Staff Directory
Guided by highly experienced and innovative staff, DCS meets district curriculum requirements with programs that build on individual strengths and abilities.
Erin Bowser
I am committed to partnering with families and staff to meet students where they are and to help them grow academically, socially and emotionally.
I grew up in Tacoma, Washington and went to the University of Washington where I earned my BA degree in mathematics. I then attended Seattle University to receive my Masters In Teaching. I taught middle school math in the Northshore School District for 7 years before pursuing a leadership path. I returned to the University of Washington as part of the Danforth Educational Leadership Program to get my principal certification.
I joined the Lake Washington School District during the 2007-2008 school year as the Assistant Principal of Rose Hill Junior Middle School and Stella Schola Middle School where I then became the principal from 2012-2020. I am excited to join the Discovery Community School and Sandburg Elementary community!
On a personal note, I live in Kirkland with my husband and two children. My son is in 11th grade and my daughter is in 9th grade at their neighborhood schools. We enjoy being outside, listening to music and playing all kinds of games. I love to run, cook and see my kids doing something they love.
I’ve spent close to twenty years as a middle school educator and I know what skills will help students be successful as they transition from elementary school to middle school. As a parent, I’ve spent the last six years partnering with teachers and supporting my own children through elementary school. These two experiences have sparked my passion for moving to an elementary school to work with the amazing educators who lay the foundation for everything ahead and collaborate with families to meet the needs of the whole child.
I want for your children what I want for my own. I want them to be challenged, connected, valued and prepared for the next step.
Respectfully,
Erin Bowser
Nami Kusunose
My core values are family, love, and equity. These values guide both my professional and personal life. After graduating from the University of California, San Diego, I was a classroom teacher in elementary schools for 20 years. I taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and worked in the office as a coach and a Dean of Students. When my children were high schoolers, I decided my next goal was to join the college world again. I graduated with a Masters in Education and earned my Educational Leadership certification from the University of Washington, and landed here at Discovery Community School and Sandburg Elementary.
Personally, I am a 4th generation Japanese-American. My pronouns are she/her. My husband and I have two children in college so we are now empty nesters! Most of my family lives in Southern California, where I grew up. It's wonderful to have a warm place to visit each year!
I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing community!
Erin Subcleff - Olders (4th & 5th grade) Teacher and Head Teacher
esubcleff@lwsd.org
I love spending my days bringing the love of learning to elementary students. My favorite things are developing in children a love of books, a passion for discovery, the rewards of creativity, and the thrill of challenging themselves.
After attending Juanita High School, I graduated from the University of Washington. I have always been a strong advocate for the arts and while teaching, I earned my Master's Degree in Creative Arts from Lesley College. Integrating the arts (poetry, dance, music, visual arts, and drama) into the curriculum allows me to create enriching and challenging lessons.
I have been teaching in the Lake Washington School District since 1991 – teaching grades 1-6. Since moving to DCS in 2015, I have been a Middles and now Olders teacher. The strong community of students, parents, and staff, make DCS a very special place to be.
My husband and I live in Woodinville. We have three children – Eliza, who attends school in the Northshore School District, Isaac who is studying engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Jackson, a recent computer science and math gradute from Cornell University who is now working and living in Seattle. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy reading, playing board games with my family, and creating art
Kristina Watilo - Middles (2/3) Teacher
Teaching, and working with children, has always been one of my biggest passions, and I’m thrilled to be the Middles teacher this year!
I am local to our community; growing up I went to John Muir, Kamiakin, and Juanita High School. I went on to graduate from Central Washington University with a degree in elementary and early childhood education, and received my Masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University.
Previously I taught 1st grade at Thoreau Elementary for 8 years, before taking a break to be with my kids. I live nearby with my husband Jeff and children Oliver (6th grade at Finn Hill) and Emma (4th grade at Sandburg). I feel so lucky to raise my children in this wonderful city that I grew up in!
Outside of school I enjoy going for long walks with our dog Willow, working in my garden, weekends at our cabin, and being with my family and friends.
Amber Stanley - Youngers (K/1) Teacher
I grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to this side of the mountains in 2004. I love living on this side of the state because of the abundance of trails, being close to water, and the mountains. When I'm not at school I enjoy hiking, traveling, road trips, and hanging out with my mom.
This is my second year with DCS. I completed my student teaching in Olders and was hired to teach Youngers last year. I really enjoy getting to be a part of the DCS community and being able to support the Youngers. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you this year!
Alissa Osborne-Office Professional, Paraeducator, Instructional Assistant
I’m grateful every day I get the opportunity to work with Discovery families and connecting with students.
I have an Associates Arts Degree from Skagit Valley Community College and I am an LMP, licensed massage therapist. I worked for Costco for 10 years after having kids I decided to stay home to raise them.
I was raised and surrounded by educators all my life and feel this is my passion, supporting students intuitively for success.
