Chrysalis School – Chrysalis School

Thetford (Kurita), Maya | 2009 Chrysalis School Alumni

March 22, 2017 By:Chrysalis School

Class of: 2009
College: Seattle Pacific University
Degree: BS Physiology 2015
Occupation: Environmental Laboratory Analyst

Since graduating from Chrysalis I was accepted at SPU, there I found a love of biology. Originally I planned on pursuing a medical degree and was even accepted into a medical school. However, I had began exploring the opportunities in research and found that my true passion was the pursuit of knowledge (really I credit Chrysalis for helping me find enjoyment in learning, rather than make it a chore).

I ended up as a student researcher at SPU focusing on molecular biology, genetics, and human evolution. I fell in love with the process and, in particular, enjoyed the human evolution research done in Dr. Wall-Scheffler’s lab. I had the wonderful opportunity of collecting data on human participants, analyzing and presenting my findings at multiple conferences (including the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, a nationwide conference). During my research I worked as a teaching assistant and taught Microbiology labs at SPU for three years (another great love of mine!).

Eventually I graduated, married and had two great kids. I’m currently working for an environmental firm analyzing inorganic and microbiological samples. I love what I do and plan to pursue graduate school in the future. I owe all of this to Chrysalis, I truly do not believe I would have even ended up in college if my mother hadn’t put me in Chrysalis. I will always be grateful for the experience.

Setter, Derek | 2007 Chrysalis School Alumni

July 21, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

Derek Setter College: Community College of the Air Force
Degree: Criminal Justice / 2016
Occupation: USAF Security Forces

After graduating Chrysalis in 2007 I took some time off to work and enjoy myself. In 2009 I decided to follow in my fathers footsteps and serve my country. On September 22nd I left for Basic Military Training and from there attended the Security Forces Law Enforcement Academy. After graduating there I moved on to my first duty station at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. For the first few years at Malmstrom I spent most of my work time guarding and protecting our nations greatest assets, nuclear weapons. In October of 2011 I was tasked to deploy overseas to a location in the middle east. Upon my return I became certified as a Corrections Supervisor working in a military jail where I am currently at. I plan on using my military law enforcement experience to apply towards becoming a Deputy Sheriff.

Thank you to Chrysalis and all the teachers who helped mold me in to the person I am today.

Ciminera, Lauren | 2000 Chrysalis School Alumni

May 12, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

Lauren Ciminera College: Seattle University
Degree: BA History, 2005
Occupation: Recruiting Consultant

My education at Chrysalis provided a strong platform for my success at Seattle University and later, transitioning to my career.

After graduating Chrysalis and Seattle University I have worked in Corporate Recruiting for Amazon.com, Tesla Motors and now, SolarCity. Connecting talented professionals to their dream job is something I feel very fortunate to do.

Thank you to everyone at Chrysalis for offering such a supportive and challenging environment.

We Don’t Adhere to Arbitrary Standards

April 30, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

Research: Rebecca Givens Rolland laments that schools are racing through K-12 education these days, with policies that encourage children to cover more material in shorter amounts of time, under expectations that are misaligned with natural child development. She argues, “This push, while well-intentioned, is counterproductive. Children need time to sit with a subject, to see mistakes not as humiliations, but as chances to learn.” What’s missing in this “need for speed” is an understanding of the nature of the learning process and proper encouragement to create lifelong learners.

Practice: Every student at Chrysalis is allowed to learn at their own pace and in their own time. Since we don’t adhere to arbitrary standards we can create educational programs that meet each child where they are and allow them to progress when they’re developmentally ready. Our program allows children the extraordinary gift of time to flourish, learn deeply, and develop a love of learning.

Will DJ for Food

March 27, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

ValdezDrew-2-683x1024 Drew Valdez is dedicated to playing music. He’s also dedicated to helping others. Recently, he was able to combine both of those interests and at the same time, earn the highest Boy Scout honor possible – Eagle Scout.

Drew not only plays music, but has a knack for picking out just the right sound for the right event – usually electronic dance music with undertones of jazz. Although he has played in venues as large as Bumbershoot, most recently, that ‘right event’ was held at Chrysalis. For his Eagle Scout project, “Will DJ for Food,” Drew hosted an event at the high school that raised between 700 and 1000 pounds of food for Hopelink and the local foodbank!

