Faculty

Eric Fleming - Art / Advisory / 8th Gr Seminar
efleming@novaschool.org

Eric joined NOVA in 2000. He has taught middle school math, science, advisory and art. Eric's background is in art, as is his training. He holds a Washington State teaching certificate with a K-12 specialty in art. Eric is an avid traveler. He has lived in France and Morocco and is a European tour guide. He has toured France and Italy with NOVA alumni. Eric is also a published author, artist, and surfer.

Julie Funchion - Strings
juliepsalm150@hotmail.com

Jason Gacek - Language Arts / Geography / Silent Reading / Study Skills
jgacek@novaschool.org

Jason began teaching at NOVA in 2001. He teaches 6th-grade Language Arts, Geography, Study Skills, and Silent Reading. He is a two-time champion of the NOVA Fantasy Baseball League, with one second-place finish. In addition to baseball, his interests include young adult literature, politics, current events, movies, popular culture, and, of course, geography. Jason is from Bellingham, Washington, and attended Reed College, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College. He is still upset that the Mariners traded Chris Snelling.

Tracey Hooker - Band
studiohookmeup@hotmail.com

Janet Hubbard - Language Arts
jhubbard@novaschool.org

Janet joined the NOVA faculty in 2004. She holds a BA in Language Arts, Classical Studies and Anthropology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and completed a Master in Teaching degree at The Evergreen State College in 2003. Over the past 10 years, Janet has taught students ranging from the preschool level through college. She has spent time teaching environmental education, working in a Montessori setting, and directing a cultural immersion program in Athabaskan villages in Alaska, as well as teaching ESL and literature classes. Janet and her husband Bradley are busy with the raising of their two daughters, Ella and Sophia, and spend time exploring the outdoors, gardening, and traveling whenever the chance arises. Janet teaches Advanced Language Arts.

Lisa Iverson- Director / Exploratory
liverson@novaschool.org

Lisa Iverson, along with her father, cofounded NOVA school in 1992. Prior to founding NOVA in 1992, she taught in the Yelm School District for 17 years. She has had a wide range of professional experience including positions as regular classroom teacher, reading specialist and teacher/coordinator of the Highly Capable Program in Yelm. Lisa holds an M.A. with a specialty in the teaching of reading. She worked as a consultant in designing interesting and challenging interdisciplinary curriculum for able learners, and is recognized around the state as an advocate for capable students. She directed the ESD 113 Highly Capable Cooperative for two years presenting workshops to teachers and students around the region. Lisa has also served on the Board of Directors for the Washington Association for the Education of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG). She holds a Washington State Administrator's credential from Pacific Lutheran University, qualifying her to be a principal in a K-8 setting. Throughout the years, Lisa has taught every subject at NOVA except math. Currently she teaches 7th-8th grade Exploratory.

Lisa and her husband Dennis have three "20-something" children who all attended NOVA in the early years.

Bobby Kenis - Mathematics / Computers / 7th Service
bkenis@novaschool.org

Bobby joined NOVA in 2005 after relocating from Southern California where he worked in public schools for four years. He holds a B.A. in Economics from UCLA and a Teacher Accreditation in Mathematics. He enjoys the Pacific Northwest, especially the rain and cooler temperatures. He loves baseball, all types of cheeses, cooking, reading and traveling. He and his wife, Kellie, love to vacation in Ireland.

Charles Lundberg - Life Skills / Building Maintenance
maryann_charles@yahoo.com

Charles came to us in 2000 after retiring from 30 years of teaching in the North Thurston School District. He has taught chorus, orchestra, science, math, computers, and most recently applied technology for eight years at Komachin Middle School. Charles holds a double music major from Western Washington University, along with a minor in both music composition and psychology. He also holds an MA in Education. Charles is also responsible for the maintenance of our building. In his spare time, he writes music, a practice he has pursued throughout his life.

Linda Manning - Mathematics / Physical Education / 8th Seminar
lmanning@novaschool.org

Linda joined NOVA in 2000, and teaches 6th grade math and physical education. Linda is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Previously, she was a 5th grade teacher and also a high school soccer, volleyball, and basketball coach. Linda and her husband, Carl, spend their spare time raising their four children, and co-coaching various local sports teams.

Robert Owens - Social studies / Drama / Librarian / 8th Seminar
rowens@novaschool.org

Robert joined our staff in 2003. He comes to NOVA with fifteen years of teaching English, Social Studies, P.E., and various other courses in independent middle schools. He graduated from The Citadel with a degree in English. Robert currently spends time playing with his kids and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and would love to have more time to write and disappear into the primal wilds of the Northwest. He teaches Advanced Social Studies, Drama, and is NOVA's librarian. Robert, his wife Audrey, and their children Clare and Erik live in rural Olympia.

Suzanne Porter - Science / Mathematics / Silent Reading / Study Skills
sporter@novaschool.org

Suzan Porter joined NOVA in 2002, after several years of substituting in area public and private secondary schools. She holds a B.A. from St. John's College-Santa Fe, a B.A. in Francophone studies from The Evergreen State College, and a Masters in Teaching, also from TESC. She is endorsed to teach science and English at the secondary level, and French from K-12. She has traveled extensively, visiting with friends and relatives abroad, pursuing graduate studies and assisting with guided tours in France. Following several years of interest in habitat restoration, Suzan teaches the 6th grade science curriculum as environmental studies, equipping the students with field and lab skills that prepare them for their upper level science classes at NOVA.

Anne Weldon - Spanish
aweldon@novaschool.org

Anne holds a B.A. in English and French from Santa Clara University and a teaching credential from the University of California, Berkeley. She has taught Spanish at Peninsula High School for four years, which integrated the study of language with Latin American culture. Her Spanish speaking career began in the World Teach Program in Ecuador, where she taught English at the University of Loja. Anne spent two years in South America. She has fifteen years of diverse teaching experiences in elementary education through college. Anne is fluent in both French and Spanish.

Steven Welliever - Science / Computers / 8th Gr Seminar
swelliever@novaschool.org

Steven joined the NOVA staff in 1999. Steven is a certified teacher. He studied biology and chemistry at Eastern Washington University. Steven also teaches 8th grade seminar and computers. He does not usually write in short, declarative sentences. In his free time, he enjoys music, gardening, running, and other outdoor activities.