Hajimemashite! I am Keiko Ishikawa. I go by Keiko Sensei. I grew up in Japan and came to the United States when I was 23. After getting my teaching certification, I worked in elementary schools for 13 years (mainly immersion programs). I taught all grades, but Kindergarten during my teaching. I am a little nervous about teaching “older” students. But I am mostly excited to start my new teaching adventure at Lincoln High School!
I am a teacher because I am lifelong learner, a voracious bookworm, and believe deeply in the power and potential of schools to act as catalysts of community, solidarity, creativity, and love. I studied Child & Adolescent Development, English Literature, and Humanities at San Jose State University while working in the nonprofit education sector. After graduation, I became a certified teacher who has taught English Language Arts and Math at the high school level. In addition to reading, I enjoy cooking, yoga, jazz, and journaling, and I spend most of my time outside of school with my sisters, niblings, and pets!
Ryan Kastl is a science instructor who is enthusiastic about problem solving and critical thinking. He is excited to be a part of building a positive and creative culture at Lincoln High School. Ryan is coming to Lincoln with a background in Project Based Learning in both chemistry and physics and has taught primarily under-served populations.
Ryan graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Biochemistry and returned to the UW to obtain his master’s in teaching. Ryan is a National Board (NBCT) teacher and is continuing to improve his teaching pedagogy through peer and student feedback. Ryan has been part of physics and chemistry collaborations between SPS teachers and other community partners to implement science instruction that is beneficial to all learners.
Coach Kastl is also the head coach for both the girls and boys swim teams at Lincoln High. He is coming to Lincoln with 10 years of swim coaching experience as well as coaching experience in golf and AFL. Ryan was a varsity swimmer at the University of Washington for 4 years and was the team captain his senior year. Ryan also was a member of the US National team for Australian Rules Football for 8 years and played in multiple US and International tournaments.
Ryan lives in north Seattle with his wife and 2 young sons. Ryan enjoys spending time with family, camping, hiking, snowboarding, playing sports (golf, footy, soccer, etc.), watching sports, and attending Husky football games.
Hello Lincoln Lynx! I am a science co-teacher and resource IEP case manager at Lincoln High School. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in special education from George Mason University (Virginia). Prior to joining Lincoln, I was a teacher in the hospital school program at Seattle Children’s, working with patients and families who were receiving long-term medical treatment in the Seattle area. In my earlier teaching years, I worked as a Resource Specialist and head field hockey coach at University City High School in San Diego.
I am married with two teenage sons (one is a recent graduate of Lincoln!). My passions include karaoke, Broadway musicals, soccer, walking my dogs, swimming and cheering on my family in their various athletic and extracurricular pursuits.
My name is Michael Laudick and I will be entering my 4th year of teaching. I am originally from Denver, CO and moved to Seattle with my wife looking for a new life adventure. We absolutely love the PNW and all it offers. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time in the outdoors hiking, camping, and relaxing. I also enjoy cooking, collecting vinyl records, and cheering for my favorite sport teams. I believe that learning the skills that can be cultivated in a social studies classroom are more important now then ever. My students will learn how to use historical knowledge in order to assess the world around them and how current events came to be. My students will also learning how to engage in social discourse, properly research and vet sources, and most importantly gain the skill of empathy for those around them. I am thrilled to be a part of the Lincoln High School family! Go Lynx!
Christie is a social justice advocate, and educator with endorsements in English, Reading, Special Education, and Visual Art. Christie graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2004 with a B.A. in English literature and creative writing, and again in 2010 with a M.A. in teaching. Christie lived in Wallingford during some formative years and has fond memories of the neighborhood. One of her first teaching jobs was at Seattle Evening School, housed in the old Lincoln High School building.
