Mrs. Kolbe brings to Courtyard her wealth of experience working with middle school students and a passion for teaching and learning. She holds a B.A. in Education K-8, from the University of Wyoming, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle Pacific University. Before coming to Courtyard, she founded grade 7/8 at a private school in Seattle where sh designed and implemented the full curriculum.
Throughout her 23 years teaching in upper elementary and middle schools in both the public and private sector, Mrs. Kolbe has been a district K-12 science alignment project member, a language arts department chairperson, and a leadership team member. Over the years, she has enjoyed training Special Olympians in downhill skiing, and softball, and has directed numerous dramas and plays. She has also worked on school yearbooks, and coordinated outdoor education programs.
In the classroom, Mrs. Kolbe works consciously to weave a web of connections with students’ prior knowledge and across the curriculum. Through the study of literature, world history, life science, art, pre algebra, reading, and writing, students learn to think critically about the world around them. Students are encouraged to be inquisitive, to think, and to reflect, as they learn about themselves and develop their strengths.
Mrs. Kolbe understands the myriad facets of the young adolescent. She believes that middle school students learn by doing as they interact with one another. This in turn develops social virtues of cooperation, respect, and a tolerance for different points of view. Mrs. Kolbe’s encourages her students’ curiosity, while keeping them engaged in a structured, well-organized, and nurturing classroom environment.
Outside of school, Mrs. Kolbe’s interests include pottery, reading, drawing, and painting. She has been married for22 years and enjoys hiking, swimming, entertaining family and friends, gardening, and travel with her husband, Brian.
“I am especially pleased to be teaching at Courtyard. Children thrive in this family-like environment.”
