I graduated from college in 2009 from Western Washington University with a BA in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Special Education. After graduating I began my teaching career in Snohomish as a ½ day kindergarten teacher. In 2014 I became a mother and joined the Jefferson Chargers family. In 2019 I became a part of the Lighthouse community as both a teacher and a parent. I love to bring music in the classroom, and teach most things through song.

Outside of school, my family enjoys camping, kayaking, swimming, and playing with our puppy. We spend much of our time being active in scouts, and going to my son’s baseball or soccer games.

I have over 20 years of teaching experience. I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education and master's degrees in early childhood education and educational leadership. I am originally from Alaska, but as a military spouse I have lived and taught in four different states. I am passionate about teaching reading and have taught reading intervention for much of my career, but have also been a classroom teacher in pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades. We have made Washington our forever home and I am so excited to be teaching the best grade ever...first grade!

I am married and have three children ages 21, 18, and 11. My youngest child is a Lighthouse student. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, doing crafts, and learning new things.

Ms. Lemkau has been teaching since 1995 and received her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2003. Since coming to Lighthouse in 1999, she has taught kindergarten, first grade, third grade, and currently teaches second grade. Professionally, she has critiqued books and lessons for a book company, and has been on the school leadership team.

A Washington State transplant from the Midwest, she enjoys CrossFit, activities with her child, and reading anything she can get her hands on.

"My number one passion is learning. I believe that there is nothing more valuable in life than education, and it is this belief that lead to a profession in education.”

I started my teaching career back in 2000 after graduating from Seattle Pacific University with a BA in Language Arts. A few years later I went back to Seattle Pacific to get my masters. I taught 4th and 5th grade in the district for 10 years before taking time off to have kids and be a stay-at-home mom. I have 2 great kids who were both in the program. Now my daughter is in middle school and my son is still here at Jefferson.

When my son began kindergarten, I started teaching again here at Jefferson in the Lighthouse program. Lighthouse has impressed me so much - it is such an enriching and rewarding program for the kids and parents.

My family lives locally and will often be out and about in the neighborhood. We also enjoy trips to California to see family, camping and getting around Washington on lots of adventures.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn" - Benjamin Franklin

I graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Elementary Ed and from Lamar University with a Master’s in Teacher Leadership. I have been teaching in a variety of capacities for over 30 years, with a special focus on science, my favorite subject! I love questions, new ideas and creativity in the classroom.

I have two grown daughters, who both went to Maplewood Co-op in the Edmonds School District, a program very similar to Lighthouse. I also taught there part-time and was a parent coordinator and PTA Vice-president.

Outside of school, I love adventures. I have lived overseas three times (Japan, Australia and Thailand) and love to go hiking and biking. When I can’t actually head out on an adventure of my own, I like to enjoy them by reading voraciously.

I have been teaching at Lighthouse since 2015, and have been a teacher since 2002. I have taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in both Everett and Snohomish. I currently have a son in middle school, a son in high school, two grown daughters, and two grandchildren (one of whom is currently in Lighthouse). I graduated from Western Washington University, and have a Master's degree in elementary literacy. In my personal life, I spend my free time with my family, riding my horse, going on morning walks, reading books, and playing outside (as well as shuttling kids to all of their sports and activities).

I believe in providing and facilitating a safe, diverse space where all students feel comfort, belonging, and acceptance. We learn about historical and fictional characters from many backgrounds and parts of the world, and I work hard to help students be accepting of all members of our class and school community. The students will learn through reading many books, researching topics for writing projects, and practicing with real-life math problems.