Valerie Diaz Leroy (she/her) is in her 1st year at PSCS and holds over 20 years experience in education. She is a Boston College graduate and spent 14 years teaching in independent schools, including 13 years at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg. She is certified in Conflict Transformation through Imani Works, a non-governmental organization of the United Nations. Val is an instructional coach focused on culturally responsive practices and historical fidelity. She is also a curriculum developer focused on equitable representation and Restorative Practices. She is focused on collaborative impact, decolonizing education, mentorship, and youth empowerment.

Elizabeth Ortega (she/they) holds 12+ years experience in education and food/environmental justice, including 5 years at PSCS as facilitator, Advisor, and collaborative staff member. She is a holistic sex educator and offers courses in Sociology, Gender Studies, and wellness. They have a B.A. Sociology & Anthropology from the University of Arizona and hold an M.Ed. in Transformative Learning Processes and currently teaches graduate students at Antioch. They are also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and are experienced in/trained in Restorative Practices, Non-Violent Communication (NVC), neuro-divergent teaching strategies, racial and gender equity facilitation, peacemaking circles, caucusing, and Somatic practices. 

Sam (he/him) found his way to PSCS after several years as an Instructional Assistant at the Westside School in West Seattle. He’s been a resident of the Pacific Northwest since the mid 80s, but originates from the hot flatlands of Dallas, Texas. Sam’s teaching experience goes back to the mid-nineties, where he got his start as a preschool teacher and an elementary school assistant. During those early years, he found a love for teaching, helping students see past their challenges and offering a positive approach to learning and having fun. 

Hannah (she/her) was born and raised in the forested hills of Western Massachusetts. She ventured westward for college, and after studying English, planned to become a writer or editor. But the universe had other plans. A friend suggested they move back east to do something called outdoor education, and Hannah’s path began to swerve. Hannah spent the next 5 years in peripatetic existence – leading outdoor education and service learning programs throughout the Northeast, Colorado, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. During this chapter, Hannah fostered a love of challenging adventures, making friends everywhere, and intercultural collaboration. Hannah discovered the power and fertility of learning through conversation and experience.

Liana Green (she/they) came to PSCS 14 years ago, ultimately creating and broadening our Music Program as it stands today. During her tenure as a full time Teaching Staff member, she forged opportunities for everyone, from new performers, to mid-range musicians, to more experienced performers. She offered classes like Music Theory, Diverse Voices, Choir, and Dead White Guys, all running in tandem with many, many bands. She leaves behind an incredible program, one that has seen many alum follow their musical passions into becoming working musicians—and even to places like Cal Arts, The New School, and Berklee School of Music.

Scobie (he/him) was born in Thailand and raised in Laos and Alaska, prior to his family getting really serious about moving in order to kick start his stepfather’s science career. At this point Scobie attended four public high schools, from Florida to New Hampshire, before earning an Art & Design degree from Yale. Post-college, Scobie lived briefly in Brooklyn, New York as a woodworker, before finally settling in Seattle, where he co-founded a high-tech kite manufacturing company that still sells kites all over the world. These days, Scobie’s experiencing mild disbelief that this will be his 14th year on the PSCS teaching staff.

Sieglinde Levery-Nicholas (she/her) holds 18+ years experience in education administration and facilitation at independent schools, including 7 years at the Waring School in Massachusetts and 11 years at Puget Sound Community School (PSCS). She is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and experienced in/trained in Restorative Practices, Non-Violent Communication (NVC), neuro-divergent teaching/administrative strategies, racial equity and gender equity facilitation, organizational leadership training, peacemaking circles, caucusing, and Somatic practices.

Admin Sam (he/him), grew up in many places—including 3 places in each Dakota—and has traveled to 49 of our 50 states. 28 years in Seattle doesn’t make him a native, for sure, but it’s been home for a long time. He currently lives in Columbia City with his partner, Joe, kids, Julienne and Jaxton, two cats, and a bunch of chickens. The soil in his yard is somehow perfectly textured: a magical loam that holds water and drains. He also has three older kids from a prior life chapter who are spread around Seattle and California, as well as family of origin around the US.

PSCS Teaching Staff—For the past 20 years, Brandon has been working as a musician, producer, audio engineer, and teacher in the Puget Sound area. He regularly performs and frequently collaborates with many professional musicians and artists around the world. Most recently, he’s been performing live with The Black Tones, Dearheart, and Erin Rae and the Heartbeets, while also producing lofi pop and hip hop tracks for national artists at his studio.