Main Content
School of Education Newsletter, Volume 7, issue 4
Update from the Dean
Dear Friends of the School of Education,
I hope your summer 2025 has been filled with similar moments doing things that bring you joy. For me, this past July 1, 2025, marked my eight-year anniversary at UW Tacoma. Something I will always remember is the long drive across state lines—and being in awe when entering the Pacific Northwest and seeing how Mother Nature dreamed up a wondrous part of the world. I continue to enjoy our summers, even during our heatwaves.
In this edition of E3, we have a lot to celebrate and share.
Our EdS in School Psychology Program, under the leadership of Director and Professor, Dr. Laura Feuerborn, just received full accreditation by the National Association of School Psychologists, attesting to the incredible impact that current students, graduates, and faculty are having in our community. Related to the amazing program, in our Get to Know section, we will learn more about Laura Garcia, one of our incredible EdS students who is making a positive impact in the field and beyond.
The School of Education is honored to spotlight several current students across our various academic programs who have received prestigious awards, scholarships, and recognitions. When you next see them, be sure to congratulate them on their accomplishments. In this edition of E3, we also spotlight the many outstanding accomplishments of alumni, faculty, staff, and students.
I am also delighted to share that Jon Howeiler is our new part-time Accreditation & Data Manager, effective September 4, 2025. Our Get To Know features him, including some fun facts about what he likes to do outside of work.
As we enter the academic year 2025-2026, I encourage us to pause, reflect, and think about how we will want future generations to remember us when they read about how we navigated these challenging times. For me, I remember what has always mattered to me the most — in always-imperfect times, center and continue advancing education, equity, and justice for all, both as an individual and collectively.
Finally, I thank Janne Heckeroth, Donna Braboy, and Maria Hamilton in the School of Education, as well as Brian Anderson from the Office of Advancement, for all of their contributions to this edition of E3.
Until next time,
Rachel Endo
Dean & Professor, School of Education
School Psychology Program Earned Full NASP Accreditation!
The UW Tacoma Education Specialist Degree (EdS) Program in School Psychology earned full accreditation status from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) on August 1, 2025.
Dr. Laura Feuerborn, Program Director and Professor, remarks that in their final report, the NASP reviewers underscored numerous program strengths, such as how social justice practices "permeate the curriculum of the program," a strong commitment to the community, and clear focus on prevention, mental health, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive assessment, and systemic change.”
Congratulations, Inaugural Undergraduate Cohort/Class of 2025!
We are honored to celebrate our inaugural cohort of undergraduate students for the UW Tacoma First-Generation Celebration and Graduate Stole ceremony.
UW Tacoma’s Undergraduate First-Generation Celebration and Stole Presentation. From left to right: Monserrat Gonzalez, Dr. Julia Aguirre, Chelsea Escalante, Tzipporah Olivencia-Christensen, Paula Cabigting, Rebecca Polley, Lan Nguyen, Angel Fresnares and La’Neiya Holmes. Photo by Dr. Julia Aguirre.
Get To Know EdS Alumna Laura Garcia
Laura Garcia is an alumna of our EdS in School Psychology Program and graduated in spring 2025.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to the EdS in School Psychology (EdS) program at UW Tacoma.
I am a Tacoma girl, born and raised. It was an easy decision to stay in Tacoma and continue at UW Tacoma after I graduated with my bachelor's in 2022. The School Psychology program teaches equity, advocacy, and social justice as the foundation of learning. This is very much aligned with my own perspectives on education, and what I want for myself, my children, and the world around us. School Psychology is an amazing balance of data-based decisions and people-centered creativity, all in an effort to support students and their families in their educational journeys.
2. What do you hope to get out of your time here?
I hope to be prepared to step into the field with knowledge, drive, and resources. As I finished the final weeks of my final quarter, I know I have achieved just that. When I think about the future, I hope to maintain my friendships and professional relationships with my cohort and faculty members. I have met incredible people who have truly added to my life.
3. What have you most enjoyed at UW Tacoma and in the School of Education?
It has been a treat to continue to be a part of the Tacoma/Pacific Northwest (PNW) community in a different way over the last three years of graduate school. To come downtown, learn in the classroom alongside my peers from talented and knowledgeable professors, and then implement evidence-based practices in a suburban school with real students in the same week, and come back together to reflect on our learnings, adjust our thinking, and analyze our findings has been so exciting. How else could you get such a robust learning/doing experience?
4. What advice would you give to someone considering this program?
Talk to a few school psychologists; the role can look so different depending on location and what you want out of the career. Be ready to work hard, dig deep, lean on your support people: your cohort, your faculty, and your loved ones. A 3-year full-time graduate-level program is no joke, but it is so rewarding and so worth it to the students and families you have an impact on, including your own!
