Dr. Matthew Livingston, Principal

Dr. Livingston spent12 years in San Francisco, CA as a math teacher, elementary principal, middle school principal, and high school principal. He earned a BS in Management Science from the University of California, San Diego, and a MA in School Administration from San Francisco State University. Most recently, he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a focus on Education Equity, from the University of California, Berkeley. His interests and expertise are in the following fields: Professional Learning Communities, Reculturing Organizations, School Improvement Planning and Reform, Leadership, and Equitable Teaching Practices. As principal of Community School, Dr. Livingston also divides his time as principal of International Community School. Dr. Livingston believes, "Education is one of the few things that once attained, it can never be taken away."

Veronique Hageman, 1st & 2nd Grades

 Veronique Hageman teaches our 1st/ 2nd grade class. She is a Kirkland native and alumna of the Lake Washington School District. She has her Masters in Teaching and has taught internationally through the Fulbright Association.  She is thrilled to be a part of the Community School and looks forward to many days full of learning and laughter.

Marilyn Fullerton, 2nd & 3rd Grades

Marilyn has been a Community School teacher since 1993. She is our Head Teacher and teaches our 2nd/ 3rd grade class. Marilyn has her Masters in Education. Her three daughters all attended Lake Washington Schools and are graduates of universities in Washington State.

Jill Reifschneider, 4th & 5th Grades

 Jill teaches our 4th/5th grade class, children nine- through eleven-years-old. She enjoys helping children consider different perspectives. For a decade, Jill led a life of inquiry as a wildlife biologist. Later, she shared her love of nature by leading interpretive activities in local parks. Eventually, Jill operated a firm that provided environmental education services to teachers and students (workshops, and investigations in gardens, forests, and wetlands). This rewarding work persuaded Jill to become a classroom teacher which she has thoroughly enjoyed for more than a dozen years. She and her husband met as Peace Corps volunteers serving in Africa. Their two sons have each recently embarked on college paths.  She cherishes the experiential and cooperative nature of education at Community School. It inspires her.

Rosie Winters, Office Manager

Rosie graduated the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has a background in Graphic Design, Project Management and community service. She was an active parent at Community School and International Community School and has one son currently completing law school. Rosie is an avid quilt designer and lives in Kirkland with her husband, Don, and her yellow Labrador retriever, Shelby.

Kerry Yuasa, Instructional Assistant

Since both her children spent their elementary years at Community School, Kerry and her husband were able to experience first hand the benefits of a multi-age classroom approach to learning.  The emphasis on social and emotional growth in addition to solid academics, coupled with the importance placed on trust, mutual respect, and self-esteem has helped their kids navigate the years beyond sixth grade with confidence and a strong sense of self-worth.  It's been rewarding to observe many former Community School students stay connected and responsive to adults, become effective leaders, and be better able to resist negative influences and peer pressure.

Kerry's background includes a B.A. in Sociology/Social Work, as well as many years in the natural food industry.  She and her husband, along with their two daughters, live in Kirkland.  Family interests include soccer, music, fishing, camping, our extended family, and books.... lots of books.