Kari Kopnick is our Director of Religious Education for Children, Youth and Families. She has served this congregation since the fall of 2005. Kari’s educational background is in Child Psychology, with years managing volunteers for La Leche League of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Kari is a life long Unitarian Universalist with three sons in the Religious Education Program at WSUU. She serves on the board of Liberal Religious Educators Association holding the General Assembly portfolio. Kari passion is excellent Religious Education and Experience for Children, Youth and Families.

Shannon Day is serving her second year as our Associate Director of Religious Education.  She has been a member of WSUU since 2001. Shannon has been active with our Religious Education program for 7 years, serving as a teacher, a RE Council member and chairing the committee for 3 years. She and her husband, Dan, have 2 sons.  Logan is soon to be 12 and Aidan is 9. She is enthusiastic about liberal religious education and is committed to making our program a safe, warm, and friendly home for the children and youth of our community.

Rose Fitzpatrick loves to teach. She once stood in the rain at the Arboretum with a live frog squirming in her grip to teach teens about the ecosystem; she once encouraged a pre-K class to hold a sit-in as a lesson on civil rights; and she once taught a horse how to play frisbee. She believes that anyone can learn; that learning is fun; that a hands-on, learner-centered style is best; and that the world is our classroom all our life long.

And most of all, she believes that it is our job to make the world more beautiful.

Julie Vance is our Infant/Toddler Teacher. She has been working with West Seattle UU since the fall of 2005.  Julie has a beautiful gift for connecting with our youngest ones; helping them feel safe and cared for so their parents can attend the service. She has a partner, Michael and a son, Dexter. Julie worked at Community School of West Seattle for five years, recently deciding to stay home to homeschool. Julie sees working with children is such a gift—always renewing and inspiring her.

Religious Education Council: Heather Hisatomi, Davonna Cufley, Ruth Herman-Dunn, Shannon Day, Amy Hance-Brancati, Kari Kopnick. Not pictured: Wendy Weeks

Religious Education Council Mission Statement: The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Religious Education Council develops and coordinates resources for our children and youth to grow spiritually, develop a sense of personal and social responsibility and experience joy as a central part of a loving Unitarian Universalist community.