Continuing Education Instructors

KELSEY ALGER

Kelsey Alger is an interdisciplinary artist engaging with personal narrative and micro histories. Working primarily with photography, painting, sculpture, and poetry, Alger creates pockets for rest, reflection, and celebration of mundane objects and moments. Her favorite subjects to teach are painting, drawing, and sculpture, though she also enjoys teaching mixed media and printmaking classes. She received her BA in Painting from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and her MFA in multidisciplinary arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 

 

LEAH AMYAKAR

Leah Amyakar, Ed.D. Teacher in elementary, secondary, and Adult Education programs, elementary principal, parent educator and district administrator in California schools. Instructor in teacher preparation programs for California State University Long Beach, La Verne College, and University of Phoenix. Mah Jong instructor in community centers and community colleges. Volunteer interpreter at Fort Nisqually, Community emergency preparedness coordinator, Trainer for women’s shelter workers, PJ Library Coordinator, and Alzheimer’s Association volunteer. Avid mystery reader and traveler.

 

MONICA BAIRD

Monica was born and raised in Cluj (Transylvania-Romania) with a passion for languages. Highlights of Monica’s career include working with Doctors Without Borders in Cluj (Romania) and teaching Spanish at two private schools in Lynnwood, WA; Soundview School and Brighton School. Currently Monica is teaching Spanish at Edmonds College.

MARGARET DOTY

I am a full time visual artist and art instructor living in Lakewood, Washington. I received my BFA with focus on printmaking. I work primarily from my home studio. For the past few years, I have been creating art in various mediums including painting, textiles, mixed media and collage. Dreamlife, encounters with nature, animals and everyday life influence the imagery and symbolism in my work. The people and cultures from extensive globetrotting and the areas surrounding me in the Pacific Northwest, ignite my creativity and stimulate my imagination.

 

 

 

PREETHI FERNANDO

An author of 15 books and a Keynote speaker. She was the recipient of the Stephen King Haven Foundation Award, given to one author each year. She has also received a writing award from the Carnegie Fund for Authors, New York. Preethi is. the founder of Kelum Training and Consulting. Preethi first wrote her book while she was living in Sri Lanka, where she is originally from. She was nine at the time and it was titled "The Family at Green House." She threw that book, feeling embarrassed by it; something she now regrets. She is the author of "17 Women Who Shook the World," and "I Never Said It Was Easy. I Said You Got This." Preethi came to the United States at age 20 for higher education. She has a Master's degree f rom Tufts University, Massachusetts. Living in lovely Colorado Preethi enjoys traveling when her busy schedule permits her to do so. Visit preethifernando.com and kelumteam.com Join her on Linked In at linked.in/preethifernando.com.

JOSIE EMMONS TURNER

Josie Emmons Turner’s poems are most recently published in The Madrona Project IV: The Empty Bowl Cookbook, The Madrona Project V: Art in a Public Voice, and Now That You Are Gone from This World (Poet’s Choice). She has taught poetry workshops to youth and adults and is a contributor to West Sound Magazine. She lives on a beautiful estuary feeding into Gig Harbor with her show dog, Gabbie, gardens, practices French cooking, and is a former Tacoma Poet Laureate (2011-2013).

 

 

 

SUSAN GEHRING

Fascinated by French-speaking literature, culture, and tradition since she was a little girl, having lived in both Belgium and Switzerland at different times of her life, Susan has developed a love for Francophone people and language. She’s taught children, teens, and adults in small community settings, high school, and college for almost 30 years. After she earned her Bachelor’s degree in French from Brigham Young University, she went on to study French literature and teach French at the University of Victoria and then, again at BYU, as part of her graduate studies. Susan loves to incorporate grammar and vocabulary into practical settings, making language learning fun and worthwhile. When she has time off, Susan loves to travel with her family, cook, read, hike, listen to music, and watch movies.

