By Dr. Elena Olsen, Inspire Contributor
Last June, we were thrilled to honor faculty and staff whose anniversaries mark years of dedication and creativity within our community. Each of these individuals, whether twenty or five years into their Eastside Prep careers, have helped make our school more forward-thinking, compassionate, and vibrant.
Twenty Years
Amis Balcomb – Arts
Amis Balcomb founded Eastside Prep’s visual arts program. It is impossible to imagine the arts at EPS without her leadership, boundless creativity, and her deep dedication to every student. Her classroom pulses with energy, music, and imagination. No wonder Director of Fine and Performing Arts Ginger Ellingson loves going into Amis’s classroom, “The students are engrossed in their work. It’s good vibes all around!” Her colleagues describe Balcomb as a powerhouse of passion for the arts and for her students. As P.E. faculty Melissa Hayes notes, “She is always fully engaged in the present, consistently reflecting on how to foster growth and continual improvement.” Balcomb has taught nearly every single EPS student, and she celebrates the uniqueness of each one. She also sustains her own and students’ creative freedom and flow while keeping artworks, supplies, and curriculum impeccably organized. Arts Faculty Yiyun Hendrix describes this balance of play and structure as Balcomb’s superpower: “She knows how to preserve and organize student artworks from different periods. These are not just simple artworks, they represent meaningful experiences and memories for the students.” Those who know Balcomb know her wonderful curiosity about and joy in learning itself; it is fitting that she remarks on this quality as something she values within the EPS community: “To be open to students’ ideas in how they interpret my instructions because they come up with ideas I would never have thought of. My curriculum is always expanding.”
Jonathan Briggs – Director of Strategy, Technology & Innovation
Jonathan Briggs’ contribution to EPS is hardwired into its infrastructure—literally. As the mind behind nearly every major tech initiative at the school, he’s shaped the way we work, learn, and connect. Much more than technological innovation, however, Briggs is seemingly always thinking about how to best support students and teachers in learning and teaching. Sam Uzwack, Head of School, feels that Briggs’s greatest gift to Eastside Prep is “how much he cares about education.” Described by his colleagues as a fortune teller with a razor-sharp analytical mind, Briggs’s passion for education makes him a thought leader and a champion of student potential. Uzwack notes that Briggs’s belief in what students are capable of is “unwavering.” Any student who approaches him with an idea or a problem can expect enthusiastic yet calm support balanced with exactly the right level of oversight and critical-thinking-prompting questions. Senior Technology Support Specialist Jack Nolan feels that his colleague’s superpower is his “endless patience. I’ve rarely seen him flustered or angered by the things going on around him.” As serious and brilliant as he is in thinking about the future and present of education, colleagues and students can also count on Briggs to lighten any gloomy day with a bit of silliness: Briggs can recite lines from almost every movie he has ever watched. Nolan comments, “I’m not sure if this is a super power or a geek power. But it is impressive.”
Cristina Hadden – Administrative Services Director
There is no quiet powerhouse more powerful or—if she has her way—quieter than Tina Hadden. From keeping the board organized to guiding the Head of School with a seemingly magical combination of efficiency, grace, and insight, Hadden’s leadership continues to be foundational to Eastside Prep’s success. Yet she eschews spotlight or fanfare. Assistant Director of Athletic Operations Angie Sharp captures the sentiment of many in describing the reach of Hadden’s impact in our community: “Tina’s superpower is her ability to make things happen—quietly, efficiently, and often before anyone else even realizes they need to be done. She has this uncanny knack for anticipating what’s needed and stepping in with just the right support or solution.” Sharp adds, “She’s just over-the-top amazing.” As awe-inspiring as Hadden’s organizational powers are, everyone who interacts with her knows that Hadden’s warmth and generosity of spirit are her true superpowers. Mehrane Mokdad, Board Past President, feels that Hadden’s greatest gift to EPS is “her reliability and her heart. Tina brings kindness, clarity, and consistency to everything she does. . . . People know she cares about the mission, the work, and the people.” Uzwack echoes this, noting Hadden’s “legendary” support for the entire school community and her unending generosity. Hadden is always “willing to share her experience and wisdom with others.” Uzwack also notes that managing him is a superpower in itself and definitely requires a sense of humor, which Hadden has in abundance.
