Washington School

Staff

Learn about our wonderful teachers

and staff at our school......

Janet Bader ~Kindergarten - KA AM~ I have been a primary grade teacher since 1988. I have been teaching Kindergarten at Washington since 1997. I earned my degree and teaching credential at UCLA and I have a Master’s in Reading and Literacy. In 2001, I was named the Redondo Beach Unified Teacher of the Year and I went on to become a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year. The following year, I was named the South Bay Young Educator of the Year. I love Washington School! Classroom Web Page

Kristin Hall "Kindergarten - KA PM" 2005 was my first year teaching Kindergarten at Washington School and I was extremely excited for the teaching experience. I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific, my M.F.A. from the Academy of Art University and my teaching credential from the University of Phoenix. I am lucky to be a part of the Washington Team! Classroom Web Page

Meleesa Smith "Kindergarten - KB AM" I was thrilled to join the Washington School team in 2005! I have taught kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades and am very excited to be with an amazing group of kindergarten teachers. I received my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from the University of San Diego. Washington Elementary is a great place to be with wonderful teachers and students! Go Explorers! Classroom Web Page

Jessica Baird "Kindergarten - KB PM" Washington School is a great place to be since 2006! I have taught Kindergarten since 2004 and also have classroom experience in 2nd and 3rd grade. I received my Bachelor's Degree from U.C. Santa Barbara and my teaching credential from Antioch. I am very excited to be a part of such a fabulous team of teachers. Go Explorers! Classroom Web Page

Gabby Vega "Kindergarten - KC AM" I was born and raised in Southern California. I earned my bachelor's degree and teaching credential from Pacific Oaks College. I have been teaching since 1997 and came to Washington in 2007. I have taught pre-K, kindergarten, and second grade. I'm thrilled to be working with such a fabulous staff. Go Explores! Classroom Web Page

Heather Ladd ~First Grade - Room 1~ I have truly enjoyed teaching here at Washington School since 1998. This year, I continue to team-teach with Stephanie Haddock. We strive to provide our students with positive and challenging learning environments in which they can learn from us as well as the other students around them. I'm looking forward to a terrific year!

Stephanie Hale ~First Grade - Room 2~ I have truly enjoyed teaching here at Washington since 1999. I love team teaching our classes with Ms. Ladd.

Elana Stauffer "First Grade" - Room 3" I am thrilled to be teaching at Washington since 2006. I received my teaching credential from Chapman University in 2005 and will soon receive my Master's in Teaching from the same university.

Michele Garcia ~First Grade - Room 4~ I was born and raised in the South Bay and attended college in San Francisco where I lived for six years. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, entertaining, cooking and traveling. I am thrilled to teach at Washington Elementary school since 2007.

Keli Craig "First Grade - Room 5 " I started teaching Kindergarten at Washington in 2000 and first grade in 2005. I received my teaching credential from USC and finished my Masters Degree in Teaching through Grand Canyon University.

Katie Fisher ~Second Grade - Room 6~ I am very happy to be at Washington since 2001. I earned my Masters degree in "Child and Adolescent Literacy". I enjoy running, writing, the beach and outdoor activities. I am looking forward to another great school year!

Jennifer Gill ~Second Grade - Room 8~ I started teaching in 1999. Washington is an amazing school! I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful family.

Karrie Carpenter ~Second Grade - Room 9~ I began teaching 3rd grade at Washington at the end of 2003-2004. Then I moved to a 1st/2nd grade multi-age class in 2004 and am now teaching a second grade class. I am so fortunate to work at such a wonderful school. I earned my degree and teaching credential from Cal State University Long Beach. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, boating, and many other outdoor activities. I look forward to many exciting and successful years here at Washington School.

Kimi Watanabe ~Second Grade - Room 10" I earned my degree and teaching credential from CSULB. I have been teaching since 1990. In 1999 I joined the wonderful staff here at Washington School. Prior to coming here, I also worked for Torrance and Manhattan Beach School districts.

