Our Faculty
Administration
Holly Senaga: Head of School hsenaga@chestnuthillacademy.com
Holly Senaga has been in the education field for the past 15 years. She attended Eastern Washington University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education, and her Master’s degree in Creative Arts and Learning from Lesley University. Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their three daughters, Hayden, Kennedy, and Peyton. As a family, they enjoy boating, golfing, and traveling to Spokane to visit friends and family.
Jill Goetz: Business Manager jgoetz@chestnuthillacademy.com
Jill Goetz graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining Bright Horizons Family Solutions in 2006, she was a Center Director for a preschool in Kirkland. After becoming Assistant Director for the Chestnut Hill Academy Early Education Center Jill moved down the street to join CHA in their business office. While finishing up the last few classes for her Master’s Degree in Education, Jill has missed spending time on hobbies like reading and cooking. But she still makes plenty of time for her husband Mark, both of their families on the Eastside and their neighborhood church group.
Lisa Boekenoogen: Administrative Assistant lboek@chestnuthillacademy.com
Lisa Boekenoogen, a native to Washington, graduated from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has enjoyed her lifelong involvement with children, both in childcare and social work situations, and is excited to be here at CHA. In her free time she enjoys competitive riding with her horse, Reba. Additionally, she enjoys anything outdoors such as running, hiking, and skiing, or relaxing indoors and expanding her musical interests.
Teachers
Tera Brown: Kindergarten tbrown@chestnuthillacademy.com
Tera Brown is in her fourth year at CHA teaching kindergarten. Tera is originally from the East coast where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2005. Tera was delighted to start her career at CHA after moving to Washington. She currently lives in Kirkland. In her spare time she also enjoys rollerblading, bicycling, hiking, and cooking. Tera looks forward to a new class and another great year at CHA.
Vicki Conrad: Kindergarten vconrad@chestnuthillacademy.com Vicki Conrad is beginning her 8th year of teaching at Chestnut Hill. She is originally from Colorado and graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Language Arts and Elementary Education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Reading and Literacy Instruction from Walden University. Vicki has a passion for growing things and began and gardening and composting program at Chestnut Hill last year. She loves the spirit and curiosity that Kindergarteners bring to the classroom each day. In her free time she loves to read, swim, bike, and spend time with friends.
Jenny Banker: First Grade jbanker@chestnuthillacademy.com
Jenny Banker is a native of the Seattle area. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Jenny began teaching first grade with Chestnut Hill Academy in 2007, and looks forward to each year of learning and discovery. Jenny and her husband Mike enjoy the roller-coaster ride of being new parents to Bailey, a beautiful, happy baby girl. In her free time Jenny enjoys gardening on her 4 ½ acres near Monroe, cooking, reading and writing, and watching Bailey grow.
Lydia Douglas: First Grade ldouglas@chestnuthillacademy.com
Lydia Douglas attended the University of Washington in Seattle where she received her Bachelor's in Psychology. As an undergraduate she volunteered in a kindergarten classroom at a nearby elementary school and decided to pursue a career in teaching. She continued her education at Heritage University in Toppenish where she recently received her Master's in Education. She and her husband, Stan, currently live in the Green Lake neighborhood and enjoy playing trivia and flag football together with their friends. Lydia is excited to be working at CHA and with the First Grade students.
Michael McCullough: First Grade mccullough@chestnuthillacademy.com Michael. McCullough attended Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English Literature. Michael has always loved working with children; since graduation from Wapato High School in 1999 he has worked with children in a variety of settings, including at the Chestnut Hill Early Education Center pre-kindergarten group. Besides his love for children, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Rebekah and their son, playing basketball, and golfing with his buddies. Michael looks forward to each year and enjoys being a part of Chestnut Hill Academy.
Stephanie Adams: Second Grade sadams@chestnuthillacademy.com
Stephanie Adams received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Washington State University. Stephanie has been with CHA since 2007. She enjoys being part of the CHA community and loves to teach second grade. In her free time, she likes to watch football, spend time with friends and family, read, and play with her Chihuahua, Bella.
Stephanie Prichard: Second Grade sprichard@chestnuthillacademy.com
Stephanie Prichard is excited to be in her sixth year of teaching at CHA. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Washington State University in Pullman. She loves sharing each day’s learning experiences with her second grade students. Stephanie enjoys college football and during the fall she travels with her husband to as many games as she can. After football season ends, she likes to spend her time logging miles on the treadmill at her gym, cooking for friends and family, and reading everything that comes her way!
Anne Brendler: Third Grade abrendler@chestnuthillacademy.com
Now in her tenth year at CHA, Mrs. Brendler has taught many elementary grades and subjects in both public (in Kansas) and private (in Washington) school settings. Known fondly as Mrs. B., she also loves children’s theater, and has been keenly involved with CHA’s annual spring musical shows. Recently, Mrs. B. has been given the opportunity to develop a Latin language curriculum for CHA, and this has brought her full-circle from her years at Smith College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Languages and Literatures. She has a Master’s degree from Webster University, with endorsements for the teaching of reading. In her spare time, Mrs. B. enjoys reading, crossword puzzling, and various forms of word-play. She and her husband also dote upon their dachshund, Kip.
