Teacher World Language Spanish
siscialdone@seattleschools.org¡Hola! I am joining the Lincoln team this year as a Spanish teacher. I taught middle school Spanish for the past three years at Uprep, and previously taught elementary English for one year in Montevideo, Uruguay. I have a Bachelor in Spanish from WWU and a Master in Teaching from UW. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, camping, skiing, cooking, travel, and spending time with loved ones.
Librarian
cascott3@seattleschools.orgHello, Lincoln Lynx!
My name is Claire Scott (she/her) and I’ve been your Teacher Librarian at Lincoln since our first year. I became a librarian in 2006, supporting patrons in Berkeley Public Schools, at the Oakland Public Library, and the Seattle Public Library. I adore being back in a public school connecting with readers -- and viewers, talkers, athletes, creators, artists, scientists, writers, and geeks -- about what you love or are critical of.
Fannish at the core, my library practice centers on connecting readers with the books and information that will ignite their joy, remembering Kwame Alexander’s wisdom that “pleasure leads to habit, and habit leads to skill.” I believe that teens who are fluent in textual, visual, and media literacy will turn the world upside down. Collaborating with teachers to integrate the library into every area of teaching and learning is one of my biggest thrills.
I teach future librarian graduate students in the Masters of Library and Information Science program at the UW iSchool, which means that Lincoln Lynx will get to help shape the future of librarianship. Tell me what you think new librarians should know, make, and read! Since 2015, I’ve also been found at Geek Girl Con and Emerald City Comic Con as a panelist or coordinating the annual Collaborative Pop-Up Library with public, school, and academic librarians from around the PNW.
I live in North Seattle with my partner and a lot of geeky media.
Come visit me in the library and tell me what I should be reading or viewing!
CTE - Culinary Arts, Baking, Nutrition and Wellness
klsmith2@seattleschools.orgIn September of 2019, I came to SPS to teach in the CTE/FACS department via "industry". Previously I taught post secondary in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts, after an extensive culinary and pastry work history. I LOVE witnessing students learning new skills, challenging themselves and using what they learn outside of the classroom. I am a native to the PNW, I enjoy the outdoors, being on or near the water and mountains, spending time with family and friends. I am married, husband Craig, we have two boys that attended/attend SPS, class of '22 & '24. Our sons enjoy many youth sports, their love is baseball, we enjoy supporting their participation and teams.
CTE Teacher
masnyder@seattleschools.orgPersonal Message
I grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington, attended the Northern Arizona School of Business, then moved to the Netherlands to attend the Hogeschool Haarlem School of International Business and soon after started a bicycle taxi business with my brother Erik while living out of a tent in Valdez, Alaska. The bicycle taxi business was sold after 1 summer, and I then moved to New York, and worked on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as a trader for the following 3 years. The imminent move toward automation prompted me to pursue another passion in Teaching. I attended Western Washington University for two years, getting my teaching degree, and taught 5th grade for several years in Snohomsh, ultimately settling in Seattle to teach high school CTE. I am an avid skier in the winter, and I enjoy boating in the summer, hunting for edible mushrooms in the fall, and though I don’t much like it, a lot of house remodeling all the time…
English Language Arts Teacher
keso@seattleschools.orgHello Lincoln community! I am excited to work with you this year. Before this, I taught at Roosevelt High School and student-taught English and English Language Learning at Squalicum High School in Bellingham, WA. I earned an MA in Teaching, a BA in English Literature for Secondary Education, and a minor in Education and Social Justice from Western Washington University. Outside of school, my fiancé and I are hiking, kayaking, cooking, and reading with our cats Mochi and Churro. My goal is to co-create a classroom with students that feels welcoming, creative, and authentic.
IEP Teacher
sistantcheva@seattleschools.orgHello! I recently joined the staff here at Lincoln High School from the Denver Public Schools. I lived in Denver for 7 years where I discovered my love for teaching and gained a MA in Special Education and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners. Previously, I lived in Boston where I received a BS from Emerson College. I mostly grew up in New Jersey, but am originally from Bulgaria and love to spend time there in the summer. I love to travel, cook, dance, paint, play pool, and beat people at cards and board games. I am very excited to get to know all the staff and students here and have a great year!
Drama/Math Teacher
tlsullivan@seattleschools.orgPersonal Message
Hi, I’m Tara Sullivan and I am so excited to bring theatre to Lincoln. I graduated from the University of Montana, studied at Circle in the Square Theatre School, performed in summer theatres, and acted in two national tours before the opportunity to build a high school drama program presented itself at Timberline High School in Boise, Idaho. In high school I loved theatre, and really wanted to be a teacher that created a theatre program from the ground up.
