I am blessed to be the Principal of Hope Lutheran School! I am a people person and I love the relationships we build at Hope between students, teachers, and parents. I believe that children will blossom as their social, emotional, and spiritual needs are balanced with establishing a firm academic foundation for them to grow from.


I graduated ages ago from the University of Washington with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, and I have a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University. I have been married to my amazing husband Scott since 1994 and we have four active boys who are also students at Hope Lutheran School. In my free time, I love to read, travel, and laugh with my family and friends. Based on my "Rock Band" talents, I hope to learn to play real drums at some point in the future.

I have been the office manager of Hope Lutheran School since July of 2003 and I have been a member of Hope Church since 1994. I was also a parent at Hope school from 1994 to 2003. My experience as a parent combined with my previous work in business customer service with Bank of America have given me the tools I need to understand and perform my tasks as your Office Manager.

I love my job and enjoy forming relationships with the children and families at Hope Lutheran School. I look forward to meeting you and sharing God's awesome love and grace for us all.

When I'm not working I enjoy walks with my husband and our family dog, Austin. I also love spending time with my two children and enjoy camping trips with family and friends.

I was born in Detroit, Michigan (Go Wolverines!) and raised here in West Seattle! I am part of the rather large group of teachers and staff who are Hope Lutheran School alumni. I have two daughters who are students at Hope as well. I would say that through my life's journey, God has led me back to Hope Lutheran School and perfectly placed me here to serve as the Extended School Care Director. I am currently a continuing college student working towards my Bachelors Degree in Education.

I have always been drawn to working with children. I worked for many years as a nanny before graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in English. I went on to pursue a K-8 teaching certificate with graduate coursework in human development from Pacific Oaks College. I took time out to stay at home with my three children all of whom presently attend Seattle Lutheran Schools. It was through my oldest child that I found my passion in teaching -- working one on one with children who demonstrate learning differences. I am currently working on completion of a course to become certified as an educational therapist through NILD. I am an avid reader, always tracking the latest in research/methodology, and reading my way around the world through both classic and contemporary literature. I feel blessed to be working with the students here at Hope Lutheran School.

I am Sue Wilke, Hope Lutheran's resource teacher. I've been teaching since 1969, graduating with a BA in education from Concordia Teacher's College in River Forest, Illinois and a 5th year credential from the University of Washington in special education. I've taught preschool through 8th grade in five different Christian schools, with the majority of those years being at Hope Lutheran. One year was spent as a teaching missionary in Peru, South America. I'm married to Ken Wilke, former 7th grade teacher at Hope Lutheran, and I have been blessed with two daughters, a son-in-law and one granddaughter. Outside of my love for teaching, I love traveling and I've stepped on six of the seven continents. I also enjoy camping, reading, animals and nature. I've been richly blessed being able to serve the Lord in the teaching ministry. There is nothing greater then seeing children grow in all aspects of their life, especially in their faith in Jesus Christ.

Hi; I'm Marie Tornow and I am the preschool director and teacher here at Hope. I have been guiding and caring for our youngest students since 1995! I love their wonder and excitement as they delight in discovering the world. I attended NSCC for my early childhood certification and I consider myself a life-long learner from reading, classes, and especially from the children themselves. One of my passions is to introduce nature to children and help them see the ways that our God has made everything work together. I hope to instill in them a desire to be caretakers of our earth and to be respectful to the planet and each other. In our sometimes hectic city world, I strive to make my classroom a welcoming, peaceful place for both the students and their families.

I have been married to my wonderful husband Gerry for 35 years + and we are blessed with 2 great kids who both went to Hope Lutheran and Seattle Lutheran High school. I enjoy kayaking, walking, the beach, gardening, working with my hands and all kinds of music and cooking!

I am Christina Figgins, the new 3's teacher at Hope. My background and life is all about children. I have often found that some of my best friends are children. I'm kind of a kid at heart. I worked at a learning center in the Greenlake area for 8-1/2 years, nannied for 10 years, and have been raising my 3 kids along the way. I have a Bachelors in Psychology, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I have been a member of Hope Church my whole life, and attended Hope School, so it's exciting to join the Hope staff. I live in West Seattle with my husband, 3 kids, golden retriever, and cat. Some of my favorite things are: boating, being in Disneyland with my family, gardening, and taking walks with my dog.