Diane DelaCruz: Third Grade ddelacruz@chestnuthillacademy.com
Diane DelaCruz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Puget Sound, and her graduate credits are from the University of Washington. She has more than 30 years of experience in Elementary Education in the Lake Washington and Bellevue school districts. She is originally from this area and is in her tenth year at CHA, currently teaching third grade. Diane enjoys gardening, reading, music and local history.
Lisa Duffina: Third Grade lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com
This year will mark the eighth year, Lisa Duffina has taught at Chestnut Hill Academy. Mrs. Duffina grew up in the Seattle area and has taught at public and private schools for 14 years. Her undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and History were earned at Principia College, and she received her Masters in Education with a concentration in literacy from Western Washington University. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and young son as well as reading, scrapbooking, and playing the piano.
Rosa Chang: Fourth Graderchang@chestnuthillacademy.com
Rosa Chang graduated from University of Washington (Go Huskies!) with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She then moved to San Francisco to receive her Masters of Arts in Teaching from University of San Francisco. Rosa is thrilled to teach Fourth Grade at Chestnut Hill Academy and to continue her teaching career here in Bellevue, WA. In her free time, Rosa enjoys hiking, baking, reading, and watching movies with friends and family. She also enjoys traveling and learning more about her Korean heritage.
Christi Taylor: Fourth Grade & Camp Director ctaylor@chestnuthillacademy.com
Christi Taylor received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Central Washington University, and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. She is certified in Elementary Education, English, and Special Education. Now in her 16th year in education, Christi is passionate about the community at CHA and enjoys getting to know the families and watching their children grow. Christi has a beautiful little girl named Caroline and is experiencing the joys and challenges associated with being a parent. She also enjoys reading, scrapbooking, card-making, cooking, snuggling up on the couch to watch TV with her husband and cat, and playing outside with her yellow lab.
Kelly Jarvis: Fifth and Sixth Grade Math & Science kjarvis@chestnuthillacademy.com
Ms. Jarvis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Washington State University and a Masters in Teaching degree from Seattle University. She has taught in the Kent School District and in global education working with teachers and students from across the country, assisting in the development of their curriculum for international field expeditions. Kelly shares how math and science concepts are encountered daily and is enthusiastically looking forward to making those subjects come alive in the classroom. Besides hiking, reading and cooking, Kelly spends her free time raising suri alpacas on her ranch in Maple Valley.
Liz James: Fifth and Sixth Grade Humanitiesljames@chestnuthillacademy.com
Ms. James is delighted to join the middle school team at Chestnut Hill Academy this year. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (K-8) from Central Washington University and completed her student teaching in Tukwila and Renton school districts. Liz spent her first 2 years teaching in a 2nd/3rd grade Tlingit Culture Language and Literacy classroom at an elementary school in Juneau, AK. Liz then had the honor of teaching 2nd grade at North Star Elementary in Kodiak, AK a recipient of the Blue Ribbon School Program. In her free time Liz enjoys scrapbooking, photography, hiking, fishing, traveling and staying physically active.
Maren Aberle: Physical Education maberle@chestnuthillacademy.com
Maren Aberle has been teaching at Chestnut Hill Academy for five years. She holds her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Master's in Business Administration. Maren's philosophy with the students in PE is that exercise and movement for kids is critical, but needs to be fun, exciting, and diverse. Maren provides a broad menu of activities throughout the year for students to try. She hopes that in learning new sports and activities in PE, students will gain the knowledge that will set them up for a lifetime of healthy physical activity. When not running around the gym with the kids, Maren enjoys cycling, photography, reading, walking with her dogs, and spending time with family and friends.
Lisa Beck: Spanish lbeck@chestnuthillacademy.com
Lisa Beck attended the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s of Art in Spanish. She has had many experiences in working with children in different settings and is excited to work with the students, parents, and staff at CHA. She recently moved from Wisconsin to Washington to be with her fiancé. She really likes the area and can’t wait to do more sightseeing. Lisa enjoys playing volleyball, snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, camping, spending time with her friends and family, and teaching.
Chadwick Gillenwater: Library and Journalism cgillenwater@chestnuthillacademy.com Chadwick Gillenwater is a Hoosier at heart, having been born and raised in Indiana. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Political Science from Franklin College, he moved with two suitcases to the beautiful Puget Sound area. Chadwick enjoys writing, photography, cooking, and traveling and is excited to continue to expand Chestnut Hill Academy's library into a Library/Cultural Center.
