Hailey Palm – LRC2

• “I was teaching LRC 2 at Challenger Elementary, and now I’m here at Liberty teaching LRC2. I’m really excited to do community outings, help kids with all sorts of life skills, and more.” 
• Fun fact: I grew up in Canada and lived in Calgary for seven years. 

Paige Balut – LRC1

• “I was an LRC 1 teacher at Maywood before I came here. I’m excited to work with upperclassmen and help guide them into their next steps of life.”
• Fun fact: I’m a Liberty alumni; I graduated in 2016.

Tim Suchsland – Counselor

• “I was an English teacher in Kazakhstan for two years, and enjoyed working with students, so I thought school counseling would be a good job. Then, I was at Tolt Middle School in the Riverview School District for eight years before coming here. Now, I’m a counselor for Elj-Law at Liberty. I’m excited to get to know all the new students and staff and to have a new job here.”
• Fun fact: I visited the Statue of Liberty in New York City, West Seattle, and Kansas. That’s getting ready for Liberty High School, right?

Kevin Honz – Chemistry/Physics

• “I was working at Willows Preparatory School up in Redmond and taught middle school math and high school physics. However, I really like working with high schoolers, which is why I’m so happy to be here at Liberty teaching physics, chemistry, and astronomy. I’m excited to try out some new projects this year. We might go to the ice rink to see the physics of collisions or hopefully to Silverwood to do the physics of amusement parks.”
• Fun fact: I’m secretly very good at Etch a Sketch.

Alex Rachkov – Chemistry/Physics

• “I worked at Eastlake High School and subbed in the Lake Washington School District. Now I’m a science teacher here and I teach chemistry and physics lab methods. I’m excited for Chem Club, and building up my classes to make them better this year.”
• Fun fact: I’m really big into anything mountain related. I like skiing, hiking, all kinds of mountaineering, and climbing.

Julianna McDowell – Librarian

• “I was at Cedar Trails Elementary and Challenger Elementary. Now, I’m the librarian here at Liberty. This year, I’m focusing on organization and making the library like a bookstore. I’ve removed over a thousand outdated books. I want to start fun activities like a reading club, board game club, or creating a community free library and having kids here be in charge of that.
• Fun fact: I wanted to be an actor and auditioned for The New School in New York. Also, I went to beauty school and I learned how to style hair.”

Megan Baker – 1:1 Para

• “Before I came to Liberty I was an LRC I paraprofessional at Maple Hills, Maywood, and Briarwood. It’s my first year as a high school paraprofessional and it’s fun. I also have the same schedule as my kids, since I have a daughter here and another coming next year.”
• Fun fact: I have run roughly 30 half marathons.

Tom Peltzer – Aerospace

• “I was a machinist for 12 years and started coaching high school baseball. Now I teach aerospace manufacturing here at Liberty, so how to do the machining site stuff, similar to metals but we do a lot of what the manufacturing community needs.”
• Fun fact: I graduated from Liberty, so I grew up about a mile down the street.

Amber Wong – Material Science and Personal Finance

• “I was a portfolio manager and managed mutual funds on Wall Street. Now, at Liberty, I teach personal finance and material science. I’m looking forward to spreading those ‘aha moments’ to students.”
• Fun fact: I love doing puzzles, but nothing larger than 1000 pieces.

Mike Galligan – Paraprofessional

• “I was an English and social studies teacher in middle school for many years before coming here. Now, I’m a paraprofessional, so I’m helping a certified teacher in whatever role they need help with.”
• Fun fact: I published a children’s book in 2019 through Sasquatch Books of Seattle.

Emily Dietz – Counselor (Rim-Z)

• “I recently graduated in December from a school counseling program. I did an internship at Cougar Mountain last fall and subbed at Issaquah High School. This is my second year with school counseling. My favorite part is any time I get to sit and talk with students and walk through challenges. 
• Fun fact: I like going on hikes and walks, doing any artsy stuff (crochet, painting), and I’ve recently gotten into Stardew Valley.

Jake Crawford – ASB

• “I worked as a para educator at Echo Glen, which involves teaching incarcerated students in the Issaquah School District. A position opened up at Liberty, and I live in the neighborhood and have been coaching girls wrestling, so I was excited.”
• Fun fact: I served in the military for seven years in the Army National Guard.

Natala Rodriguez – Paraprofessional

• “I ran a before and after school program on Mercer Island for their elementary schools. At Liberty, I’m looking forward to connecting with the kids, and I’m excited because this is my first time in a while working with high school.”
• Fun fact: I love to decorate and I’m a mom of three.

Patrice DeCarvalho – Unique Needs Specialist

• “I was working at Cougar Mountain Middle School before coming to Liberty. I split my time between Liberty and Maywood Middle School. As an UNS, I work with individual students or classrooms and provide extra support to help students be successful.
• Fun fact: I have a pug named Bella.