 

AMON GREENE

Amon Greene has been teaching Tai chi chuan for almost 25 years and practicing for over 30. Tai chi was instrumental in his 25-year career in massage. Amon has been a competitor and instructor in the martial arts since the age of 5. In 2010 he traveled to Shanghai to witness one of the first public performances of Tai chi by the Wu Dan monks. His lifelong passion for Tai chi has many inspirations but none greater than the teachings of master Chungliang Al Huang, through his Living Tao Seminars. Currently he is working as an adjunct faculty at TCC and has collaborated on translations of the Dao De Jing, Confucius’ Analects and Sun Tzu’s Art of War. It would be his honor if you’d join him in playing with the art of Tai chi chuan.

LESLIE HALL

Leslie J. Hall the author of the Kaitlyn Willis Road Signs mysteries, a humorous, PG-rated, amateur sleuth series starring a NW code enforcement officer. She also writes women’s fiction and in training to become a book coach. Leslie loves to speak, teach, and share her passion for writing with others. When not writing, Leslie volunteers for writer-related events, leads Write Night (a weekly virtual facilitated critique group), teaches beginning writing at community colleges in continuing ed, laughs as much as possible, and when not doing all of that, hangs out at the beach whenever possible. She lives in Bremerton, WA with her husband and her pandemic rescue cat, Mia. Learn more about Leslie’s writing and her classes at www.lesliejhall.com.

 

 

TOM KUEHNE

An experienced gardener and landscaper with a passion for sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. With 45 years of gardening experience in various climates and soil conditions, Tom has developed a deep understanding of plants and their needs. Tom began his journey in 1990 as founder of Friends of Moab, Utah, an organization dedicated to educating the public about the use of native and drought-tolerant plants in landscaping. To further promote this cause, Tom wrote a guide booklet to help people incorporate these plants into their landscapes. Serving as a Master Gardener through the University of Utah Extension Service, Tom went on to teach Master Gardener classes. Sharing his knowledge and empowering others to develop their gardening skills has always been a priority for him. He’s owned and operated landscaping businesses, was a member of Thurston County Seed Savers, and now, Tom operates his own landscaping business in Bremerton and Port Orchard, Washington. This venture allowed him to continue providing professional services while adapting to the specific climate and soil conditions of the region. Throughout his career, Tom’s accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise in gardening, landscaping, and promoting sustainable practices. “I remain dedicated to sharing my knowledge, empowering others, and creating beautiful, environmentally-friendly landscapes.”

REBECCA LEXA

Rebecca Lexa M.A., OMN, is a lifelong nature nerd who has always enjoyed sharing her love of the natural world with others. She has a Master's Degree in counseling psychology with a certificate in ecopsychology, and is also a certified Oregon Master Naturalist. She has been teaching in varying venues for almost twenty years, and is an experienced public speaker. Rebecca teaches her online courses from her art studio on the southwest Washington coast, where she lives on a farm with twenty chickens, a flock of sheep, innumerable ducks, and the best dog in the world.

 

JANET MCGRIFFIN

Writer for newspapers, magazines, and for legislators at the Washington state Senate. Her crime novels were published by Fawcett while she lived in Tacoma. She moved to Greece where she researched her four-book Byzantine historical novel series, then on to New York to write the series, now published by Scotland Street Press in Edinburgh, Scotland. She lives in Tacoma and enjoys using her e-bike on the hills and at Point Defiance. She is an avid hiker and travels to England and Scotland for book tours and for long-distance hikes with her Boston cousins.

 

 

BARBARA PAU

Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Barbara is a dedicated teacher and musician that recently moved to Seattle. Her grandmother was a piano teacher, and she grew up been surrounded by music and musicians. She attended the Conservatory of Milan graduating in Music Theory and Complementary Piano. Deeply passionate about places and cultures, and about how humans and territory interrelate, Barbara spent many years traveling and learning about humanities, social studies, cultural studies, music as a mean of communication and expression. In her spare time, she reads a lot of books, watches a lot of documentaries and hikes in the wonderful nature of the PNW. As a musician, she has performed and recorded with several artists both in Europe and the US. She works as a professional teacher and musician, mostly teaching music, Italian language, Italian history and culture. In addition to teaching, Barbara is currently completing a BA in Human Sciences of the Environment and Territory.

