Welcome to Pam Kinne, principal at Finley Elementary School. Pam comes to Finley School District from Grandview School District where she was a highly qualified teacher in Science and Mathematics, as well as Program Administrator for the High School Summer School Programs and Assistant Athletic Director. As Program Administrator for three years, Pam came in and learned the program the first year and then the second year, working with her staff, made some internal and structural changes. The third year she and her staff focused on the curriculum, always keeping in mind what is best for kids. The program was a success, but Pam shares that success with the teachers. “I just laid down a platform, a foundation,” she said, “It was the teachers who did all the work. I just gave them the ability to change the curriculum, projects, etc.” Pam received her Bachelors’ Degree in Science from Washington State University (“Go Cougs”) majoring in secondary education and physical science with a minor in Geology. Her Master’s Degree is in Professional Development in Education and was received from Heritage University. When you visit the elementary, stop by to say hello. You’ll be glad you did.

The Language Arts Department at River View High School welcomes Anna Fazzari.  Anna received her BA in Education and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Washington State University. (GO COUGS!)  Anna has six years of high school teaching experience and two years experience as a high school assistant principal.  She is endorsed in English, Social Studies and History and has taught a wide range of subjects.  Anna has also coached softball and been an advisor.  At Prosser High School she was recognized as a leader in her department as well as in the school.  Her previous principal stated that Anna “has a tremendous passion for impacting students in a positive way.” and “is the type of person that we all want working with our students.”

Tania Guaman-Covert is our new Spanish teacher who is splitting her time between River View High School and Finley Middle School.  With the addition of Tania, we are very pleased to be able to offer a Spanish exploratory course at the middle school as well as first, second, and third year Spanish courses at the high school.  Tania will also be teaching journalism/annual as well as being the Annual Advisor.  Tania received a BA in Spanish Education from the State University College at Cortland and she has taught Spanish for two years with the New York City School District in New York, NY.  Tania was a foreign exchange student in Venezuela during her junior year of high school and hosted a student from Brazil.  We look forward to her utilizing her foreign exchange experiences as well as her volunteer experiences teaching art and English  at El Hogar Del Nino Orphanage as a means to encourage students to explore international opportunities.

River View High School and Finley Elementary have a new teacher that they will be sharing.  Mary Straub-Walden will be splitting her time as a special education teacher beginning in the morning at the elementary and ending in the afternoon at the high school.  Mary received a BA in Education from Western Washington University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from City University.  She started her teaching career in the Hood Canal School District spending six years in an elementary resource room.  She then moved to North Kitsap and worked two years in a middle school resource room and her 14 years in North Thurston School District were at the high school.  Mary then moved to the east side of the state where she taught for 3 years at Toppenish School District.  Mary was described by one of her administrators as “one of those rare teachers who is able to create a sense of calm and security in her classroom regardless of who walks in the door with another request, or what challenging behaviors her students exhibit from day to day.”  The common thread throughout the districts she has worked for has been that she is a key component of their special education program and would be sorely missed and not easily replaced.