Ten Years
Elizabeth Andersen – Literary Thinking & College Counselor
Elizabeth Andersen began her EPS career as a staff member before jumping at the opportunity to become our first Resident Teacher. As Spanish faculty and fellow College Counselor Kelly Violette notes, “Elizabeth has worn a lot of hats at EPS and, in every single one of them, she’s made an impact.” Andersen’s evolution as an educator and her enthusiasm for learning within community are a model of the growth mindset Eastside Prep hopes to inspire in every student and adult in our community. While Andersen’s professional journey is notable, its power derives from her deep commitment to our community. Associate Head of School Bart Gummere notes that Andersen’s college counselees “can sense quickly and easily how much she cares and takes interest in them as people.” When asked to recount a favorite EPS memory, Andersen responded that what came to mind was not one memory but a place, the LPC. “I love getting to sit down with whoever is already at the table. It’s a chance to catch up, laugh, and have a really delicious skillet from Javier.” Andersen’s love for connection time over meals is at the core of who she is: a connector who makes everyone feel seen. College Counselor Allison Luhrs captures what people most appreciate in Andersen: “Elizabeth is incredibly loyal…she’ll go way out of her way to help her people and make them happy.”
Derek Clarke – Director of IT Operations
Derek Clarke, the engine behind EPS’s tech operations—solving complex problems and building new systems with humility and craftsmanship. Whether managing major platform shifts or mentoring colleagues, Clarke brings calm, clarity, and a chuckle to his work. As Director of Finance and Operations Casey Otley notes, he is never without an even keel. Jonathan Briggs. Director of Strategy, Technology, and Innovation has a lot to say about how Clarke lives out the EPS value of Responsible Action: Clarke will “step up and take care of whatever is needed. Many times, things well outside of his assigned responsibilities.” In his decade at Eastside Prep, Clarke has taken on increasingly complex projects and “executes on them without hesitation and with thoroughness … putting in extra hours when necessary and managing timelines effectively.” What his colleagues most value about Clarke, however, is how much he “just cares about all the people around him” and always has a smile and a kind word. He is a builder of systems, but his most admired accomplishments are as a builder of teams and collaboration, with both colleagues and students.
Shar Crockett – Cashier
Shar Crockett’s impact is found in the little moments that mean the most—knowing every student’s name, sharing a joke, or finding the missing dessert. Her sense of humor and huge heart are matched only by her ability to get things DONE, to paraphrase Dining Services Manager Lisa Coulter. Jacky Lo, Executive Chef, confirms that “Yes, Shar knows everyone by name, all 534 students and 120 faculty and staff.” No matter how early she arrives or how late she stays for a school event, Shar is willing to go the extra mile for every one of those almost-700 people on our campus, whether that is finding a to-go lunch for a teacher running late to a meeting or grabbing some ice for a student project. The kitchen and the LPC are the heart of the school, and Crockett is the heart of those places. Coulter notes, “There are so many who love to stop and talk to her about whatever special thing is happening in their lives.” How she finds time to connect with all of us amidst all she does is an ongoing mystery and is definitely Crockett’s superpower.
Lisa Frystak – Theatre
Lisa Frystak’s commitment to arts education and student joy shines in every performance and project. In her ten years at Eastside Prep, Frystak has guided students in their performances of hundreds of characters, with a passion for the art and craft of both theater and teaching. The sparky light of Frystak’s creativity is driven by these loves as well as a dedication to making art relevant. Her teaching style, both “rigorous and joyful” as English and Drama Faculty Ian Duncan describes it, draws students in and helps them create meaningful, powerful art. She is the teacher version of what theatre folks call a triple threat: she can quiet a boisterous room full of students (or teachers!) with a wicked joke or a dead-serious call to attention, she can spot a student’s frustration across the classroom and pull them aside to work it through, and she can inspire a class of students to create art, find meaning it, and use it to help create a better world. In Duncan’s words, everyone appreciates both her “sense of justice and her sense of humor.” Indeed, all of her arts colleagues mention her compassion and her humor as what they most value in Frystak—along with her masterful organization of the yearly faculty Halloween costume!
