ADMINISTRATORS

Ruth A. Wilson, M.A. Executive Director, Board Certified Educational Therapist

Ruth grew up in Oklahoma, attending public schools. She was a National Merit Scholar and graduated as valedictorian of her high school. She earned a Bachelor of Music cum laude in piano performance from the University of Tulsa. While still enrolled in college, Ruth began teaching music at a small private school and discovered her passion for education. She then began a master’s program in education. Ruth’s thesis examined the impact of extra-curricular activities on academic achievement. After 12 years of teaching both gifted and learning disabled students, Ruth completed a postgraduate educational leadership program through City University to receive her WA State K-12 principal certification.

Ruth co-founded EA2 (Educational Advancement Academy) in 1999 and serves as the Executive Director for all three schools. Working with students in a 1-on-1 setting, Ruth has observed the profound impact a school environment has on a student’s self-esteem, motivation, growth, and ultimately, his or her success in school. Ruth continually seeks to expand and share her educational expertise through postgraduate coursework, collaborations with other educators, consulting and public speaking events. She is an active member of the Association of Educational Therapists and currently serves on the board of directors for the Washington branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Robert C. Hauser President

Rob was born and raised in the Seattle area. He attended St. Louise Grade School and graduated from Eastside Catholic High School. He attended Gonzaga University in Spokane and then graduated with Honors from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Finance. After earning his degree, Rob worked as the Vice President of Finance for a local private school before founding EA2 with Ruth Wilson in 1999.

Throughout his academic career, Rob observed the inherent challenge of the traditional classroom to inspire each individual student. His goal for EA2 is to provide a personalized learning environment in which students are encouraged through success while challenged to actualize their full potential.

Elizabeth O’Rourke Communications Director

Beth was born and raised in Washington. She attended St. Louise and graduated from Eastside Catholic High School. She earned her Bachelor of English from Gonzaga University. Before joining EA2 in 2001, she worked as a high school teacher and as a mother of her now teenage children: Zack and Michaela.

As a former classroom teacher, she truly appreciates the ability of EA2 to inspire students who may otherwise struggle in a group setting. Beth reaches out to local schools and professionals to familiarize them with our ‘1-on-1 Academy’ and establish collaborative partnerships to support our students. Her interests include teaching aerobics, running, nutrition, reading and traveling with her family.

SITE DIRECTORS

Thomas O’Keeffe, M.Ed. Seattle Director

Tom is a native of Washington, living in Milton until 7th grade, and then moving to Puyallup. He followed his older brother to Western Washington University, where he studied to become a high school English teacher. His studies were interrupted by a tour of duty with the US Army, including one year as a combat infantry soldier in Vietnam. Upon his return, Tom spent more than thirty years serving students in the Washington State public school system. His breadth and depth of experience are unique, as a teacher at the high school level as well a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Tom has extensive experience in all aspects of school administration, including leadership in curriculum and instruction, staff development and special education programs. Among other honors, he has been awarded the Golden Acorn by the PTSA, named Special Education Administrator of the Year by WASA and Middle School Principal of the Year by the Association of WA School Principals.

Tom enjoys reading philosophy, biographies, history and astronomy. He also loves boxing, football and golf. He and his wife Kathy love to travel, ride their bikes, lift weights and play golf, especially in Ocean Shores.

Donald Wile, M.A. Bellevue Director

Born in Wisconsin, Don moved to Washington at age seven. Upon graduating from Wenatchee High School, he joined the US Army Reserve where he served eight years in active duty and reserves. During his reserve commitment, he attended WSU, earning a Bachelor degree in Math and Science Education and completing the requirements for his WA State Principal certification. Don earned a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from Oral Roberts University.

Don has over 45 years of experience in the field of education. During his 22 years with the Bellevue School District, he worked as a junior high mathematics teacher and as a principal at the elementary, junior and high school levels. Don founded a liberal arts college and a private K-12 school where he was awarded Administrator of the Year by an international accrediting association. He has also worked as an educational consultant to the governments of the United States, Nigeria, Guatemala, El Salvador, Bulgaria and Albania.

Don is excited to be a part of EA2 where the staff provides total 1-on-1 instruction , helping students reach their full academic potential. He and his wife, Carole, enjoy family time with their married children: son, Jeff (& Michelle) and two grandsons, Kaeden and Dylan, and daughter, Julie (& Darin) and granddaughter, Makayla, and grandson, Tyson, all of whom live nearby. They also enjoy travel, the outdoors, the arts, and sports.

Lynne Petitjean, M.S. Sammamish Director

Lynne grew up in Ashland, Massachusetts and lived in New England until 1987 when she moved to Washington with her husband, Bill. She graduated from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in secondary education and went on to earn her M.S. in mathematics from Northeastern University in Boston.

Combining over 30 years of teaching and administrative experience, Lynne has worked in traditional classrooms, small groups and now in a 1-on-1 setting for students. She worked as a classroom math teacher in New England and New Hampshire and as a tutor and then director of a national tutoring company before joining our Sammamish school in 2004.

Having worked in many instructional settings, Lynne has come to value the 1-on-1 instructional model as a the premier tool for inspiring both challenged and gifted learners. She believes the comfortable environment and caring staff are also integral components in the success of the students at EA2. In addition to managing our Sammamish school, she enjoys teaching all levels of math and takes special pride in raising SAT scores through her popular SAT preparation class. She and her husband Bill are the proud parents of their daughter, Jessica, who graduated from Mount Si High School and now attends Midway College in Kentucky.