Teacher Specialists

I was born in Santa Monica, California. Although Spanish was my first language, I also grew up speaking English. Both of my parents are from El Salvador. We moved back to El Salvador when I was 16, where I lived for 10 years. I attended high school and college and taught English to Spanish-speaking students before moving back to the United States.

My beautiful daughters are 16 and 19 years old. For the last two years, I have been working for a fun camp on my summer break called ALKI ADVENTURE CAMP!  It’s great to see some of my students from school and get to spend time teaching them how to paddle board in the Puget Sound and Lake WA.  I also love to cook gourmet dishes (all types of cuisines, but especially Latin American) and have friends over to enjoy.

I really enjoy teaching Spanish and preparing a variety of activities to keep the lessons interesting for the students. It is rewarding when students use their Spanish expertise outside of the classroom. When they greet me in Spanish, it is great to see the confidence they are building with the language.

I am very excited to be a part of the OLG community!  I have over 30 years experience in teaching math in grades K-8, as well as several years administrative experience. My most recent school was Sacred Heart in Bellevue, and I also taught at Lakeside Middle School and St. Monica School.

My husband and I moved our family to West Seattle a few years ago, and my goal has been to teach and get more involved in a Catholic community closer to home.  I was warmly welcomed as a volunteer in the classrooms last year and now, I am thrilled to be working with the wonderful students and staff at OLG!

Outside of school, I love to spend time with my family near and far, travel, garden, enjoy summer concert outdoors, walk Alki, go to the theater, and enjoy the Mariners and Seahawks! I volunteer at the West Seattle Food bank which has opened my eyes to the needs of our community.

My schedule is set to work with students in small groups to support their growth.  These groups will be flexible and changing throughout the year.  As I work with my students, I strive to inspire them to be confident learners with a growth mindset. Math is everywhere, and we will explore it together with joy and perseverance!

Mrs. Sommerville has been working in education for over 20 years. She has a Master’s in Educational Technology, endorsements in Library, K-8 Elementary Education, Math, Reading and Technology. Her most recent work experience was at Fairwood Elementary School (Kent SD) as the Librarian and Technology Integration Specialist for a building wide one-student, one-computer (1:1) pilot program.

Welcome!

It is an honor and a pleasure to begin my 18^th year as part of a dynamic and compassionate teaching team in the OLG community.

As school counselor, I maintain two roles of supporting student growth: counseling and teaching social-emotional learning in the classroom.

I received a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle, with special emphasis on Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy. Art can be a powerful tool used to address student concerns, and assess their strengths. Art affords them an additional means of expression and self-reflection.

Working with individual students, I look at obstacles that may be getting in the way of learning. Issues may include loss and grief, conflict resolution, low classroom participation, difficulties with study skills and organization. Working in the classroom I implement Second Step, a program designed by Committee for Children. It teaches students conflict resolution, helps to build social skills, develop self awareness and personal safety.

In addition to working with individual students and in whole class settings, I also coordinate Parent Education opportunities. In partnership with the Parent Organization and OLG Parish Staff, we focus on a variety of topics throughout the school year such as: internet safety, student social and developmental challenges, and parenting skills. All presentations and discussions will be announced in the weekly newsletter (FCE), as well as on this webpage.

As Playground Supervisor, I’m out at recess two times a day. It affords me a wonderful opportunity to work along side parents who assist as monitors. It also allows me to observe and interact with students during their play time.

The OLG community reflects just that, community! As parents and teachers working together, we provide the guidance and support to help each child find success in sharing their gifts!

I am at school Monday through Friday. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Ms. Heidi Ehrenberg   LMHC

School Counselor

(206) 935-0651

O.L.G. BAND PROGRAM

Exploration is the beginning of education! The study of instrumental music opens to an adventure of wonder, knowledge, appreciation and discovery!

Beginning and intermediate/advanced band is offered on a regular weekly basis during the school day. Kennedy Catholic High School provides the instruction under faculty member, Frances McKamey. Since 1984, hundreds of students have actively taken part in this program! The highlight of the academic year is the annual Band Festival. All the band members of the nine schools join forces with the Kennedy Band for a fun-filled evening of music at the high school in May. The Honor Band and a summer band camp are also additional opportunities for our young musicians! Eighth grade graduates entering Kennedy Catholic High School will find a smooth transition into the award winning high school band

Hello!

I love sharing music with people of all ages and I am happily humbled to be here at Guadalupe! Teaching is a true joy for me.

I bring a wide range of musical experience to the classroom. Some of my current and former musical endeavors are and have been:

Music Specialist at OLG School since 2010
Music Director of OLG Parish since 2003
Music Teacher and accompanist at Kennedy Catholic High School
Music Director and accompanist for several theatre companies around Seattle such as Burien Little Theatre, STAGEright Theatre, and Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society
Member of music groups such as The Starry Crowns, The Superchargers, and The Dickens Carolers.

Hello OLG Bulldogs!  This will be my seventh year teaching at this wonderful school, second year teaching math for grades 6-8.  I graduated from Central Washington University receiving a B.A. and teaching endorsement in Elementary Education (K-8) with a minor in Mathematics.  When I’m not teaching, I enjoy traveling, making music, cheering on the Seahawks, and playing with my one-year-old Golden Retriever dog, Wilson.

If you have a chance come check out the “Seahawks” Math Lab; it is right across from the office.

Hello, I am the P.E. Specialist for Preschool through 8th Grade. This is my 14th year here at Guadalupe. Before coming here I was with the West Seattle YMCA for over 20 years, where I was the Health & P.E. Director. During those years I taught various fitness classes, gymnastics, Kids Gym and pre-natal classes. From 2001 to 2011 I also taught P.E. at St. Bernadette School.

My favorite things to do in my free time are sewing, (I have the greatest sewing room), walk with my dog and friends, read and sew some more. I also enjoy spending time at our cabin on Anderson Island. I have four children and the cutest granddaughter who is four.

I always loved P.E. as a child even though I certainly wasn’t the fastest or most agile. I did find a sport, gymnastics, and continued through high school. I hope to have our students here at Guadalupe loving P.E. days, finding some activity that they love doing and always searching for new activities and adventures I enjoy fitness challenges and I aim to impart the enjoyment and self-improvement to the students.

I look forward to an exciting year!