 

JUDITH PERRY

Judith's passion for art began in college with oil painting at PLU. After graduate school and a job promotion to Chicago, Judith spent four years every week-end attending the School of the Art Institute to receive certification in drawing; Being surrounded by art and artists was embedded in my spirit, where it remains. This demands on going study, development and work. I love sharing this joy with others.

 

 

 

 

KEN PIMPLETON

I began my teaching career at Highline Community College in the Fall of 2006 prior to completing my Master's of Social Work degree and the Certificate of Public Administration at Eastern Washington University. In October of 2007, I resigned from full-time employment at Lakeside, but still work there as a consultant on a per-diem basis. I went on to accept a position as Program Mamager/Evaluator at Community Counseling Institute in Tacoma. Now I teach in Human Services and Chemical Dependency full time at Tacoma Community College and part time at Highline College. I am the Chair of the DOH SUD Advisory Committee, the Treasurer for WACASE, the Secretary for the TCC Teacher's Union, and the Treasurer for the State Teacher Union and I am a consultant for several SUD Agencies.

MARK RICHARDS

For over two decades, Mark Richards has been sharing his love of music with aspiring guitarists in the Gig Harbor area. As an experienced instructor, he has helped countless students discover their musical talents and master the art of playing the guitar. Beyond teaching, Richards is also an accomplished musician in his own right, having served as the lead guitarist for The Shy Boys, Gig Harbor's number one cover band, for 17 years. His passion for music is infectious, and his dedication to his students and craft is truly inspiring. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player looking to take your skills to the next level, Mark Richards is the perfect guide to help you achieve your musical goals.

 

 

REGINA SADONO

An interdisciplinary educator and artist with a rich background in performing arts and creative writing. Her work spans dance, theater, screenwriting, and interdisciplinary teaching, fostering creativity and growth in diverse communities. Currently teaching dance and mixed media classes at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA in Gig Harbor, she brings decades of experience, including faculty roles at institutions like UCLA, University of Wisconsin, and University of Central Florida. Dr. Fletcher-Sadono also currently teaches Introduction to the Arts and Media Influences courses for the University of Phoenix online. She holds a PhD in Theater from UCLA, an MFA in Dance/Choreography from CalArts, and an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA.Her teaching emphasizes mentorship, creativity, and holistic development.

SHAMA SHAMS

Seattle-based debut author and master's graduate from Florida State University, has garnered acclaim for her memoir featured in prestigious publications like Palooka, Transformation, and Mandala Literary Journal, reaching the finals of the Black Warrior Review. Her readings at venues such as the Dallas Museum of Arts and the AT&T Performing Arts Center, titled "Lost in Translation," "Elephant in the Room," and "Old School," have resonated with sold-out audiences and are available on the YouTube channel "Oral Fixation (An Obsession with True Life Tales)." With over two decades in the nonprofit sector, Shams authored "Nonprofit Fundraising - Lessons from the Trenches" and hosts the podcast "From Passion to Purpose," celebrating nonprofit leaders. Her memoir, She Called Me Throwaway, received excellent reviews and is now available.  She serves on the boards of Folio Seattle, Seattle City of Literature, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals while instructing at the Hugo House, North Seattle College, and Edmonds College. Beyond her professional endeavors, Shams finds joy in family time with her husband, two daughters, and beloved golden retriever, reflecting her commitment to impactful community engagement.

JOHN SHOEMAKER

A project management expert with nearly 30 years of experience managing projects, primarily in the business and non-profit sectors. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, John has taught project management and other business courses at several universities, blending academic theory with practical applications. His career includes work as a corporate trainer, where he helped organizations improve their project performance and achieve measurable results. Recently, John authored On Time On Budget, a comprehensive guide to project management, sharing insights from decades of hands-on experience.