Melinda Shaw is a visual person. So it’s no surprise that whenever she’s explaining something, it inevitably gets conveyed in terms of metaphor.

You know how on hot summer days kids love going to the water park? Everyone wants to go down the big water slide that drops you into the huge pool of cool water, but the line is always so daunting. There must be a hundred, or maybe a thousand, kids in line before you! So you get in line and wait. And wait. Slowly, the line starts creeping forward. You get distracted while chatting with friends and the next thing you know, you’re at the base of the ladder.

Cool, progress. You meander your way, inch by inch, up the ladder until finally you’re up high enough that you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into. It’s really high up here. In fact, it’s kinda scary. But, here you are at the top of the slide and now it’s your turn to make the leap, to jump into the unknown, to feel the thrill of the ride.

Yesterday was the last workday for Andy and Melinda before heading off to France for a one-year sabbatical. They have a few more loose ends to tie up before they head to Sea-Tac airport with Chloe and Ella on Sunday, July 4. Both are considering keeping a blog with updates on their adventure, but nothing has been set up yet. Stay tuned for more information. Meanwhile, bon voyage to the Smallman-Shaw family!

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Hello new staff members!
With and Melinda on sabbatical, PSCS has the opportunity to welcome new members to the staff.

Freya Wormus will join PSCS as the accountant-bookkeeper. She has years of experience working with non-profits including Artists Trust and Philanthropy Northwest. She earned a degree from Connecticut College with a major in Dance and minors in Philosophy and Women’s Studies.

Taelore Rhoden recently graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Journalism, and will be the first face students see next year. She’ll occupy the administrative assistant desk near the front door. Taelore has long held an interest in education, and says that her long term career goals may include teaching.

Tanya Lasswell, who earned a master’s degree in Botany from Duke University , will join Nic, Scobie and Liana on the teaching staff. (No picture was available at the time of publication.)

If you’d like to send them a welcome message, they can by reached by email using their first name @pscs.org.