Staff Directory

Terry Ackerman is one of our WAVA Principals. He comes to WAVA after 9 years in the classroom setting, working here in the US and overseas. Terry has taught as an elementary teacher and middle school teacher, as well as spent time as a literacy coach in middle school. Terry earned a degree in English from the University of North Dakota, and a teaching credential from Northern Arizona University. He earned his Master’s Degree from Winona State University, and after years of teaching, Terry earned an administrator’s license from Johns Hopkins University.

Leah Androy is the WAVA Office Manager. Leah has worked at WAVA for going on 8 years in Finance and Office Management working on teacher expenses and office organizational duties. Leah’s role is a support to all departments and staff at WAVA. Leah is married to husband Jim for almost 24 years, with 3 beautiful children Sierra 22, Parker 17, and Raelee 10, and an amazing grandson Khyree who is almost 2 years old. When Leah is not at the basketball gym watching her son play, she is spending time with family and friends, drinking coffee or scrapbooking.

Heather Bennett is WAVA’s Student Support Administrator. She earned her BA in Education from WSU, Go Cougs! And a MS in Education with an emphasis in Reading and Literacy. Heather has been with WAVA since 2015 and supports families getting started at WAVA, Attendance and Truancy, and coordinating the Flex program. She loves working with families and staff, collaborating to support our amazing students. When Heather is not working with families she can be found spending time with her wonderful children and many pets, giving them all the love, and checking out too many books at the local library. She enjoys volunteering with the Tacoma Humane Society, childhood cancer organizations, animal rescues, and Junior Roller Derby. Heather loves running in the great outdoors and finding animals to talk to along the way.

WAVA’s Executive Director is Susan Boyer. Susan taught in public schools at the elementary level for 18 year in Western Washington. Prior to joining WAVA, she served as an Elementary School Assistant Principal in Burien. She has Master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and in Educational Administration from Seattle Pacific University.  Susan is passionate about learning and all students being successful! Susan lives in Western Washington with her husband and children, along with their 2 dogs and 21 chickens. When she is not working or busy with her family, Susan loves to spend time reading.

Lia Carlile is the Assistant Administrator at WAVA for Grades 6-12.  She joins us with experience in K-12 and also working with our Omak School District. Lia has served is supportive roles in our Diversity and Equity team, supports clubs and ASB.  When not at work you may have seen Lia and her family featured with our K12 Stride team and in local news for their musical talents and singing group that tours.

Hailey Chamberlain is CES for Community Engagement, Clubs, Events, Activities and Communications. Prior to WAVA Hailey has served as a Board of Director on several education based and community programs for over 15 years. Hailey’s experience comes from work in Finance Management roles creating community partnerships. Hailey has a passion for leadership and creating connections within a community. She believes that all students can succeed and in making all students feel welcome. Hailey has a degree in Business Administration and Finance and Early Childhood Development Certifications, was a competitive collegiate cheerleader and professionally with the NFL, Go Seahawks! Hailey enjoys serving the community she lives in with her husband and 3 kids as an business owner, volunteering with her local youth athletics program, schools, food bank, charitable organizations and giving back to others. Hailey and her family stay busy when not working with sports, friends, family, and travel!

Amy Giske is the Operations Manager with WAVA. She started with WAVA in 2012 and previously served as WAVA’s testing logistics coordinator, operations support specialist, and Family Academic Support Team administrator. Prior to WAVA, Amy taught Math and Language Arts in a brick-and-mortar school for four years. Amy earned her master’s in Teaching degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia. She is excited to blend her teaching background with her technical skills and wealth of WAVA experiences to provide our families and staff with a great school experience.

Taylor is our CTE Administrator at WAVA. She began her teaching career in the Washington, DC area, but she and her family have recently relocated to Seattle. She has experience in all grades K-12 as well as undergraduate teaching experience at West Virginia University where she earned her Bachelor’s in English Literature and Language and Master’s in Secondary Education. Taylor earned her Post-Graduate Certification in Educational Leadership and Administration at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She is committed to empowering learners to become independent and critical thinkers, and she believes in the ability of virtual learning to expand equitable access to high quality learning experiences for all. Taylor and her family love to travel and explore the outdoors, so they’re especially loving being in the PNW. Taylor most enjoys being a mom to her daughter, Chandler, but she also enjoys reading, writing, and yoga in her free time.

WAVA’s 6-12 Assistant Principal is Mark Lagerquist. He currently lives in Yakima but is in the process of relocating to Mukilteo with his wife and two cats Cookie and Runty. This is his first year at WAVA and 10th year in education. Prior to joining WAVA, Mark started his educational journey as middle school math teacher coaching various sports in Yakima then became an assistant principal at Wapato High School. He has his Bachelor’s Degree from Heritage University in Mathematics (5-12). He also earned his Master’s degree from Heritage University in Educational Administration. When not working Mark enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with his wife!

Special Programs at WAVA includes special education, Section 504, English Language Learner, and Highly Capable.  Our team of support staff is lead by Administrator Shelley Sears.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education Technology, Psychology, and a certificate in Educational Administration. She has been in special education teaching and life skills, resources and emotional/behavior classrooms in Washington and Georgia. Shelley has worked in a private practice for Child, Marriage and Family therapy and later as a school therapist.

Hello WAVA!  My name is Kala Wofford.  I am starting my 10th year in administration, most of those years in elementary.  Prior to that, I was a high school teacher in both face-to-face and online environments.  I have wanted to be a teacher since I was about four years old.  I am beyond excited to be joining all of you in my next adventure in education!

I am a Montana native but live in WA and we are proud parents to Ella and Maddie. Their activities keep us hopping.  When not spending time in gyms around our region, we can be found traveling and  exploring the outdoors, or spending time with friends.  While I will be experiencing a learning curve, I am here to help however I can! Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can support you in any way! I hope to meet many of you in Tacoma, otherwise I will “see” you soon online!

Tom Yahraes has over 20 years in the K-12 education continuum, from teaching high school in rural Montana; the Bering Strait in Alaska; and Bend, Oregon;  to being a high school assistant and K-8 principal in Central Oregon;  middle school and high school principal/assistant superintendent in Big Sky Montana; to superintendent in the Willamette Valley. Tom obtained his Bachelor’s in literature and K-12 reading instruction from the University of Montana, Master’s in administration from Grand Canyon University, administrator certification from Lewis and Clark University, and an Ed.S. from the University of Chicago. He loves Nordic skiing in the Methow Valley, exploring the great outdoors, and making the most of every day with his wife and son.