our teachers

Nova has exceptional staff and teachers. We have a core team that has been together for nearly 20 years. During this time, we have worked hard to find and develop a team of educators who understand our teaching and learning system and are committed to equity, student voice, and building relationships with students.

Every member of the teaching team has at least a Masters in Teaching or a Master’s in Education and additional content area graduate degrees. We believe that all of our teachers must be grounded in a deep understanding of their content area, their content pedagogy, and general pedagogy. We put a high priority on interdisciplinary courses and our ongoing social and racial justice and ethnic studies initiatives.  

To give insight into the unique learning experience at Nova, the Recruitment Committee students asked each staff member to answer a few questions about why they choose to teach at Nova. Here are a few of the responses . . .

Susan
Biological Sciences, Farm, Conservation & Marine Biology

What brought you to Nova?
When I was moving to Seattle, I sent applications to all the high schools in the district. A student from Nova called me and set up an interview. As soon as I walked in the Mann Building, it felt like home. I love the individualized attention that I have with students, that students are involved in decision making and the ability to teach towards my passion.

How would you describe your teaching style? 
When I asked the students in my room at lunch today, the responses were "Motherly", "Doesn't give up" and "Persistent".

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence? 
Cell Biology, Farm, Conservation, Marine Ecology, Health and Yearbook.

What's your favorite thing about Nova? 
The students.

Karen
Visual Art Teacher

What brought you to Nova?
The community and to be able to create programs for authentic learning for students in many different art mediums.

How would you describe your teaching style? 
Mostly working like an art coach, trying to individualize access to what interests students so they are connected to their authentic creative voice and expression.

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence? 
I am dedicated to learning and working with students to help them understand and learn about process and their learning potential.

What's your favorite thing about Nova? 
The possibilities of what we create together as a community and the honoring of individuals to help them become part of this amazing community.

Debbie
Language Arts Teacher, Coordinator, College Prep Advisor, 504 Coordinator

What brought you to Nova?
Internship in 1997

How would you describe your teaching style? 
Compassionate, radical when needed, traditional when needed.

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence? 
Love. Hope. I hope to empower all people to feel confident about their reading, writing, and communicating abilities.

What's your favorite thing about Nova? 
Culture of Kindness

Allison
Special Education Teacher

What brought you to Nova?
I came to Nova after teaching in a much more traditional high school in Brooklyn, NY. I hoped to find a community of people who wanted to think deeply about teaching and learning, and who wanted to dedicate themselves to the project of education. I'm happy to say I've found that here at Nova.

How would you describe your teaching style? 
I am always trying to adapt to meet the needs of the students in front of me. I want to help my students use their talents and the things they are passionate about to better understand and contribute to the world around them.

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence? 
I teach because it's the most rewarding job in the world - students are endlessly creative and funny, and constantly challenge me to see things in a new way. I'm lucky to do this job, and I'm especially lucky to work in a school that challenges teachers to learn as much as students.

What's your favorite thing about Nova? 
Nova is the most humane community I've ever been a part of. Students and staff alike are truly seen and valued as individuals. The coordinating system allows students and staff to build strong, trusting relationships that are really important for growth, and students are empowered to build a high school experience that works for them. Sorry, was that more than one favorite thing?

Terrance
Language Arts Teacher, Coordinator

What brought you to Nova?
Nova prioritizes students first, values compassion, sincerity, and rigor, and is always working to become better.

How would you describe your teaching style? 
I am trying to get students to find their voice, learn how to critically think, and realize there are multiple processes in becoming an actual human being.

Why do you teach? and/or What do you hope to influence? 
I teach because I love to learn with others. I teach because I am driven by the impulse to help in any way I can. I'm hoping to help my students realize not only the honor it is to learn how to become a human but to also realize the responsibility they have to center others and their world while they engage in that process.

What's your favorite thing about Nova? 
Nova is a safe place for students to learn about who they are and work with others to facilitate the growth of justice, truth, and community. This is my 19th year here and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.