to children.
My mission in the classroom is to bring forth ideas, adventures, creativity, and build a community founded on respect and responsibility.
Momoko Osuga, Third Grade Lead
Lindsay Duckett, Fourth Grade Lead
I joined the LSA family fall of 2015 as the 5th grade lead teacher. This school year marks my 8th year working in childcare. I began my childcare journey during high school. I volunteered at several elementary afterschool childcare programs. It seemed natural for my first job to be working with kids, so I found myself working at childcare centers within gyms. Soon it was specialty summer camps. From there I progressed to before and after school childcare. LSA is the 3rd program I’ve worked at, and I think it is safe to say it is by far my favorite program. I feel so lucky to work here!
I grew up in Shoreline with my parents and older brother. After high school I lived in Sweden for a year where I went to school for art. While there I really began to grow as I was forced out of my comfort zone and began to try new things. When I returned from Sweden, I moved to Seattle with some friends. I have lived here pretty much since, though I have traveled around the country several times. Now, I am settling down and focusing on work and school. I have gone through several changes of heart when it comes to
school. Ultimately I have come full circle. I left high school thinking I wanted to be a high school art teacher. Now, I know my dream job is teaching ceramics at a community college. Now that I have a strong focus, I’m working on getting my general classes out of the way so I can hopefully study sculpture at the University of Washington.
Outside of work and school I enjoy pretty much anything creative and outdoor activities. My many hobbies include drawing, painting, bike riding, crocheting, yoga, hiking, camping, ceramics, road trips and movies.
I joined the LSA family fall of 2015 as the 5th grade lead teacher. This school year marks my 8th year working in childcare. I began my childcare journey during high school. I volunteered at several elementary afterschool childcare programs. It seemed natural for my first job to be working with kids, so I found myself working at childcare centers within gyms. Soon it was specialty summer camps. From there I progressed to before and after school childcare. LSA is the 3rd program I’ve worked at, and I think it is safe to say it is by far my favorite program. I feel so lucky to work here!
I grew up in Shoreline with my parents and older brother. After high school I lived in Sweden for a year where I went to school for art. While there I really began to grow as I was forced out of my comfort zone and began to try new things. When I returned from Sweden, I moved to Seattle with some friends. I have lived here pretty much since, though I have traveled around the country several times. Now, I am settling down and focusing on work and school. I have gone through several changes of heart when it comes to
school. Ultimately I have come full circle. I left high school thinking I wanted to be a high school art teacher. Now, I know my dream job is teaching ceramics at a community college. Now that I have a strong focus, I’m working on getting my general classes out of the way so I can hopefully study sculpture at the University of Washington.
Outside of work and school I enjoy pretty much anything creative and outdoor activities. My many hobbies include drawing, painting, bike riding, crocheting, yoga, hiking, camping, ceramics, road trips and movies.
Miguel Padilla, Fifth Grade Lead
I graduated from the University of Washington in 2017 and shortly after joined the LSA team as a teacher assistant. I have a wide spectrum of experience working with children. I have volunteered in the Seattle Aquarium for four years and was also a tutor for northgate elementary during my last year as an undergraduate. Through those years of volunteering I developed a passion for working and engaging with children. Working at LSA has continued to cultivate my passion but LSA also gives me the opportunity to create an engaging and fun environment for children.
I was born in the Philippines but my family move to the U.S when I was very young. I attended middle and high School in Seattle and have always loved living here. I received my BS in biology and minor in marine biology. I love science and I hope to incorporate it in my classroom. Outside of work I like to keep busy through volunteering, hiking, movies, and bouldering.
As a lead I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging community in my classroom. My goals are to create a space where children are free to express themselves, explore their interests, and to have fun.
I graduated from the University of Washington in 2017 and shortly after joined the LSA team as a teacher assistant. I have a wide spectrum of experience working with children. I have volunteered in the Seattle Aquarium for four years and was also a tutor for northgate elementary during my last year as an undergraduate. Through those years of volunteering I developed a passion for working and engaging with children. Working at LSA has continued to cultivate my passion but LSA also gives me the opportunity to create an engaging and fun environment for children.
I was born in the Philippines but my family move to the U.S when I was very young. I attended middle and high School in Seattle and have always loved living here. I received my BS in biology and minor in marine biology. I love science and I hope to incorporate it in my classroom. Outside of work I like to keep busy through volunteering, hiking, movies, and bouldering.
As a lead I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging community in my classroom. My goals are to create a space where children are free to express themselves, explore their interests, and to have fun.