On a personal note, I live on Finn Hill and married. Together we have a son, who is enrolled at Bellingham Technical College to learn Aquaculture/Fisheries. Our daughter is studying Environmental Science, at Oregon State University/ OSU, GO BEAVS! Both of my children have graduated from Juanita High School and attended Sandburg. We enjoy sailing in the San Juans, crabbing, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking at St. Edwards, alpine skiing at the Summit at Snoqualmie and playing games. I enjoy work out at Gold’s Gym, meditate, and yoga.
I also enjoy working and connecting with our incredible students, staff, families, and community! Please feel free to introduce yourself to me when you are on campus.
On Leave for 2024-25 School Year
Nicole Payette - Middles (2nd & 3rd grade) Teacher
npayette@lwsd.org
I am thrilled to be joining DCS as the Middles teacher in the 2023-2024 school year! I am so excited to work with parents and a community that is so involved, dedicated, and supportive of students and education.
I appreciate the curiosity, enthusiasm, and uniqueness that my students bring to school. My favorite subjects to teach are math, writing, and art. I look for ways to make math engaging with hands on lessons and love when students discover how the math concepts we are learning about are applicable to their lives. I believe all students have incredible, personal stories and I enjoy helping students learn to brainstorm, sketch, and write their stories and share with others. While teaching 2nd grade, Erin Subcleff was one of my teammates and her passion for art was contagious. I love integrating art with our other curriculum goals and seeing students’ creativity shine.
Outside of school I enjoy going to swim lessons with my toddler, walking with my mom, running, watching baseball with my husband, soaking up the sun beach or poolside with my sister, and spending time with my friends and family.
Library, PE and Music
Kerry Glassburn- Library
After growing up in Colorado, I moved to Seattle to attend the UW (Go Dawgs!), decided Seattle felt like home and stayed. I started my professional career in communications/public relations, transitioned to private school admissions, and then took some time off to stay home with my daughter. When it was time to start working again, it was also time for a change. I taught preschool for several years but soon realized what I really wanted to do was combine my enthusiasm for books and information with my love of education.
After completing my Masters in Teaching and spending a year teaching in various Lake Washington classrooms, I’m excited to be able to share my passions with the Sandburg/DCS community as the Library Media Specialist. When not reading, I enjoy photography, baking and traveling the world. I live in Kirkland with my family, two cats and five chickens.
Physical Education
I was born and raised in Kirkland, WA. and attended school in the LWSD. After high school, I went to Central Washington University and earned a BS in Physical Education and School Health. After completing my degree at CWU, I continued my education through Emporia State University earning a MS in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. I took my first teaching job a Carl Sandburg in the fall of 2003.
I have a wife named Stefanie and we have 3 children. The oldest attends Finn Hill Middle School and I have twins who attend Thoreau Elementary. During my time off, I love to camp with family and friends. If I’m not at school or with my family, you will find my exploring Washington rivers in search of Salmon and Steelhead.
I look forward to another great year and it’s a privilege to call Sandburg/DCS my home away from home!!
Music
Mr. Melerski hails from Erie, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Mercyhurst University in 2010 (with a degree in Music Education) he took a job with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). He moved to Montgomery, Alabama where he taught at Maxwell Air Force Base.
In the summer of 2015 Mr. Melerski moved to Seattle. In 2016 he took a job with the Lake Washington School District as the music teacher at A. G. Bell Elementary.
Outside of school Mr. Melerski likes to cook, entertain, explore Seattle and other parts of the PNW, find new restaurants, and travel.
You'll probably hear him say "y'all", call a shopping cart a "buggy", and see him sporting University of Alabama gear.
In Memoriam ♥️
Diane Jewell - Our Beloved Youngers (Kindergarten & 1st grade) and Head Teacher - 1/1/60-8/16/23
DCS will not be the same without Ms. Jewell. She was an amazing teacher and advocate for her students. Her love for all students was contagtious. She leaves a lasting legacy. Her bio, in her own words:
Discovery Community School holds a very special place in my heart. My daughters, Kelsey and MacKenzie, both graduated from this fantastic school! I loved being part of a community of supportive parents who value their children’s education and seek opportunities to become involved.
Originally from Wisconsin, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from the UW of EauClaire. I worked many summers as a camp counselor and these experiences led me to an Easter Seals Camp in California. I settled in San Francisco where I taught for 10 years and earned my Master of Arts degree. I relocated to Kirkland in 1995 to be closer to my sister and to raise my girls in a suburban community. Working as a substitute teacher in all grade levels of Lake Washington and Northshore School districts was the perfect opportunity to experience the incredible dedication educators have in this area. This was also the delightful opportunity to raise my daughters and be involved with their elementary education.
In 2006 I completed my Professional Certification for the state of Washington and was offered a teaching position at DCS. I was thrilled to accept and become a member of this dedicated & energetic staff! We love our life here in the Pacific Northwest. My daughters both attended Western Washington University and are pursuing careers in math and science. We feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful location to hike, ski, and celebrate the solstice.
DCS Alumni
Mark Blomquist
Monica Engquist
Carol Fletcher
Cheryl Glassey
Janet Zins
Jillian Stroup
What Parents Say About DCS
Parental involvement is truly the key that adds extraordinary value to this school.
Anonymous