Miss Liz Warren grew up in West Seattle, where she was active on the YMCA Swim Team.  After graduating from West Seattle High school, Miss Warren followed her dream which was to teach school.  She completed her education at Western Washington University, earning degrees in Interdisciplinary Child Development and in Education.

Liz Warren has always enjoyed working with children. In the past, she has worked with school-aged children with the YMCA as a summer camp counselor and as an outdoor living skills instructor.  Miss Warren was a member of a theater group called Pandemonium Players for ten years, and although she says she cannot sing, she enjoyed trying!  Story telling gives Miss Warren great joy, and her expertise in this area makes her an asset to Stella Schola because of our emphasis on history (history is a story).

Miss Warren loves to read and is learning how to salsa! She has a rather plump white cat named Stinky. Her favorite colors are yellow, orange and pink, mostly because they are bright and sunny and life should be like that! 

Mrs. Brigitte Tennis is the founder and head teacher of Stella Schola.  A product of the Lake Washington School District, Brigitte attended the University of Washington on an academic scholarship, completing her bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and Education (K – 12).  Her master’s equivalency is in Education.

Brigitte Tennis has been teaching in the Lake Washington School District for 23 years, three of which were in the full time gifted program.  Mrs. Tennis has served as a FOSS science trainer in the district, as an official mentor for new teachers, and has been acknowledged as a distinguished educator in  Who’s Who For American Teachers in 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.   In 2004, Mrs. Tennis was selected as a  DisneyHand American Teacher 2004 Honoree, and in 2006 she accomplished her National Board (NBCT) certification as a nationally recognized professional teacher of excellence in English.

Mrs. Tennis is married and has two boys, ages 16 and 18.  Her personal motto is “CARPE DIEM” because she says that people live life to it's fullest, and that you get out of life what you put into it.

Mr. Mark Gorchels grew up in Eastern Washington before attending the University of Washington where he earned a bachlor's degree in History.  Mr. Gorchels then received his teaching credentials at Central Washington University.

Mark Gorchels began working in the Lake Washington School District in 2002.  Since coming to the district, he has taught a variety of subjects including history, math, science, and language arts.  Mark also served as the head tennis coach at Juanita High School in 2004, and as the varsity basketball coach at Kirkland Jr. High.  He is very excited to be teaching at Stella Schola!

When he is not teaching, Mr. Gorchels enjoys reading, playing a variety of sports, and spending time with his wife. 

Mr. Gorchels brings youthful enthusiasm and energy to our school!

Mrs. Margee Grein is the registrar and secretary for Stella Schola Middle School. She grew up in Kirkland, attending schools in the LWSD. After high school she attended Western Washington State University in Bellingham, Washington. 

Margee has worked in the banking and electronics fields before coming to Stella Schola. She has also been a very active PTSA volunteer, and served three years on the Stella Schola Parent Advisory Board.

Mrs. Grein lives in Kirkland with her husband, teenage daughter, and their golden retriever named Khaki.

Mr. Jay Ellis is the site administrator of Stella Schola Middle School and Rose Hill Junior High. After obtaining his teaching credentials, Mr. Ellis taught in Hastings, Nebraska and in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho before coming to the Lake Washington School District in 1997, where he taught band/orchestra at the junior high and high school levels.  Mr. Ellis holds a bachelor's degree in Music from Concordia College in Minnesota and a Master's of Music from the University of Idaho, and obtained his principal's certification from City University.  He was the assistant principal at Eastlake High School and was chosen as the 2003-2004 Kingco 4A League Distinguished High School Assistant Principal of the Year. 

Mr. Ellis lives in West Seattle and enjoys playing pool, bowling, exercising, watching classic movies, and having dinner with his family.