A STEAM Focused Program
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math
At Silver Ridge Elementary
TEAM Info Night
Interested in joining TEAM? Come to our meeting on Wednesday, March 5th, at 6:00pm in the Silver Ridge Library to learn more.
Get to Know Us
TEAM provides an elementary school option emphasizing parental involvement, teacher continuity and program flexibility. It serves students in grades one through five, who want a different educational delivery system than the standard school setting. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) is a primary focus. In addition to classroom STEAM time there is also a STEAM lab at Silver Ridge.
TEAM presents a meaningful, rigorous curriculum based on County and State Standards, utilizing CKSD adopted textbooks and real-world materials to accomplish curriculum goals for a broad range of learners. Acceleration, enrichment and reinforcement are provided as appropriate.
A student remains in TEAM from year-to-year, working with the same group of teachers. TEAMs opportunities for multi-age learning help students develop team-building and leadership skills.
Parents expand the learning team by providing the equivalent of two hours of volunteer per week. When a strong bond is created between home and school it allows parents to reinforce daily learning. Volunteering opportunities are abundant and varied. Working parents may arrange to volunteer after working hours or from home.
We are a dedicated group of individuals who believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. Our mission is to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for students. We truly believe that Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Our team consists of passionate teachers who are committed to providing the best education and support for our students. We value parent involvement and believe that it plays a crucial role in a child's academic success. We strive to foster a strong partnership between parents, teachers and students. Our core values include respect, empathy and positivity. We are proud to stand out from the crowd by creating a nurturing and inspiring atmosphere where every student can thrive. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about TEAM. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to get involved. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our students. Come grow with us!
Our History
TEAM had its beginnings as a result of recommendations made by a two-year Excellence in CKSD Education Task Force. The task force was charged with the responsibility of looking closely at how Central Kitsap educated children and to make a written report noting the strengths of CK and making recommendations to ensure continued excellence as the District moved into the 21st century. They studied the current research, observed in classrooms, had guest presenters, and visited other districts and programs. Their recommendations included:
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Multi-age Classrooms
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Cooperative Learning
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Cross-age Learning Opportunities
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STEAM Focused Learning
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Student involvement in goal setting, behavior management and assuming accountability for their choices and actions
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Stronger home-school partnership which includes active volunteering and a greater emphasis on reading at home
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Emphasis on study skill development and homework
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Hands-on Learning Opportunities
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Use of Manipulatives in math
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Reading with emphasis on real world ....newspapers, internet articles, magazines...... more whole language than basal emphasis, but including phonics instruction
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Development of lifelong, independent learners
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Extended Learning Opportunities
It was decided that a pilot program would be developed to focus on these recommendations. A year was devoted to hammering out the plans for the school-within-a-school program. The program was first referred to as the Democratic or Flexible School and ultimately named T.E.A.M. - Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson and Stephen Glenn became the model for classroom management and the tool for greater student involvement in their education. It was decided that there would be four classrooms and five grade levels(1st-5th). Staff would plan together for the needs of students in all five grade levels, vertical planning versus grade level planning. Students would be selected by application and parent involvement would be a requirement. Once accepted students could remain until they moved on to Middle School. Priority acceptance was given to siblings. Enrollment would represent a cross section of skills and abilities while preserving multi-age classrooms. A parent group, TEAM Administrative Council (TAC) would be formed to strengthen communication and to assist program needs.
The program opened its doors in the fall of 1987 and celebrated its 35th anniversary during the 2021-2022 school year.
Meet the Team behind TEAM
Our educators are more than just teachers; they are mentors, role models and support systems for our students. Their dedication and commitment to their craft are unmatched and they work tirelessly to ensure that each child receives the best education possible. Get to know our amazing team below.
Shannon Rust-Dickey
1st & 2nd Grade
Mrs. Rust loves her job and feels so lucky to work with children every day. She has been teaching in the TEAM program for many years, and before that taught Kindergarten through third grade in the South Kitsap and Bremerton School Districts. Mrs. Rust has a unique perspective as she is both a TEAM teacher and a TEAM parent alumni (all her kids were in TEAM). She loves sports and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Mrs. Rust is married to Shaun and has three children, Gabriella is in college, Camden is 17, and Addyson is 15. She also has a labradoodle named Wilson.
Janice Gurry
1st & 2nd Grade
Janice, who is originally from the Boston area, has been teaching for almost 18 years in a variety of settings and grade levels. Her first year was on the Jicarilla Apache reservation in New Mexico. She then went on to attend graduate school at Boston College while teaching in Boston. Janice has also taught in Pembroke, Massachusetts. After having her son Nolan, she and her husband Billy moved to the Silverdale area in 2011. Janice has been teaching at Silver Ridge for the past eight years and is so happy to join TEAM. She loves spending time camping in her RPod with her family. Janice’s two sons Nolan and Colin are in the TEAM program.
Debbie Tebo
3rd Grade
Mrs. Tebo is excited to join TEAM this year! She has been teaching for over 20 years in WA State and in International Schools in Rome, Dubai, and Doha! She loves to help children learn and grow each day! She enjoys cooking, gardening, running, yoga, and traveling the world. Her favorite destinations have been Kenya, Thailand, and anywhere in Europe! She loves Rice Krispie treats and charcuterie. You can find her reading autobiographies in her spare time. She is married to her husband Toby, also an educator, and they have three sons, Stuart, Wesley, and Henry.
Bari Udell
4th Grade
Mrs. Udell has enjoyed working and learning with children for many years and has been with the TEAM program for several years. She loves reading, landscaping her backyard, and playing Mahjongg (the real kind). Her favorite books are the ones she cannot put down. She LOVES macaroni and cheese (the box kind) and just about any kind of chocolate. Her mission is to get kids to think and problem solve for themselves. Oh, and she sort of likes giraffes! She is married to husband, David and has three sons, Daniel, Joshua, and Ben.
Maria Hays
5th Grade
Mrs. Hays loves teaching, doing crazy art projects, and getting to know her students better every year. She’s been teaching in TEAM since 2022, and two of her children have gone through the problem. She loves spending time with her husband and five children, especially camping and family movie nights. She loves iced vanilla chai, any kind of theme day and singing along with her students in class.
TEAM Gives Back
Holly Ridge Book Collection
Each year Hanna and Cooper send out a letter asking TEAM for donations of new and gently used books. They collect the books and donate them to Holly Ridge Center’s Infant Toddler Program (ITP). This is a neurodevelopmental and early learning center providing early intervention services for children ages birth to three and their families. They provide services to families who have concerns about their child’s development or medical diagnosis.
Reading Olympics Fundraiser
Each February all TEAM classes participate in the Reading Olympics. Students spend as much time as possible reading each week. At the end of the month they will receive a gold, silver or bronze medal depending on how many minutes they read, . Every year TEAM pairs the Reading Olympics with a charity. Students can participate by bringing in items for the charity or they can get friends and family to sponsor them. Students can be sponsored per book, per minute, or a flat rate. The money they raise is donated or used to purchase items for charity. In 2018 TEAM donated baby items to EastSide Baby Corner of WestSound, a local charity that works to bring essentials to kids living in crisis or poverty.
