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About Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
Roaring Mouse History
Roaring Mouse classes and workshops have been offered in the Seattle area since 1989. Our studio opened in the Sandpoint area in 1997. Roaring Mouse was founded by Lassie Webster, who envisioned a place where all people, young and old, could learn about the joy, freedom and power of embracing the creative spirit. The mission of our studio is to provide opportunities to develop self confidence and awareness through artistic and creative experiences and to enhance communication and understanding between people. All of the teachers at Roaring Mouse are committed to giving our students the best chance to discover and develop their own creative potential and to find ways to share those gifts with the world.
The Roaring Mouse Teaching Team
Lassie Webster, founder and director of Roaring Mouse, has devoted her life to working with people of all ages in the creative arts. In addition to developing and implementing several programs in the arts in Seattle and California, Lassie has acted as a consultant to teachers, counselors, and school districts for her expertise in the creative arts and social emotional development. With a background in the performing arts, Lassie received her training at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where she studied with Anna Deveare Smith. She went on to study the visual arts, music, dance, and childhood development and has her B.A. in Arts and Literature from Antioch University. Lassie has been nominated for the Washington State Golden Apple Awards (1992), was selected for the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers Awards" (1994), and was considered for the "Teaching Tolerance" early childhood teaching project in 1995. Most recently, Lassie was awarded the Seattle Parks and Recreation Artie Award (2000) and The PTA Outstanding Educator Award (2002) in recognition of her work in the Kindergarten Arts Program at Sacajawea School.
Cheryl Carder has spent the last nine years developing the early childhood classes at Roaring Mouse, creating a comprehensive program that is both supportive and exciting to her young students. She is one of those rare teachers who magically creates a learning environment that fosters a sense of adventure, cooperation, love and creativity. During the past two years, Cheryl has turned her attention to developing new classes for older students, all with the same careful, well thought out approach. Like her early childhood art classes, these classes give her students an opportunity to continue to explore and develop their creative interests. In addition to her work at Roaring Mouse, Cheryl has spent several years studying the Montessori philosophy, as well as the emergent curriculum at North Seattle Community College. She has focused her studies on building communication skills and teaching art, music and drama to young children. Cheryl has many years teaching experience in Montessori Schools and is the mother of one daughter, Ellie. Being at Roaring Mouse has opened up another form of facilitating children's needs and skill building for Cheryl and she looks forward to continuing to provide a valuable, growing experience for all.
Kristy Carlile has been a part of Roaring Mouse since 2004. Before joining us, she taught 3-5 year olds for seven years and ran a multi-age preschool arts program out of her home during the summers. She matches classroom activities to the needs and interests of the whole child by giving children the freedom to make valuable decisions, be leaders and explore their own inner creativity. For the past three years Kristy has run her own art business specializing in mosaics. She has taught art classes in elementary schools and continues to volunteer in the arts throughout her community. Kristy looks forward to working with you and your children.
Heather Gosnell joined Roaring Mouse the fall of 2007. With an extensive background in teaching, children's literature and storytelling, Heather brings a magical and gentle quality to the studio. She has worked in a children's bookstore, studied children literature, attended literacy conferences, taught preschool, and designed her own major at Fairhaven College entitled Storytelling in the Classroom and Community. She studied mythology, learning theory and praxis, writing and performing skills. After graduating, Heather went back into teaching up until last December, when a strong wind blew the roof of her apartment and she flew off to India and Thailand. Now gentler winds have brought Heather back home to Seattle and right to Roaring Mouse. She is thrilled at this opportunity to dust off old stories and discover new ones in this creative and generous community.
Roaring Mouse Staff
Karen Knutson - I've been the Business Manager/Registrar for Roaring Mouse since 1999 and I love being able to introduce children and families to our wonderful teachers and programs. I've also worked for many years at Sacajawea Elementary School, where my current position is Office Assistant. I grew up in Tacoma and studied English Literature at the University of Washington. I am married, have two young adult daughters, and I make beaded jewelry and sell it at local craft fairs.
Erika Mathewson first joined Roaring Mouse as a camp counselor for the RMCAS Anti-Boredom Summer Day Camp in 2000. She continues to contribute to RMCAS by updating and maintaining the website. She holds degrees in Music & Horn Performance, plays horn in a number of groups in the Seattle area, and teaches private lessons. She also enjoys knitting, spinning, gardening, drawing, painting, rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking.
Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio
PO Box 51139
7526 20th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115
206-522-1187
