Teacher of the Year and Regional Winners

Kim Broomer is a kindergarten teacher at Ruby Bridges Elementary in the Northshore School District. Kim is a dynamic educator committed to inclusive schools and creating a culture of belonging for each and every student she works with in her classroom and beyond. Kim's love of learning and desire to teach stems from her mother, who ran a small in-home daycare for birth to 5-year-olds. For 33 years her mom modeled the importance of connection, building relationships, and the power of a good read-aloud.

Kim has been a kindergarten teacher for her entire career. Her passion for this work, leadership and instructional excellence has been acknowledged by community organizations, where she has been recognized. as "Ahead of the Class" by the Renton Chamber of Commerce, "Innovative Teacher of the Year" by the Northshore School Foundation, and by the Seattle Seahawks as a "Hero in the Classroom." She has received numerous grants for innovation, leadership, and community outreach. Kim is a lead presenter and teacher in the OSPI demonstration site work to improve inclusionary practices implementation statewide.

Kim has worked for the last four years as a foundational teacher in the opening of the fully inclusive Ruby Bridges Elementary School. Kim exemplifies seeing the brilliance of each student and creates conditions for their radical dreaming. She has created a community of learning where students are valued for their unique talents and strengths, where each student can thrive with the needed supports, and where she relentlessly pursues justice.

Dismantling the barriers of ableism and cultivating spaces of joy for students is Kim's heart work. She teaches with a passion and love that makes every person who enters her classroom wish to be a part of it. She is a magical force for good and justice for our youngest learners.

Teena Vanderholm, an engaging, progressive educator at Washtucna High School, teaches High School Math and Sciences and advises the 11th and 12th-grade classes. Holding positions such as High School Academic Advisor and chairing the High School Highly Capable team, Teena actively engages in her school's community. She has participated in both Response To Intervention and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Teams in former school settings and now contributes to the Washtucna PBIS team and the "Tucna Time" committee.

In her role as a Teacher-Leader, Teena is serving as a teacher-mentor and collaborates with colleagues to enhance the school community. She has taken a lead role in Washtucna's transition to Mastery Based Learning and Assessment. Committed to refining her teaching methods, she continuously seeks professional growth opportunities, participating in specialized training programs like 'Modeling Our World with Mathematics' at North Central Educational Service District and serving as a North East Washington Educational Service District 101 Math Fellow and a teacher participant on the OSPI Standards Review Project.

Recognizing the importance of strong relationships with students and families, Teena goes beyond the classroom, organizing events like Science Fairs, Math Nights, and Sleep Week to strengthen ties with the local community. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes that all students can learn rigorous material through best practices. Teena prioritizes equity by implementing collaborative, culturally responsive tasks and projects in her classroom, fostering a rich learning environment where students thrive. Whether her students are learning Newton's Laws through egg drops and rock lifts, nuclear science with a trip to Hanford, or Statistics in a unit based around March Madness, her students are engaged in real hands-on learning. Encouraging self-assessment, self-reflection, and self-advocacy, she not only raises awareness of learning standards but also equips students with the knowledge to be successful.   Teena's dedication to excellence and community integration leaves a profound impact on both her students and the broader Washtucna community.

Mrs. Lauren Thomas is an architect of tomorrow's leaders and futures. She teaches English Language Arts, Career and Technical Education, and is an instructor for College in the High School Communication Studies to first-generation students on the Yakama Reservation at Toppenish High School in Toppenish. Beyond the classroom, Lauren serves as a SkillsUSA Advisor and SkillsUSA Regional Co-Coordinator, holds a leadership role in her local union, and previously served as the grant lead specialist for Jobs for America's Graduates, providing a strong vocal presence and advocacy through support systems to students with barriers.

Lauren believes that every student deserves and is capable of achieving success. She enthusiastically forges connections between education and real-world scenarios, guaranteeing students are equipped to tackle both challenges and opportunities head-on. She actively pursues and nurtures relationships between instructors and learners, cultivating a classroom atmosphere characterized by trust, empathy, and comprehension—a method aimed at engaging and impacting each individual child in attendance.

