Faculty & Staff Bios
English Department
Mr. James Walters
Mr. James Walters began teaching at O’Dea in 1999. Mr. Walters is the former Chair of the English Department and teaches English Literature to seniors. Mr. Walters is a Nationally Certified Instructor/Trainer for Medic First Aid. He is certified to teach First Aid, CPR, Bloodborne Pathogens, and use of an AED. He has a BA in English/Education and a PE Minor from Eastern Washington University. He is beginning his 33rd year of teaching in Catholic schools. In addition to O’Dea, Mr. Walters taught for 2 years at Seattle Prep and 19 years at Eastside Catholic.
Mr. Jeff Anderson
Mr. Jeff Anderson has been an O’Dea faculty member since 1987. He teaches Health and English II as well as serving as varsity wrestling coach, freshman football coach and assistant track coach. Mr. Anderson graduated from Lake Washington High School and earned his BA in Education at Washington State University and MA from Western Washington University. In his infrequent leisure time, Mr. Anderson enjoys sailing, bicycling, hiking, raveling and playing the guitar.
Mr. Lawrence Kight begins his twelfth year at O’Dea as English Teacher and Librarian. The 2011-2012 school year marks Lawrence’s tenth year teaching Language Arts, along with Ms. Rebecca McPharlin, and his fourth year teaching English I. He and Ms. McPharlin also co-moderate the Black Students United for Excellence (BSUE) student organization. Lawrence has a BS in English Education from the University of Georgia (1991), and two Masters Degrees in Library and Information Science and American History from the University of Southern Mississippi (1997). He also brings two years of experience working as a counselor to runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth at Safe at St. Paul’s in Denver, Colorado, as well as two years of collection development experience from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. When not teaching—Lawrence enjoys reading, biking, and exploring the countryside in his 1972 Volkswagen Camper Van.
Mr. Alex Lara
Mr. Alex Lara joined the O'Dea Faculty in 2007. He graduated from the University of Washington in 2001 with a degree in American Ethnic Studies. He then attended graduate school at Seattle University, and in 2005 finished the Masters in Teaching Program. He teaches American Literature for juniors and World Literature for freshmen. He is also the assistant coach for the O’Dea Varsity Baseball team. Other than teaching and coaching, in his spare time Mr. Lara enjoys listening to music, watching college sports, specifically his Huskies, writing, learning to cook, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Frank Lazarek
Mr. Frank Lazarek joined the O’Dea faculty in 1996. He serves as the Assistant Principal for Faculty, teaches junior Honors English and is an assistant varsity football coach. Mr. Lazarek graduated from St. Patrick High School in Vallejo, California and earned a BA in English from the University of California at Davis. He completed his graduate work in English at St. Mary’s. He also earned his Masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. This past summer he also attended the Gurian Institute and is a certified Gurian trainer. Outside of school, Mr. Lazarek enjoys parenting, reading, writing and running.
Mr. Ryan Mallory
Mr. Mallory began teaching at O'Dea in 2010. He teaches Sophomore, Sophomore Honors and Junior English, and is also an assistant football and wrestling coach. An O'Dea graduate, Mr. Mallory received his BA in English from the University of Memphis in 2004. Prior to returning to O'Dea, Mr. Mallory taught in both Tennessee and New Jersey. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike, reading, and spending time with his wife, Nicole.
Mr. David Olinger
Mr. David Olinger began teaching at O’Dea in 2002. He graduated from Xavier University, Cincinnati with a BA in English and Theology; he achieved National Board Certification in 2006. He teaches Freshman Honors English, Digital Photography, World Religions, and Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci College courses offered at O’Dea: Poverty in America and Composition: Language and Thought. He Facilitates the Social Justice team and is the Catholic Service Learning (CSL) Co-Ordinator.
Mrs. Michelle Traverso
Mrs. Michelle Traverso joined the faculty at O’Dea in the 2011-2012 school year. She is an O’Dea Mom (Brian ’09), former Mother’s Club Co-President, and has directed the O’Dea drama productions from 2009 to the present. For the past 11 years, Mrs. Traverso was the Education Director for Seattle Shakespeare Company where she developed residency programs for schools, student performance programs, and teacher professional development programs. She has taught at Royal High School and Tumwater High School, and holds degrees from Central Washington University and the University of Washington.
> Back to Faculty & Staff Bios