Our Staff
GLSA's teachers are professional, caring, dynamic individuals who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and talents to their work with children. GLSA has an unusually low turnover in teachers and this continuity in staffing helps the children to build long term caring relationships with our staff. We use emotion coaching, non-violent communication and natural consequences to support children in learning healthy social skills, developing friendships, taking responsibility for their own choices and problem solving skills.
GLSA is awesome! - Dain, age 5
GLSA's staff have cleared background checks and have completed a 30-hour class covering training in child development, health, safety, and cultural & special needs sensitivity, as well as complete a minimum of 10 hours a year of continuing education, as well as 2 hours of nonbias/anti-racism training annually. In addition all staff have current CPR/ 1st Aid certification for adults and children.
Jaime Rossignol
Executive Director
Jaime has devoted her life to creating fun and inclusive learning environments for children, where they feel safe exploring, engaging and becoming self-advocates in their learning process.
Jaime made her home in Seattle after graduating from Smith College where she majored in French and Art, and played rugby. Before joining the GLSA team, Jaime spent over 20 years working with Seattle area K-12 students as an academic consultant and coach, learning specialist, and director of a local tutoring business. She is a certified ski instructor; her favorite pastime is advancing childrens’ passions for learning by utilizing the outdoors, especially on the snow. Jaime enjoys working with children because “their curiosity and sense of wonder enlivens and invites adventure. I never say ‘No’ to fun, and children facilitate that joy.” Jaime lives on Lake Union where she enjoys boating and hiking with her dog Eddie, a rescue chihuahua.
FUN FACTS
- Favorite Color: Purple
- Song that makes her smile: “Colors” Black Pumas
- Quote that inspires her: “Empathy is the most radical of human emotions.” Gloria Steinem
Eva Burns
Interim Assistant Director and Teacher
Eva is a graduate of Seattle Central College and the University of Washington, where she pursued Environmental Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Teaching where she will incorporate her passion for the outdoors with her dedication to education. Eva enjoys working with children because she loves “seeing their wild imaginations and creativity, as well as learning and growing with them.”
FUN FACTS
- Favorite color: Burnt Sienna
- Song that makes her smile: “Love is Everywhere (Beware)” Wilco
- Quote that inspires her: “Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” Robin Wall Kimmerer
Kathy Siebel
Learning Specialist and Lead Teacher
Kathy has been a part of the GLSA family for over 10 years. As GLSA’s Learning Specialist, Kathy oversees lesson planning and curriculum development, coordinating with teachers to ensure licensing requirements and curriculum guideline adherence. Kathy Siebel is a graduate of Knox College, the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and Dominican University’s Teaching Certification for College Graduates program. She is a children’s book author and has worked as a librarian and book editor. Kathy is experienced in SEL and NVC coaching, and she mentors new GLSA teachers. She enjoys working with children because “They are hilarious, and they tell the truth.”
FUN FACTS
- Favorite color: Green
- Song that makes her smile: “Happy”
- Quote that inspires her: “To thine own self be true.”
Jesse Tabisula
Program Coordinator & Teacher
Jesse is a graduate of Seattle Central & Gonzaga University, where he majored in Political Science. Before coming to GLSA, he was a mentor and team lead at Friends of Children where he worked with at-risk youth. Outside of work, he on a softball team, that placed 3rd in the world series.
FUN FACTS
Favorite Colors: Purple & Robin's Egg Blue
Song that makes him smile: "Maps" the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Quote that inspires him: "Thanks for the adventure- Now go have another one!" Ellie, Up
Gareth McCammon
GLSA Chef and Teacher
Gareth graduated from Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Spanish. Gareth has worked with GLSA for over 5 years, and previously worked as a Montessori preschool teacher. He is a talented musician and world traveler who enjoys working with children because he likes “their honesty and humble learning spirit.”
FUN FACTS
- Favorite Color: Red
- Song that makes him smile: “Soul Shakedown Party” Bob Marley
- Quote that inspires him: “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
Lucas Vago Thomas
Teacher
Lucas is currently working toward a psychology degree at Seattle Central. Lucas says he enjoys working at GLSA because “I want to be a dad someday, and I’m practicing.”
FUN FACTS
- Favorite color: Orange
- Song that makes him smile: “Fly Me to the Moon” Frank Sinatra
- Quote that inspires him: “I don’t believe in miracles. I rely on them.” Harbahan Singh Yogi
Tristan Lapetz
Teacher
Tristan comes to GLSA with a degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia. He also completed an internship in audio engineering and holds a certificate in Music Business. Tristan says he enjoys working with kids because “Children are a joy to be around. I love how genuinely they express how they feel and the seemingly limitless joy and excitement the ‘little things’ bring them.”
FUN FACTS
- Favorite color: Green
- Song that makes him smile: “Island Song” Ashley Eriksson
- Quote that inspires him: “A journey of a thousand miles starts beneath one’s feet.” Lao Tzu
Faye Wirth
Teacher
Faye has studied at Shoreline Community College and worked as a nanny, reading coach, and dog handler. She enjoys working with children because “they inspire me with their curiosity, authenticity, and zest for life.”
FUN FACTS
- Favorite color: Pink
- Song that makes her smile: “Rainbow Connection”
- Quote that inspires her: “And now here is my secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Rachael Short
Teacher
Rachel Short is a graduate of Seattle Central College. She enjoys traveling, especially to Puerto Rico, where she has family. Rachel is the proud owner of two dogs and a cat. Her hobbies include reading and acting. Working with children is fun for her as she feels they are “little comedians . . .fascinated by and curious about what is around them.”
FUN FACTS
Favorite color: Green
Song that makes her smile: "This must be the place" The Talking Heads
Quote that inspires her: "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere" Vincent Van Gogh
Hamziye Aman
Teacher
Hamziye Aman is a graduate of the University of Washington where she majored in Environmental Sciences. Originally from Ethiopia, Hamziye has travelled widely including to Mexico, Dubai, and Canada. She is trilingual and has 97 first cousins! She says she enjoys working with children because they are “unapologetically themselves.”
FUN FACTS
Favorite color: Pink
Song that makes her smile: "Sunday Kinda Love" Etta James
Quote that inspires her: "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them" Maya Angelou
Hannah Turner
Teacher
A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Hannah studied Japanese and Sociology & Anthropology. She collects and paints dolls as a hobby and has travelled throughout the U.S. a well as to Canada, Mexico, and England. Hannah enjoys working with children because “they are so imaginative and curious about the world. They help me to remember how important play, creativity, and imagination are.”
FUN FACTS
Favorite color: Green
Song that makes her smile: "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" Of Montreal
Quote that inspires her: " Take everything one step at a time"