David Kelly-Hedrick – Literary Thinking & Experiential Education Coordinator
David Kelly-Hedrick (aka Mr. KH) has redefined what learning looks like outside the classroom. Through EBC experiences and community partnerships, he creates transformative, mission-aligned adventures that build empathy and confidence. Director of Student Well-Being Paul Hagen captures Kelly-Hedrick’s impact on the lives of students: “He has opened the door for students to explore the natural world, to challenge themselves in unfamiliar settings, and to build community in meaningful and lasting ways.” Kelley-Hedrick leads by example, modeling how to be truly open to new perspectives or experiences. When asked about the best thing the EPS community has taught him, Kelly-Hedrick said he has learned about “Wonder, curiosity, collective learning, and joy.” Yet those qualities are deep and authentic in Kelly-Hedrick and he has taught us as much about these traits as anyone in the community. Students and colleagues are drawn to Kelly-Hedrick’s authenticity, his warm concern for every person with whom he interacts, his creativity, and his openness to the new, whether a new book, a wild creative writing assignment, or a backpacking trip into remote wilderness. Upper School English teachers often hear students proudly recounting “a story I wrote in Mr. Kelly-Hedrick’s class” as one of their favorite English assignments and are grateful to Kelly-Hedrick for keeping student voice and the power of story front and center.
Adam Kruger – Mathematics
Adam Kruger loves the experience of musing, pondering, questioning, analyzing. Fellow math faculty Steve Fassino notes that his love for ideas and excitement for thinking are two of his favorite things about Kruger. These qualities make his classrooms spirited spaces where students find meaning through inquiry. When asked to recount a favorite memory, Kruger described a senior project created by two of his students. “They designed and built a ‘couch cart,’ learning to arc weld along the way. They put in a go cart engine and attached a loveseat. A large group gathered to see them drive it. All of this was done for the experience as they didn’t earn any grades or credentials for their accomplishment.” Kruger models learning for its own sake. As his math colleague John Kaminsky puts it: “He is constantly noodling on some problem, trying to figure things out. He brings that spirit of exploration into the classroom, providing space for students to explore ideas and concepts.” Likewise, Anne Duffy notes that Kruger is passionate about helping students think rather than “follow rote instructions.” He makes math, physics, and learning both rigorous and human. And lest you think Mr. Kruger is all seriousness, his philosophizing is balanced by a humor “drier than the Sahara desert” but also playful and silly.
Dan Yezbick – Middle School Humanities
Scholar, storyteller, debate dynamo, Dan Yezbick is truly an EPS Renaissance man. During the first of his ten years at EPS, Yezbick served as our in-house substitute teacher. During that time, Yezbick got to know the entire range of EPS disciplines; seemingly, he was equally enthusiastic whether the subject was math, art, or creative writing. As his colleague Ryan Winkelmann notes, “I have not yet come across a topic or concept that Dan is not interested in exploring or frankly, that he has not yet looked into.” He “seeks to truly see all perspectives of an issue,” which is no doubt why he inspires such brilliant student debaters. Yezbick loves exploring every side of a story and encourages his students to do the same. His curiosity is contagious, and he reminds students and adults that having open-minded curiosity about anything and everything makes life infinitely more enjoyable. And although Yezbick knows so much already about so much, “he doesn’t make you feel like an idiot (even though he could),” as Elizabeth Andersen puts it. So, what is the best thing that the EPS community has taught the brainy Yezbick, in his own words? “Cinnamon rolls are 1000 times better after thirty seconds in the microwave.”
