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School of Education Newsletter, Volume 8, Issue 1
Update from the Dean
Dear Friends of the School of Education,
A few weeks ago, when scanning my bookshelf, a book titled Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope (2003) by the late bell hooks caught my eye. I last read it in 2014 when I was teaching a course in educational foundations. My students made bookmarks based on key quotes that most resonated with them, such as: “Educating is always a vocation rooted in hopefulness…Hopefulness empowers us to continue our work for justice even as the forces of injustice may gain greater power for a time” (p. xiv). The other side included artwork inspired by seminal social movements in the U.S. that elevated collective hope and moved the needle in advancing civil rights in education for racialized and other minoritized Americans.
The year 2025 has been marked by extraordinary shifts in how the public understands the purpose of education. Whenever I glance at these bookmarks, I am reminded why colleges and schools of education across the nation exist. We are here because we know that a culturally uplifting education is key to democratizing our communities, schools, and society. As hooks reminds us, we are here to maintain radical hope while taking inspired action to learn, listen, live, teach, and work with purpose to empower and uplift others and ourselves.
In this edition of E3, we will learn about our incredible alumni, community partners, faculty, and staff who live out our mission in their personal and professional lives. We will learn how members of the School of Education’s community continue to step forward to support our communities and PK-12 partner districts and schools through innovative initiatives, projects, and research that elevate the rich sociocultural assets that diverse individuals bring to formal and informal learning spaces.
I am also delighted to announce the recipients of our student scholarships. I thank our donors for continuing to support our incredible students who, as educators and leaders, are deeply invested in improving our communities and schools. Among others, thank you to Dr. Belinda Louie, Ms. Patti Banks, and the Howard and Schatz families for your generous support of our students.
As we close out the year 2025, I wish you and yours joy and peace. I wish those of you who celebrate any very happy holidays as well. I look forward to reconnecting in early 2026, which is the Year of the Fire Horse.
Respectfully,
Rachel Endo
Professor and Dean, School of Education
Personnel Transition
Justin Gailey, who has served as an Academic Advisor/Recruitment & Retention Specialist for our Educational Administration and MEd for Practicing Educators programs resigned from UW Tacoma on November 4, 2025. He has accepted a new position with North Thurston Public Schools. We thank him for his contributions to the School of Education and wish him well.
Get To Know: MEd Alumna Amy Reynolds
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching, and what led you to choose your program?
I knew I wanted a new chapter, but I wasn't sure where I could make the best contribution. Long story short, cut to the 2016 election. The morning after, I drove to a Starbucks. Everyone in there looked equally blown away. What…just happened? The 19-year-old barista looked especially upset. I remember saying to her as I grabbed my coffee, "Don't feel useless or hopeless. We did what we could; we voted for her." She looked at me sheepishly and replied, "People my age don't vote." That moment crystallized something for me: one of the most meaningful contributions I could make was teaching young people how important their voice is.
I went back to school for credentialing in California and began teaching eighth-grade history and government at a wonderful Title I school. It quickly became apparent that I would not be able to go far beyond the whitewashed, Eurocentric Pearson textbook. That’s when I decided to return to UW for a Master’s degree in Education (MEd), focusing on policy.
2. How has your experience at UW Tacoma prepared you for your role in the classroom?
My research was on inclusivity policies, and although 2025 is an extremely challenging time to be looking for anything remotely related to student advancement or equity, Drs. Matthew Weinstein and José Rios, were both a wealth of knowledge and support when it comes to educational policies.
3. What challenges have you faced in your education or teaching career, and how have you overcome them?
I felt confined to the very narrow view of materials and realized the best way to change that was to go into policy.
4. If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring educators, what would it be?
As someone who earned her MEd at the age of 64, I can tell you that the old adage "learning is a lifelong process" is true! Instead of focusing solely on book smarts, focus on developing a growth mindset that lasts their entire lives. Discover your students' passions and find ways for your students to not just find their voice but to realize how important and rewarding it is for them to keep their minds open, learn, and speak out.
Get To Know: Career Academy at Truman Campus (FWPS)
Ms. Kendra Pratchett is Assistant Principal at the Career Academy Truman Campus in the Federal Way Public Schools and served on the School of Education’s Advisory Board. She is also working on her doctorate in educational leadership through UW Seattle’s Leadership 4 Learning Program.
