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	Toni Esparza EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Toni originally hails from the exciting state of Kansas. She has worked with at-risk youth in children's homes, maternity homes, youth groups, and schools, but absolutely loves the approach at Eastside Academy. She has previously served as a teacher and a principal but cannot imagine ever returning to a "traditional" school as she would miss the wholistic way that Eastside Academy serves their students. In her spare time, Toni More... works on her doctorate, plays with her two daughters (Alaethia-Greek for truth; Zoe-Greek for life), and spends time with her husband Juan.

	Juan Esparza CHAPLAIN AND DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES Juan Esparza is a Native Texan with 15 years of experience working with a diverse range of students in various settings.He has worked with troubled youth and their families in Texas at a children's home www.pchas.org, served expectant young mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy in a maternity home setting in Missouri www.agfamilyservices.org, and helped More... provide intensive individualized treatment to young men ages 12-18 as a residential counselor in New England www.nafi.com. Juan has also amassed 10 years of experience serving as a youth pastor in Texas, Kansas, and Washington. He has also lead groups on humanitarian efforts to different parts of Mexico and remote parts of Siberia www.etobolsk.ru. Along the way he has been ordained as a minister and has earned his Masters in Theology and is currently continuing graduate work at Gonzaga University www.gonzaga.edu.


	Marianne Wong DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER Born and raised in Seattle, Marianne has a B.A. in Exercise and Sport Science from Western Washington University. A 1998 summer internship at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission's Youth Services turned into six years of youth ministry and administration. Marianne has been at Eastside Academy since August 2004.

	Deb Christian SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR Deb has a Degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University. She taught in the Lake Washington School District for 7 years and has 3 children and a loving husband. Deb started as a volunteer for our first auction and joined Eastside Academy in January 2006.

	Tony Martin DONOR AND MENTOR COORDINATOR Tony is from Seattle, WA and currently lives in Issaquah, WA. Tony's life is very full and adventurous, especially because he's now married to his gorgeous wife Michelle! One of five children, Tony has two brothers (Andrew and Andre), two beautiful sisters (Angelina and Alissa) and spunky parents (Roxy and Henry). He is a graduate of Kentridge High School and Seattle Pacific University, majoring in Communication, More... with a minor is Sociology. He loves the Pacific Northwest, particularly all of the outdoor activities to enjoy. Biking, swimming, wakeboarding, hiking, and snowboarding are some of his favorites. Along with these outdoor activities he loves basketball, baseball, football, golf and tennis. Are you seeing a theme here? Tony looks forward to joining, in any way, what God is already doing with the community of Eastside Academy.

	Charlotte Reese ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR Charlotte was born and raised in Zimbabwe, Africa. She attended Trinity Western University in Canada where she studied Psychology and Sociology. During college she did social service work with orphans, at-risk teenage girls, and new immigrants. After graduating last year, Charlotte went to Belgrade, Serbia for a year as a volunteer More... Kindergarten teacher. Right now she's enjoying her new city of Seattle, enjoying Eastside Academy, and contemplating grad school.

	Kathy Barker ART TEACHER Kathy spent 20 years teaching various forms of art at the University of Washington. She also taught in several private schools and for the parks department for the last five years prior to coming to Eastside Academy. Kathy is proficient in scientific illustration, calligraphy, black and white renderings, color theory and technique, as well as art history. One of Kathy's greatest strengths is her ability to work with More... individual students, assessing and working with their unique talents, encouraging exploration of different media and emphasizing the enjoyment and pleasure of artistic expression.

	Rachel Leavitt ENGLISH & HISTORY TEACHER Rachel is from Sammamish, Washington. She has three brothers (Nate, Ben, and Zach) and two loving parents (Brian and Diane). Rachel graduated from Whitworth College in 2005 with a BA in History and has a Washington State Teaching Certificate with endorsements in History and Social Studies. Ms. Leavitt played soccer for Whitworth and has taken up running marathons in her free time. More... She has been a volunteer leader for Young Life since 2001. Rachel is thrilled to be at Eastside Academy and she is LOVING it here!

	Sam Myung MATH TEACHER Sam was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He earned his BA degree in Communications from the University of California at San Diego. He has worked in the social services field for over five years. He formally worked at a non-profit youth center in Los Angeles, California where he serviced and counseled at-risk youth as the coordinator of academic programming. He also has served in youth ministry for over five years.

	Chris Overland SCIENCE TEACHER Chris recently graduated from Trinity Western University in British Columbia with a BSc in Environmental Studies, though he has spent the rest of his life in the Puget Sound area. During his time in BC, Chris was involved in coordinating an inner city youth program and also worked as an ecological researcher. In his spare time, Chris loves to hike, go to the beach, and do pretty much anything else adventurous outside.

Board of Directors

Gary Brooks
Chairman of the Board

Brent Christie
Board Member
Hotel & Property Management

David Hunter
Board Member
Owner and President of David Hunter Associates, Inc.

John Bender
Board Member
Vice President/Financial Consultant Branch Manager DA Davidson

Kathy Connors
Board Member

Kendy Easley
Board Member
Senior Associate Pastor for Programs at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue

Dana Gray
Board Member
Bank of America Senior VP
Consumer Marketing Executive

Patty Dutt
Board Member