There once was a student teacher from Minnesota who requested that her student teaching assignment be teaching English in middle school. "This never happens," said the student teacher director. "Well," said the student teacher, "I've thought about this and it's really what I want to do." And that was the beginning. From there the student teacher went on to teach English to seventh graders in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and then graduate and go out into the world of teaching. That teacher now teaches kindergarten, after beginning at the high school level, and slowly working her way down. Of course, there was lots of teaching in-between. There was another certification to get in elementary ed., and there were many geographic moves and jobs in between teaching. Now that teacher is very content to teach all the little darlings in Kindergarten at Hope Lutheran School in Seattle. It's as big a challenge as she has ever had and she is happy to go to school every day.

I am so excited to be teaching first grade at Hope! I came from a family of professional writers and teachers, so I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a teacher. I graduated from Western Washington University in 1992 and completed student teaching in both first and second grade classes at Southern Heights Elementary in the Highline School District. After moving to West Seattle from Renton during that time, I fell in love with West Seattle and have lived here ever since. After 7 years of teaching, I became a stay-at-home mom and part-time tutor (I couldn't bear to give up teaching altogether!) I also earned a Master's Degree (with specialization in Literacy) from Lesley University in 2002.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy taking trips with my family (husband Chris and sons Evan and Spencer.) I also try to scrapbook and read when I can, and summertime means lots of boating and camping. Being here at Hope has been such a blessing to our family!

Growing up in West Seattle and later returning was a pleasant surprise, but coming back to teach at Hope Lutheran where I attended as a child was totally unexpected. In the 25+ years I have been at Hope I have taught 4th, 5th, and now 2nd grade as well as coached various sports, musical groups, and other assorted activities. In recent years I have enjoyed having children of former students in my class.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing the organ and vacationing with my family (and as we often say in 2nd grade, "The End!").

I have been teaching third grade at Hope since 1995. I hold a BA from Concordia University Portland. Teaching at Hope enables me to foster faith based relationships and the opportunity to watch students develop into young men and women of faith from preschool through high school.

I embrace books and reading. The best part of class is sharing literature and watching the eyes of enraptured students listen to a great story. One could say I also enjoy running and one day, I hope to run in a 5k once a month for a year.

I have been teaching at Hope Lutheran School since 1994 after living and teaching in Southern California for 25 years. I graduated from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska, and have a Masters degree from Cal State Fullerton. Fourth Grade has always been my favorite grade to teach and because teaching is a family trait, I have always wanted to be a Lutheran school teacher!

My husband, Bob, is Athletic Director and football coach at Seattle Lutheran High School, so I still stay somewhat active at SLHS. I have two grown children who have given me the "loves of my life": three grandsons. Being a grandparent is the favorite part of my life! Activities I enjoy are gardening (flowers only as I can't seem to keep fruits and vegetable plants alive), reading, watching a good movie at home, and needlepoint.

Kim Hood, 5th Grade Homeroom, Choir
Kim is not only a current teacher at Hope but also a former student! She received her BA from Christ College Irvine, California and her Master's Degree from Seattle Pacific University. Mrs. Hood also helps to lead music for worship services at Hope Lutheran Church.

Kristin Tarabochia, 6th Grade Homeroom
I am passionate about teaching - especially math! I am a Hope Lutheran School graduate as well as an alumna from Seattle Lutheran High School. I received my Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington (GO DAWGS!) in Geological Sciences in 2000. I took a year off from schooling and then enrolled at Concordia University - Portland to attain my Master of Arts in Teaching in 2002. I have been teaching at Hope since 2002.

I enjoy traveling around the beautiful United States as well as the country of Croatia -- the birthplace of my paternal grandparents. I have been involved with Croatian dance groups since the age of 5 and enjoy learning more about my heritage. When there is some down time, I enjoy coaching, running, spending time with friends, and watching "The Office", "Antiques Roadshow", and "America's Next Top Model".