Drew has released his own EP of music called “Bada Bing” under his DJ name Slap Serif and looks to his future knowing music will be part of it. He hasn’t decided on a major yet, but is thinking of Engineering or Computer Science. No matter what he decides, his passion for music and his passion for helping others has made a difference – here at Chrysalis and out in the world.

Scouting Out a Bright Future

March 24, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

WinstonBrittany-683x1024 Sometimes you can find Brittany modeling for Margaret’s Fashion Photography course, or, sometimes you can find her getting ready for the next drama production; but always you can find Brittany deeply involved in helping others. Not only does she give her time and energy to her pursuits at Chrysalis, she gives a tremendous amount of time to a group she has participated in most of her life – the Girl Scouts.

Recently, Brittany was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest honor available in the organization. To receive this honor she had to research a need in the community, prepare and present a plan to address the need, and then take action. Brittany chose to install signs along the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail in Carnation that identify native trees and plant life. For her ribbon cutting ceremony, she led a fantastic tour of the area. She volunteers and mentors young girl scouts and even marches in the Carnation Christmas Parade with the Girl Scout Troop dressed as Frosty!

Brittany embodies the traits not just of being a good Girl Scout, but of being a good human being. She is kind, thoughtful, generous of her time and talent and invested in making the world a better place. She will continue to serve her community next year at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. She is thinking about either Nursing or Forensics as a major. No matter what she decides, we have no doubt she will continue to change lives for the better.

The Humanistic Approach to Learning

March 20, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

20140515_122358-1024x768 Research: Professor Yong Zhao at the University of Oregon has been making headlines recently with his call to reimagine education in the United States. He states that “all human beings are born with the capacity and desire to learn…but their environment can either suppress or encourage that drive.” The school environment must be both stimulating and supportive, and allow kids to pursue individualized goals that build on their strengths rather than identify differences as flaws that must be fixed.

Practice: This humanistic approach is the very basis of a personalized education. We place the student and their individual goals at the center of their program, and commit ourselves to helping them be successful by implementing the right amount of support along the way. This looks different for every child and is crucial to encouraging student success. The right amount of support allows students to recognize their abilities, comfortably accept new challenges, increase their independence, and advocate for their needs.

Hannah and Hanna – Two Seniors Going Places

March 3, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

Hannah Cole

Hannah Cole laughs. A lot. Notes of her laughter and joy play their way gently down the halls like a song – making those around her smile. Perhaps it seems so musical because her voice is her instrument and she is never very far from music. Currently, she’s involved in our theater department and getting ready for the big push towards the production of our upcoming musical – Once Upon a Mattress! But she is more than giddy laughter down the hall. Hannah is going places – Italy to be specific.

This is her Senior (and final) year with Seattle Children’s Choir. Much to her excitement, her choir has been asked to participate in a Sacred Music Festival at the end of June… in Italy! She said they may even sing at the Vatican. She is so enthusiastic, she brought her itinerary to her World Cultures class so that together, she and her teacher could study Italy and the places she will be visiting in more depth!

Next year, Hannah hopes to either attend SPU majoring in theater and/or musical theater or go to Bellevue College because of their active theater and gaming theory departments. No matter what she decides about college, we wish her the best wherever her talent takes her!

Hanna Shephard

Hanna Shepherd is a young woman always moving forward. She is absolutely one dedicated young woman. Whether rowing or learning – Hanna gives all of herself to pursue excellence in whatever she is doing as part of a team, or for her own future.

Hanna has attended Chrysalis High School all four years of high school specifically so she could use the flexible schedule to explore her own passions. One of her greatest passions is rowing. Hanna rows with the Sammamish Rowing Association and along with the other seven young women on her team, competes locally and nationally. She was selected by Seattle Area Rowing in their varsity eight boat and competed at the USRowing Club National Championships in Oakridge, TN placing 6th overall. Her team also won the Sykes Cup in the varsity four at the Husky Open. The first time Sammamish Rowing Association has won the event!

But most often, at school, people don’t see the rower. They see the avid scholar; the dedicated young woman in pursuit of learning that touches everything she does. Almost always, one can find Hanna with her nose buried in a book – fiction, non-fiction, academics – her love of reading and learning knows no restrictions. So much so, that her curiosity and pursuit of academics will take her on the move to the east coast next fall! Hanna has been accepted by Brown University and will major in Biology/Pre-Med.

We wish Hanna the best as she moves forward in her life to pursue her excellence at Brown and wherever her passion and determination takes her!

Personalized Learning

February 27, 2015 By:Chrysalis School

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