Meet the Team
Seattle Administration

Kristin Berman
Interim Head of School
Kristin is the interim head at Bridges Seattle. She previously served as director of the Phoenix Program and director of academics at Bridges Los Angeles. Kris also previously served as head of school at The Quad Preparatory School for Twice Exceptional Children in New York City. She received her Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut.
Over her career Kris has held many roles: teacher, curriculum developer, administrator, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented in New York City, and then as a professor of education, teacher trainer and consultant, she has specialized in differentiated curriculum and instruction, gifted education, and arts integration in content areas. She has also worked with teachers, administrators, and parents throughout the United States, as well as in Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. She served on the Advisory Committee for the Development of Education for All Students for the Bhutan Foundation, and worked extensively with Bhutanese educators and policy makers on developing special education for the country. Kristin has also served on the Board of The Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS). Kristin has authored several publications on arts, creative leadership, and 2e educational models. Kris loves trekking and has an affinity for all of nature’s creatures.
Interim Head of School
Kristin is the interim head at Bridges Seattle. She previously served as director of the Phoenix Program and director of academics at Bridges Los Angeles. Kris also previously served as head of school at The Quad Preparatory School for Twice Exceptional Children in New York City. She received her Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut.
Over her career Kris has held many roles: teacher, curriculum developer, administrator, Coordinator of Gifted and Talented in New York City, and then as a professor of education, teacher trainer and consultant, she has specialized in differentiated curriculum and instruction, gifted education, and arts integration in content areas. She has also worked with teachers, administrators, and parents throughout the United States, as well as in Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. She served on the Advisory Committee for the Development of Education for All Students for the Bhutan Foundation, and worked extensively with Bhutanese educators and policy makers on developing special education for the country. Kristin has also served on the Board of The Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS). Kristin has authored several publications on arts, creative leadership, and 2e educational models. Kris loves trekking and has an affinity for all of nature’s creatures.
Seattle Faculty and Staff

Charles Smith
9-12 Humanities and Phoenix Teacher Assistant
Char Smith is an educator with a background in twice-exceptional education
as a student, teacher, counselor, and camp instructor. Born and raised
in the Pacific Northwest, he has a passion for learning (and writing)
about local history, exploring the natural wonders that our region
has to offer, and working to build connections between communities of
twice-exceptional learners.
He is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in Education from
Western Governors University and currently lives in south Seattle
with his spouse, two pugs, and a kitten named Jiji.
9-12 Humanities and Phoenix Teacher Assistant
Char Smith is an educator with a background in twice-exceptional education
as a student, teacher, counselor, and camp instructor. Born and raised
in the Pacific Northwest, he has a passion for learning (and writing)
about local history, exploring the natural wonders that our region
has to offer, and working to build connections between communities of
twice-exceptional learners.
He is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in Education from
Western Governors University and currently lives in south Seattle
with his spouse, two pugs, and a kitten named Jiji.
Los Angeles-Based Management and Operational Support
![]() Mark Long
CEO, Bridges Education Group [email protected] Mark Long is an experienced school executive who most recently led 21 schools in Sydney NSW with a passion for differentiated learning and a strong focus on identifying and nurturing the gifted & talented and 2e students. |
![]() Anna Schaerf
Director of Counseling Services [email protected] Anna Schaerf earned her MS in counseling, marriage, and family therapy from Cal State-Northridge. She has been at Bridges since 1999. |
![]() Shane Brennan
Business Office [email protected] Shane Brennan has worked as an instructor and administrator at Bridges Academy since 2012. |
![]() Kayla Waesche
Associate Director of Admissions [email protected] Kayla Waesche has worked in education and film production in Los Angeles. |
![]() Susan Baum
Director of the Bridges 2e Center [email protected] Dr. Susan Baum served on the NAGC Board of Directors and is a Past President and Founder of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students. |
![]() Robin Schader
Member, Bridges Board of Trustees [email protected] Dr. Robin Schader received her Ph.D. from UConn. Her work focuses on talent development, particularly with respect to the role of parents. |

Jann Leppien
2e Center Executive Board Member
Dr. Jann Leppien is an instructor at Bridges Graduate School and formerly was an associate professor at Whitworth. She received her Ph.D. at UConn.
2e Center Executive Board Member
Dr. Jann Leppien is an instructor at Bridges Graduate School and formerly was an associate professor at Whitworth. She received her Ph.D. at UConn.
![]() Peter Godwin
Member, Bridges Board of Trustees [email protected] Peter Godwin is an attorney for start-up technology and telecommunications ventures. His son started at Bridges in the Phoenix program and graduated in 2019. |
![]() Ellen Rosen
Co-Chair, Board of Trustees [email protected] Ellen Rosen is an attorney and pro photographer who has served as chair of the Board since 2014. One of her children graduated from Bridges in 2016. |