Northwood Spotlight: Janel Foss

General Education Para

Where are you originally from and what brought you to Mercer Island schools?
Clatskanie, Oregon (named after the Tlatskanai Native American tribe). My family moved to Mercer Island in 2009 for the proximity to work in downtown Seattle, the reputation of the schools and the small town community feel.

What grade/area do you teach/support and how long have you been in education?
I’ve taught 3rd and 5th grade and have been working as a General Ed para in all grades except 4th since Northwood opened in 2016.

What is your favorite sport or hobby to do when you are not at school?

Running, hiking, yard work & anything that involves spending time with my kids, family and extended family. 

What are some small things that make your day better?

I absolutely LOVE working at Northwood and being around the kids all day. Getting to play and talk with the kids at recess is one of my favorites as well as sharing about all the sweet or hilarious things the kids say and do with my colleagues. Seriously the best job I’ve ever had working here!

Tell us about your immediate family and pets.

I have 4 kids and 3 step-sons. My kiddos are Uly (19, a Jr. at the UW), Sebastian (17, a Jr. at MIHS), Alexandra (15, a freshman at MIHS) and Sydney (10, a 4th grader at Northwood). My step-sons are Andriy (24), Alek (22) and Stefan (21, a Jr. at CU, Boulder). We have a polydactyl cat named “Papa,” a
Vizsla named “Gypsy” and a soon to be adopted puppy Vizsla who will be named “Achilles.”

Is there a skill you would like to master?

I really admire my fiance’s ability to speak 5 languages and play guitar so I suppose mastering another language and an instrument so I can stop feeling like a loser around him.

June 2023