Faculty

Ms. Judy Ronning-Larson
Eighth Grade Teacher

Ms. Judy Ronning-Larson grew up in Spokane, Washington, so she has a lot of #EastSidePride! Ms. Ronning-Larson attended college at Whitworth University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and a Master’s degree in Education. Ms. Ronning-Larson is a Reading Specialist and has earned endorsements in English, Language Arts, and mid-level Humanities. In 2008 she earned her National Board Certification and in 2017 she earned her Administrative Licensure from the University of Oregon.

In 2015 Ms. Ronning-Larson, along with 14 other educators and student assessment experts authored, “A Better Path for Oregon, a New System of Assessment for Student Learning” in response to a request by then-Oregon Governor Kitzhaber to design a new system for student assessment. Following that effort, she served as a Professional Development facilitator for the Oregon Department of Education traveling around the state to help teachers understand the newly adopted Common Core State Standards and the roll out of the Smarter Balance Assessment. In 2016 Ms. Ronning-Larson was nominated by the entire Oregon Congressional delegation to serve on the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee as the rules were being written around assessment following passage of the new Federal Education Act-the Every Student Succeeds Act. From 2017 through 2018 she led the National Task Force on Assessment Education, working with national education experts to increase knowledge around equitable student assessment systems. She then worked with the Oregon Department of Education and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, as well as the National Indian Education Association, to create new social studies curriculum representing the Native American narrative in American history.

Ms. Ronning-Larson has been the head coach for multiple sports teams including middle school cross-country teams, track teams and snow sports teams. But now she spends most of her spare time in the outdoors and is never very far from an opportunity to go fly fishing.  Ms. Ronning-Larson has an outstanding sidekick named Genser (Norwegian for “jumper”), a 15-pound bundle of energy who is ½ Italian Greyhound and ½ Parsons Terrier. Together they do a lot of traveling in the outdoors.

Ms. Gwen Gossler
Seventh Grade Teacher (On Leave Semester 1, Mr. Robert Marsh teaching)

Ms. Gwen Gossler grew up in Cheney, Washington, and was actively involved with the volleyball team, the basketball team, and drama club. After graduating from high school in Puyallup, Washington, Ms. Gossler attended the University of Washington where she received her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Arts degree.  Still craving learning, Ms. Gossler continued her education at Eastern Washington University and received a second bachelor degree in K-8 Education, with an additional endorsement in visual art.

Ms. Gossler enjoys board games, hiking, arts and crafts and spending time with her mini goldendoodle named Murphy. On the weekend you can find her at the dog park in Marymoor, playing fetch or kicking the soccer ball around with her dog. Ms. Gossler also loves to travel, and is hoping to add some more stamps to her passport over the next few years!  Her love for ancient history, mythology and the arts is an asset to the Stella community.

Mr. Robert Marsh
Seventh Grade Teacher  (Leave Replacement)

Mr. Marsh  was born in England, and came to the USA with his  family when he was 6. He attended Lake Washington School District back in those days (Eastlake 2008). He then went to the University of Washington, where he played Goalkeeper on the Men's Soccer Team, and studied environmental science.

Mr. Marsh was a math a teacher for 4 years prior to coming to Stella Schola, and really enjoyed sharing his love of learning with middle school students. There's so much to learn about and discover in 7th grade! Outside of school, he enjoys getting outside to hike, rock climb, play pickleball, and work on a cabin that I have been building for the last 3 summers (ask me about it). I also love to play chess, and read classic books. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in the Fall!

 

Mr. Young Kim
Sixth Grade Teacher

 Young Kim is thrilled to be joining the Stella Schola community as the new sixth-grade teacher.  

This will be his fourth full year of teaching. He graduated in 2019 from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a degree in social studies secondary education. However, he considers himself a jack-of-all-trades and is delighted to share his experiences and perspectives in a multidisciplinary classroom setting. He recently completed his master’s in curriculum and instruction. Most of his teaching experience has been in a middle school setting, but most recently, he taught at Lake Washington High School. He also served as an assistant coach for the Lake Washington High School  Boys' varsity soccer team who won the State championship!   When he is not teaching, he is working on improving his bowling skills, gardening and playing/coaching soccer. 

Mrs. Susan Jensen
Office Manager

Mrs. Susan Jensen grew up in Bellevue, Washington and is a graduate of the University of Washington. She studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources. She loved her time at UW. Go Dawgs!

Three of her children were educated at Stella Schola. Having experienced it through the eyes of a parent, she has a unique platform to speak to the incredible school it is. She is so impressed with the student it produces, even with children of different learning styles, strengths, weaknesses, interests and abilities. They gain the love of learning, ability to effectively time manage, and a thankfulness to be a part of such a close-knit community. After experiencing the rigor, high expectations, numerous group projects and monthly writing assignments, they are well prepared for High School! And the best part is they have fun throughout!

Susan is thankful to be able to contribute to the Stella Learning Community in her role as Office Manager and Registrar. This position is a perfect convergence of her love for kids and HR background.

 

Mrs. Brandi Comstock

Instructional Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator

Mrs. Brandi Comstock grew up in Yakima, Washington where she participated in the dance team, drama club, and served a year on the student board of Washington State FHA, where she represented the state at the national convention. Mrs. Comstock attended Gonzaga University, where she met her husband, and received her Bachelor of Arts in History with Concentrations in Spanish and Women’s Studies.  After graduation, and not starting school in the fall for the first time in over two decades, she decided to return to school at Gonzaga for her Elementary Education certification with an endorsement in History for students grade 6-12. Having lived in Spokane, Seattle, Spokane (again) and Port Orchard as a parent and a teacher, she finally settled into Kirkland in 2009. 

Mrs. Comstock has two high school students, one of whom attended Stella Schola.  In her free time she enjoys playing games with her family, baking, puzzles, arts and crafts, reading books (of any kind) and volunteering.  She also enjoys day tripping across Washington with her family, glamping, and time with her friends. Brandi is excited to work at Stella as she has first-hand experience with how the Stella family has helped her child, and many others, prepare for their futures by not only creating an academically rigorous environment, but also instilling in Stella students the “soft skills” they need in order to be successful in their lives.