Paul Krafel

Administrator and Teacher

I really love being alive! I love the magnificence of this world, the gift of our intelligence, the excitement of learning, the opportunity to dance with this world in a way that makes it a bit better for those who follow. Helping make our dream of Chrysalis real has been a blessing.
The work is not yet done. We are still working on the dream of a school where kids spend lots of time in nature learning about their place within the universe. A place where teachers are given the academic freedom to respond to the interests and enthusiasms of the students. A place where parents feel welcomed and supported by the teachers because we are all working towards the same goal: encouraging the light within each student to shine brighter.
Video of a lesson with the 8th grade class.

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Sara Hoxie

Kindergarten Teacher / Field Study Instructor

Sara is a gifted naturalist, poet, song writer and mother of three. With a philosophy of caring for each child and teaching to each child’s individual needs, she is a wonderful teacher. As a naturalist, she believes everything can be taught using nature and science. One of the things that she loves about teaching at Chrysalis is the freedom that she has as a teacher to take her students far beyond the state standards and into engaging explorations of the world.  Walk into her classroom and you might see students looking at bugs under microscopes, learning about the planets, singing counting songs together or preparing to go to Turtle Bay Museum.

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Cheri Relph

1st Grade Teacher

My husband calls me the “Road Warrior” because I have a passion to experience the magnificent beauty of nature; I seem to always be planning a trip. Watching my students grow and learn each day brings a true joy to my soul. My son Elijah attended Chrysalis for years, so my first experience with Chrysalis was as a parent volunteer. Our family has always enjoyed the family feeling of the school. I love to write songs and use them daily to make learning more fun and meaningful or to bring a smile to each child’s face! One song that I like to start the day with reminds the kids that each of them is created for a special purpose, to go far in life and to walk in kindness. Living that balance of teaching and making learning fun at each student’s level is a gift that is truly only experienced in the type of environment that Chrysalis has to offers students!

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Crystal Padilla

2nd/3rd Grade Teacher

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was eight years old. I had a teacher who I knew cared whole-heartedly about my personal success. She made our lessons so much fun that I would go home and teach my pretend class the same lessons. Today I have the opportunity of being that special teacher for my students. I get to show children that learning is an adventure and have the privilege of leading the expeditions and joining in the fun! My passion for learning and love for life is contagious to my students and the smiling faces of happy students are my daily reward. I believe learning should be fun and invoke lasting memories that help lead to a life long love of learning.
Other loves: my husband and daughter, my family, photography, snowboarding, wake-boarding, fishing, the ocean, camping, traveling, being outdoors and experiencing the world!

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Emily Naretta

4th Grade Teacher

I started my teaching career at Chrysalis and truly can’t think of any other place I would rather be. Being a part of Chrysalis makes me smile.
These are some of the things I love about teaching…

I love how I can be candid with my students and express my own personality.
I love that there is not one day that goes by that I don’t get a hug.
I love that when students are asked what they like most about Chrysalis and they reply, “the teachers” and “the kids are nice.”
I love how trusting the kids are of their teachers.
I love that the students can raise their hand and feel good about saying, “I need help.”
I love seeing smiling faces around the campfire on our school camp-outs.
I love that this list of ‘things that I love about teaching’ gets longer each day.

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Casey Link

5th Grade Teacher

Konnichiwa! This is going to be an excellent year, and I am excited to share it with the Chrysalis community. Experiences are something to be valued beyond anything. As a teacher, I have the extreme fortune to be able to share with my students a year’s worth of discoveries in a positive learning environment where students need not fear mistakes and may grow in their emotional, social and academic intelligences.
Emotions worn upon my face clearly show that I am a happy person. The many blessings in my life always leave me feeling grateful for all that I have, especially my two wonderful children that constantly make me smile, and my wife whom I love. I love life and being able to share it with my family and friends with a smile.
I am so excited and fortunate to begin my teaching career at Chrysalis.

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Karen Howe

6th - 8th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

I feel so blessed to be in a position where I can touch the lives of children in such a profound way. I find great challenge and reward in teaching students the academics they need to be successful in the future. I am passionate about wanting my students to know that they are strong, worthy beautiful people. I want them to want to think for themselves and learn how to have strong educated thoughts, arguments and opinions. I want them to consider how they move through the world, and how the way they move through the world affects it. I want my students to become socially confident and responsible, to know that they or their ability is not measured by a test or a grade.

Laura Bowie

6th - 8th Grade Math and Science Teacher

Laura is a gifted and energetic science teacher. Within moments of meeting her, you know that she is dedicated to her students, passionate about teaching and excited about life and the world around her. She enjoys teaching middle school and watching her students transition from children into responsible young adults. Walk into her classroom and most days you will see students involved in animated discussions or working intently over chemistry equipment. Out on field study, she loves to see her students get excited about what they are seeing. A wife and mother of a teenaged daughter, she enjoys traveling and just getting out there to experience the world.

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Karen Shuster

Home School Coordinator and Teacher

I’m excited to serve the Chrysalis community Home School Program after home schooling my own two sons all the way through high school.  Both my husband and I became teachers because we love learning, and we wanted our kids to enjoy the process of learning and to see it as an integral part of life.   I am thankful now to be able to use my experience, my love of learning and of families to help others achieve their dreams of quality education for their children and to make Home Schooling a successful option for those making that choice.  
Other loves: my husband of over 25 years, Mel; most anything on or in the water; music, plants, traveling, making things, hiking, cooking, photography and trying new things.

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Administrative Staff

Virginia Siemens Manager	Katherine Collier Administrative Assistant	Celestina Young Office Assistant

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Our Aides

Melissa Brown Primary Aide	Zephyr Krafel Instructional Aide	Jodi Willis Kindergarten Instructional Aide