Mark Blomquist - Principal
mblomquist@lwsd.org
This is now my twelfth year as an educator. I have taught 6th graders, middle school students, and 5th graders and our Pull-Out Enrichment program, or Quest. While my wife was in grad school, I taught a variety of grades and programs in Hopewell, New Jersey: I was an enrichment specialist and gifted and talented teacher, opened Stony Brook Elementary School, and taught English at Timberlane Middle School. After returning to the northwest, I spent two years working with teachers around the Lake Washington School District as an Instructional Technology Specialist before coming to work at Carl Sandburg and Discovery Community School as a 5th and 6th grade teacher and vice principal.
I have a wonderful family: my wife, Jera, is mother of two boys, Ewan, age five, who starts Kindergarten this fall, and Callum, age three. We are avid skiers and travel to Colorado to ski with my wife's family as often as we can. We also like to travel, but don't get to do it as much as we used to now that we have little kids. When we can, we also like to water ski and spend time on the water.
I am delighted to continue to work with such a great learning community where students are challenged, engaged, and cared for. Together we can continue to make Discovery a place where students reach their highest potential.
Diane Jewell - Youngers and Head Teacher
djewell@lwsd.org
I am originally from Wisconsin and earned my Bachelor of Science degree from the UW of EauClaire. I worked many summers as a camp counselor. This experience led me to an Easter Seals Camp in California where I met my husband, Jim. We settled in San Francisco where I taught for 10 years and earned my Master of Arts degree. I have recently completed my Professional Certification for the state of Washington and enjoy my new position at DCS. We love our life here in the Pacific Northwest with our 2 daughters, Kelsey and MacKenzie. It's a beautiful location to hike, ski, and celebrate the solstice.
Carol Fletcher - Middles Teacher
cfletcher@lwsd.org
What a fabulous community we have here at DCS - and I am honored to be part of it! As Middles teacher (grades 3-4), I have been on staff here at DCS since 1999. Prior to that, I taught 3rd grade at Carl Sandburg, Alcott Elementary, Benjamin Rush Elementary, and Peter Lea Infants School in Cardiff, Wales! I am a native Northwestern - born and raised in Tacoma! My college years were spent at CWU in Ellensburg, and I hold a B.ED degree in Music Education, and a M.Ed. in Reading. When I'm not teaching, I am usually enjoying time with my 16-year-old daughter, Kimmi, taking long walks with friends, playing the piano, traveling, going to the symphony, plays, and many other cultural events that our area has to offer.
Monica Engquist - Olders Teacher
mengquist@lwsd.org
Growing up in Redmond Washington, I am a proud product of the Lake Washington School District. Working with children has always played a large role in my life. I volunteered in an elementary classroom for year and a half while attending Redmond High School, and I worked with children in the YMCA child care program while earning my BA in Education from Washington State University. Running and weight training are my hobbies, and these activities are what I devote most of my free time to. I recently became a first time homebuyer, and I am excited to be able to call the Kirkland area 'home'.
Janet Zins - Secretary/IA
jzins@lwsd.org
I am a native of the Kirkland area and attended schools in the Lake Washington School District. I currently live in Kirkland with my husband, Dwight, son Drew, who attends college at the University of Idaho, and two golden retrievers, Penny and Sadie. I enjoy vacationing at the Oregon Coast with my family, and I love to pass the time with my hobbies of gardening and reading. I have worked in the Lake Washington School District for twelve years, and enjoy very much working with the students and families at Discovery Community School.