Administration
Families expect and receive responsive, thoughtful, effective, and efficient action from the Spruce Street School administrative team. This group is in charge of leading the school from the front desk to long-range planning and fiscal management.
Since 2002
Briel Schmitz
Briel has been Spruce Street School’s Head of School since 2002. She has ten years experience as a classroom teacher, both as a bilingual first grade teacher in the Houston public schools (through Teach For America) and as a multi-age early elementary teacher in Seattle. She is passionate about working with new teachers and women in leadership. She designed and ran a beginning teaching program from 1996–2002, coaches and mentors the interns at Spruce Street School, and worked with NWAIS to establish Pathways to Leadership, a cohort for women interested in becoming heads of school. Briel studied Education Policy as an undergraduate at Brown University, and holds a master’s degree in Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University. She has served as a board member and chair for the Northwest Association of Independent Schools and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools. In her free time Briel enjoys reading and traveling with her husband.
Listen to Briel discuss the relationship between heads of school and board chairs on the NAIS Podcast: Member Voices. Click here to listen on Spotify or here to find other ways to listen.
Since 2005
Gene Carter
Gene is the Director of Technology, a position that he has volunteered in for seven years prior to joining the staff. Gene has a bachelor's degree in theatre as well as several Microsoft certifications. He likes Star Trek: The Original Series, Shakespeare, and pecans.
Since 2003
Jane Davis-Ward
Jane, our Business Manager, has been juggling the many responsibilities of the business office at Spruce Street School since 2003. Jane grew up in Berkeley and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double major in Spanish and Art History. She has also completed graduate studies in Art History at the University of Washington and served as the Director of an art gallery in Pioneer Square for several years. Jane is the proud parent of a Spruce Street School alumna. In her free time Jane enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring the Pacific Northwest by ferry.
Since 2024
Lily Stubecki
Lily, our Administrative Assistant, was born and raised in Seattle. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, and minors in both International Studies and Psychology. She spent her final year of university volunteering as an ESL Teaching Assistant at Bellingham Technical College, where she fell in love with contributing to a learning environment and helping others. In her free time, she enjoys reading, creative writing, traveling, and petting every cat in her neighborhood.
Since 2014
Megan Schmidt
Megan, our Development Director, is a Seattle native with a passion for fundraising. She has worked as a development professional in the Seattle area for 25 years, both at nonprofit organizations and as an independent fundraising consultant. Outside of work you will find her at one of her two sons’ many sporting events or enjoying one of Capitol Hill’s new restaurants with her husband. She also enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends.
Since 2025
Minna Stelzner
Minna, our Admissions and Communications Director, joined the Spruce Street School staff in 2025. A lifelong musician, Minna received a Master of Music degree in wind conducting from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Puget Sound. Prior to joining Spruce Street School, she taught band in public schools and colleges throughout Washington state and worked as the Engagement Manager for the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing saxophone in local community bands, and traveling.
Since 2024
Robin Pierce
Robin is our campaign manager. She is an alumni parent with three children who went through Spruce Street School. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, long walks, swimming, and spending time with her family.
Since 2012
Shannon Orton
Shannon is our assistant head of school and the director of our extended day and summer camp programs. She started working at Spruce Street School in 2012 and has been a teacher, admissions assistant, and communications director during her time here. Before joining our faculty, Shannon was a teacher in Seattle Public Schools for 13 years and taught students in first through eighth grades. She is a Seattle native, holds degrees from the Evergreen State College and Antioch University, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Committee for Children.