Welcome
Specialist Teachers
We provide along with our regular curriculum a wonderful arts curriculum. Our students develop an appreciation for and facility in art, drama, music, foreign language (Spanish and Latin) and physical education that coincides not only with their age level but with their classroom subject areas. These arts allow our students to flourish not only academically, but also aesthetically, socially, and physically.
Tracy Cripe, Music Specialist
Mrs. Cripe has a BA in Music Education from the University of Puget Sound with endorsements in instrumental, vocal and general music. After graduating from UPS, Mrs. Cripe taught instrumental music in the Clover Park School District for nine years. She and her husband David served as coaches and directors for the Tacoma Youth Symphony for many years as well as managing the Youth Symphony's Evergreen Music Festival. A French horn player, Mrs. Cripe has played in the Tacoma Symphony and Tacoma Concert Band and taught many horn students through The Community Music Department at the University Puget Sound. Currently Mrs. Cripe plays in the King Street Woodwind Quintet, teaches music part-time in the Franklin Pierce School District, sings in the First Presbyterian Church Choir, serves in the First Presbyterian children’s ministry, and is our music specialist here at FPCS for the 1st through the 5th grades.
Katie Nalty, FAE Music Specialist
(Picture by Lifetouch)
Mrs. Nalty studied Business and Finance at Araphahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado and at Colorado University in Denver. She worked as a Flight attendant before entering the education field in 1986 as a preschool teacher. In 1989, Mrs. Nalty began working at FPCS with Mrs. Linda Halvorson in the Pre-Kindergarten classes. In 2004, she began teaching specialized Kindergarten Music and working in a public elementary school as a Para Educator in a Learning Resource Center. Currently, Mrs. Nalty is still our Kindergarten Music specialist, our Elementary Literacy Coordinator, and is a Para Substitute for Tacoma School District #10.
Laurel Hogan, PE Specialist
(Picture by Lifetouch)
Mrs. Hogan received a BA in Education from Pacific Lutheran University in 1989 and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from City University in 1993. She began teaching 1st grade at Daffodil Valley Elementary School in Sumner, Washington in 1989. In 2001, Mrs. Hogan started at FPCS as the Head Teacher for the Spanish/Art/PE enrichment class. When FPCS created the Elementary school, she moved into the position of PE specialist and continues in this role today!
Karyn Olson, FAE Science Specialist
(Picture by Lifetouch)
Karyn Olson is our Kindergarten FAE Science Specialist. She made her teaching debut in 1991 in Riverside, CA teaching 6th grade in a year-round school. She has a degree from Westmont Christian Liberal Arts College and University of California, Riverside. Karyn joined our staff in January 2005 as the Music and Arts enrichment teacher for the 3 & 4 year olds. She has been married to Erik for 11 years and they have 1 son. What Karyn loves best about FPCS is being a part of the wonderful, nurturing ministry.
Annette Smiley, Art Specialist
(Biography coming soon)
(Picture by Lifetouch)
Connie Connally, Spanish/Latin Specialist
(Biography coming soon)
(Not Pictured)
Cassi Wilkerson, Drama Specialist
(Biography coming soon)
(Not Pictured)
First Presbyterian Church School - 20 Tacoma Ave - Tacoma, Washington 98402 - 253-272-7145
