Marissa Ann Elliott was born on May 1, 1971 at Northwest Hospital,
Seattle Washington. Marissa's childhood was spent living in Seattle
and Portland before her family settled in Edmonds, Washington.
Marissa attended Chase Lake Elementary where she showed her
intellectual talents which continued throughout her life. She was a
student in the Gifted and Talented programs, winning prestigious writing
awards.
Marissa attended middle school at College Place Middle School where
she was enrolled in the Challenge Program for English and Social
Studies . She loved her time at Camp Orkila where she first exhibited
her love for working with children, first as a camper and then as a
counselor. A teacher was born!
Marissa attended Nathan Hale High School, graduating in 1989.
Marissa delivered the commencement speech at her graduation. From
Hale, Marissa went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
She stayed there for two years and returned to her home state,
graduating from Seattle University. Ever the high achiever, Marissa
graduated with two degrees.
Marissa continued her formal education at Western Washington
University where she obtained two Masters Degrees. One was in
Special Education and the other in English Literature.
Marissa was a student teacher in the Seattle School District and
obtained her first teaching position at Kellogg Middle School. The
Shoreline School District became her professional home, and she never
left. Marissa moved from Kellogg to Shorecrest and continued her
incredible teaching career. At Shorecrest Marissa taught English,
Advanced English, and AP English and writing. Especially skilled at
teaching all students, Marissa reached all learners including
students who may have been "reluctant learners" and students whose
native language was not English. An accomplishment of which she was
most proud was her development of the Debate Team. Under her guidance
her team reached the state finals in their first year.
In addition to teaching middle level and high school students,
Marissa shared her skills and knowledge with teaching professionals
teaching summer school classes in classroom management through
Western Washington University.
Marissa was a gifted writer, scholar, and educator winning many
awards. A highlight of her high school career was a trip to Israel
as a guest of the Israeli government.
Marissa's talents weren't limited to education. In her early
professional life, she was a Starbucks barista (go figure), an
Assistant at the Madison Park Bakery, summer recreation director for the
Seattle Parks Department.
She did research and writing for the Seattle Opera program notes and
would share this love of Opera with her students, organizing many
trips to the Opera.
Marissa was an accomplished teacher, the consummate lover of
learning, and a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and
friend.
Seattle Washington. Marissa's childhood was spent living in Seattle
and Portland before her family settled in Edmonds, Washington.
Marissa attended Chase Lake Elementary where she showed her
intellectual talents which continued throughout her life. She was a
student in the Gifted and Talented programs, winning prestigious writing
awards.
Marissa attended middle school at College Place Middle School where
she was enrolled in the Challenge Program for English and Social
Studies . She loved her time at Camp Orkila where she first exhibited
her love for working with children, first as a camper and then as a
counselor. A teacher was born!
Marissa attended Nathan Hale High School, graduating in 1989.
Marissa delivered the commencement speech at her graduation. From
Hale, Marissa went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
She stayed there for two years and returned to her home state,
graduating from Seattle University. Ever the high achiever, Marissa
graduated with two degrees.
Marissa continued her formal education at Western Washington
University where she obtained two Masters Degrees. One was in
Special Education and the other in English Literature.
Marissa was a student teacher in the Seattle School District and
obtained her first teaching position at Kellogg Middle School. The
Shoreline School District became her professional home, and she never
left. Marissa moved from Kellogg to Shorecrest and continued her
incredible teaching career. At Shorecrest Marissa taught English,
Advanced English, and AP English and writing. Especially skilled at
teaching all students, Marissa reached all learners including
students who may have been "reluctant learners" and students whose
native language was not English. An accomplishment of which she was
most proud was her development of the Debate Team. Under her guidance
her team reached the state finals in their first year.
In addition to teaching middle level and high school students,
Marissa shared her skills and knowledge with teaching professionals
teaching summer school classes in classroom management through
Western Washington University.
Marissa was a gifted writer, scholar, and educator winning many
awards. A highlight of her high school career was a trip to Israel
as a guest of the Israeli government.
Marissa's talents weren't limited to education. In her early
professional life, she was a Starbucks barista (go figure), an
Assistant at the Madison Park Bakery, summer recreation director for the
Seattle Parks Department.
She did research and writing for the Seattle Opera program notes and
would share this love of Opera with her students, organizing many
trips to the Opera.
Marissa was an accomplished teacher, the consummate lover of
learning, and a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and
friend.