# data[].attributes.body
my name is Josh Ruffner

I’m in my first quarter of the ELED internship in a 6th grade classroom

I’m from Sammamish, Washington

This is the third college I’ve attended

In my free time, I really like baseball (go mariners!), I love listening to music, and I love going for hikes

My mom inspired me to get into ELED as she studied elementary Ed at WWU herself and had a great experience

Over spring break I took a brain break and just went home and spent lots of time hanging out with friends and family

Fun fact about me, I played three years of college baseball as a pitcher

I’m looking forward to learning more about tech in this class as that is not a strong suit for me currently

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-My name is Brenna Hudson

-she/her

-This is my 4th year at WWU, I start my internship in the Fall

-I grew up in Renton, WA

-I'm passionate about working with children, cooking, and being outside :D

-I'm scared of heights and crabs

-Over break I worked a lot, and visited Ocean Shores with my friends!

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-My name is Skylar Trcka

-He/him pronouns

-I am from Olympia WA

-I am passionate about music and my dog Oscar.

-In my free time I like to woodwork, go backpacking, and play Baldur's Gate 3!

-Over spring break I had my 4 best friends come up and stay with me!

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My name is Jaxson Pierce

Pronouns He/Him

I'm a Junior in the Elementary Education program.

I'm from Spokane, Washington, and would love to return and teach there in the future.

When I have free time, I am either at the Rec, hiking, or playing video games.

My biggest challenge at the moment is balancing a busy schedule with 2 jobs.

One of my jobs on campus is working at the CDC in childcare with ages ranging from 1 to 5.

Over spring break, I had the chance to go down to Whidbey Island and camp at Fort Ebey State Park. It was super fun, and I was in charge of cooking for all 9 people there, which was kinda hectic. We hiked, hung out on the beach, had fires, and played infection at the bunkers.

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Hello! My name is Austin Runion (He/him/his) and I am a sociology/elementary education major.

I was born in South Carolina, and moved all around the South until moving to Washington at 13.

Things I do in my free time is dance. I am an officer for the on campus club SINI-HHA where we primarily do hip hop dances. You have probably seen us dancing in Academic West. We have a showcase performance on May 23rd that we are currently practicing for.

Over Spring break, I met my newborn niece and I worked. That's literally it.

I'm excited to get to know all of you better and finish the school year off strong!

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My name is Katie, this is my second quarter in the Elementary Education program. I'm from a small town in Western Washington called Gold Bar.

A couple of fun facts is I play waterpolo here at Western, I love distance swimming and all things music.

I work at the front desk at the Ridge, but I also work as a lifeguard at the YMCA back home and got a job at a summer camp this summer where I will be working on the waterfront.

My spring break was really busy and included working, a good friend's graduation, and turning 21.

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-My name is Traci Bates

-My pronouns are she/they

-It is my third year here at western, and I'll be starting internship in the winter. I'm also minoring in MLE.

-I grew up in Hamilton, Washington and commute an hour everyday

-I have four years of experience with ASL or American Sign Language and can talk conversationally with it

-I have gotten into playing video games recently, playing cozy games such as stardew valley and pokemon

-I like to crochet and build miniatures in my free time

-I listen to an audiobook whenever I can and listened to one on the way here :)

-I work for Camping World, and in june I'll have been there for 4 years.

-During spring break, I just worked and got ready for this quarter. I made sure I had money and that my family was taken care of.

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My name is Breanna Viergutz

Pronouns: She/her

Currently I work at Texas Roadhouse as a Server.

I grew up in Port Orchard Washington, and moved to Bellingham in 2023 to study Elementary Education.

I am passionate about my friends, family, supporting kids, and making money.

My biggest fear is heights and spiders.

My biggest challenge right now is working during college, and saving enough money to pay for everything myself.

Over Spring Break, I went home to see my family and also celebrated my boyfriends birthday.

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My name is Camryn Kerr

Pronouns: She/Her

I am a junior here at WWU, and I transferred to Western from Skagit Valley College where I played basketball for 2 years

I was born and raised in Anacortes, a small island southwest of Bellingham area and recently moved up to Bellingham this fall

My passions include going to the gym, cooking and experimenting with new recipes, and going on long walks while listening to podcasts

One of my fears that I am slowly but surely overcoming is public speaking! I have been getting a lot of experience and exposure throughout the Woodring program which has been very helpful :)

One of my favorite quotes is "The two things you can control is your attitude and your effort." My dad used to say this to me and my brothers growing up all the time, and it has stuck with me ever since

Over the break, I was able to go home and celebrate my youngest brothers birthday. I was also able to see my best friends 4 month old baby and go to opening week for the Mariners!

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-I'm Kylie Anderson (she/her pronouns)

-I'm an Elementary Education major, with a theatre minor

-I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, but moved to Snohomish, Washington 6 years ago.

-I love all things theatre! I am currently in a production of Little Mermaid in Mount Vernon! I am playing Ariel on April 17th, so come see me!!

-I work as a Party Princess, so I go to children's birthday parties as a Disney princess, and I love it!

-Over spring break I went to Disneyland! I love all things Disney (I'm not a crazy Disney adult).

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My Name is Olivia Wray

-I use she/her pronouns

-I currently work as a Barista as well as an assistant at the Child Development Center on Campus.

-I have a teaching certification in Washington for Early Childhood Education and spent, before coming here, two years as a co-teacher in a Head Start classroom.

-When I am not in class, I am baking, singing, dancing, or taking photos!

-I play Roller Derby competitively, and it is one of my greatest loves outside of Theatre

-I have directed children's theatre for the last 5 years and hope to continue!

-My greatest fear is an incurable disease

-I went home to Port Angeles, baked, slept, skated, and attended several nights of performing arts! I also sang a little bit!

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- My name is Dr. George Zhao

- Pronouns: He / Him

- I am an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at WWU.

- This is my seventh year at WWU!

- I grew up in Sunny Southern California (Orange County)

- Prior to WWU, I have taught at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas and at the Tianjin University of Science and Technology in Tianjin, China.

- I used to be an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) instructor.

- I have 13 years of teaching experience overall.

- I used to host a small weekly radio show.

- When I have free time I like to play video games. (Recently finished Resident Evil 9)

- Over the Spring Break, I spent the time caring for my 3-month infant and celebrating his 100th day! See Will below: