MARISSA ELLIOTT – OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
Ms. Elliott was the consummate lover of learning from an early age and was a talented student; she was in advanced classes and won prestigious writing awards. She loved Camp Orkila as a camper and later as a counselor – already working with kids in her youth. She was valedictorian at Nathan Hale High School, graduating in 1989 then went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts for two years before graduating from Seattle University with two degrees.  She obtained two Masters Degrees from Western Washington University. She wrote the Seattle Opera program notes and later shared this interest with her students. Marissa was a gifted writer, scholar, and educator winning many awards.  Marissa was a student teacher in the Seattle School District before hiring on at Kellogg Middle School. She then moved up to Shorecrest where she taught English, Honors English, and AP English and writing.
Skilled at teaching all students, especially “reluctant learners” and students new to English, Marissa once told a student that “sometimes you have to do things you don’t like so well in order to do what you love”.  She was most proud of the debate team that reached the state finals in her first year at the High School. Marissa also helped other teaching professionals develop by teaching summer school classes at WWU.
Though this beloved teacher, colleague and friend is no longer with us, we are happy to present this award to her family in her memory.

STACEY FENTON – OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
Stacey Fenton was a Para-Educator whose emphasis was always on the kids, no matter what age, and how to motivate them.  In his last few years, he worked one-on-one with the developmentally delayed autistic students at Shorecrest.  He found ways to understand them despite their lack of verbal skills – and was always willing to help colleagues figure out ways to work with their students as well.  His team-spiritedness probably came from his lifelong love of baseball.  He was able to blend this passion with his love of working with kids by coaching for more than eight years – from Little League to Select teams.  It is appropriate that this award was announced on opening day for the Mariners!  None of his good friends could be there tonight because of the game, but Stacey would get that – he wouldn’t have been able to come tonight either!
Stacey spent many years home-schooling his own children before working in the Shoreline School District.  As a para-educator at Ridgecrest, he was one of the playground helpers and the kids had a great time with him because of his willingness to laugh with them.  Despite his love of games and joking, when things got serious at work, Stacey was always ready to handle a situation.  He was also a fine artist and particularly adept at caricatures.  One example of this is the logo he designed for our SC Bowling team.
One of the special projects Stacey was involved in was mentoring a group of our High School students as they “Spread the Word to end the Word”.  
We will present Mr. Fenton’s award to his wife April 16 at the Shoreline PTA Council Recognition Event.  

STACIA TELLEFSON – OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
Stacia Tellefson is in her seventh year of teaching, all at Shorecrest.  During this time she has been very busy!  She has taught Biology, Physical Science, AP Environmental Science and Earth Science/Environmental Science.  She was snagged early to be Advisor for the Class of 2011 (following them from Freshman year on!), and has been the Link Crew Advisor for the past 5+ years, as well as advising the SAFE and Anime clubs and being part of the Shorecrest Site Council.  
Ms. Tellefson doesn’t just work with the kids, she has also been Evaluation Coach – peer-coaching her colleagues throughout the new teacher evaluation process.  She has been Response Intervention (RT) Coach, working with colleagues to focus instruction and ensure all students learn essential standards.
She says she started her “teaching” career working as an after school “mad scientist” instructor for elementary age kids and had the mad scientist name of “Stellar Stacia”.  This name applies well to the teacher who keeps her room open for kids at lunch and seeks them out to figure out how to help them not just pass the class, but do well enough to learn to love the subject.
We are happy to be able to present her with her pin and certificate in recognition of her great work!

LAURA BREWER – GOLDEN ACORN
Laura Brewer has been an active PTA and PTSA member for over 12 years, following her sons from Briarcrest to Room Nine, Kellogg and now Shorecrest. Her heart for helping kids have a good time has been seen as she and her husband set up, worked the booths and cleaned up at elementary Harvest Festivals.  Her “take-charge, get-er-done attitude” was seen when she was on the Ways and Means Committee at SC, arranging the Hypnotist Show to benefit PTSA’s general fund as well as adding her pink hard hat and enthusiasm to several Pass-the-Hat campaigns.
Fundraising is her forte, which may be why this year’s SPREE funding is way ahead of schedule.  Her hope there is to have more money for scholarships to this event and actively seek out the students who might not normally think of attending this graduation party because of the price.  She was also a “huge part of Senior Spree for 2012, able to secure some spectacular prizes for the kids” according to another previous SC mom.  While working on fun and safety for the kids, she has also assured student service hours for all the work they do to help her and the events she’s part of.  
As another mom said, “Having Laura’s kids in the Shoreline schools has been a multiplying gift for hundreds of other children.”  We are very proud to say that Laura is currently on the Shorecrest PTSA Board, and want to thank her for her years of service with this Golden Acorn award.