Welcome, Jon Howeiler
The School of Education is delighted to announce that Jon Howeiler has joined our team as our Accreditation & Data Manager. His first day is September 4, 2025, and he will support us in a part-time capacity.
1. Tell us a bit about your professional journey and what you are most looking forward to in your new role
For the past 24 years, I worked at the Bothell campus of UW in the School of Educational Studies. I held the roles of School Placement Coordinator, Certification Officer, and Data Administrator. Prior to that, I was a high school teacher and administrator. As peer campuses of the UW (Bothell and Tacoma), I already feel connected to the UW Tacoma School of Education. I appreciate the unique history of the campus and once again working on behalf of students pursuing certifications to positively impact PK-12 schools.
2. What’s one fun or surprising fact you’d like us to know about you?
I am a home coffee roaster.
3. What do you like to do outside of work? Any favorite hobbies or interests?
Anyone who spends even a short amount of time with me knows that I cycled to work year-round and simply love being on any bicycle! I also love walking my dog, Finn and talking with neighbors. I also enjoy gardening and visiting brewpubs. Finally, I love being a dad- even though Emma, my "child" is now 29 years old!
Congratulations, 2025 Martinez Fellows Awardees
The UW Tacoma School of Education is delighted to announce our 2025 Martinez Fellows, which is part of a funded partnership we have had with the Technology Access Foundation (TAF) to prepare the next generation of diverse and talented educators to thrive in Washington State.
Dr. Julia Aguirre, Director of our Teacher Certification Programs (all tracks) and Professor notes: “Building on our work with the Martinez Teacher Fellowship Program, we are collaborating with TAF partners again to offer professional learning opportunities for our teacher candidates focusing on liberatory teaching and leadership practices that affirm individual and community strengths, challenge systemic inequities, and create a sense of belonging and vision needed to thrive as caring, culturally responsive, and inclusive educators serving all our students and their families. We look forward to the year ahead and beyond.”
Introducing the 2025 Martinez Fellows Cohort
- Jamilah Joyce - MEd – K-8 with K-12 Special Education
- Adriana Peek - BA Education – K-8 with Teaching English Language Learners
- Davaria Tucker - BA Education – K-8 with K-12 Special Education
- Camila Turin-Flores - BA Education – K-8 with Teaching English Language Learners
We also thank Andrea Coker-Anderson and her team from the UW Tacoma’s Office of the Registrar for their support of our students.
Pamela Ordoña de Colebi Awarded NASP Minority Scholarship
Dr. Laura Feuerborn, Director and Professor, is pleased to announce that a first-year Educational Specialist in School Psychology Program (EdS) student in the School of Education at UW Tacoma, Pamela Ordoña de Colebi, has been awarded the prestigious National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Minority Scholarship. This highly competitive honor is selected by a NASP committee based on an applicant’s experience, professional goals, and growth. Congratulations, Pamela!
Congratulations, 2025 Dean’s Award Recipients
Dr. Rachel Endo, Professor and Dean, recently honored Alicia Porter and Amy Van with 2025 awards for their outstanding contributions and service to the field and School of Education. Below, each award recipient was invited to share remarks about being named an award recipient.
Alicia Porter
Recipient of Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award
I am excited and feel honored to receive this Outstanding Alumni award! My journey as an educator post the UW Tacoma School of Education graduate program has taken me to various teaching experiences in elementary, middle school, in both private and public classrooms, educational leadership, and, in recent years, a growing educational entrepreneurship.
I continue to feel inspired by amazing teaching peers and outstanding community leaders whom I have had the privilege of working with on the UW Tacoma Advisory Board.
Amy Van
Recipient of Dean's Distinguished Service Award
I have been part of the UW Tacoma School of Education’s Advisory Board since 2020. My professional background lies in social service and advocacy. The intersection between social service and education is deeply connected and it has been inspiring to observe the commitment Dean Endo and fellow advisory colleagues have in centering the humanity of the students they teach as well as the generation of students that will benefit from their work.
It has been an immense pleasure to learn about the work of the UW Tacoma School of Education, championed by the unwavering advocacy and leadership of Dean Endo. I am inspired by the dedication of the students, educators, and staff who tirelessly serve both present and future learners.
As a member of the Tacoma community, I find great reassurance in knowing that our local educators will guide classrooms and schools with deliberate intention, placing the cultural context of their students' development at the forefront, prioritizing their holistic well-being, and recognizing the paramount importance of community connectivity. I value this work and see my role as a community member is to continue supporting the work of UW Tacoma’s School of Education and lending perspective to help inform the system of how best to serve the needs of the community.