During my 11 years at Timberline, I directed over 20 productions including plays, musicals, and improv nights. Every day I was amazed at what high school drama students could accomplish. Taking theatre has many great benefits. When kids leave a theatre program they have skills that help them in every aspect of life. They develop problem solving, interpersonal, leadership, and spatial awareness skills. They learn about self-care, the art of storytelling, use theatre for social change, and the importance of following through on a commitment.
I also teach math and connect it to the arts whenever possible. I hope to see you in my class. I am so excited to be a part of the new Lincoln community.
agtheoryn@seattleschools.org
Hi there! I am Alexander Theoryn and I am a math teacher here at Lincoln High School. I was born and raised in Southern California before going to the University of Arizona for my undergrad degree. From there my wife and I have lived in Tennessee, back to Arizona, and now have found our home here in the PNW. Out of the many places we have lived I have loved my time in the Lincoln and Seattle community. Much like many of my students, I too was in school during the pandemic, finishing my Masters degree completely online at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. When I am not teaching I am probably soaking up as much family time as possible with my wife, son, and three dogs. I am a huge sports fan and also love to work out and play sports as well. I am always on the lookout for a good book and documentary. I am so excited to be returning to Lincoln for this school year!
Teacher-Special Education
natsujimoto@seattleschools.orgPersonal Message
I’m Nanako Tsujimoto. I grew up in Nara, Japan. I studied Economics in Osaka before coming to Illinois where I discovered glass art and decided to pursue Glassblowing. I earned a BA in Art from Southern Illinois University and moved to Seattle in 2001. I have a Master in Teaching in Special Education from City University and I have been with SPS for almost 10 years working with at-risk-youth most of my career. I’m currently teaching at Juvenile Detention. One of my core beliefs is to meet students where they are at and recognize their individuality to build a strong relationship. I very much enjoy working with adolescents and feel so privileged to be a part of their journey to find unique pathways to the future. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, hiking and cooking. I live with my two daughters in Seattle. I’m excited to join the Lynx Family and looking forward to meeting everyone in the fall!
Counselor - last names A-Eb
mtvahdati@seattleschools.orgHello! I'm Mitra Vahdati (they/them) and I am grateful to be a member of the Lincoln Counseling Team. I grew up in Southern California and moved to Washington to attend college. If I'm not at Lincoln, I'm probably working on some pottery, reading sci fi, taking an aimless walk or watching a horror movie with friends. I love getting to know students and their families, and I'm looking forward to supporting you all in your journeys through high school (and beyond). The Lynx community is a special one and I'm happy to be here with you all.
Science Teacher
davermaak@seattleschools.orgI am passionate about science and learning, and I love teaching at Lincoln High School! I was born and raised in South Africa but moved to the US to obtain my PhD in Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins University. I did research as a postdoc and then staff scientist in the Basic Sciences Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for 9 years, but my true calling is education. I received my Master's in Teaching Math and Science from Seattle Pacific University. Prior to teaching at Lincoln, I taught at Hamilton International MS for four years. I am looking forward to continue to build a welcoming, equitable, and empowering environment for all students at Lincoln. I am excited about teaching Chemistry, Physics, and Genome Science this year! I have been living in Seattle since 1998. My husband and I have two daughters, both in college. When not teaching, I like to read and discuss all things sciency, novels, and current events. I also love hiking and camping, swimming, movies, and walking my dog.
Math Teacher
yecedilloram@seattleschools.orgHello everyone!
I was born and raised in CA and just recently got married and moved to WA with my husband. I earned my Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Bilingual Teaching Credential from San Diego State University in 2013, then eventually earned my Masters in Mathematics Teaching from California State University of Fullerton.
I’m huge on building relationships with my colleagues and students and look forward to my time at LHS.
Athletic Director/Teacher
rmware@seattleschools.orgMy name is Robin Ware and I am one of the Health and PE teachers and also the interim Athletic Director at Lincoln. I grew up nearby in Federal Way and then moved to California for college and got degrees in both teaching and athletic training. I worked as an athletic trainer (a medical professional, not a personal trainer) at various high schools for 5 years before working at Boeing for a year. I missed teaching and decided to get back into working with students. I taught for two years at McClure Middle School and got to follow half my students to Lincoln (they’ll never escape me) where I’ve been since the school reopened. I am also the head volleyball coach here at Lincoln #threeteamsonefamily. In my spare time, I like to be lazy and watch movies and tv, bake/eat, and hang out with my husband and family, plus our 3 cats, and 1 dog. I also love to play volleyball, soccer, and pickleball, and just enjoy the Seattle-area in general!