Our mission & vision
Seattle School for Boys actively engages early adolescents to be creative thinkers, collaborative learners and compassionate leaders.
We inspire our students to become compassionate advocates for themselves and others in order to build a more equitable future.
Our values
- Bringing joy, curiosity and vigor to learning.
- Open mindedness and thoughtful engagement with our community.
- You. Me. Us. Them. Mutual respect and compassion.
- Self-awareness, self-expression and collaborative work.
Our core strategic principles
Joyful | Curious | Active | Compassionate | Collaborative
Our learning space
Seattle School for Boys is located in central Seattle at 2100 E. Spruce Street, near the Spruce Street Mini Park and the Rotary Boys & Girls Club. Our classrooms and community space ensures that lunchtime can be a time for fresh air and free play (like frisbee and climbing trees at parks), and encourages outdoor exploration. Public transportation options abound.
Head of School
Alvertis Brooks, Jr.
Mr. Brooks joined Seattle School for Boys in July 2022, after serving as Assistant Director of Athletics with Seattle Public Schools. He previously served as Director of Operations at Rainier Valley Leadership Academy and as Assistant Director of Athletics at University Prep, as well as being the owner and consultant at Learn With Us Now.
Mr. Brooks is a graduate of Seattle University with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting with an emphasis in finance and he holds a Master’s degree in education from the University of Washington. He is pursuing his doctorate in education at UW’s Leadership for Learning. A father of three, he has served on a number of advisory boards focused on the development of culturally responsive spaces for students. As a leader for equitable systems, he looks forward to building community involvement and advancing the vision for Seattle School for Boys.
“I am excited for this opportunity to work with SSB’s inspiring students and dedicated faculty and staff,” said Brooks. “With its experiential learning environment and commitment to ensuring all students are seen for who they are and what they bring, I believe Seattle School for Boys serves an important role in our community.”
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Brooks to the Seattle School for Boys community,” said Search Committee Co-Chairs Andrea Gates Sanford and Peter Berner-Hays. “As a strategic thinker and engaged leader, with experience working in public, independent, and startup schools, Mr. Brooks is uniquely positioned to lead SSB as it expands its reach, deepens its roots, and continues to deliver on its mission.”
Faculty & staff
Pepi Gabor
7th/8th Grade Math,
Art and Cooking Teacher
Dr. Conrad Webster
Director of Student Support
Robin Donoso
Science & STEAM teacher
Jerome Hunter
Chief Academic Officer, Humanities teacher
LaQuanta Jackson
Staff: Registrar and Office Administrator
Wesley Speight
7th Grade Humanities, Music Teacher
Austin Garcia, Math Teacher
Austin joins SSB after spending five years with Seattle Public Schools. He is thrilled to join SSB and become a part of the community. He is very passionate about all academic fields and can bring meaning and real world application to his work with others. As a father of three children, he enjoys spending his time watching them explore the world. Austin has a Masters in Teaching from the Seattle Teacher Residency and the University of Washington. He has taught in different counties and brings his knowledge of their styles to the classroom. He loves to work with students and connect families. He looks forward to building positive relationships with all.
Dr. Conrad Webster, Director of Student Support
Dr. Conrad Webster is a writer, organizer, facilitator, professor, and education consultant from Houston, TX. Dr. Webster comes to Seattle School For Boys after serving as a Project Manager, Racial Equity Advancement Advisor for Seattle Public Schools and adjunct professor at Pierce College. Dr. Webster graduated from University of Washington with a doctorate degree in Educational leadership in 2019 with a focus on social justice and social emotional wellness. Dr. Webster focuses his free time on Black male empowerment, social justice, education, mental health, mentorship, business, and finance. If it’s part of your healing he will cover it. Dr. Webster also owns his own business called Black Boy Heal, where he provides free mental health services for African American identified boys in the K-12 school system.
