Deborah Bartlett grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She traveled the country on a retro-fitted school bus pursuing her Environmental Education Masters through Lesley University and the Audubon Expedition Institute. Having grown up at sea level, the varied geography of Seattle beckoned in 1995. Since then she has taught preschool-5th grade at UCDS and 2nd grade at St. Thomas School in Medina. At Spruce Street School she has worked in many different roles, serving as a substitute teacher, Admissions Director, Development Director and most recently in a parent volunteer role as Auction Co-Chair. Deborah brings 9 years of teaching experience, a background in science education and her unique perspective as parent, staff member and educator to the Spruce Street School team. When not at school she can be found working as a Wellness Coach at Olympic Athletic Club, reading or hiking with her family.

Erica Greenberg is originally from Portland, Maine, raised in a family committed to nurturing individual needs. She moved across the country to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, where she studied Religion and Spanish. Finding that she could not readily apply her knowledge of world religions to any particular occupation, Erica joined AmeriCorps and had her first experience teaching at the elementary school level, both in English and Spanish. Moving to Seattle was Erica’s next step, where she discovered the intern teaching position at Spruce Street School. She left Spruce Street School for a year to get her teaching certificate and Master’s Degree at the University of Washington, returning again to teach in the mid-level in 2009. In her free time, Erica enjoys hosting elaborate vegetarian dinner parties, catching up on a good book, and lazy Sunday mornings.

Laurie Ortega-Murphy grew up in Evanston, IL and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan with a focus in creative writing. She moved to the Northwest to attend Seattle University, where she studied Creative Writing and Medieval Studies. Prior to her Intern position, Laurie worked for three years as an Extended Day teacher at Spruce Street School, as well as spending several summers as an outdoor educator for the Boy Scouts of America in California. Outside of the classroom, Laurie loves to backpack, travel, eat her brother’s cooking, tell tall tales, and watch crime shows with her cats.

Specialist Teachers

Amanda Haecker grew up between San Antonio, TX and the small town of Healdsburg, CA. After high school, she traveled to the Pacific Northwest to pursue an undergraduate degree in International Studies with emphasis in International Development from Seattle University. Amanda loves learning languages and outside of her degree she pursued study in both French and Spanish, attending the Universidad de Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain in 2008. It was through her studies that she fell in love with education, and Amanda has spent the last two years as a teacher in both the Extended Day and Summer Camp programs. She is thrilled to now be spending a year in the classroom among her many other roles at Spruce Street School. In her free time, Amanda loves embarking on cooking and baking adventures, singing, playing the guitar and ukulele, making homemade cards and books, and chasing butterflies.

Felipe Perez was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA. He moved to Seattle in 1989 to attend the Art Institute of Seattle where he earned an Associates of Arts degree in Visual Communication. Before coming to Spruce Street School in 1999, Felipe worked as a Spanish translator, graphic designer, and freelance illustrator while pursuing his passion for painting and honing his skills as a painter. He has exhibited his artwork in Seattle cafes, galleries and art festivals for the last 18 years. Felipe draws upon his Mexican-American heritage to build rich and lively Spanish and Arts programs at Spruce Street School. Felipe is also a part of the dynamic Extended Day staff. In 2005, Felipe received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a teaching certificate from Antioch University in Seattle. He enjoys spending vacations between Montana, California and Seattle with his son Felipe III, skateboarding, hiking, fishing, gardening, painting, bird watching, and barbequing.

John Shepherd was born in Seattle, Washington and has taught Physical Education at Spruce Street School since 2008. Prior to teaching, he graduated from Seattle University in 2003 with a Bachelor's degree in English. Shortly after he obtained a Master's degree in Sports and Exercise Leadership from Seattle Pacific University. In 2008 he earned a Master's degree in Education with a teaching endorsement from Antioch University. In addition to teaching PE, John also coaches cross country, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, as well as conducts a yearly racquet sports clinic. John is passionate about promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among students. When not teaching he can be found walking his German Shepherd and playing in multiple competitive bowling leagues.

Sheree Seretse brings a rich background as a professional musician and teacher to Spruce Street School, where she has taught music since the 2000-2001 school year. Sheree has traveled extensively in Africa and infuses her teaching with cultural studies, especially during the school's annual Arts Week. Sheree teaches marimba classes at Arts In Motion Community Arts School, and directs the Anzanga Marimba Ensemble, Shumba Youth Marimba Ensemble and Zambuko African-American Marimba Ensemble. Sheree presents performances and workshops Internationally.

Extended Day Teachers

Bradley Jackson grew up in Aurora, Colorado, where he sang in several choirs and played saxophone in a jazz band. Besides listening to and playing music, he enjoys learning French, reading books, and spending time with his family in the summer in Colorado. Bradley recently taught as an eighth grade English teacher at Breakthrough Kent Denver, a non-profit organization that supports low income students in the Denver area. Bradley is currently in his third year of pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and French at Seattle University.

Chelsea Keene grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is currently a senior at the University of Washington and is finishing up her thesis project which focuses on helping children develop and maintain positive relationships with food. In the future, she would like to pursue a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Chelsea has been a volunteer mentor at Seattle Girls' School for two years and she recently started volunteering at Green Plate Special, a garden to table program for middle school youth. When she finds free time, she enjoys knitting, sewing, reading, cooking and baking, playing Björk songs on the keyboard, daydreaming about subzero temperatures, and spending time with her wonderful friends, partner, soon-to-be stepson, and her two cats.

Heather Hanson is a lifelong Washington native; she grew up in Bellevue and is currently in her senior year at Seattle University. She enjoys drinking iced tea and meeting new people. As a child, she loved reading, playing soccer and running around in the woods behind her house. She loves cats and dogs equally, but neither as much as she loves kids.

Marianne Luna grew up in Brier, Washington and attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle. She loves arts and crafts, the beach, listening to music and going to concerts. When she isn't studying she is reading books, volunteering at various locations in Seattle, and baking delicious treats. Marianne is currently enrolled in the Nursing program at Seattle University with an interest in Pediatrics.

Rebecca Strohl has lived almost everywhere in the Pacific Northwest, but calls the small town of Camas, Washington her home. She moved to Seattle last August when she entered the Theater program at Cornish College of the Arts. There, she hopes to eventually enter the Original Works program and pursue directing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, knitting, photography, and baking.

Stella Brier grew up in Boulder, Colorado where she helped her mother run an in-home day care program. Stella currently attends Cornish College of the Arts and is working toward a bachelors degree in Visual Communication Design. She hopes to continue her education by earning a masters of art in teaching. She has worked at Spruce Street School since 2008 as a tutor and summer camp counselor, and hopes to continue working in education with young children throughout her life. Stella enjoys creating art in her spare time as well as various outdoor activities, adventuring, and hanging out with her two cats.

Timothy Aspinall was born and raised in the Seattle suburbs. He loves to experience the world through new adventures and innovative activities. Tim transferred to the University of Washington after receiving his AA in Business Administration at Edmonds Community College while playing for the college’s soccer team. He will be studying economics and political science at the UW. In his free time Tim loves to hang out with family, take pictures, go camping in the north Cascades, and play soccer.

John Horman teacher, colleague, and friend died on August 12, 2001 after a long illness. We miss his smile, ready wit, consistency, compassion for children, and much more.

In memory of John, the John Horman Endowment was created in 2002. If you are interested in donating to this fund, please contact us for further information.