Five Years
Natalie Abel – Learning Support Specialist
In five short years, Natalie Abel has built safe spaces where students feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether pulling off the perfect prank or fighting for a student’s accommodations, Abel shows up as both mentor and ally. Fierce advocate though she is, Abel also teaches students to become stronger self-advocates. As Learning Specialist Monica Cowdery puts it, “She’s a camp counselor at heart”—with the wisdom and expertise of her understanding of neurodiversity. Natalie’s classroom is one that is whatever students need it to be—whether that is calm and quiet or silly and a little bit chaotic. “Students love that Natalie will always listen and give them her full attention,” Assistant Director of Student Well-Being Jamie Andrus observes, and Learning Support Specialist and College Counselor Mike Anderson notes that she makes an effort to get to know all students, whether they are in her classes or not.
Laura Botero – Spanish
Laura Botero brings critical thinking, vulnerability, and humor to her Spanish classroom and the broader community. During her time at Eastside Prep she has modeled authenticity and self-advocacy in every space she enters. Botero states that EPS students have taught her to self-advocate, and if that is the case she has taught them as much or more about speaking for themselves, fearless honesty, and asking the hard questions. Botero builds deep connections with students and colleagues and isn’t afraid to challenge assumptions—”Her questions are usually the most valuable ones posed to the group,” observes College Counseling Program Director Kelly Violette. Whether it’s her critique, her elaborate and hilarious Spirit Day outfits, or her advocacy for identity and equity, Laura’s voice makes EPS stronger and more self-aware. As Spanish Faculty Malcom Yates puts it, “She is absolutely her full, authentic self—and shows students they can be themselves too.”
Ian Corey-Boulet – Learning Support Specialist
Ian Corey-Boulet is the embodiment of thoughtful support. His quiet wisdom and gentle humor make him beloved by students and colleagues alike. His Learning Support colleagues (a pretty calm and collected bunch) marvel at his calm. “Does Ian ever get upset?” Andrus wonders. “Not sure his pulse has ever risen above 70 BPMs,” adds Anderson. Corey-Boulet’s quietude and kindness brings calm to chaotic days; he helps students navigate challenges with clarity and realism. “He supports students in a very direct and practical manner while being incredibly real,” says Cowdery. Corey-Boulet’s growth mindset is contagious—his steadiness and brilliance are complemented by curiosity—he “helps students feel at ease just by being himself.” Corey-Boulet notes, “What I love about EPS is how passionate everyone is about experimenting and trying new things. That’s definitely rubbed off on me, and now I’m more comfortable with the idea that my approach to teaching will always be evolving.”
Michael Graybeal – Mathematics
Michael Graybeal makes math sing—sometimes literally. Over his five years at EPS, Graybeal has “provided a lot of stability to the math courses he’s taught” and has brought a lot of laughter with his math and faculty celebration raps. Graybeal is direct in his teaching style and unflappable in his high expectations, but it is his warmth that has the most impact. He listens deeply and leads with heart, Fassino notes, and his students most love the “connection and authenticity” he brings to their interactions. He makes younger students feel at home in higher-level courses and gives memorable end-of-year tributes that blend humor and heart. Math Faculty Gaylynn Lynch has observed that “students know they can count on him.” Fassino adds, “He’s so willing to do whatever is needed to help the school first.” Reflecting on the most important thing the EPS community has taught him, Graybeal described “The importance of working towards a common goal.”
Dona Hunter – HR Specialist
Dona Hunter is one major reason EPS feels like family. From benefits questions to belly laughs, she brings empathy, knowledge, and country music quotes to every conversation. She’s the advocate every employee deserves. Senior Accountant Lani Bowker states the significance of Hunter’s impact on how EPS employees experience care and support: “Dona was the first employee hired specifically for human resources. Her supportive, caring personality and knowledge of benefits has enhanced the organizational culture here at EPS.” Bowker appreciates Hunter’s vibrant personality and sense of humor, “She has a great laugh and always has a welcoming smile on her face. She genuinely cares about each one of us. Dona ensures everyone feels valued, does so with a smile, and “laughs, even in the stressful times,” for which Otley is grateful. Her superpowers? Finding tickets to every country music concert and, says Controller and HR Manager Dan Wagner, “Empathy—and understanding the secret language of random music quotes.”