Q Jackson, Registrar and Office Administrator
Q joined Seattle School for Boys in 2020 after working for RealNetworks for 22 years. Q was born in Tulsa Oklahoma and moved to Seattle at six years old. She attended Montlake Elementary, Meany Middle School, Garfield High School and the UW. She has a love for travel and lived in the Netherlands for a short period. Q has a love of community and has a long background in community support with outreach for the homeless and youth groups.
Pepi Gabor, Math, Art, and Cooking Teacher
As an optimist, pragmatist, and a realist, education and teaching have been interspersed and in the forefront of the many hats worn over time by Pepi. She grew up in Vermont, went to college in New York, moved west and has never looked back. Pepi has worked for attorneys, owned an engineering company, raised two delightfully diverse children, been a teacher many times, and owned an art gallery and a restaurant. By far the most significant roles have been that of mother and teacher. Pepi is humbled, gratified, and excited to teach our middle school boys math. It is her favorite age group because these are the years that inform the future. It is her favorite subject because learning how to solve problems in a meaningful way, regardless of the subject, is what will help students be successful. In addition to working, Pepi is a long-distance runner, avid yogi, and life-long learner. Currently, she is about halfway through the 200-hour training to become a yoga teacher and hopes to be done by early autumn.
Robin Donoso, Science Teacher & S.T.E.A.M.
Robin is joining Seattle School for Boys after working for the last two years in Phoenix, Arizona. She has taught science, social studies, and math in both public and private schools in Washington and Arizona. She brings a passion for hands-on learning and exploring science in ways that increase passion and understanding. She is spending the summer working at The Museum of Flight Aerospace Summer Camp. Robin is a graduate of Central Washington University in Anthropology and Theater Arts. She has a teenager who is a junior in high school and together they explore the world, one trip at a time. She spends free time reading, planning trips and cooking.
Wesley Speight, Language Arts, Music Teacher
Wes has been teaching High School ELA and Humanities for six years. His teaching philosophy is a combination of Progressivism (moral compass, Constructivism (worldview), and Humanism (fostering full potential). He firmly believes in practicing and modeling positive reinforcement and that all students are scholars. He has a MA in Film and Creative Media and is currently finishing up a MAT in English this year. He hopes and plans to be a lifetime learner and eventually get a Ph.D. in Education. He is excited to be a part of SSB!
Our board of trustees
Peter Berner-Hays, Co-chair
Peter has been a Kindergarten teacher, School Counselor and Head of School in a number of independent schools in the Seattle area. He has served on several school boards and on the Board of Governors of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, NWAIS. Throughout his career he has facilitated workshops for new and young teachers supporting their early development with a clear focus on reflection, professional growth, and collegial connection.
A hallmark of Peter’s work in schools is his unwavering appreciation for children and a strong understanding of child and adolescent development.
Peter joined the Board in October 2020 and has shared Board co-chair responsibilities with Andrea since June 2022.
Andrea Gates Sanford, Co-chair
Andrea is a graphic designer, beginning her career in Austin, Texas, then moving to Washington DC to start her own business, She Can Do It, LLC. She was full-time production manager for the launch of Discovery Channel Online before moving to Seattle in 1996, continuing She Can Do It until 2020. She is now the full-time lead graphic designer for HR Creative Group.
She was on the board of directors for the Snow Leopard Trust for over 12 years in various leadership positions. She has also served on the boards of Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability, Indonesian Veterinary Training Program and the Center for Women and Democracy. She received her MBA in sustainable business from BGI in 2011. Her passion for equal rights and social justice led her to be involved with Seattle School for Boys from the very beginning.
Andrea trains and competes in a variety of canine sports with her talented Doberman pinschers. She ring stewards for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, is an avid reader and enjoys the never-ending but rewarding struggle of learning both the cello and fly fishing, albeit not at the same time. She shares ideas of loving support for those who are widowed and their friends at her blog, The Practical Widow.
Andrea joined the Board in October 2020 and has shared Board co-chair responsibilities with Peter since June 2022.