In Lauren's ten-year tenure, she has fostered industry partnerships with Toppenish High Alumni to help deepen students' horizons. By providing support ranging from aiding in college and scholarship applications to organizing college tours and cultivating networking connections, she has broadened students' perspectives, offering invaluable guidance on career pathways and prospects. Lauren has established meaningful partnerships with community and school board members to encourage involvement in SkillsUSA and outreach projects.

Lauren received the 2022 Wilma Mankiller Educator of the Year award for Toppenish School District and was voted 2022 Teacher of the Year by graduating seniors. This is a reflection of Lauren's commitment to education and her efforts to support those from underrepresented communities. She was also the 2020 Washington State Jobs for America's Graduates High Performer Award Recipient, for her dedication to teaching practices. Lauren continues to shape the futures of her students.

Rachel Lake teaches Music, both performed and classroom-based, at Ilwaco High School on the Long Beach Peninsula. She coaches the Marching Band in the fall and the Pep Band in the Winter and directs a Winter Play and Spring Musical. Rachel has a strong commitment to her students and community, in and out of the classroom. She is currently helping the new administration build a positive learning environment with the Sources of Strength program.

Rachel has received recognition for her work with students from the Southwest Washington Music Educators of the Year award (two times), the Washington Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year Award, the Wellspring Community Asset Award, and the American Legion Positive Leader Award. From 2022 to 2024 Rachel is currently serving as the Small School Curriculum Officer for the Washington Music Educators Association, along with being a MET Opera Education Leader.

Rachel strongly believes that teaching is based on relationships, respect, and connections. Students want to be seen and respected; when they know a teacher respects them, they want to learn. She creates a welcoming environment for all students, not just musical ones. Along with the students, Rachel works in the community to create a connection for all.

Rachel hosts a monthly Zoom meeting for all small school music educators around Washington state and some in Oregon. She invites them to connect with other teachers who are going through similar situations. Along with the monthly Zoom meetings, Rachel has spoken at the Northwest Music Education Conference, Washington Music Education Conference, and the American Association of University Women Pacific County branch about inclusion in the classroom. Colleagues and Community members praise Rachel for her passion and commitment to her students in and out of the classroom.

Andrew Landowski teaches jazz band, two concert bands, and the marching and pep bands at Black Hills High School (BHHS) in Tumwater. His comprehensive band program is well-known across the Northwest, and his bands regularly travel for festivals and competitions. He also teaches the 5th-grade beginning bands at Tumwater Hill and Black Lake Elementary. He has served as the music coordinator for the Tumwater School District since 2012 and facilitates Professional Learning Community time, scheduling, budgets, staffing, field trips, and recruiting. Andrew believes that music education is vital to the health and well-being of our students and the school culture. Under Andrew's leadership, the district has increased its elementary music enrollment by 78% and has expanded its music options at the secondary level.

In addition to his regular teaching duties, Andrew spends his time volunteering on several committees in both his buildings and his district. He has served as a department chair, site team representative, and a member of the student learning coordinating council, budget advisory committee, and the curriculum adoption committee. He advises the audio/video club at BHHS and volunteers at a weekly recess group at Black Lake Elementary. After earning his administrative credentials and a Master's of Arts in Educational Leadership in 2016, he has also been a regular substitute administrator in the Tumwater School District.

Andrew is a dedicated member of the National Association for Music Education and its local/regional divisions. From 2018-2020 he served as the president of the Chinook Music Educators Association and has run their annual jazz festival since 2012. Andrew has also been a panelist and host at the Washington Music Educators Association Conference. In 2024 he was the All-State Concert Band Manager. Andrew believes in providing students with rich and diverse performance opportunities that expand their worldview.

Ms. York embodies the highest standards of excellence and devotion to student success. Despite the varied backgrounds and challenges her students face, including drug exposure, homelessness, abuse, learning disabilities, and more, Ms. York remains committed to creating a safe and empowering learning space at James A. Taylor High School (a comprehensive alternative high school). Ms. York juggles a demanding schedule, teaching math courses, supporting Multilingual Learners (MLLs) in two different schools, coordinating testing, and offering unwavering support to students in need. Yet, she will be the first to selflessly volunteer time and resources for staff and students at any of our district's schools.

