Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee

SEL Committee Feedback

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The SEL Advisory Committee applications for membership!

Apply to participate on the SEL Advisory Committee!

Authorizing Legislation

Contact Information

Tammy Bolen
SEL/ Title IV
Assistant Director
360-701-0575

Salina James
Administrative Assistant
360-725-6078

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.

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
Anna Armstrong

Member of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians

Representing Native Tribes east of the Crest of the Cascade Mountains
Anna Smith

Member of the Makah Tribe of Indians

Representing Native Tribes west of the Crest of the Cascade Mountains
Carola Brenes
Christopher Belisle
Rachel Ray

Healthcare Authority Behavioral Health & Recovery

Representing the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA)
Caryn Park

Antioch University Seattle Faculty

Representing the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)
Nadine Philp

Senior Executive Ombuds

Representing the Governor's Office of Education Ombuds (OEO)
Tammy Bolen

Assistant Director SEL/Title IV

Representing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Demetricia Hodges

CTE Consultant Teacher, Clover Park School District

Representing the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA)
Dr. Mona Johnson

Executive Director, Systems & Career Pathways ESD 114

Representing the Washington Association of Educational Service Districts

(AESD)
Emily Santiago

Psychologist, North Kitsap School District

Representing the Washington State Association of School Psychologists

(WSASP)
Frieda Takamura

Representing the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability

Committee (EOGOAC)
James Layman

Director, Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL)

Representing a youth-serving organization
Jeanne Dodd

Behavioral Health Counselor Teacher, Sedro-Woolley School District

Representing a mental health counselor.
Vacant

Superintendent, Prescott School District

Representing a Rural School District
Kris Harper

Bethel School District

Representing the School Nurse Association of Washington (SNOW)
Lauren MacDonald
Susan Mosby

School Counselor, Tacoma Public School District

Members of the Washington Education Association (WEA)

Representing K-12 Educators
Laurie Dils

Assistant Director of Content, Health & Sexual Health,

Representing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Leiani Sherwin
Makenzie Dyer 

Education Preparation Program Director

Grant & Policy Specialist

Representing the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)
Maddy Vonhoff

Committee for Children,

Representing a Non-Profit SEL Curricula Organization
Mary Fertakis

Member of the State Board of Education,

Representing the State Board of Education (SBE)
Tiffany Moss

Social Worker, Richland School District,

Representing the Washington Association of School Social Workers (WASSW)
Monika Schuller

Physical Education and SEL TOSA, White Salmon Valley School District

Representing the K-12 Educator
Nigar Suleman

Member of the Washington PTA,

Representing the Washington Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA)
Rayann Silva

University of Washington School of Mental Health Assessment Research &

Training (SMART) Center

Representing a Foundation supportive of Social Emotional Learning

Sarah Butcher

Jennifer Karls

Roots of Inclusion

Representing a Coalition of members who educate and advocate
Sharman Ensminger

Elementary School Principal, Orcas Island School District

Representing a K-12 Administrator
Suzie Henning Co-chair

Assistant Professor, Eastern Washington University

Representing the Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

(WACTE)
Tabatha Copeland

School Counselor, Spokane International Academy

Representing a School Counselor
Scott Lehrman Representing the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) 
Cynthia Tamayo (interim) Representing the Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA)
Xyzlora Brownell Co-chair

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. 

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
2024
2023
2022
2021

Legislative Reports