I graduated from UW with my Masters in teaching in 2015. I believe that I have the BEST job in the world and that ALL kids are GOOD kids. Our classroom is our community.... we all deserve a place where we can feel safe, learn, belong and experience JOY everyday! When I am not at school you might find me walking my dog Wendell, hanging out by the water, skiing down a mountain or listening to live music with friends!
Education: MIT University of Washington / BA Vanguard University
Xena is coming to Licton Springs from Salmon Bay K-8, where she taught 4th grade for 8 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Naropa University where she studied creative process and performance. Her educational journey includes working as a SPED IA, Preschool Teacher, Reading Specialist and Camp Director. She loves project based learning and Social Studies. She lives in Columbia City with her youngest child, who is starting high school this year, and too many pets.
I am excited to be at Licton Springs this year-reducing my commute from 35 miles to 12 blocks each way. I have 5 years of experience with preschoolers and another year working with K-6th graders in Kent. Being silly is a big part of my life and I have found teaching is able to marry that and a career.
I spend my time as a SpEd teacher, showing houses, and seasonally working at Spirit Halloween. My family are huge Halloween fans and love to decorate.
My weekdays are spent working with Developmental Pre-L Program through 8th grade students at Licton Springs K-8. This is my 4th year at the school. It's a great community of staff and students. I really enjoy working with children of all ages. My path as an educator started with teaching music at the pre-school level which eventually led to tutoring K-6 ELL students and now focuses on Special Education.
Outside of school, my time is often spent baking/cooking, reading, outdoor activities (walking our dog to riding my bike), musical performances playing international folk music and best of all, spending time with my family.
My name is Kelly Holton (Teacher Kelly) and I am new to Licton Springs this year as a Developmental Preschool Teacher. I have taught students with a variety of needs in special education settings including students in a Resource and Focus setting, and I was previously the teacher in the Developmental Preschool classroom at North Beach Elementary. This will be my fourth year teaching Developmental Preschool, and I taught PCIS for the four years before. I love music , yoga , barre, tennis, hiking with my old English Bulldog and trying new restaurants. I look forward to getting to know you and your students.
I was born and raised in Seattle, headed to college in CA, and lived in Brazil in 2012 before coming back to my favorite city. I love most sports (Go Sounders!) and am impatiently waiting for when Seattle gets an NBA team back. You might find me outside of school running, going to concerts, or tending to my 10+ cactus!
Greetings, my name is Jamie Haugen and I am so excited to be your K-8 Physical Education and Health teacher here at Licton Springs! I was born and raised in Mukilteo, WA and reside currently in Lynnwood with my partner and two children (18 and 13). I love spending time with my family, learning new things, sunshine, water, sports, camping, hiking, boating, music, weightlifting, seafood, and the Seahawks! I look forward to building a collaborative joyous community with you all.
Education: B.S in Health and Wellness from Kaplan University, MIT at Seattle Pacific University, MLL Seattle University. Endorsement in Corrective exercise through NASM.
Hensel, Taylor M
Instructional Asst. / Special Education / Ext. Resource
Hello, I am Taylor. I am a transplant from Wisconsin, and this is my second year at Licton Springs! I have had the pleasure of working in Education for the past six years, and love working with kids from pre-K to 8th grade. I enjoy reading books, hanging out with my two dogs, and listening to music. I am so excited to be with our scholars and can’t wait to have another fun year of curiosity and learning!
Kelsey Hoffman, Special Education Teacher: Kelsey is joining the Licton Springs community this year. She has been a Special Education teacher for ten years. She is from San Diego, California, attended Smith College, and began her teaching career in New Orleans where she was a founding team member of the New Orleans Threptic Day Program. She is a Master of Education candidate at the University of Washington College of Education where she continues to research best practices in teaching and learning strategies for students in Special Education focusing on Universal Design for Learning and inclusive practices. She is joining us from Robert Eagle Staff Middle School where she taught Social Emotional Learning courses.
Kelsey is a long distance and ultra-marathon runner, rock climber and dog mom. This summer she competed in several races, including the San Francisco Marathon, culminating with her completing the Squamish 50/50, running 50 miles followed by 50 kilometers in a single weekend. She is training for the Mountain Lakes 100-mile race in September. Her favorite training partner is her dog, Bodoque. Most weekends they can be found running and climbing off Exit 32.
