Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee

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The SEL Advisory Committee applications for membership!

Apply to participate on the SEL Advisory Committee!

Authorizing Legislation

Contact Information

Debra Parker
SEL Program Supervisor
360-972-4074

Salina James

Administrative Assistant

360-725-6175

Washington state authorizing legislation RCW 28A.300.477 directs the Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee (SELAC) to continue developing statewide support to expand and promote SEL. SELAC plays a crucial role in advancing social and emotional learning across educational settings. The key purpose and responsibilities of the committee:

  • Expand and Promote SEL
  • Provide Recommendations to the state through a legislative report
  • Guidance and Best Practices
  • Improve Coordination Between Stakeholders
  • Seek Input from the Community

The committee continues to work on four focus areas, SEL Implementation Data, Family and Community Engagement in collaboration with the Washington Family Engagement Center, Student SEL Assessment Guidance, and Education Preparation Programs. 

Review the SEL Advisory Committee Letter and the SEL Advisory Committee Charter. for more information.

SEL Advisory Committee Meetings

The public is invited to attend SEL Advisory Committee meetings. Please review the agenda for the next meeting topic.

SEL Committee Members

SEL Committee Members
Committee Member Member Role
Committee Member Anna Armstrong Member Role Member of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians Representing Native Tribes east of the Crest of the Cascade Mountains
Committee Member Anna Smith  Member Role Member of the Makah Tribe of Indians Representing Native Tribes west of the Crest of the Cascade Mountains
Committee Member

Carola Brenes 

Christopher Belisle

Rachel Ray (alternate)

 Member Role Healthcare Authority Behavioral Health & Recovery |(alternate) Representing the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA)
Committee Member Caryn Park  Member Role  Antioch University Seattle Faculty Representing the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)
Committee Member Danielle Eidenberg  Member Role Senior Executive Ombuds Representing the Governor's Office of Education Ombuds (OEO)
Committee Member Debra Parker Member Role SEL Program Supervisor Representing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Committee Member

Demetricia Hodges

 Member Role CTE Consultant Teacher, Clover Park School District, Representing the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA)
Committee Member Dr. Mona Johnson Member Role Executive Director, Systems & Career Pathways ESD 114 Representing the Washington Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD)
Committee Member Emily Santiago Member Role Psychologist, North Kitsap School District Representing the Washington State Association of School Psychologists (WSASP)
Committee Member Frieda Takamura Member Role Representing the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC)
Committee Member James Layman Member Role Director, Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL), Representing a youth-serving organization
Committee Member Jeanne Dodd Member Role Behavioral Health Counselor Teacher, Sedro-Wooley School District, Representing a mental health counselor.
Committee Member Justin Bradford Member Role Superintendent, Prescott School District, Representing a Rural School District
Committee Member

Kris Harper

 Member Role Bethel School District SNOW Board of Directors President Representing the School Nurse Association of Washington (SNOW)
Committee Member

Lauren MacDonald

Susan Mosby (alternate) 

 Member Role School Counselor, Tacoma Public School District |(alternate) Members of the Washington Education Association (WEA) Representing K-12 Educators
Committee Member Laurie Dils Member Role Assistant Director of Content, Health & Sexual Health Representing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Committee Member

Leiani Sherwin

Makenzie Dyer (alternate)

 Member Role Education Preparation Program Director |(alternate) Grant & Policy Specialist Representing the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)
Committee Member Maddy Vonhoff Member Role Committee for Children Representing a Non-Profit SEL Curricula Organization
Committee Member Mary Fertakis Member Role Member of the State Board of Education Representing the State Board of Education (SBE)
Committee Member Tiffany Moss Member Role Social Worker, Richland School District Representing the Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW)
Committee Member Monika Schuller Member Role Physical Education and SEL TOSA, White Salmon Valley School District Representing the K-12 Educator
Committee Member Nigar Suleman Member Role Member of the Washington PTA Representing the Washington Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA)
Committee Member Rayann Silva Member Role University of Washington School Mental Health Assessment Research & Training (SMART) Center Representing a Foundation supportive of Social Emotional Learning
Committee Member

Sarah Butcher

Jennifer Karls(alternate)

 Member Role  Roots of Inclusion Representing a Coalition of members who educate and advocate
Committee Member

Sharman Ensminger

Suzie Henning Co-chair

 Member Role

Elementary School Principal, Orcas Island School District, Representing a K-12 Administrator

Assistant Professor, Eastern Washington University Representing the Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (WACTE)
Committee Member Tabatha Copeland Member Role School Counselor, Spokane International Academy. Representing a School Counselor
Committee Member VACANT Member Role Member of the Commission on African American Affairs Representing the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA)
Committee Member Cynthia Tamayo (interim) Member Role Representing the Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA)
Committee Member Xyzlora Brownell Co-chair Member Role Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Manager Representing the Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF)

SEL and Equity Subcommittee

This subcommittee meets as needed on various tasks including the organization of the larger committee's collective work and reviewing new resource documents to ensure equity. For additional information, please contact Debra Parker.

Education Preparation Program Subcommittee

This subcommittee is working on higher education practices that include SEL implementation by building faculty SEL competency, embedding SEL into coursework and internship experiences, and promoting meaningful connections with families and communities. The following resources are intended for incoming administrators and educators to enhance their leadership and classroom readiness to support social emotional learning.

Notes & Agendas

2025

January 27, 2025, Agenda and Meeting Notes

2024
2023
2022
2021

Legislative Reports