I am excited to join the Lincoln High School team as your Fiscal Specialist. My involvement with Seattle Public Schools began with volunteer positions as the PTSA Treasurer and President at my children's elementary and middle schools. I transitioned into a new career when I accepted the Fiscal Specialist position at Washington Middle School 6 years ago. The change has been rewarding as I really enjoy interacting with and helping the teachers, families and students in the school community. As a bonus, the long breaks in the school schedule provide my family the opportunity to travel overseas or take extended roadtrips across America. On the weekends, you might run into me around town at one of my kids' activities or at the Sounders game. If not, I'm probably hiding in my shop tinkering with old cars.
Hello! My name is Sidney Lim (I often go by Sid for short), and I’m excited to be a part of the Lincoln community as a school counselor! I was born and raised right here in Seattle. I attended Western Washington University where I earned my Bachelors degree in Human Services. From there I went on to work in college admissions for different universities, getting to connect with high school students across the Washington. During that time I also went on to Seattle University to earn a Masters in School Counseling. I enjoy supporting students and families in achieving success during their time in high school, and also helping them get prepared for whatever direction they want to go afterwards!
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, traveling, listening to music, playing video games, and watching sports.
My name is Zach Long (he/him). I am relatively new to the Seattle area, as I moved here in 2021 to begin my graduate degree in the Language, Literacy, and Culture program at the University of Washington College of Education. I was raised in Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin where I received a B.S. in Communication Studies in 2018. I then taught English Language Arts in the Austin area for 3 years. I am passionate about authentic writing instruction, meaningful reading instruction, and building an equitable learning environment. In my spare time I enjoy reading queer YA novels, watching movies, agonizing over UT football, and spending time with my dog, Ranger. I am thrilled to be joining the Lincoln community!
I am excited to be a part of the Lincoln High School community. I studied physics and mathematics at the University of Washington, receiving a B.S. and M.S. in physics. As a graduate student I did research with the Physics Education Group, focused on inquiry based learning and iterative instructional improvement. I then taught for 12 years, covering physics, calculus-based physics, and math topics ranging from pre-algebra to AP Calculus and college level applied math. Along the way I completed a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, spending 8 years in administration serving as an education director, elementary principal, and middle school associate principal.
While my family lived in the Seattle area for about 14 years, we had moved to my wife’s hometown in Montana for about 11 years. As careers progressed, we decided to return to Seattle in 2021. Although I have enjoyed all the positions I have held in education, the move presented an opportunity to reflect and focus on what I love most, teaching students. My goal is to help all students become scientifically and mathematically literate, able to use a wide assortment of skills to solve hard problems in ways that are sensitive to our cultural diversity and are ecologically sustainable.
I have a hobby of collecting hobbies, so I have been known to bounce from one thing to another. Some days I may be inside playing video or board games, other days I am camping or cycling. Both of my children are in college, so I have filled their space at home with two English bulldogs, Walter and Henry.
Zachariah earned his bachelor's in music education from the University of Washington. His first teaching position was teaching elementary school music in Singapore from 2012-2014. He is currently the band director at Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School where he has been since 2015.
Zachariah grew up mostly in Fife, Washington, where he attended middle school and high school. Other than music, he is very passionate about health and fitness and spends much of his time cooking and training for powerlifting with his fiancé, Janet. He has an adorable French Bulldog named Arban (Yes; named after the trumpet pedagogue) and they both enjoy going on walks and hanging out at Dogwood Play Park. He continues to play trumpet in several ensembles for enjoyment, including local Seattle rock band, Seacastle.
Hello all! My name is Jeremiah and I am from Spokane, Washington where I’ve developed a love for bicycles, coffee, music, and the outdoors.
Before coming to Lincoln High School, I studied Social Work at Eastern Washington University, taught English classes to pre-schoolers in Istanbul, Turkey and then returned to E.W.U. for a Master in Teaching program. For the last four years I have taught English and Social Studies classes at Lakeside Jr. Sr. High School on the ancestral and contemporary lands of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
I am very excited for a Burke-Gilman commute and bikepacking in the Puget Sound region. But mostly, I look forward to conversations and activities in the Social Studies classroom that deepen our understanding of the human world, our place in it, and responsibility to it. I’m eager to meet you all, and as an incoming Lynx and Seattleite, grateful for your camaraderie.
