Discovery Community School
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 7th grade and my daughter is in 5th 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
Diane Jewell - Youngers (Kindergarten & 1st grade) and Head Teacher
djewell@lwsd.org
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.
Jillian Stroup - Middles (2nd & 3rd grade) Teacher
jstroup@lwsd.org
Hello! I am so excited to be joining the Discovery Community School family. I started my educational journey at Washington State University (Go Cougs!) where I received my bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I continued my degree with a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus in Early Childhood Literacy, from the University of Colorado, Denver. I taught kindergarten, second grade, and was an instructional coach for five years in the Kent School District and taught third grade language arts in Austin, Texas, for the last two years.
I discovered my passion for teaching children how to read, write, and think critically early in my career. It was this passion that led me to pursue my graduate degree, explore instructional coaching, and ultimately brought me back to the classroom. I believe that we should always be refining our craft to ensure we are providing the very best instruction for our students. Because of this belief, I completed the National Board Certification process and achieved certification during the 2019-2020 school year.
When I am not at school, you can find me traveling with family and friends, snuggled up with a good book and a pup, or outside enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest! I feel honored to be part of this chapter with you and your child. I believe education is a group effort, and I look forward to our partnership.
Erin Subcleff - Olders (4th & 5th grade) 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 – a daughter who attends school in the Northshore School District, a son studying engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a son studying computer science at Cornell University.
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy reading, playing board games with my family, and creating art
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 am married to a wonderful husband and together we have a son, who graduated from JHS and a daughter who is currently at JHS. Both of my children have graduated from Sandburg. We enjoy sailing on our sailboat in the San Juans, crabbing, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking at St. Edwards, water sports on Lake Washington, alpine skiing and playing games. I enjoy working out, meditating, 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.
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.
DCS Alumni
Mark Blomquist
Monica Engquist
Carol Fletcher
Cheryl Glassey
Janet Zins
What Parents Say About DCS
Parental involvement is truly the key that adds extraordinary value to this school.
Anonymous