Cup of inspiration

Coulee City teacher spends spare moments hosting tea parties

COULEE CITY — Tami Spurbeck is any child's dream teacher. One who dresses up in fun outfits for school pictures, is considered "groovy" by grade school standards and consistently disguises reading class with fossils and bird watching trips. While some teachers might cringe at the thought of field trips, Spurbeck's fondest teaching memory is of a three-day trip with a class of fourth-graders following the Lewis and Clark trail, visiting museums and staying in a yurt near the ocean.

"We had the greatest time," Spurbeck, who teaches at Coulee City Elementary, said fondly.

In fact, she is so loved that one of her former students, Madeline Isaak, insisted she be depicted as the teacher in "Marvelous Maddie," a children's book Madeline's mother Corinne Tyler Isaak wrote with Karen Cooper and artist Don Nutt. In the book, which was picked up and distributed by Nordstroms, Spurbeck is rendered wearing a green and purple striped dress and teaching French to a group of students.

Spurbeck's hard work has not gone unnoticed. Last year she received the Teacher of the Year award from Eastern Washington University and KHQ News, and her class was the recipient of a $25,000 Apple Grant for the most improved WASL scores in the state. The funds from the grant went to a beautification project for Coulee City's school grounds, and supplied every classroom with a media center including a projector and speaker system.

Raised in Hartline, Spurbeck didn't always know what she wanted to be. She loved kids and teaching seemed the natural avenue to her passion. Upon hearing about a small college from three different sources in one week, she decided to check out Trinity Bible College in North Dakota. After applying, she was accepted and graduated with a double major in elementary education and biblical studies. She returned to teach in the Moses Lake area, but now resides in Coulee City.

Being young at heart has not only made Spurbeck a great teacher, but it has also been the driving force in one of her favorite pasttimes: Tea parties. Her tea parties have built a reputation in the area. Recently at a benefit auction for the Almira/Coulee-Hartline School District one of her parties sold for $400. Spurbeck said that she was slightly surprised that the bid was so high, but numerous people had mentioned they were interested in her party the day of the auction.

For as long as Spurbeck can remember, she has loved tea and tea parties. That love didn't fade with age, but instead became a fun reason for family members and friends of all ages to gather on a Saturday afternoon to indulge in good food, gossip and the one thing that makes Spurbeck's parties truly different: Dress up clothes.

"I probably own about 35 pairs of gloves," said Spurbeck, "It's fun to dress up, because we are all still little girls." Hats, tiaras, scarves, gloves, hairpieces and gaudy jewelry all contribute to tea goers' ensembles. Over the years her dress up pieces have been collected from various garage sales and Goodwill. "It's funny how a scarf can all of the sudden make you look glamorous," said Spurbeck.

Spurbeck's tea parties begin around tea time, between 2 and 3 p.m., with each individual choosing their own tea pot and cup from a wide assortment of colors and patterns ranging from modern to more traditional styles. When asked about her favorite tea cup, Spurbeck replied hesitantly, "It depends on the day."

Party goers then select from a variety of teas the one that they wish to drink, and while Spurbeck brews it, they are directed to the piles of dress up clothes to pick out their party look. "There's something about when you dress up, you're not yourself anymore, and you have a good time with people you might not know very well," said Spurbeck.

After costumes are donned and conversation flows smoothly, guests are treated to a three-course tea meal. Spurbeck hand makes all her tea treats the day before, and the day of, her parties. The first course consist of small, crustless sandwiches of cucumber or smoked salmon. Scones are the second course served with lemon curd, Devonshire cream and strawberry jam. Last, but not least, the sweets. Tea cookies, cakes, pies and tarts of all different varieties are piled onto elegant plates. The atmosphere is completed with tables dressed for the occasion in linens, silver, flowers and laughter.

Spurbeck has thrown several tea parties for small, personal bridal and baby showers, birthdays and special occasions. On some occasions she has sent out formal invitations and guests arrived not knowing what to expect, leaving with an experience they won't soon forget.

"We always have so much fun," said Spurbeck.

Even though she has many fond memories from her tea parties, the ones she treasures the most are the ones spent with her niece when she was around 2 years old. "She liked to pour, so we drank a lot." said Spurbeck, smiling.