The Valley School is proud of its strong faculty of professional educators. They are an unusually dedicated group who enjoy the freedom of working in a small, creative community. In return, they often go beyond the ordinary bounds of classroom responsibilities, taking on challenges and tasks that support the greater good of the school. The teachers bring to the classrooms both their expertise in education and their own particular passions in the arts and sciences. The strong sense of collegiality among the staff is heightened by the interaction between classes as children and teachers exchange ideas and inspiration. They work together as a team to create the best environment for all the children throughout the school.

Patricia Overy, Founder. B.A., Elementary Education, Knox College. Unlimited Washington State Teaching Certificate. Five years of experience as a public school teacher. Instructor in parent co-op, North Seattle Community College. Taught primary grades at the Bush School for ten years. Founded the Valley School in 1985.

Jill Rufsvold, Pre-K. B.A., Urban Studies and African Studies, St. Olaf College. Four years teaching at Montessori preschools. Nine years teaching and supervising at Kids Place Preschool, Seattle. At Valley since 2006.

Lindsay Eicher, Kindergarten. B.A., English, University of Washington. M.A., City University. Washington State Teaching Certificate. Endorsement in Elementary Education. At Valley since 2005.

Suzanne Coleman, First Grade. M.A., Early Childhood and Elementary Education, New York University. B.A., Latin American Studies, University of Colorado. Pre-K-8 Washington State Teaching Certificate. Fourth grade teacher, 1997-98, City and Country School, New York. Tutor for four years at Basic Education Tutors, Seattle. At Valley since 2004.

Jessica Logan, Second Grade. Masters in Education with Elementary Endorsement, Eastern Washington University. B.A., French, University of Washington. English Specialist, Education Nationale de France, one year. ESL and cultural orientation instructor for refugee families, six years. Registered, certified yoga teacher. Professional musician. Naturalist educator for Seattle Parks Department. At Valley since 2008.

Erica Simonds, Third Grade, Lead Teacher. B.A., Elementary Education, Whitworth College. Endorsements in elementary education (K-8) and art (K-12). Washington State Teaching Certificate. At Valley since 2000.

Mary Childres, Fourth Grade. Masters in Teaching, University of Washington. B.A., Comparative History of Ideas, University of Washington. Second grade teacher, Discovery Elementary School, Issaquah. Intern at Bailey-Gatzert Elementary School. Fourth grade teacher, tutor and support staff at Seattle area elementary, middle and high schools. At Valley since 2008.

Laura Maier, Fifth Grade. B.A., Biology and Teacher Certification, Seattle Pacific University. Environmental education teacher with Seattle Audubon for three years. Endorsement in elementary education. Washington State Teaching Certificate. At Valley since 2004.

Connie Bergeson, Learning Specialist and Tutor. B.A., Elementary and Special Education, Northeastern Illinois University. Primary and middle school teacher in Illinois and Washington for nine years. Washington State Teaching Certificate. Connie is a former first grade teacher at Valley and has been associated with the school since 1994.

Cathy Chutich, Music. B.A., Horn/Theory, University of Minnesota. Masters in Music, University of Wisconsin-Madison. M.A. in Teaching, Seattle Pacific University. Former member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and taught at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Has taught early childhood music since 1996 and ran the music program at Westside School since 2000. At Valley since 2009.

Gail Mensher, French Instruction, Director of Admissions. B.A., French, Washington State University. M.A., Ph.D., French, University of Iowa. Gail taught for six years at the Bush School. At Valley since 1985 when she was a parent during the founding year of the school.

Cindy Monte, Enrichment Specialist. B.A., English/Children's Literature and Communications/Theater, Calvin College. At Valley since 1990 in various roles including teacher, librarian, tutor, and parent.

Marilyn Nicolai, Librarian. B.A., Classical Studies, University of Washington. M.L.S., University of North Carolina. Volunteered in Valley's library and set up its cataloging and circulation system before becoming Valley's librarian in 2001. Volunteer reader for three- to five-year-olds at a Head Start program and at the Pike Market Childcare and Preschool. Before joining The Valley School, Marilyn worked at the Library of Congress, Aspen Systems Corporation, and Microsoft.

Luann Perkins, Latin/Greek Roots. B.A., Sociology, University of Washington. Washington State Teaching Certificate, Seattle Pacific University. Luann taught at Bush for seven years. At Valley since 1988.

Jodi Waltier, Visual Art. B.F.A., Fiber Arts, University of Washington. Washington State Arts Commission Artist in Residence. Jodie spent seven years with Horizons, the New England Craft Program, as high school and Elderhostel intensive arts instructor, three years as art instructor at Coyote Jr. High Art School, and three years as visual art teacher at Villa Academy. Current fiber arts instructor at Pratt Fine Arts Center. At Valley since 2005.