Steve Tellari
Long time educator, union leader, and community servant, Steve Tellari died March 8, 2012 from natural causes. Graduating from Central Washington, he embarked on a forty year career with the state’s public schools, mostly in Gig Harbor. He taught at Peninsula High, and was part of the new staff when Gig Harbor High School opened in 1980 and retired in 2002. He is remembered as a vibrant teacher who cared for all his students whatever their own life’s situation might be. Tellari is also remembered as a gifted writer, organizer, and trainer, going on to become an instructor in critical thinking skills for his fellow educators. He was teacherconsultant in diverse learning strategies, diversity training, assessment strategies, and gifted education for Seattle Pacific University, City University, and Seattle University in some 35 states. Steve was the local Association President from 1992-96 and before his passing celebrated his 50th year as a member of WEA. Upon retirement from teaching, Steve moved to Kent where his wife, Shirley still works as a first grade teacher at Cedar Valley Elementary. Assisting the school, Steve wrote a grant enabling the acquisition of playground equipment, while continuing to teach citizenship and GED classes for adults. He became an Episcopal deacon in 2010 and recently was working for the Diocese of Olympia dealing with the state legislature on poverty issues. A strong advocate for social justice causes, he served on several Kent School District committees. In 2008 he received the South King Council of Human Services Award for Outstanding Individual Work and Involvement in the Areas of Poverty and Racism. He helped pass bonds and school levies and was a chair of the Alliance for Diversity and Equity dealing with racial concerns for the school district. Steve Tellari is survived by his wife, Shirley, his son, Marc, and his sister Lillian. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 31 at noon at Episcopal Church St. Columba 26715 Military Road S. in Kent, WA. Memorials to Washington Education Association Children’s Fund.
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