Marci Muhlestein, Program Manager

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-2844
• E-mail: marci.muhlestein@bellevuecollege.edu

Marci has worked in special education as an occupational therapist, behavior specialist focused on the spectrum of autism, assistive technology specialist, and most recently a transition specialist in the Issaquah School District.   She is honored to be part of such a progressive exciting program here at Bellevue College.  She believes that the students of OLS are very capable learners who will continue on their path to life long learning in this positive educational atmosphere.  Marci has a daughter in college at Seattle University.  

Kathy Barron, Community Coordinator

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5207
• E-mail: kathy.barron@bellevuecollege.edu

Kathy is thrilled and motivated to work with OLS as the community coordinator. Kathy has a diverse background working with students with disabilities in the school setting as well as out in the community for over thirteen years. She is excited to bring all of that knowledge and passion to OLS. She has worked for the Issaquah School District as well as King County’s Job to Work Program. When not at work she enjoys hiking Tiger Mountain, volunteering, reading and spending time with her two boys and husband. She believes that with a positive attitude and hard work we all have the ability to be successful in the workplace and community.

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Becky Boberg, Support Staff

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5207
• E-mail: becky.boberg@bellevuecollege.edu

Becky is responsible for the nuts and bolts of OLS operations. She particularly enjoys developing software tools to keep up with the creative explosion of teaching and learning happening throughout the program. She has a bachelors in math from UCLA. In her spare time, she reads voraciously, tutors math, knits, and keeps chipping away at reducing her family's ecological footprint.

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Genevieve Buss, Faculty

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: genevieve.buss@bellevuecollege.edu

Genevieve is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities.  Growing up in Canada, with a profoundly deaf family member, she was able to recognize, advocate and cherish the gifts that people with disabilities offer to all communities at an early age. Upon completing University education in Ontario, she worked as a Special Education teacher at the Secondary level. As she continued to learn new skills, develop relationships and specialize in working with individuals with disabilities, she focused her teaching practice on transition-to-work programs.  In addition, her professional portfolio includes Career Counselor at the college level, Tour Guide for global bicycle expeditions, and 'Best Cook' in the house!

Donna Hudson, Faculty

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: donna.hudson@bellevuecollege.edu

Donna has a masters degree in education, specializing in curriculum and instruction. She has worked in public education in Nashville, Tennessee and in Seattle, Washington. Donna has taught elementary education, middle school and served as a school principal. She is known for her desire to educate the whole person and for holding herself and students accountable. Donna loves to teach and to support students in their learning. She is drawn to the Bellevue College, OLS Program because of its mission and vision for adults with disabilities and its philosophy of teaching. Donna believes all students are successful learners.

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Stefanie Knight, Office Assistant

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: stefanie.knight@bellevuecollege.edu

Stefanie is thrilled to be a new member of the OLS team. In the past she has worked in the non-profit sector with urban youth and programs that promote cultural diversity and awareness. She has a BA in English from the University of Minnesota and has had additional coursework in Education and tutoring ESL. Having three children of her own keeps her busy and she has volunteered in both the Issaquah and Northshore School Districts. She is excited to be a part of such a unique and progressive program here at Bellevue College.

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Nicholas Michiels, Faculty

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: nicholas.michiels@bellevuecollege.edu

Nicholas has his Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Michigan University. Having recently moved to Washington, he spends a lot of his time trying to establish activities that support his values and interests. Nicholas enjoys volunteering, music, sports, dance, and maritime activities. He is new to the OLS team, and is excited to explore the psychosocial aspects of the Disability Community with students in the group/classroom setting. Nicholas primarily identifies as a member of the Disability Community, and firmly believes that living a life with disabilities is a valuable experience within the human condition.

Jaya Ramesh, Faculty

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: jaya.ramesh@bellevuecollege.edu

Jaya has a Masters in Environmental Anthropology from the University of Washington. She has a broad range of experiences within the environmental field, teaching and working with diverse groups of people. Not only has she worked for non-profits like Greenpeace and the Public Interest Research Group, she has also taught at Echo Glen Juvenile Detention Center in Issaquah and at the University of Maryland as a Biological Anthropological Teaching Assistant. Jaya is passionate about teaching and brings enthusiasm and a love of learning to her classrooms.

Nathan Schloetel, Faculty: Workforce & Personal Finance

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: nathan.schloetel@bellevuecollege.edu

Nathan brings a variety of work and educational experiences to OLS. He combines a Master of Fine Arts degree with practical experiences in various career fields, including the past six years as a vocational services program manager. Nathan taught the Personal Finance series last year and is excited to return this year as a full-time instructor.  If there is one sentence that sums him up, it would be: Nathan is passionate about helping others exceed their own expectations.

Valerie St. John, Counselor

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5207
• E-mail: valerie.stjohn@bellevuecollege.edu

As a Counselor for the OLS program, Valerie works closely with students one-on-one and in groups to help them reach their potential on academic, professional, social, and emotional levels. Valerie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology with a Psychology Minor from Washington State University, and received her Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. Prior to her work with OLS, Valerie was the Counseling Center Intern for the Bellevue College main campus. She also has a background in personal fitness training, nutritional counseling, and higher educational advising. In addition to her counseling work with OLS, Valerie continues her work as part-time Counselor/Faculty for the Bellevue College main campus and runs her own mental health counseling practice in Bellevue. She is thrilled to be working with the students at OLS and to be a part of such a great team!

Evelyn Vidal-Armour, Faculty: Visual Thinking

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: evelyn.vidal-armour@bellevuecollege.edu

Evelyn has worked as an artist and art teacher for over 25 years. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's in Art Education and an Art Specialist Endorsement. She has traveled throughout the world visiting art museums and historical places. She has taught all grade levels in Arizona and in Washington, with the last 12 years at BEST High School, a choice school in the Lake Washington School District. Evelyn loves to work with OLS students because they are enthusiastic and eager to learn. During the six years that she has taught for Venture, she has been proud to be a part of the students' and the program's growth.

Bradetta Vines, Faculty

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: bradetta.vines@bellevuecollege.edu

Bradetta began teaching theatre in the early 90s. She began as an acting and audition coach. While working as an actress she toured with Seattle Public Theatre and taught workshops in a formal school setting. This inspired her to work as a teacher director at the High School level, then for Western Washington University and finally at Bellevue College. Teaching for OLS has been rewarding and inspiring. She hopes to see you all at the theatre!

Ken Wright, Faculty: Mind and Body Awareness Courses

Contact Information

• Phone: (425) 564-5206
• E-mail: ken.wright@bellevuecollege.edu

Ken has been teaching physical education courses at OLS for four years. He has been teaching Martial Arts for the last 28 years in Southern California, Hawaii, and in the Seattle area since 1995. His specialties these days are Taijiquan, Qigong, and interactive Taiji. He considers teaching at OLS to be the highlight of the twenty classes he teaches per week.