Dr. Kawena Begay Recipient of 2025 Founders Endowment Award
Dr. Kawena Begay, Associate Professor in the School of Education, was recently awarded a 2025 Founders Endowment Award titled “Highlighting Indigenous Voices to Inform Culturally Responsive Autism Evaluations” from the UW Tacoma Office of Research Advisory Committee.
1. What inspired you to focus your research on culturally responsive autism evaluations, especially highlighting Indigenous voices?
While we have recently seen changes, there have historically been significant differences in autism identification rates across different populations, with significantly lower identification rates for BIPOC populations. Some likely reasons for disparity include barriers to access and cultural mismatch between providers and families. When my own Indigenous son was evaluated for autism, it became apparent how many autistic features were interpreted differently across cultures. These things drove my passion for increasing the capacity of schools to engage in culturally responsive autism evaluations.
2. What is a key insight or finding from your project that you hope will impact autism evaluations in Indigenous communities?
Having a child evaluated for autism can be a deeply vulnerable and confusing process. Practitioners rely heavily on tools and definitions based on the experiences of White males. I hope this study highlights both helpful (i.e., supportive, responsive) and harmful (i.e., ineffective, disparaging) practices used when evaluating Indigenous youth. This knowledge will pave the way towards more effective practice.
3. How do you envision this research contributing to more culturally responsive practices in autism assessment?
The act of diagnosing any disability is a highly colonial process that centers on the values and understanding of a predominantly White population. By gathering the experiences of Indigenous parents who have gone through this process, I hope to create a framework that helps decolonize autism evaluations by increasing the relevance for Indigenous populations in a way that honors different values and perspectives and decreases the negative influence of cultural mismatch.
4. Could you share how the support from the 2025 Founders Endowment Award will help advance your work?
I believe strongly in reciprocity in research, and this award will offer financial support to participating families and two of our own Indigenous graduate students. Future steps of this research line will include establishing effective training practices for practitioners.
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.
Julia Aguirre, Professor & Director of Teacher Certification Programs
MEDIA CITATION
- Dr. Aguirre was a panelist for a webinar sponsored by the Professional Educators Standards Board (PESB) titled “Education MythBusters: Demystifying Accountability in Washington Teacher Education Programs” on June 30, 2025. View the webinar here.
Kawena Begay, Associate Professor
GRANT
- Dr. Begay was selected as a recipient of a 2025 Founders Endowment from the UW Tacoma Research Advisory Committee in the amount of $10,000 (funded 2025-2026).
Rachel Endo, Professor & Dean
PUBLICATION
- Endo, R. (2025). Remembering Hiroshima 80 years after mass atomic destruction. International Examiner. Available: https://iexaminer.org/m-g-sheftall-hiroshima-book-review/
MEDIA
- Dr. Endo co-signed a Letter to the Editor with UW deans of education Dr. Wayne Au (UW Bothell) and Dr. Mia Tuan (UW Seattle) titled “Education: Teacher training.” The Seattle Times. Available: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/education-teacher-training/
PRESENTATIONS:
- Endo, R. (06/2025). Chair & discussant for session Work-based learning and experiences that augment dual enrollment and rigorous curriculum (06/2025). With A. Menzies, J. Dropik, T. Goffney, & W. Summers. GlobalMindEd Conference: Employment Engines for Economic Mobility: Pathways to a Prosperous Future. Denver, CO.
- Dr. Endo was a core faculty/feature speaker at the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education New Deans and Leadership Academy in Baltimore, MD with a group of other current or former deans of education across the nation. The academy is an immersive experience offering new department chairs, associate deans, and deans in educator preparation programs with information about developing and enhancing their leadership skills, address current issues, and return to their home institutions to more effectively and impactfully deliver across functions and responsibilities. Invited academy faculty are current or former deans of education with proven track records of highly effective leadership.
Dawn Hardison-Stevens, Assistant Professor
Dr. Hardison-Stevens was appointed by the OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal to serve on the Washington State Native American Education Advisory Committee (WSNAEAC) representing the Higher Education category. The appointment letter cited her many years of outstanding leadership and service in advancing Indigenous knowledges and Native representation in both PK-12 and higher education.
Support the School of Education
Your contribution will support the School of Education’s programs and students, as well as faculty and staff development.
Have a Story Idea?
If you have a story idea and/or news to share, or would like to be featured in a future edition of our newsletter, please send an e-mail to uwted@uw.edu with your suggestions.