Becky Bassine "Second Grade - Room 11" I began teaching at Washington in 2007. I received my bachelor's degree and teaching credential from San Diego State University. I'm excited to be part of the Washington family and I am looking forward to a great school year. Go Explorers!!

Tammi Rubasky "Third Grade - Room 12" I started teaching third grade in the 2003-04 school year here at Washington School. This school if filled with wonderful teachers that inspire me everyday. I'm looking forward to a fun and successful year. Classroom Web Page

Jennifer Ennis "Third Grade - Room 12" I was born and raised in Southern California. I went to college in Chico. I have been teaching since 1994 and came to Washington in 1997. I live in Redondo Beach and love being a part of this community. Classroom Web Page

Angela Asch ~Third - Room 13~ I received my teaching credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills. I am so excited to be joining the Washington family in 2006. I am very pleased to be working with such wonderful teachers and students.

Tamara Camacho ~Third Grade - Room 14~ I began teaching in 1993. I am a graduate of Cal State Dominguez Hills. For the first five years of my career, I taught third grade in the Bellflower Unified School District. I started teaching at Washington in 1999. I have a wonderful class of bright students. I am a mother of 4 beautiful daughters. I love teaching at Washington. It is a wonderful school!!

Mary Laster "Third Grade - Room 15" 2005 was my first year teaching at Washington School. I earned my bachelor's degree from Penn State University, and studied International Management and International Cuisine at Les Roches in Switzerland. I earned my Teaching Credential from Cal State University. I enjoy spending time with my daughter, traveling, going to the movies, and having fun with my family. I feel truly blessed to be a part of the Washington Family.

Bonnie Turner ~Third Grade- Room 16~ I started teaching 4th grade at Washington in 2000. I received my teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University and a masters degree through Grand Canyon University. I love working with the wonderful staff and students at Washington.

Jan Esser ~Fourth Grade - Room 17~ I'm a graduate of CSULB. I started teaching 4th grade at Washington in 1992. I'm interested in technology. I run Washington's Computer Club after school for third through fifth grade students. I love California history. That's why I teach 4th grade.

Cara Anderson "Fourth/Fifth Grade - Room 18" As a 2003 addition to the staff at Washington, I'm truly enjoying teaching at the fourth grade level. I hold a BA in English and recently completed a fifth year of study at UC Irvine where I earned my teaching credential.

Elyse Huff "Fourth Grade - Room 19" I am very happy to be a part of the Washington Family as of 2007. I received my teaching credential from California State University Northridge in 2005. I hope to begin working on my masters in Education soon. I love to read! I still read at least 20 minutes every night. I also love to learn about the history of California. During my free-time I like to play volleyball, swim, read, and cook.

Anne Sharp ~Fifth Grade - Room 20~ I began teaching in 1994 in Hawthorne on an internship program. In September 1998 I received my clear credential and started teaching 5th grade at Washington School. I received my BA from UC Davis and my teaching credential from CSU Dominguez Hills. From 2001-2003 I was involved in the UCLA LUCI math program for educators. I love teaching at Washington School. History is my favorite subject.

Kristen Lem "Fourth Grade - Room 21" As destiny would have it, growing up in the South Bay as a child I used to assist my friend's mother with her classroom at Washington Elementary. I received my Bachelor of Business Administration from San Diego State University and my Masters in Education and Teaching Credential from Pepperdine University. I enjoy playing sports, distance running, cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends in my spare time. I am so excited to be a part of a school as great as Washington Elementary since 2007.

Agnes Kiazolu ~Fifth Grade - Room 23~ I have had the good fortune to be a proud member of the Washington Staff since 1991. Prior to this, I served two and a half years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia, West Africa.

Chris Jackson ~Fifth Grade - Room 24~ I received my teaching credentials from Cal State University Long Beach in 2005. I grew up in Redondo Beach and attended Lincoln Elementary. I completed my student teaching at Washington and joined the team in the 2006/2007 school year. It's nice to be back home.