Joan Beauregard, Vice-chair
Joan brings a wealth of experience to SSB, having spent 44 years working in independent, public and parochial schools on both coasts of the U.S. She started her career teaching English, which eventually led to 26 years as the Head of five schools including 13 years as the Head of a Pk-6 day school and completing her career as the Head of Hamlin Robinson School (WA), a school with a mission to serve students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. While at Hamlin Robinson School Joan established the award winning HRS Learning Center and the Teacher Training Program, completed the school’s first capital campaign, moved the school to a newly built campus, increased enrollment by 180%, strengthened the finances and established several endowments. Upon her retirement the school established an endowment in her name, the Joan Beauregard Endowment for Discovery and Enrichment, and named the playfields in her honor.
Joan has been active in the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, NWAIS, serving on the Board of Governors for over 15 years, the Accreditation Committee for 17 years, and held many leadership positions such as Standards and Practices Chair, Treasurer and President of the association. She was also president of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, an executive committee member of Country Day School Headmaster’s Association and a member of Head Mistresses of the East. She has served on the boards of many independent schools and other organizations. Joan is a founding faculty member of Pathways to Leadership, a two-year program for aspiring woman leaders and has co-facilitated or presented at many regional governance workshops.
Joan joined the Board in October 2020.
Asa Watts, Treasurer
Asa is a senior aviation industry executive with over 20 years of finance and accounting experience. She holds a M.B.A. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and started her career as a public accountant with Deloitte in Seattle, Washington. Asa also serves on the board of directors of Issaquah FC, a community-based, non-profit organization providing all levels of soccer playing opportunities for kids ages 5-18. As parent to an SSB student, she is excited to be part of a school community that cultivates a sense of well-being and engagement with learning.
Asa joined the Board in May 2022 after serving as a member of the SSB Finance Committee since November 2021.
Dawn Zedonis, Secretary
Dawn graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA and received her Master of Arts in Psychology from Seattle University. Professionally, she has worked with women experiencing homelessness in Seattle, as a lead clinician on a behavioral health team in Boston, and as the Managing Editor of Seattle’s Child magazine.
Dawn is mom to identical twin boys, an avid reader, an occasional writer, and an aficionado of colorful language. Honored to be part of SSB’s founding family cohort, Dawn is passionate about fostering a community where boys are empowered to grow into their full social and emotional selves.
Dawn joined the Board October 2020.
LaShondra Hayes
LaShondra is an instructional assistant in a preschool classroom at the Haring Center’s Experimental Education Unit at the University of Washington. Working in an environment with both neurodiverse and neurotypical children has paved a way for LaShondra to become more involved in advocating for the needs of all learners, no matter how simple or complex those needs may be. She also serves as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at Bertschi School where her two wonderful boys attend elementary school and is an active member of the Bertschi parent council.
When not working, LaShondra enjoys exploring new and exciting kid-friendly and/or challenging hikes around the region, traveling, summer time camping and road trips with her family.
As a mom to two young boys, LaShondra was eager to jump right in as a board member and bring her insight to SSB and collaborate to have the mission of SSB fulfilled.
LaShondra joined the Board in August 2021.
Lindsey Kaiser
Lindsey is a Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Policy, Organizations, and Leadership whose research lies at the intersection of anti-racist leadership, authentic community partnerships, and adult learning. She partners with the Technology Access Foundation to design anti-racist leadership learning spaces for White educational leaders who are committed to critiquing systemic practices and fostering collaborative and equitable relationships with Black and Brown families, youth, and community leaders.
She has spent 10 years as a public educator - an administrator, instructional coach, special education teacher, and elementary teacher - in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Texas.
Through participatory action research, she is interested in ways we can galvanize and revitalize communities, create spaces of healing from racial trauma, disrupt power structures, and sustain cultural heritages by focusing on community-based efforts and creating system-level changes in our school systems.
Lindsey joined the Board in September 2022.