Shannon Naranjo, 7th Grade Homeroom
In the beginning months of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, I took a leave of absence from Delta Air Lines, Inc. and a strong service-oriented spirit prompted me to move to crumbling Czechoslovakia, teach English, and help pass out Bibles in a country that was recently liberated from communism. Teaching high school English at a poor prep school for the University of Bratislava was where my passion to teach adolescents grew. I remained a flight attendant until one year after 9/11 and decided to take a severance package, go to graduate school to become a teacher, and became a member of the US Navy Reserves. I started teaching at Hope in 2006 and our family attends Hope Lutheran Church. I graduated from the University of Washington with a major in Political Science. Currently I am active in Cub & Boy Scouts as a volunteer.

I have been married a long time to Ron, a retired Vice Principal of Nathan Hale High School and currently an assistant coach at North Seattle Community College. We've been blessed with two daughters, Nolana, a physical therapist, and Morena, a doctoral student in education policy at the University of Washington. We have four grandchildren, Safi, Omar, Adela, and Elise, whom we adore. I am a graduate of Concordia Teacher's College, Seward, Nebraska and am in my final year of Masters degree work at the University of Washington. I can never find enough time for my passions: my grandchildren, reading, bicycling, and teaching. Middle school is the perfect grade level for me because I find their enthusiasm for life to be contagious.

Thad received his Master's Degree in Music Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts before moving to Seattle, Washington. He is currently the band director at Seattle Lutheran High School and teaches the K-5th grade music program at Hope as well. Thad recently released his first children's album entitled "Ladies and Jellybeans" on which he performs vocals, guitar, piano, organ, trumpet, and flugelhorn. He offers private music lessons after school to beginning through advanced students.

Find out more about Thad at: www.ThadFranklin.com

Mr. Kapels is originally from Nebraska, and a HUGE Husker Fan! He comes from a quantity and quality filled family that continues to grow with 4 siblings all married. Each has at least two kids. He grew up with a passion for sports that continues to drive him today! He went to High School in Nebraska where he had a lot of success in the classroom with a good amount in athletics (Football, Basketball, Track and Baseball). He graduated from Concordia University, Seward in 2007. His degree is in Secondary Education with a focus in Physical Education and Basic Business. While there he participated in 4 years of Track and Cross Country and 1 year of soccer. After college he took an amazing position at this great school in West Seattle. He is currently starting his 5th year of teaching...(WOW already).

Paul Perkins has been a teacher since the early 1970s and has focused his work in school environments where delivering a Christian education is of vital interest. He graduated from Wheaton College with a BS in chemistry and earned an MA in education from Seattle University. Mr. Perkins has taught chemistry, physics, and physical science during most of his career. Always intrigued by what it means to be a Christian educator, he continues to update his skills on how students learn and how to write curriculum accordingly, and then how to best implement new teaching techniques.

Mr. Perkins is married to Pat Perkins of Seattle Lutheran High School. They have three married children and four delightful grandchildren. In the past three years, beekeeping has grown from a hobby to a small business.

I am honored and blessed to work with our wonderful students here at Hope! After 25 years in the computing industry, I attended Antioch University Seattle, earning my Teacher Certification and an MA in Education. I love helping students explore their interests and develop their skills through the use of technology. I am thankful to work with the compassionate and skillful staff and teachers here at Hope.

My outside interests include spending time with my wonderful wife and three delightful children, reading and writing, camping and boating, and pondering what we could do next!

Emma is an experienced educator who applies her enthusiastic and creative teaching style to a wide range of grade levels. Her high academic standards and expectations are balanced with a strong sense of compassion and caring for all her students.

Alicia skillfully challenges our 7th and 8th Grade students to further expand their language skills and knowledge, supporting and preparing them for high school level Spanish. Enhancing that even further, Alicia also teaches Spanish at Seattle Lutheran High School.

Daniele Hansen is a native of Clermont -- Ferrand, in the Auvergne region of France. She graduated from the University of Clermont-Ferrand with a B.A in Application of Foreign Language in Business and Technologies degree. After working in the airline industry for many years, she spent 10 years as a French instructor for corporations and in continuing education programs for several community colleges in the Seattle area. Daniele teaches French from beginning to advanced levels at SLHS and an introduction to French at Hope Lutheran School. In addition to teaching, Daniele loves to cook and is an avid ballroom dancer.