Primary/K-2 Program Teachers

Shannon Lampman, K-2 Lead Teacher
Shannon joined the U Co-op teaching team in 2009. She received her degree in Education from Western Washington University. Shannon recently returned to Seattle after spending eight years teaching inquiry-based learning at an international school in Switzerland. Prior to that Shannon taught at a Montessori school. She has two children and is an avid soccer fan.
Alina Lipnick, K-2 Teacher
Alina is a U Co-op alumna. She came to U Co-op as a kindergarten student in 1976, during its second year of operation. Alina received her Elementary Education teaching certificate and B.S. in Environmental Studies from Western Washington University. She taught at U Co-op from 1995-2001. She then rejoined the staff in 2006 after taking a break to raise her two boys. Alina enjoys kayaking on Puget Sound and backpacking along the Washington Coast.
Alison Smith, K-2 Teacher
Alison began teaching at University Cooperative School in 2009. She spent seven years teaching kindergarten through second grade in California, New York and Washington. Alison has a Masters in Education Degree from Loyola Marymont University. She also has a degree in Italian and Art History from the University of Washington. In her spare time, Alison likes to knit, make jewelry and travel.
Intermediate/3-5 Program Teachers

Jim Riley, 3-5 Lead Teacher
Jim has been teaching for twenty years. He started the third through fifth grade program at U Co-op in 2000. Prior to that Jim taught in Shoreline school district for ten years and started the multi-age 4th-5th-6th grade program at Shoreline. Jim worked in advertising and social work before pursuing teaching. He has a degree in Communications from Gonzaga and a Masters degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Rose in New York. He has two sons who attended U Co-op. During his free time Jim coaches soccer and enjoys traveling, fishing, birding and the outdoors with his family.
Kyra Canfield, 3-5 Teacher
Kyra began teaching at U Co-op in 2005, after five years of teaching in California. Kyra has a Masters in Teaching and an undergraduate degree in Physical Anthropology from San Francisco State University. Prior to teaching she worked as a primate keeper at the San Francisco Zoo. Kyra has two children who attend U Co-op. She enjoys reading, music and good food.
Steve Yasukawa, 3-5 Teacher
Steve began working at University Cooperative School in 2009. Steve received his teaching degree from Knox College in Illinois. He taught for several years with Pacific Science Center and has also worked as a naturalist. Steve enjoys playing banjo, guitar and harmonica. He is also passionate about writing and science.
Staff
Jeanne Garland, Operations Manager
Jeanne joined the U Co-op staff in 2007. She has worked in non-profit management for nearly 20 years. Jeanne was the director of the PAWS Wildlife Center. She has also worked as a grant writer, program manager and has served on several non-profit boards. She has a degree in Communications and Journalism from Michigan State University. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time on the beach with her family.