1. Why did you decide to pursue a professional career in education, including most recently in PK-12 leadership roles?
I decided to pursue a professional career in education because I wanted to be someone who improved learning experiences, not just for students who look like me but for all students! I decided to pursue PK-12 leadership during my year as a Dean of Students. After my principal emphasized leadership skills, she saw in me and encouraged me to pursue educational leadership.
2. Tell us more about the Career Academy Truman Campus. What do you most enjoy about the school?
My current leadership role is at Truman Campus, an alternative learning campus that serves three school programs, including our Big Picture Learning School Career Academy! What I enjoy most about Career Academy is the way that our students learn: as a Big Picture school, students’ passions and interests drive their learning experiences. It’s exciting to see students’ research and creating things they’re interested in. Our theme for this year is “Sparking Genius Through Connection”; our students are sparking genius and connecting with one another through music producing, crafting, creating clothing, tattooing, electrical work, and other interests that they’re considering for post-secondary life!
3. Any advice for aspiring or current PK-12 school leaders?
My piece of advice to aspiring school leaders: it’s imperative that you support the learning and growth of the adult learners. Remember that your staff are people with various experiences, challenges and expertise; get to deeply know your staff so that you know how to support their professional growth.
2025 Scholarship Award Recipients
The School of Education is pleased to announce our scholarship award recipients for 2025. Congratulations to all award recipients, and special thanks to all our donors for supporting our amazing students.
Patti Banks Endowed Fellowship Award
Abigail Roque Gaspar, Educational Administration Program (pictured left)
I am deeply grateful to receive this award! I believe that every student deserves access to high-quality education and the opportunity to learn in an environment that values their assets. As someone passionate about supporting multilingual learners, I advocate for educational spaces where students are empowered to add new languages without having to lose their own. This recognition fuels my continued commitment to diversifying school leadership, because it is vital for students to see themselves reflected in leaders.
Baljinder Grewal, Educational Administration Program
Henry T. Schatz Fellowship Award
Nikki Gant, Graduate Teacher Certification Program – Secondary Science Education (pictured left)
It was a huge leap of faith to return to UW Tacoma for my Master’s degree in Education (MEd) after 15 years. I was confident in the program, but not quite sure how I would pull finances and logistics together while supporting my family. When I got the news, I was awarded the Henry T. Schatz Math & Science Fellowship, it felt like a weight was lifted. My boys and I did a little happy dance in our living room.
David Chellberg, Graduate Teacher Certification Program – Secondary Science Education
Apply Now for our Graduate Teacher Certification Program
Are you interested in a rewarding career as a PK-8 or 5-12 grade classroom teacher, or know someone who is? We still have seats available in some of our high-demand graduate programs, where the next cohorts will officially start this summer 2026 quarter. Both the Master’s degree in Education (MEd)/Elementary Education and Master’s degree in Education (MEd)/Secondary Education programs now offer a path to obtain both the master’s degree and a teaching certification in just one year!
To learn more about admissions and application requirements and upcoming information sessions, please visit each program page below. Our certification programs have an excellent reputation in our region and state. We are also proud to share that we have a high job-placement rate, as our graduates are in high demand and making a positive difference in our surrounding communities.
Congratulations to Ashley Walker, Celebrating 15 Years of Dedicated Service
Congratulations to Ashley Walker, the School of Education’s Enrollment & Student Service Lead, for celebrating 15 years with UW! Walker started her career at UW Tacoma in the Office of Advancement before joining the School of Education in 2014 as an academic advisor in our EdD program. Maria Hamilton, Director of Operations, remarks: “As our Enrollment & Student Services Lead, Walker has proven herself to be an invaluable contributor to the School of Education’s mission and vision. Here’s to many more years of success!”
Dr. Knipp & Dr. Endo Present at Kent School District Board Meeting
Dr. Stephanie Knipp, Internship Coordinator for the Educational Administration Program and Dr. Rachel Endo, Dean and Professor in the School of Education at UW Tacoma, presented at the Kent School District Board meeting on December 10, 2025. Dr. Knipp is also Founding Principal of Kent Lab Academy and a 2021 recipient of the Dean's Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Knipp spoke about the benefits of equity-focused, innovative, and mutually beneficial K-12/university partnerships and KLA's extraordinary progress in its school-wide improvement plan. Dr. Endo praised KLA as a national model of equity, excellence, and innovation in K-12 education, offering insights about the ways that KLA staff and students, as well as parents/guardians, have been critical to the rigorous preparation of the School of Education's school leadership, school psychology, and teacher interns.