When traditional in-person learning became untenable due to the pandemic, Ms. York volunteered to spearhead the training and support of district educators in adopting a new online curriculum. Sensing the urgent needs of students compelled to balance work and education, Ms. York advocated for the implementation of a night program, subsequently achieving a remarkable 91% graduation rate in its inaugural year. Her commitment to inclusivity is evident in her creation of bilingual learning materials and even the provision of home-cooked meals, ensuring that hunger never detracts from the learning experience.

With over three decades of teaching experience across diverse educational settings, Ms. York's career journey reflects a profound dedication to embracing challenges and perpetual growth. From her beginnings in teaching piano and directing group ensembles to her pivotal role in establishing an innovative private school, she has consistently championed personalized instruction and curriculum design. Ms. York's educational philosophy centers on the cultivation of strong relationships as the cornerstone of fostering inclusive and nurturing classrooms where every student can thrive.

Kristy Bishop has dedicated 25 years to teaching mathematics and CTE consumer finance at Moses Lake High School (MLHS). A lifelong resident of Moses Lake, Kristy's goal was to return to her hometown and inspire her community's students, as she was inspired by her teachers and parents, both retired educators.

Kristy is a valued member of her school and district. She developed both MLHS's Consumer Finance and AP Statistics programs and currently teaches College in High School Precalculus. She served as a union representative for years, supported her school's math department as their coordinator for over ten years, participated in multiple building committees, assisted in large-scale book adoptions, and coordinated a major technology adoption. Kristy truly has a passion for mentoring new staff as they begin their journey in the field of education, welcoming and guiding several new teachers to the MLHS math department throughout her career. She is often the first person to hear of the challenges and celebrations of her math coworkers, encouraging them to creatively problem solve and navigate the world of education with strength, compassion, and humor.

The mark of a great teacher is one who connects with their students beyond the scope of their content area. Kristy has a true gift in being able to connect with her students, and building relationships that continue long after graduation. She was honored by the student body as one of the MLHS Staff of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. Challenging students mathematically, supporting their developmental growth, and encouraging them to be their best selves is evident in every single interaction. She fosters a respectful, professional, and compassionate learning environment. Kristy is honored and humbled every time a former student returns to share their life experiences, knowing she has made a positive difference in her students' lives.

Kelly Guilfoil is passionate about amplifying the power of young voices. She teaches English at Lake Stevens High School where her favorite lessons get students solving problems and advocating for change. Her classes have designed special elections on district policy, built a website teaching teens how to become activists, and created "Teach a Boomer," a public collection of videos that share trending language, technology, and hobbies with older generations. As the advisor of the Lake Stevens National Honor Society, Kelly coordinates a volunteer tutoring program that has fulfilled more than 400 community requests since 2020.

For Kelly, learning is more important than test results and grades. Her standards-based approach lets students embrace risks and show what they can do in a variety of ways. She carves new pathways for students to succeed. Since Kelly brought Advanced Placement English Language to Lake Stevens, the course has grown from two sections to six, allowing nearly 200 students every year greater access to college credit. In 2019, she helped secure a National Writing Project grant to build a project-based credit recovery program—a more inclusive and engaging path to graduation. In 2021, she was selected as a state expert on standards-based grading, presenting to the OSPI Student Learning Advisory Workgroup. She has also designed and led professional development with the Washington Education Association and Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession focused on standards-based instruction and grading.

Kelly is a National Board Certified Teacher working 18 years in Eastern and Western Washington. She loves collaborating with colleagues as an instructional coach, mentor teacher, regional ELA Fellow, and National Board facilitator. Her classes have been featured in GOOD Magazine and the National Writing Project. She has a master's degree in English from Bowling Green State University and a Multilingual Learner endorsement from Central Washington University. Her favorite teacher ever is her 4-year-old daughter, Cordelia.