David Lao – Science
David Lao is a thoughtful, dedicated educator whose impact is felt both in and out of the classroom. Fellow Science faculty Anne Duffy noted, “I am pretty sure that David’s top love language is ‘acts of service,’” referencing his many selfless acts like helping colleagues move—without complaint. She added, “Lao is instrumental in fostering the adult community of friendship and support that I love at EPS,” and praised his student-centered teaching philosophy, saying, “He encourages them to take ownership of their growing knowledge and to be curious.” Burton Barrager, Science faculty, highlighted Lao’s depth of knowledge and flexibility while adding, “He is so calm,” and “my favorite thing about him is his wry sense of humor.” Science faculty Katie Dodd described Lao as “an amazing collaborator” and said, “He’s never the loudest voice in the room, but his contributions are always so funny.” She appreciated his “thoughtful commitment to his teaching and his colleagues.”
Jordan Lettau – Facilities Director
Jordan Lettau is our resident ‘maestro of organization.’ Or perhaps, as Night Facilities Manager John Jensen states, our air traffic controller: “guiding planes to land and take off smoothly, across day and night shifts, preventing collisions and ensuring safe and smooth operations.” Otley adds “Nothing is too little to keep an eye on.” With his impressive capacity for seeing the big picture and the finest detail, Lettau makes the campus run with efficiency and empathy. Most impressively, he has also inspired a highly diverse group of faculty and staff to become better stewards of our campus. Whether he’s running logistics or taking the faculty on a journey of organizational happiness, Lettau brings order and humor to every shift. Jensen notes that despite Lettau’s lightning-like pace in organizing and accomplishing tasks, he is “a great listener and wants to hear what everyone has to say and is always respectful, kind, and courteous.”
Amy Sanchez – School Counselor
For half a decade, Amy Sanchez has been an indispensable cornerstone of Eastside Prep’s Middle School community. Sanchez’s greatest gift has been her unwavering advocacy for the mental, emotional, and social health of our students. Hagen captures her impact: “With deep insight and boundless compassion, Amy has created systems of support that meet students where they are, helping them emerge more confident and self-aware.” Indeed, her colleagues know Sanchez for her calm insight and ability to turn difficult conversations into meaningful progress; she sees the whole as well as each individual. Sanchez remembers sitting on the floor with colleagues “talking about everything.” This partnership highlights how collaboration and care run at the heart of her work. Adolescence is hard, and Sanchez’s ability to “unravel the complexities of social dynamics and emotional struggles” without judgment means that her office is well known as a safe space.
Maddie Stearns – Mathematics
Maddie Stearns’s greatest gift to our EPS community isn’t just her mathematical brilliance—it is her “boundless willingness to help,“ as Math faculty Alicia Iannucci puts it. Whether a student is struggling with a tricky equation or a personal challenge, Stearns is there, offering both insight and empathy. Stearns is known among colleagues and students alike as “the ultimate resource,” always ready to jump in—not only for math questions but for any and every other aspect of life at Eastside Prep. Because she cares so deeply, Stearns also models authentic inquiry, how to find a way forward through challenge, whether that is understanding a new concept or dealing with an unforeseen event on an EBC experience.
Iannucci adds, “What truly sets Maddie apart is her extraordinary open-mindedness. She approaches every conversation and situation with a genuine desire to understand, creating a safe space where everyone feels heard and respected.”
Katie Yost – Alum Relations and College Counseling Coordinator
Katie Yost is the glue that binds the College Counseling team and so much more. Whether organizing workshops, mentoring students, or juggling spreadsheets and soccer balls, she does it all with humility and grace. Yost’s deep experience with the college counseling program means she always takes the long view, helping the team evolve with efficiency and care. As Violette puts it: “With absolutely zero fanfare, she always has everything done approximately a week before it occurs to anyone to ask for it.” “She makes room for people to be themselves and fits her work to others’ needs,” Gummere observes. She’s also known for bringing new energy to staff development and for her willingness to jump into everything from coaching to international travel with calm, cheerful resolve—Luhrs raves, “I’m endlessly impressed!” Violette sums up Yost’s impact: “We are lucky to have her!”