Barrie Hillman - Head of School B.A. (History), Boston College; M.Ed., John Carroll University. Barrie began teaching in the early 1990’s at St. Mary’s School in Medford, Oregon and The Evergreen School in Seattle, WA. She has spent the last three years at West Sound Academy as a teacher and administrator after spending many years in the corporate and consulting fields. Returning to education after working in business has been akin to putting on glasses and having everything in life come back in to focus. Barrie and her husband have lived in Poulsbo for twelve years and are busy chasing after two kids and two chocolate labs. Winter weekends are reserved for skiing at White Pass and summer days are spent digging in the West Sound vegetable garden.

 

Jim Kolb - Director of Finance and Operations B.A. (Zoology), B.A. (Ecology), M.S. (Wildland Resource Science) University of California, Berkeley. Starting his professional life as a Research Scientist, Jim traversed the west coast studying all things living. When his wife settled on earning a teaching credential, Jim went along for the ride and found his life’s passion as an educator. His ability to create and write successful curriculum led him to a role as Curriculum Developer and manager for a regional marine science consortium and, thence to a Principal Investigator position for a National Science Foundation national teacher-training program where he further honed his financial management and “fix anything” skills. Jim has been playing all three roles: teacher, administrator and handyperson at West Sound Academy since its beginning in 1998. He enjoys dancing and the beaches of Puget Sound.

 

Rick Hauptman - Director of Technology. B.A. (Philosophy and Religion), Elmira College; M.B.A. (Technology Management), University of Washington. Coming from a background of work with both for-profit and non-profit technology organizations since the early 1990's, Rick oversees all aspects of technology strategy and implementation at the school and works with students and staff to ensure that existing and evolving technologies support and enhance the educational mission of the school. He also teaches a wide-ranging technology class, is the faculty advisor for the Yearbook club and sees his mission as making technology a force for good in the universe.

 

Lisa Gsellman - Office Manager B.A. (Biology), Pacific Lutheran University. Prior to joining the West Sound Community in 2007, Lisa worked at Sage Manufacturing on Bainbridge Island as an administrative assistant. She has been a mentor to teens for 10 years through the Bainbridge Island Teen Center and has been a volunteer and board member for the PTSA and Suquamish Environmental Boosters Club at Suquamish Elementary where her two young children attend. Lisa and her husband live in Indianola with their two children and their sweet old dog. Her family has hosted international students from Serbia, China, and Germany over the last two years. She loves to spend her time at the beach with friends and family, fly fishing, camping and playing with her kids.

 

Elizabeth Butler - Business Manager Before coming to West Sound Academy, Elizabeth was the bookkeeper at Paladin Data Systems, a Poulsbo software development company, for seven years. Elizabeth has gained experience in many aspects of financial recordkeeping and business management through other work she has done in the private sector, including ten years at the Kitsap Mall Management Office as bookkeeper, mall security dispatcher, and even occasional undercover surveillance officer. While at West Sound, Elizabeth has enjoyed working with the students and parents in our community. She helps organize school social events and has hosted a student from Sweden. In her spare time, Elizabeth builds custom furniture with her husband Todd for their business, The Butler Did It. Elizabeth’s hobbies include reading and managing their 100-pound Belgian Malinois, Zeke.

 

David Sumner-Smith - Murphy House Resident Advisor. B.A. (British and U.S. Literature, Minor in Science Writing), University of California, San Diego; M.A. (British and American Literature), University of Essex, Colchester, England. David has returned to teaching following a ten year stint as a technical writer (Hewlett-packard, Pfizer, and Genentech).  As an avid sailor, David has built small boats and sailed near and far in the North and South Pacific.  David’s other interests include reading, languages, hiking, and general adventuring. Along with his wife Shannon, he looks forward to being a resident advisor for the Murphy House.

Susan Trower - Library and Communications Director B.A. Summa cum Laude (Business Administration, Accounting), University of Washington. After graduation and passing the CPA exam, Susan worked as a management accountant at Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company. She left the office to start a family, and then rediscovered her childhood love of books and reading when she volunteered at the libraries of her daughters’ schools. After mentorship from some outstanding independent school librarians and additional training, Susan became the librarian at Evergreen Academy in Bothell, then Chestnut Hill Academy in Bellevue. Susan has been at West Sound Academy since 2005. She enjoys reading (of course) and spoiling her two mini-dachshunds.