By Wendy Lawrence, Inspire Contributor

STEPHANIE HINSON
MN, RNC, ARNP

School Nurse

“I think most students think of the school nurse as someone you go to when you are hurt or sick,” says Stephanie Hinson. “While Band-Aids and sympathy will be an important part of my job,
I think the bigger opportunity is to play a role in helping to provide an environment of wellness.”

Hinson has a Master’s of Science in Nursing from the UW School of Nursing and a B.S. in Nursing from Montana State, which she attended on a ROTC scholarship. She entered the U.S. Army as a nurse, and brings a diverse set of professional experiences, including working as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Seattle Children’s, a Clinical Nurse in Pediatric Emergency at a U.S. Army Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, and a Medevac Flight Nurse at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

She first found EPS on a visit with her son who said, “This is where I belong,” she remembers. “He knew intuitively what we have experienced over the years: EPS is a place where you are challenged to learn and grow in a supportive environment.”

Hinson is also a frequent community volunteer, currently serving on the board of the Lake Washington Chapter of the National Charity League. She lives with her husband, four children, and a “needy but charming” blue Great Dane called Norman.

JEFF BANDEL

Social Science Faculty

Jeff Bandel’s interview at EPS necessitated that the faculty and students he was meeting with bring a high level of energy, and they certainly delivered. A flight delay had him arrive at his hotel just before 2:00 am, so Bandel was glad that the energy at EPS was “enthralling and uplifting.” “Everyone I encountered was genuinely excited about EPS and the work they were doing. I found myself aligned with the mission, philosophy, and approach and saw these at work during each step of my day on campus and alive in each classroom,” says Bandel. He adds, “I found a community with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion that has an appetite to continuously grow. While EPS clearly has a track record of success, I appreciated the introspection and willingness to evolve in response to a fast progressing world.”

Bandel has a BS in Political Science and Philosophy from University of Oregon and an M.Ed in Secondary Education from Vanderbilt and has taught high school in the Denver area for the last five years. In his spare time, Bandel likes to go mountain biking, fly fishing, camping, hiking, and generally hang out with his dog named Porter. He also enjoys long road trips and has only eight states left in his goal of visiting all fifty.

LAURA BOISMENUE

School Counselor

“It’s clear to me that the prioritization and teamwork around student well-being at EPS is exactly the setting in which I can be of greatest service,” says Laura Boismenue. She joins EPS as a School Counselor, a role she finds very rewarding. “My role allows me the distinct privilege of getting to walk alongside students and their families through the ups and downs of the middle and high school years. I get to serve as witness and supporter to the important work of personal growth during these critical years. Counseling is work that I have done in educational settings over many years and roles and couldn’t be gladder to get to continue in the Eastside Prep community.” Boismenue has served in a number of roles in independent schools and universities—all related to serving and supporting others, which seems to be a theme for her. “My church community hosts meal packaging events which not only produce meals for local families, but is a personally rewarding experience in getting to serve together with folks from different faiths and backgrounds in shared service.”

Boismenue has a BA in Psychology from Bethel University, an MS in Counseling Psychology from California Lutheran University and is a Licensed Mental Heath Counselor. She enjoys cooking, yoga, time in nature, and reading.

ANDREA JOSTOL

Middle School Math Faculty

After working in a math department of one, Andrea Jostol is excited to join a team. Jostol comes to EPS with a B.S. in Mathematics and Teaching Credential from the University of Redlands. “In a past life I was a lifeguard, Office Depot employee of the month, and president of my sorority in college.” Other honors include winning a Pi Day competition in high school by memorizing 123 digits. In addition to working, she still picks up occasional volunteer shifts at an all-vegan grocery store in the University District.

Jostol lives with her “cute, one-eared” dog called Banjo and enjoys puzzles, escape rooms, reading, yoga, and cooking. She also recently completed the Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon. “Eastside Prep is a vibrant school with high standards of excellence. I am honored and thrilled to join this community and continue growing as an educator.”

KATIE JO LARIVIERE, PhD

English Faculty

Katie Jo LaRiviere joins EPS after nearly a decade of teaching writing and literature at Montana State University and the University of Oregon. One of her proudest moments was earning her PhD in English with three kids in tow. “Like all worthy endeavors, it couldn’t be done without a team of supportive family and colleagues. I love accomplishing something with a team!”

