Greg Schellenberg, Principal
Parent Meetings: Available by appointment
E-mail: gschellenberg@lwsd.org
Greg Schellenberg has been at Gig Harbor High School for 5 years – almost one full year as Assistant Principal and the remainder of time as Principal. Prior to Gig Harbor HS, Greg worked in the international school arena both as Principal of a Kindergarten through 9th grade school in remote Saudi Arabia and a Middle School Math teacher in Shanghai, China. Before leaving the US, Greg was Assistant Principal in Puyallup School District at Stahl Junior High School. As a teacher, Greg taught Junior High math in Federal Way, WA.
Greg has been married to his wife Angela for ten years. They have four year old twin sons – and a black Pug named Fred.
Greg is very excited to begin work at Eastlake High School. “Eastlake is an entity, something special that the students, staff and community respect and buy into, more than you see in most schools.” It is the accomplishments of students and the efforts of staff that motivates and inspires Greg in schools.
Diane Kane, Head Teacher
Teaches: Language Arts, Social Studies, Visual Arts
Parent Meetings: Available by appointment
E-mail: Diane Kane
Diane came to teaching after enjoying several mini-careers and raising a family. She taught 5th and 6th grade at A. G. Bell Elementary for eight years, before joining staff development as an elementary mathematics specialist. Diane has appreciated and supported the arts for much of her adult life. She has managed a dance company, co-chaired several committees for a major art auction that helped fund a museum, taught art classes for children and taken art classes.
Married for 33 years, Diane and her husband, Steve, have three children, Erin, Deirdre and Brendan. Diane enjoys music, reading, cooking, outdoor activities of all kinds, and yoga.
Diane is passionate about teaching and learning and believes all children deserve the opportunity to succeed at their highest levels.
Stephen Thornsberry, Teacher
Teaches: Mathematics
Activities: Math Club, Ultimate Freesby, Guitar Club
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill
- MSA, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University
- Secondary Mathematics Certification, University of Texas at San Antonio
Parent Meetings: Available by appointment
E-mail: Stephen Thornsberry
Philosophy on Math
Whether you are a 7th, 8th, or 9th grader, the focus of our work is algebra. We will make predictions based on patterns and write equations describing movement on the atomic level as well as the cosmic.
The best way to learn something is to teach it, and students will be encouraged to share their ideas and solutions, progressing from one who merely receives knowledge to one who imparts or gives knowledge to others in a group, to the entire class, and in written summaries. You will be pressed to think about how you best learn and apply your strengths while shoring up your weaknesses.
2500 years ago the ancient Greeks studied mathematics to help them understand the nature of truth. Much study of mathematics and philosophy dates to the ancient Greeks. Philosophy, in part, uses reason to study what is true. Since the Greeks did not trust their own senses (maybe what we experience as the world is just a very vivid dream, they reasoned), they looked to the world of mathematics to find truth. After all, 2 + 2 = 4, is a truthful statement to which all reasonable people can agree.
As you study mathematics always consider whether something makes sense. Do not accept a procedure or idea without proof. Think beyond the procedures you may have to practice endlessly and at least understand why they work, even if you have trouble getting them to work. One of the great values of mathematics lies in its universal acceptance and application.
Martha Daman, Teacher
Teaches: Performing Arts, Language Arts, Social Studies
Activities: Academic Games
Parent Meetings: Available by appointment
E-mail: Martha Daman
Martha Daman’s first love is dance. She has been taking lessons and performing since she was three. Through her elementary and junior high school experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, Martha studied ballet, jazz and tap with a heavy emphasis on jazz. In her freshman year in high school, Martha was introduced to Keith Banks, owner and teacher at Studio 10 Dance Center in Cupertino, California. Keith broadened Martha’s expertise in Jazz, specifically the Luigi style of jazz. She then went on to perform in festivals and concerts around the South Bay and assisted Keith at San Jose State University in his classes there. In Martha’s senior year of high school, her family moved to the Sammamish Plateau. She spent her senior year at Redmond High School. For college she attended Central Washington University, where she earned her BA in Literature Study with an emphasis in teaching, a minor in history, and her teaching certification. During her time at Central, Martha also took advantage of the dance program there. As a member of the dance company, Orchesis, Martha was able to spread her wings as a choreographer. She took many classes in technique for jazz, modern, and ballet, along with classes in dance history. Martha graduated from Central in June of 1999.
Martha Daman began teaching in 1999 at Kirkland Junior high as an English, Social Studies and Drama teacher.
In 2000 she moved to BEST Night School. In the fall of 2001 Martha transfered to BEST day school and continued to teach at BEST through June of 2006. In the fall of 2006 she moved to Eastlake and was part of the opening team for Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning. 2006-2007 Martha taught part time for Renaissance, and part time for Eastlake as a senior English, Government and Washington State History teacher. In the Fall of 2007 Martha became full-time Renaissance teacher. Her subject areas are 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies, 9th grade Social Studies, 7th – 9th grade Performing Arts, and Guild (homeroom). Martha is married to John Daman and has a little girl named Molly.
Jyoti Bawa, Teacher 
Teaches: Science
Parent Meetings: Available by appointment
E-mail: Jyoti Bawa
Jyoti Bawa has been working with students of all ages for many years. She has worked as a substitute teacher with Lake Washington School District for two years and has been teaching at Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning since September 2008. With a major in Zoology, Jyoti has always enjoyed science and working with kids. She believes in activity centered- learning and is passionate about teaching.
In her spare time, Jyoti enjoys spending time with her husband, Sumeet and their two children, Akanksha and Nirbheek. Both are students at Smith Elementary. The family loves to go camping, hiking and skiing.
Erin Ashley, School Secretary
Role: School Secretary
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:15 am - 2:45 pm
E-mail: Erin Ashley
Erin Ashley has been involved with Renaissance School since 2006, as one of the original “founding families”.
From planning parent barbecues and fundraisers, to setting up the PTSA and initiating our outdoor education camp program, Erin had a lot of fun as a parent at RSAR. In fact, she liked it so much she joined the staff!
Erin became the full time office manager for Renaissance School in September 2008. She couldn’t be more proud of what the students and teachers have created and accomplished in the first three years of our school’s existence. This year RSAR will celebrate its first 9th grade graduating class, of which her daughter is a member.
Erin’s professional background comprises over 20 years in event management. While some might wonder at the career crossover, many responsibilities are similar: working creatively, to a deadline, on budget, with a wide variety of people. One of the great added benefits is interacting with the students. Renaissance attracts a very cool group of young people (and their parents)!
Erin has been married to Warwick since 1988, and has two daughters, Devon and Meredith. The Ashley’s came to the United States over ten years ago, from Vancouver, B.C. and lived in Virginia for four years before returning to the Pacific Northwest and making their home in Sammamish.