Susan Cole O'Malley
Grades One and Two
Explorer Community School
somalley@lwsd.org

Mrs. Susan O'Malley, 2009 Golden Apple Award recipient, is a veteran teacher with more than 35 years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in education; she earned a master's degree in special education from Eastern Kentucky University and a master's in curriculum and instruction from the University of Washington.

Mrs. O'Malley enjoys reading, traveling the world and being in nature. She brings that love of nature into her classroom. "Gardening with nature and for the local food bank, community outreach through education, art and the love of literacy are the joys I bring to the classroom experience," says Mrs. O'Malley.

Debra Shaw
Grades Three and Four
Explorer Community School
dshaw@lwsd.org

Ms. Debra Shaw, a native of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, returned to the Northwest after teaching in both public and private schools in northern California. Before finding a home at Explorer Community School, Ms. Shaw also taught in the Spokane School District. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho and her master’s degree in educational leadership from San Jose State University.

Ms. Shaw enjoys running, reading, spending time with family and friends, and developing herself professionally. She loves bringing new and innovative teaching ideas that she has learned into the classroom, especially regarding technology.

In her diverse education and teaching experiences, Ms. Shaw has learned the value of educating children beyond classroom academics. She believes in developing a community of educated, respectful, empathetic children through a partnership with their families. “It is important for children to be conscious of the world around them,” says Ms. Shaw. “They should be aware of community and world issues that may affect themselves as well as others.”

David Leviten
Grades Five and Six
Explorer Community School
dleviten@lwsd.org

Mr. David Leviten came to the profession of teaching with a strong science and math background. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and then earned his certificate in elementary education and middle school math and science.

Mr. Leviten brings his love of music and the environment into his classroom.  As part of the Explorer teaching team, he was recently honored by King County as an "Earth Hero at School" for his work teaching his students how to reduce their carbon footprints through practical strategies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr. Leviten believes that students need to develop academic, social, emotional and organizational skills at school, and that each skill is equally important. He provides his students with many opportunities for hands-on, interactive learning.  He believes that learning takes place in many different settings and environments and school should be a place where laughter and smiles should always be present. His famous classroom "homework songs" are one of the many ways he gets his students joyfully engaged in a love of learning.

He feels fortunate to be teaching at Explorer Community School where he feels students thrive in a multi-age environment with strong parent support.