Catherine Grealish: Music cgrealish@chestnuthillacademy.com
Catherine Grealish is originally from Tasmania, Australia. She was involved in music from the beginning, studying voice and violin throughout her grade school education. Catherine moved to the United States to pursue a career in music and in 2005 she graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a Bachelor’s degree in music performance and composition. In 2010 she received her Masters in Music Education from Boston University. Teaching music has always been a passion for Catherine. She teaches general music, band and choir, as well as gives lessons in voice, violin, guitar, and piano.
Sarah Morlidge: Technology smorlidge@chestnuthillacademy.com Sarah Morlidge, who hails from England, has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bristol University and spent her formative years working for IBM as a Systems Engineer and Sales Representative. After taking a career break to live in the Middle East for six years, she then returned to the UK where she worked as a School Technology Specialist for several years. Married with three children, Sarah moved to the U.S. five years ago and loves Washington’s scenery and sense of space. Her hobbies are gardening, photography, camping, reading, walking the dog, web design, and studying for her Master’s in Education Learning and Technology.
Michelle Altschul: Instructional Assistant maltschul@chestnuthillacademy.com
Now in her third year at CHA, Michelle Altschul grew up in Bellevue and graduated from Newport High School. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts and Teaching Certification at Antioch University. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her two dogs Max and Missy. Her favorite vacation spots are Disneyland, Disney World, and New York City.
Helga Jaksich: Instructional Assistanthjaksich@chestnuthillacademy.com Mrs. Helga is in her 12th year at CHA. She loves working with the children and their families. You will often find her doing coloring contests with the children in the mornings, and out playing soccer with them in the afternoons. During her time away from school, she enjoys cooking big family dinners for her three grown children and her husband of 30 years. They like to take long walks with their dogs: an ex-racing Greyhound, an Italian Greyhound, and a long-haired miniature Doxie.
Becky Fallon: Instructional Assistant bfallon@chestnuthillacademy.com
Becky Fallon settled in Seattle after several years traveling the world with the USO and performing up and down the west coast in various musical groups. She currently performs with the Lisa Marshall blues band. Becky also trained and studied traditional martial arts at the School of Oom Yung Doe, achieving her black belt in 1999. She and her husband currently own Northwest Guitars in Bellevue, an award winning guitar store.
Gena Schwartz: Instructional Assistant gschwartz@chestnuthillacademy.com
Gena Schwartz has been with Chestnut Hill Academy for more than three years and loves the families, students, and community at CHA. Gena enjoys meeting new people, working with children, and making sure that everything is organized. Gena and her husband, Chris welcomed their daughter, Claire, in January, 2008. She lives in Bothell with her husband, daughter, and their black lab, Mia. Outside of work, Gena enjoys interior design, shopping for baby toys, and checking out all of the fun things to do in Seattle, including the zoo, the locks, and the parks.
Elizabeth Thrall: Instructional Assistant ethrall@chestnuthillacademy.com
Elizabeth Thrall, a recent graduate from Western Washington University where she earned a B.A. in History and English, is currently working towards a Master of Teaching in K-8 education at City University. Elizabeth loves working children of all ages, and has spent the last several summers working as a camp director for a local day camp. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and watching football. Elizabeth also enjoys frequent visits to her home town in Arizona, where her brothers and two nephews live.
Elleta Wilson: Instructional Assistant ewilson@chestnuthillacademy.com
After teaching for 25 years in the public schools of New Mexico, Elleta Wilson and her husband moved to the Northwest to be near her daughter and their three awesome grandchildren. In 1998, Elleta began teaching for Chestnut Hill Academy and taught grades 1-5 for the following eight years. After retiring in 2006 she continued substituting for the school at both campuses. Elleta was welcomed back to CHA North as an Instructional Assistant in the fall of 2008. She brings her love of children, books, reading, working at CHA, quilting, sewing, and family life with her.
Katy Hill: Instructional Assistant khill@chestnuthillacademy.com
Katy Hill is in her first year at Chestnut Hill Academy and is enjoying every moment spent with the students and staff. She and her husband, Jeff, recently moved up from California and are falling more in love with the Pacific Northwest daily. When she is not at school she loves to spend time with her husband and their basset hound, Cooper. Katy and Jeff also love to explore Seattle, finding new treasure spots to enjoy and make lasting memories.
Sandy Taylor: Executive Chef staylor@chestnuthillacademy.com
Sandy Taylor lived in Walla Walla, WA, for most of her life and moved to the Seattle area three years ago. Sandy has two children and two grandsons which fill her life with great joy. Sandy enjoys her Pug, Bella, crafts, walking, and all of the wonderful friends that she has made since her move to CHA.
Drivers
Dave Larsen: Bus Driver dlarsen@chestnuthillacademy.com
Dave Larsen was raised in Portland, Oregon, moved to Idaho, and settled in Kirkland where he has lived for the past twenty years. He has been an automotive mechanic for over twenty years, and has owned two businesses. He enjoys camping, fishing, and collecting agates on the Oregon coast. Dave thinks that the children who ride the bus are all great because “they have the most interesting things to say!”