Drew Markham
Drew is a corporate lawyer with expertise in governance and a CPA. After 14 years practicing at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and then four years as an in-house attorney at RealNetworks, she started her own practice, Avisé, SPC, where she provides legal consulting services to publicly traded technology companies. Prior to law school, Drew spent six years working as a certified public accountant, first as an auditor with Ernst & Young and then as a consultant for Levi Strauss & Co.
Drew has served on the boards of directors, including the finance committees and executive committees, of several nonprofit organizations, including Seattle Girls’ School, The RealNetworks Foundation, Child Care Resources, Climate Solutions, and Women’s Funding Alliance. She has done corporate pro bono work for many nonprofit organizations over the past 20 years. Personally, Drew is mom to two teens.
As co-founder, Drew has been on the Board since October 2018 and served as Chair until May 2022.
Brooke Montgomery
Brooke is creative director at the Seattle-based Cut.com, working on brand identity and storytelling. He has extensive experience in the video and film industry in New York City and Seattle and currently produces the HiHo video series featuring children’s experiences trying new foods and meeting new people. He holds a BA from Brooklyn College and is the father of three children. Brooke is also a certified arborist, having started and maintained his own customized landscaping business in the Seattle area for over 10 years.
Brooke joined the Board in October 2022.
Jacob Taylor-Mosquera
An enthusiastic bilingual professional, Jacob has extensive domestic and international work and volunteer experience, primarily in secondary and higher education. He taught middle and high school Spanish for the past 11 years at mostly private institutions. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer and holds a BA from Pacific Lutheran University, an MA from Leiden University in the Netherlands and a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from Seattle University.
Jacob currently works as a Community Engagement Manager focused on Global Higher Education with Microsoft Flip (Formally Flipgrid).
He is passionate about serving his community and has recently served as a commissioner on the King County Immigrant & Refugee Commission, an English-Spanish translator at Caracol Televisión and a presenter/curriculum developer with Movimiento AfroLatino Seattle.
Jacob is also the author of I Met Myself in October, A Memoir of Belonging, a thought-provoking true adventure discussing international/transracial adoption and what it means to belong to two countries and two families. He is currently preparing the Spanish version for release.
Jacob joined the Board in October 2022.
Our Steelheads mascot
The Seattle School for Boys mascot is the Steelheads. This mascot pays homage to the Seattle Steelheads, which were Seattle's 1940s Negro League baseball team. In addition, the design honors the unique geographical characteristics of the Coast Salish lands where we reside. SSB aims to embody the courage of the Negro League players and respect for the land, animals, and all that makes the Pacific Northwest home.
Our history
Seattle School for Boys was co-founded by Jerome Hunter and Drew Markham.
Jerome Hunter is head of academics and humanities teacher at Seattle School for Boys. Jerome is a contributing member of the Institute for Connecting Neuroscience with Teaching and Learning, and he is also in his fourth year as a mentor with My Brother’s Keeper. Based in his belief that boys can advance beyond the confines of traditional male socialization and toward a holistic version of themselves when provided the appropriate tools, he works to create neural educational models and experiential learning projects for SSB that align with ethnic studies and multicultural education, providing a space for middle school boys to feel safe, welcome and encouraged to grow as individuals.
Drew Markham is a Board member at SSB. Watching her older child thrive at an all-girls middle school, where she was supported and encouraged through the tricky middle school years, Drew was dismayed to find that a similar educational experience was not available for her son. She worked to form a school where boys in our community — bringing together a rich diversity of backgrounds and perspectives — have the opportunity to be supported, guided, and celebrated, and in turn learn to support, respect, and have compassion for others.
Careers
Seattle School for Boys is seeking educators with experience in humanities and/or math and STEAM to join our interdisciplinary, collaborative teaching team. We have an opportunity for a resident or primary teacher to work with students in core academic classes, electives, experiential learning programs, and the extended day program.
We are always interested in connecting with people who may bring their skills and innovations to our school. If you are a passionate educator who wants to be part of a joyful, adventurous learning environment, we would love to hear from you. Send us your resume at employment@seattleschoolforboys.org.