Events

Meg Alley is the Communications and Development Director at Team Read, a student powered literacy tutoring organization. She’s worked in fundraising and communications for Seattle-area nonprofits since 2012 and currently serves as Board President at The Environmental Science Center. When not working or volunteering in the community, she can usually be found with her nose in a book or exploring the Northwest with her family.

Team Read is a local literacy tutoring organization that has partnered with Seattle Public Schools for over 25 years, and will soon begin its 7^th year partnering with the Highline School District. What sets Team Read apart is that they recruit and train local high school students to work as paid reading tutors to second and third graders who need literacy support. The dual impact of this program results in elementary students improving their reading skills, and teens having access to a meaningful first job. Meg will present on Team Read’s curriculum, structure, impact, and opportunities for community support.

Meet at Azteca in Burien.

Shawna Moore, HEA Vice President and Dean of Student Success Puget Sound Skills Center. Over the past 20 years in Highline, Shawna has taught K through 12. Shawna leads the racial and social equity work at the local, council, and state level. Her leadership extends to serving as a WEA Culturally Responsive Trainer, a Cadre Lead for ECS 01 and 06, as well as a Core Team member of RECN (Rainier Educators of Color Network). Her passion is helping educational professionals experience the power of relationships and human connection with the goal of ensuring all students have a caring adult in their educational setting. Meet her in person at the Rainier Educators of Color Monthly Meetups!

Executive Director Joanna Stodden was born and raised in the rivers, forests, and mountains of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot and other Coast Salish peoples.  After graduating with a BS in field biology from the Evergreen State College, she worked for several environmental consulting firms conducting stream surveys for amphibians and salmon habitat all over Southeast Alaska.  She eventually became lonely among the grizzly bears and mosquitoes and felt a strong desire to share the remarkable biodiversity of our earth with others.  She has taught environmental education on beaches, forests, wetlands, aboard tall ships, in school gardens, and on a beach with the third greatest tidal exchange in the world! She began teaching Beach Heroes Programs for the Environmental Science Center in 2009 and served as ESC’s Program Manager from 2015-2019.  Joanna is delighted to advocate for outdoor programming in south King County and feels honored to be able to partner with the dedicated and talented teachers, parents, students, and community members who understand the value in stepping outside of the four walls of the classroom.  You will most likely find Joanna squawking and dancing with the herons, or following an ant back to her colony alongside her busy and inquisitive toddler.

Kristine has also spent the last 20 Years of her career as a Mortgage Loan Consultant. Assisting her clients with the right mortgage loan that best fit their needs.

Nathan Box is a fellow Rotarian and serves as the President of the South King County Rotary Club. He is also the Communication & Engagement Manager for Mercy Housing Northwest. Mercy Housing is the largest affordable housing provider in the country with nearly 350 communities in 20+ states, 51 of which are in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Today, Nathan will present on Mercy Housing Northwest’s work in King County and how they are addressing the affordability crisis in our region.

Amanda is the Career Specialist for the Achieve Program at Highline College. Achieve is a post-secondary transition program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities that includes credit and non-credit classes, intensive advising, involvement in campus life, work-based learning, and assistance with job placement. In this Program students participate in mock interviews, Resume/cover letter development, internships, and connection to adult service agencies for continued employment support past graduation.