Staff
We have a small staff, both paid and volunteer, who run our programs and help behind the scenes.
Teri Hein, Executive Director
Teri is a native Washingtonian, veteran classroom teacher, and published author. She has traveled extensively and taught in Latin America. In addition to awards for her teaching and writing, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to research Ecuador’s varied cultural influences on the learning styles of its children.
Kathleen Goldfarb, Director of Programs
Kathleen comes to 826 Seattle from the alternative world of Seattle Public Schools where she has been a middle school teacher of writing, reading and social studies. When she is not pushing literature on young readers she can be found mining the bookshelves of local thrift stores for the raw materials that support this hobby.
Justin Allan, Store and Design Manager
Justin, a multiple discipline artist, purveyor of barn yard noises and faux languages, and long-time stargazer brings his nine plus years retail experience to 826 Seattle as the Store and Events Manager. He attended Everett Community College and Cornish College of the Arts, though a degree in anything substantial continues to elude him. He currently lives in a historic building on First Hill with his temperamental and noisy cat.
Alex Allred, Financial Manager
Alex can usually be found happily crunching numbers in the 826 Seattle office, though she loves numbers and words equally. She studied English and Creative Writing at U.C. Santa Cruz, and served as Archie McPhee’s Accounting Manager for nearly eight years. She and her husband live in Seattle’s Central District and enjoy playing peekaboo and taking naps with their baby daughter.
Sarah Beecroft, Operations Manager
Sarah started volunteering with 826 Seattle what seems like a long time ago. She studied Geography and Philosophy at the University of Colorado and has spent much of her adult life working in social services and making maps and websites. Likes: Robots, science fiction, mechanical pencils, red maple leaves, snowflakes, and when people refer to data as plural. Dislikes: Eggplant, Comic Sans, and the word “webinar.”
Leslye Walton, Programs Coordinator
Leslye Walton is a writer and sometimes teacher who enjoys eating gluten-free pastries, practicing yoga and encouraging young writers at 826 Seattle. If coloring was considered a respectable hobby for an adult, then coloring would be included on this list as well. Leslye lives in Tacoma with her fiance Joe and their many pets.
Janine Beaman, Programs Coordinator
Though she finds herself happily in the Pacific Northwest, Janine has spent most of her life as an east coast girl, through and through. She appreciates soft pretzels, big hair, people who use the word “jawn” in place of more specific nouns, and hoagies. She comes to 826 Seattle most recently from Philadelphia, PA where she worked to close the achievement gap by providing pathways for urban youth to excellent high schools and colleges. Janine holds a BS in education from NYU and an MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College. She loves performing loudly in her living room with her family band, Dirtneck Zoo and the Ramblers.
Doug Woodbury, Mathematician-in-Residence
Doug is our drop-in tutoring math whiz, one of those rare breeds that can actually explain advanced algebra and trigonometry to even the least enthusiastic high school student. While we have other great math tutors, we count on Doug to head up our math team daily. In his spare time, Doug likes to cook and play obscure German board games. (He also teaches writing workshops!)
Meron Kasahun, Youth Mentor
Meron is a sophomore at Ballard High School. She has been a YAB member for two years and is currently on her third, and can be spotted around 826 Seattle working as a Youth Mentor during drop-in tutoring. She enjoys reading, being with friends and school. She hopes to become a writer some day.
Tiffany Do, TIPS (Teens In Public Service) Intern
Tiffany Do is a Teens in Public Service (TIPS) intern who recently graduated from Seattle Preparatory School as a junior and will spend her senior year at Seattle University. Over the past year, she participated in the Washington Aerospace Scholars online learning experience and attended the WAS 2010 Session 1 residency where she was learned about the field of aerospace. After attending the residency, she was finally prepared to work in the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. outside of 826 Seattle. During the school year, Tiffany is a peer note taker and peer tutor at Seattle Preparatory School and volunteers at the University of Washington Medical Center. Last year, Tiffany served on the Seattle Youth Commission and is appointed to serve again this coming year as a second year member.