Our Impact
Since LIFE’s inception in 2009, with the community’s generous support, we have:
Funded the three-year authorization process to implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Beach Elementary School
Funded 100% of all associated costs for the IB Primary Years Program at Beach Elementary School
Supported and supplemented Beach Elementary School staffing including, but not limited to, a Spanish language teacher, music teacher and the IB Coordinator position
Instituted a World Language Program
Funded robotics and computer learning programs
Sponsored Lummi Island Summer Theater Camp
Sponsored art programs, music supplementations, gardening instruction, books, hands-on marine science experience with Garden of the Salish Sea
Participated in cross-cultural teaching experiences with Mexico via a NEA grant
Split the cost of four iPads to supply four students in need of distance learning devices, computer programs and teaching supplies
Made possible professional development and teacher learning opportunities along with several cornerstone initiatives
Provided after-school enrichment activities such as art and recreation
Worked closely with Beach Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization
Meet the LIFE Board
JENNY BETTIS
Chair
We moved here in January 2019 - though my husband had roots here from childhood. I have a background in political science, and have worked in various roles in academia including teaching environmental law, public policy and American government as well as managing administrative services. I am now the Research & Program Manager for the Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) at WWU. BPRI is a multidisciplinary institute that undertakes research to inform policy-makers on matters related to the Canada-US border.
I am an educator at heart and feel very passionately about the development of accessible education for all learners. We live in a very special place that deserves to have a bright and vibrant school, and I am happy to volunteer my time through LIFE to make that a reality.
Board Member since 2022
TOM PHILLIPS
Secretary
We moved to Lummi Island in the late seventies and Dad built a house – just in time for us to start elementary school at Beach School. Back then the school grounds had no fencing. No special zoning seemed to separate it from anything else around it. Beach School has been in operation since 1919. I attended Beach School for six years, and played on the rest of the Island that runs up to its lawn. Every part of this Island then as well as now is a different part of a rounded community; kids, young adults, parents, artisans, farmers, fisherman, builders and retirees. People of every political stripe and income level all living in the same community. All accessible for a kid with a bicycle…even accessible for a kid without a bicycle. I spent nine years in Seattle working in motion picture film production, post production and exhibition. Then I moved back home to Lummi Island for the community I left after graduating high school. Now I work on our ferry boat. Having a school on the Island is crucial; the community and the Island environment are why parents are willing to live with the added personal financial and time burdens of commuting to work off-island. My commitment to maintaining an on Island school is why I volunteer my time for the Lummi Island Foundation for Education.
Board Member since 2012
BRITTA HUDSON
Treasurer
I moved to Lummi Island in 2000 and got to spend my sixth-grade year at Beach School. I have a lot of really wonderful memories of my time there and left with a wonderful education and a sense of community. Twenty years later I am privileged to be raising my own family here and have two of my kids at Beach School. It’s been a wonderful experience, in no small part to all the work and love that the teachers and staff put into it every day. The efforts of the LIFE Board have helped to secure Beach School’s place in our community. For my family that means my kids get to be at the same school that many of their family members have attended for several generations. I am honored to be able to volunteer some of my own time to give back to them and the students.
Board Member since 2020
Sarah ketchley
Vice Chair
I grew up in the UK, and spent several years living in Venezuela and Brazil as a child. I moved to the PNW in 2006 and have been a resident of Lummi Island since 2013, full-time since early 2020. I’ve had the opportunity to work with children and adults at all stages of their education, from early years through college. I’ve spent my career as a research and teaching faculty member at various academic institutions, specializing in Near Eastern ancient history, digital humanities, and developing library research resources such as digital archives and databases. My involvement with the LIFE Board is prompted by my belief that every child deserves an education that is wide-ranging and global in its outlook. I believe in the importance of fostering curiosity, kindness and a sense of community in the classroom and beyond, and look forward to contributing to the continued success and stability of Beach School.
Board Member since 2021
Photo Coming Soon!
Olivia Marshall
Board Member
I was born and raised on Lummi Island, attended Beach School, and have many fond memories and life-long friendships that I formed throughout my childhood.
I left Lummi Island when I was 15 for high school on Vancouver Island, then to pastry school in France, then went off to college, and settled in the SF Bay Area. After working for Alice Waters at Chez Panisse and her Edible Schoolyard Foundation, I went on to work for other food companies, then the technology sector and also started a small farm on the urban edge. Roger and I moved home to Lummi Island to my family’s farm after 10 years in Berkeley, CA. It has been very rewarding to use the skills I’ve developed throughout my career to grow the farm with my family and serve our community. I joined the LIFE board because I believe a thriving school is the key to ensuring Lummi Island continues to be a welcoming place for families and children.
Board Member since 2021
Photo Coming Soon!
Becky Crawford
Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Board Member since 2023
DOREEN RICHMOND
Board Member
Hi, I'm Doreen and I've been here on the island for many years. I'm happy to be on the L.I. F. E. board because as an educator with over 25 years of experience, I believe in the power of learning and want to help extend those opportunities to all the students at Beach School. I was a past Special Education teacher with Bellingham School teacher and am currently working with Whatcom Community College in the Transitional Learning Department as an English teacher and with Western Washington University as a University Coordinator for Student Teachers. I love learning and I believe in education, and that's why I'm happy to be on the board. In my spare time, you can find me at home puttering in the garden, working on creative projects, out and about getting exercise, or gone traveling.
Board Member since 2021
ramnika jain
Board Member
We moved to Lummi Island in the middle of the pandemic in 2020 from Seattle to make it our weekend home but we ended up loving it so much that we never left. Now it is our full-time home. My son started at Beach School as a second grader in Fall '21 and loves every part of it - the teachers, the friends he has made and all the amazing learning experiences. In my short time here I have been inspired by the mission of LIFE and Beach School. And that motivated me to join the LIFE Board to contribute to the already wonderful work being done by this team. This is such a special island and a special school. I feel honored to be able to contribute in any small way to make the school and community even more enriching for our future generation.
Board Member since 2022