Principal - Nino Torres A little about me. I have lived in the South Bay for about 34 years and have been in education for 12 years. Previous to that I was employed in the banking/finance area of business. I started my teaching career as a third grade teacher, but my favorite grade to teach is fifth. I was an assistant principal for two years and am starting my third year as a principal. I believe that learning is a life long journey that we will always travel. I learn something new from your kids everyday. email

Secretary - Jeanette Hill

Clerk Typist - Patty Ulrich

Diane Williams ~Health Clerk~ I have been at Washington School since 1983. I have been certified every year in first aid and CPR. Also, I am in-serviced on various new medications, health problems and trained yearly in many areas that help me to be a better Health Clerk. I love my job! I feel we have a great staff, great families, and terrific students. I try to make my office a safe, warm place to visit.

Kelly Kobel ~Kindergarten - Fifth Resource Specialist - Learning Center ~I started teaching in 1992 and came to Washington School in 1995. I have my Masters Degree in Special Education. I love teaching at Washington School.

Wendy Ardeljan ~Learning Center Coordinator - Learning Center" My teaching career began in 1998 as a 6th grade teacher in Lawndale. I came to Washington in 2000 where I have taught 4th, 1st/2nd grade, and now I am excited to be a Learning Center teacher. I earned my Masters Degree in 2001 and I still love to learn. I enjoy reading, long walks at the beach, and spending time with my husband and two daughters.

Shana DeSena ~Learning Center Coordinator - Learning Center" I started teaching in 1998 for LBUSD. I earned my Masters Degree in Special Education and Teaching Credential from CSUDH. In 2005, I joined RBUSD and am very fortunate to be here at Washington.

Dona Bouffard "Learning Center - Room 7" I have been teaching at Washington since 2000. Before that I taught at Alta Vista. I love to go dancing every Thursday night with my husband.

Brooke Boone "Learning Center- Room 7" I started teaching in 1999 in Texas and have now taught in California since 2003 in SDC. I am excited to now be working as a Resource Teacher with such a caring staff and families at Washington since 2007. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going out to eat, traveling and running.

Speech - Cindy Zink "Learning Center" I have been a Speech and Language Pathologist for RBUSD since 1992. The favorite part of my job is working with the students and watching their growth. I also love working with such a great staff here at Washington. In my spare time I love to shop, garden, and redecorate my house. I am also the mother of two great sons who keep me very busy!

Psychologist - Brenda Restori "Office"

Counselor - Lissa Watts " Learning Center" I have been a part of the Washington Staff since 2004. I received my B.A. degree from CSUN and my Master's in Educational Counseling and Psychology and P.P.S. credential from National University. I am a Redondo Beach native and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I love being a part of the Project Pal counseling team and sincerely love working with the wonderful staff, students and families here at Washington.

Dee Dee Pearson "Library" I've been Washington's Library Clerk since 1988 but have been on the campus since 1976. Washington was my first school in 1953. I am here about 10 hours a day except Fridays. I do the morning program at 7:30 am and the after school program from 2:30 to 5:30. I love Washington School, the staff and the students.

Music Teacher - Lisa Crawford Music educator, composer, researcher, curriculum developer, and grants/funding proposal writer for music and arts education, Lisa Crawford holds two masters degrees (Master of Music, Music Education and Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction) as well as a music teaching credential for K-12 choral, instrumental, and general music. Having taught music for thirty years simultaneously with a professional background in business development for arts, entertainment, and technology companies, Crawford has developed a nonprofit, The Music Stand Foundation supporting California school districts, music teachers, and arts organizations in raising money for music and arts education programs. This follows several years of research and study of philanthropy in the United States, arts funding issues, and cultural policy in California. In addition to being focused on elementary music singing and repertoire, Ms. Crawford works with young pianists and emerging composers and songwriters. Ms. Crawford also loves video games and creative music websites.