As part of their commitment to education and to celebrate teachers in the Renton School District, each month members of Rotary Club of Renton selects a few teachers as Teacher of the Month.

As part of the recognition, teachers attend Rotary’s Teacher of the Month recognition luncheon held at the Maplewood Golf Course. Each teacher is introduced, makes a brief comment about the school and classroom, and receives $200 to be used for classroom supplies or instructional materials.

March Teachers of the Month are:

Theresa Tse

Fourth Grade Teacher at Lakeridge Elementary School

Theresa Tse began her college experience at Western Washington University where she earned a degree in psychology and earned elementary education certification. Tse got her start as a student teacher at Campbell Hill Elementary School then spent time as a substitute and took a leave replacement position at Campbell Hill Elementary. She has been teaching in Renton for 12 years.

Rebecca Urquhart

Fifth Grade Teacher at Benson Hill Elementary School

Rebecca Urquhart attended Washington State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She continued to earn a master’s in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on integrated teaching through the arts from Lesley University. She began her teaching career at Bryn Mawr Elementary where she taught kindergarten, fourth and fifth grade. Urquhart has been teaching in Renton for 15 years.

Heather Wallendahl

Math Teacher at McKnight Middle School

Heather Wallendahl earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art from California State University in Sacramento. She then earned a master’s degree in education from Antioch University in Seattle. Wallendahl also has experience as a substitute teacher and she also spent time teaching kindergarten, second and third grades. She has been teaching in Renton for approximately two years.