Dr. Knipp and Dr. Endo were also honored to present alongside KLA student leaders Ekampreet Singh and Graciana Kristenson.
Photo Credit: Dr. Rachel Endo
School of Education Celebrates UW Tacoma's 35-Year Anniversary
The School of Education was honored to participate in Illuminate: A Night for UW Tacoma on October 4, 2025, where we celebrated the 35th anniversary of our urban-serving campus.
Photo: Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, Dr. Rachel Endo and Dr. Stephanie Knipp at the 35th Anniversary celebration. Photo by John Knipp.
School of Education Accomplishments
We are proud to spotlight the accomplishments of some of our amazing alumni/current students, faculty, and staff. These are not exhaustive.
Rachel Endo, Professor & Dean
AWARDS
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Dr. Endo is the recipient of two awards from the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA), a first in the association’s history. She accepted the Eileen Tosney Award for Career Service in Higher Education and the Drs. John and Christine Cavanaugh Award for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the AAUA 2025 annual meeting at Montclair State University on October 21, 2025 (pictured above).
PUBLICATION
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Endo, R. (2025). Problematizing dominant behavioral norms and racialized discipline in academia: An Asian/American feminist counter/perspective. Journal of Women & Gender in Higher Education, 18(1), 1-19.
CONFERENCES
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Amos, Y., Eckert, C., Endo, R., Kang. J., Meecham. S., & Saran, R. (09/2025). Asian/Asian American women leaders’ cultural asset-based leadership practices. Joint Education Deans for Justice & Equity Autumn 2025 meeting with the International Conference on Education & Justice Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
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Endo, R., Subreenduth, S., & Wallace, L. (09/2025). Deans of color for justice naming the moment: Connecting the dots. Joint Education Deans for Justice & Equity Autumn 2025 Meeting with the International Conference on Education & Justice Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
Christopher B. Knaus, Professor & EdD Program Director
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
Picture of (from left to right) Dr. Themba Mkhize, Dr. Knaus, Dr. Veli Gasa, current EdD student and school principal, Elizabeth Flavors, Dr. M. Billye Sankofa Waters, and Dr. José Rios after the workshop.
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Dr. Knaus and Dr. José Rios co-facilitated a faculty writing workshop for the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of South Africa (with Dr. M. Billye Sankofa Waters, a former faculty member in the School of Education who recently joined Michigan State University as an Associate Professor in the Department of African American & African Studies).
PUBLICATION
- Knaus, C. B. (2025). A critical race case study on higher education racism. Higher Education Studies, 15, (4). https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v15n4p435
AWARD
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Dr. Knaus was honored by the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) with the 2025 Carl A. Grant Research Award. He accepted the award at the conference held in New Orleans, LA in November 2025.
Belinda Louie, Professor & MEd Program Director
Dr. Louie, who has served as Vice President of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma for 25 years, was recognized by the Board of Directors for her outstanding service on November 5, 2025. The Board presented her with a plaque and thanked her for her excellent leadership that has positively impacted APA communities, families, and individuals across our region. She has also served as Chair of the Building Development team and Chair of the New Year Celebration Steering Committee.
José Rios, Associate Professor
PRESENTATION
- Sauer, J. Blades, M., Rios, J. & Stenhouse, V. (11/2025). (The) science (of) storytelling: Amplifying the voice(s) of science educators. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association for Multicultural Education, New Orleans, LA.
WORKSHOP
- Knaus, C. B., Sankofa Waters, M. B., & Rios, J. (10/2025). Writing in a time of war. Presented to the Department of Educational Foundations, Tshwane, University of South Africa.
Sae saem Yoon, Assistant Professor
PUBLICATION
- Yoon, S., Ee, J., & Son, M. (2025). A critical collaborative self-study of transnational teacher educators on AI and multilingual education. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/21532974.2025.2548242
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