LaRiviere is passionate about research-informed teaching practices and loved EPS immediately. “Because Eastside Prep values evidenced pedagogical methods, innovation in the classroom, and genuine human connection between faculty and students, I could see that EPS was going to be a perfect fit for me. My colleagues are vibrant and warm, my students are inquisitive and engaging, and I feel that I can contribute something meaningful to the work we do together here. This is a dream!”

LaRiviere is also a serious dancer—she studied ballet at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and has taught ballet. She has led book groups for both kids and adults. Originally from Bozeman, she loves hiking with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

BERT LOOSMORE, PhD

Upper School Math Faculty

Bert Loosmore has a PhD and MS in Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management from the University of Washington, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford. He’s the co-founder of ID Systems Inc. (a wireless tracking company) and is proud of the success that it’s had. A true life-long learner, though, Loosmore is also proud of his failures. “Bainbridge Graduate Institute ultimately failed as an organization in a traditional sense, but definitely succeeded in graduating some amazing people.”

Loosmore is excited to use twenty-first century challenges to bring math and statistics to life. “I want to do what I can to make sure the next generation is prepared for the challenges they’ll certainly face. I have worked on environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, and now think educating and motivating high school students is a critical leverage point for change.”

Loosmore is married with two kids, Stan (age thirteen) and Brea (age eleven). His family loves skiing, hiking, backpacking, and traveling.

AN NUON

Physical Education Faculty

An Nuon isn’t completely new—he’s been coaching at EPS since 2015. He’s excited to become even more involved in the community as a Physical Education teacher and advisor.

Nuon earned a B.A. in Communication Studies at Seattle University and a USSF B License with the United States Soccer Federation. He’s worked as a Coaching Director at Greater Seattle Surf Soccer Club and a PE teacher at the Northwest School. His proudest moments are always watching his students and players fight through adversity and challenges.

Nuon was born in Cambodia and came to the US in 1980. “I fell in love with Washington and have been here the entire time,” he says. He lives with his wife Danielle and a French bulldog/pug mix named Theo. “We enjoy traveling every opportunity we get.”

KIM RICHARDS

Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Well-Being

“I was drawn to Eastside Prep School because the school is small and has a strong emphasis on student well-being,” says Kim Richards. She adds, “I am excited about the opportunity to be involved in the development of programs that encourage student curiosity in all aspects of life.”

Richards brings twenty years of administrative skill and savvy to EPS. Most of her professional experience has been with the City of Mercer Island’s Youth & Family Services Department. In that position, Kim supported twenty staff members and managed a team of volunteers. She planned and implemented events of all sizes, coordinated community food drives, and supported fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Richards finds great joy tending to her garden. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, long walks and biking around Mercer Island. She also loves creating floral arrangements, designing plant collections in garden pots, and taking photos of created works to post on her Instagram feed. “I look forward to bringing my creative energies and solutions-driven work ethic into my role at EPS.”

MASATO SUDO

Technology Faculty

Masato Sudo joins EPS to teach Upper School technology courses such as Web Design and Programming. He will also manage the TMAC makerspace, advise students, and work on other tech-related projects. Sudo worked at Microsoft for eighteen years as a software engineer, manager, and data engineer. “My most fun project was an artificial intelligence hackathon project where we built a facial recognition door. If it recognized you, it welcomed you by name and unlocked the door. If it did not, it warned you to back away and shot a harmless laser beam. This project was later featured in the MagPi magazine, a popular maker magazine.”

Sudo also built a device that launched in the SpaceX rocket and successfully sent back real-time video. “This device was later used as a platform to run Lego Mindstorm science experiments for 120+ schools.” He volunteered as a teacher at two of those schools. When Sudo interviewed at EPS, he ate lunch with a group of students. “I felt like we made an instant connection that I can’t wait to develop further as their teacher.”

Sudo graduated from Williams College and studied abroad in South Korea, where he and his best friend biked across the country and survived a number of adventures including “accidentally biking down a flight of stairs and falling face first (ouch).” He is married with two children.

Emma Ferguson returns to EPS (after a year’s hiatus) for the 2019-2020 school year. Emma originally joined the EPS faculty in 2011 as a Spanish teacher, dance instructor, and advisor. Emma took a year off to focus on her family business and has returned to teach Spanish part time.

David Ferrero, PhD, joins Eastside Prep this year as a consultant.  Dr. Ferrero will be interviewing parents and students with the goal of researching potential modifications in the junior and senior year experience.

John Stegeman, PhD, began his role as Head of the Upper School over the summer after moving his family from New York. Most recently John was the Head of the Upper School at Manlius Pebble Hill School. John was profiled extensively in the last issue of Inspire, which can be found online