Staff Directory

Samantha is delighted to join the Kindergarten teaching team for the 2018-19 school year! She moved to Seattle last September and is beyond excited to be back in the classroom teaching full time. Samantha worked part of last year as an instructional assistant at CHA. She instantly fell in love with the school community and is so happy to be a part of it again this year! When Samantha is not teaching she is enjoying time with her family! She has a daughter named Violet, who just turned 5 and a husband name Mike. The three of them enjoy swimming, going on hikes, and Friday movie nights at home!

Bob Rees graduated from Eastern Washington University with degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance and a Master’s degree in Music and Music Education from Anderson University. Originally from Spokane, Bob relocated to Seattle where he’s been an integral part of the area’s music community for the last twenty years. Bob is a Yamaha national soloist winner and a Jack Straw Artist Support grant recipient. As a performer, he’s recorded and collaborated with a diversity of artists and groups throughout the United States and internationally. As an educator, Bob believes in using improvisation and composition to strengthen students’ connections to their unique and collective relationships with music. Outside of work, Bob cherishes time with his wife Carly and two children Sophie and Oliver. He enjoys cycling, cooking, hiking, and reading books. Bob is honored to be part of the CHA family.

Chelsea grew up in Bellevue and then attended University of Portland where she received her B.A. in communication studies and political science. She is thrilled to return to her hometown to teach kindergarten at Chestnut Hill Academy. Chelsea is a graduate of Northwest University, earning her Master’s in Teaching with a concentration in Elementary Education in 2019. She was a Preschool Teacher at Bright Horizons from 2017 through her time in graduate school. Chelsea is passionate about sharing the joy of learning with young students. When she is not in the classroom, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling to new places.

Holly Senaga has been working in the education field since 1996. She attended Eastern Washington University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s degree in Creative Arts and Learning.  Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their three daughters, Hayden, Kennedy, and Peyton. As a family, they enjoy boating, golfing, reading, and traveling across Washington State to visit friends and family.