About

After 31 years of public school teaching, I was looking for a way to stay in touch with kids. For the last 21 of those years, the best field trip I took my third graders on was always to the Pike Place Market. Hands down – the kids, parent chaperones, and I all agreed. So, it was only natural to volunteer to be a part of the Education Program at the Market when I retired. It’s fortunate when you find a way to pay something back, and have a great time doing it.

Most of the posts are by me, but I was joined by a few others along the way – many thanks to Christine, Dianna, and Scott.  Below are some stats , along with pictures of the volunteer tour leaders, enjoying a celebratory lunch at the end of each school year, going back to 2012.


The 2019-20 school year was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. We ended tours in early March. Seattle Schools closed shortly after. Stats on students, classrooms, and schools served will come soon. For now, here’s a snapshot of our traditional end of the year gathering  – this time from our homes, on Zoom, in early June, 2020.

In the 2018-19 school year, the program served 117 classrooms (107 tours), reaching a total of 2,522 students in 17 private and 32 public schools! This was made especially tricky with several cancellations and make-ups due to school snow closures in February! These people led those tours:

2018-19 tour leaders, around the table clockwise, from bottom left: Amy, Blake, Mark, Don, Nancy, Scott, Katrina, Amy (PDA Director of Marketing), Linda, Don, Megan, and Melinda. Not pictured: Sharron, Stephanie, Marilyn, Brian, Jacki, Hazel, and Hans.

In the 2017-2018 school year, the program served 110 classrooms (101 tours), reaching a total of 2,415 students in 20 private and 27 public schools! These people led those tours:

2017-18 tour leaders, around the table clockwise, from bottom left: Megan, Katrina, Mark, Hans, Brian, Sharron, Scott, Melinda, Hazel, Linda (with young visitor Robbie), Don, Stephanie. Not pictured: Laurie, Nancy, Amy, Ron, Blake, Jacki, Jessica

In the 2016-2017 school year, the program served 108 classes (101 tours) – a total of 2,351 students from 20 private and 26 public schools! Here are the people who led those tours:

Tour leaders for 2016-17: Mark, Amy, Laurie, Jacki, Don, Linda, Nancy, Katrina, Melinda, Sharron, Megan, Stephanie, Jessica, Ron, Gloria, Dianna, and fearless leader Scott Davies!

In the 2015-2016 school year, the program reached 2,608 students in 120 classrooms from 55 schools (30 public and 25 private).

In the 2014-2015 school year, 2,292 students from 104 classrooms in 50 public and private schools participated in the program! Below are the people who led those tours:

tourleaders 6-9-15a
2014-2015 tour leaders, clockwise, from bottom left: Don, Linda, Melanie, Mark, Ron, Megan, Elan, Laurie, Katrina, Scott, Gloria. Missing: Amy, Jackie, Christine, Sally

In the 2013-2014 school year, 2,066 students from 94 classrooms in 48 public and private schools participated in the program. Below are the people who led those tours:

2013-14 tour leaders, clockwise, from bottom left: Brooke, David, Katrina, Melanie, Gloria, Laurie, Scott, Christine, Linda, Don, Elon, Mark. Not pictured: Amy, Megan

In the 2012-2013 school year, 2,143 students from 93 classrooms in 48 public and private schools participated in the program. Below are the people who led those tours:

Tour Leaders from the 2012-13 school year, l-r: Patti, Laurie, Melanie, Megan, Mark, Brooke, David, Jennifer, Sharron, Scott, Christine. Not pictured: Sally, Amy, Jacki, Kristina, Gloria.

A special shout out – to the all the wonderful vendors, producers, and performers at the Pike Place Market, who were always so willing to offer a few minutes to share their knowledge and insight with our groups of kids. Thank you! Mark

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