My name is Lisa St George, and I teach French and Spanish. I’m very happy to be here at Meany Middle School!
I attended the University of WA for undergrad, studying English and French, then Seattle University for a Master’s in Teaching. In between those two degrees, I took language classes in Paris at the Alliance Française, and in addition to living for a short while in France and the French-speaking part of Switzerland, I have traveled widely. In between I also took some university classes for Spanish, and part of my travels included living with a family in Spain. I love learning languages!
I was previously at a middle school in Shoreline for five years, teaching both French and English/Language Arts; after more than 15 years in the private sector working as the Director of a small company that promotes children’s social and emotional well-being, I am happy to have returned to the classroom.
I am so happy to be here at my neighborhood school! I have lived in the Madrona neighborhood for more than 27 years, and my children attended Seattle Public Schools – MLK, Stevens, Lowell, Washington, and Garfield. In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, cooking, hiking and biking, cross-country skiing, and running half-marathons.
Hello! My name is Chanda E. Oatis and I am the proud Principal of Meany Middle School in the Seattle Public School District. I have held several roles in the Seattle School District; student, teacher, parent, house administrator, assistant principal, interim principal and principal. As a school leader, I strive to build authentic relationships with students, families and other educators, as we excel in our educational goals.
I have had the privilege and responsibility to teach and lead the development of the academic minds of the next generation and future society. Our society is a reflection of how we were educated in schools. As a leader, I have always been clear about our important charge. We are charged with creating educational opportunities that allow for ALL children to feel intelligent, valued, challenged and socially and emotionally supported every day. We are the students, the parents, the staff and the community. We will accomplish this by working collaboratively to ensure that all learning opportunities are inclusive and differentiated for our diverse learners, having high expectations for all, and planning engaging and culturally relevant instruction that is data-driven with clear goals and outcomes.
I have had the privilege and opportunity to serve as the principal of two Seattle Public Schools elementary schools and currently a middle school. Prior to that, I served as an instructional leader (House Administrator and Assistant Principal) at an SPS middle school. Nine years ago, when I was called upon to step into the role as an elementary school leader, I was honored and proud to be selected. I felt prepared to elevate to the next level of leadership in the district because my time spent at the middle school was purposely designed to prepare me to be a transformative leader. I really valued the experience of getting to know the elementary level in a more intimate way. Throughout my time in elementary school, my heart called out for the opportunity to serve at a secondary level again as a principal.
I have been a proud employee of the Seattle Public Schools for many years. I am a believer in this district. I started and finished my K-12 personal educational in the Seattle School District. I am very proud to say that my oldest daughter started and finished her K-12 education in the Seattle School District. She is now a graduate of Hampton University and a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. My second daughter is an amazing 1st grader who has conquered the world of online learning in Seattle Public Schools. My third daughter is a brilliant three-year old that loves to learn through song, dance and she is already an iPad genius. My passion as a parent additionally connects me to the importance of the parent voice and being a black parent during this time in this country.
With my leadership experience at two diverse comprehensive middle schools and my success with two different socioeconomic communities at the elementary level, l am excited for the opportunity to learn alongside this group to continue to grow my leadership skills and knowledge.
My name is Ruth Walther. I am a Special Education teacher here at Meany Middle School. I am very excited to build a new school together. I grew up in California and have lived in Oakland and San Francisco for twelve years before moving to Seattle. I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in History. In addition to teaching, my interests include reading political science, exploring Seattle, and playing with the cutest dog on earth.
