About the Paraeducator Board

Created in 2017, the nine-member Paraeducator Board establishes requirements and policies for paraeducator professional development certificates and makes policy recommendations for paraeducator advancement through education, professional learning, and increased instructional responsibility. It is administered by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board.

Purpose

The board has the following powers and duties:

• Adopt minimum employment requirements and standards of practice for instructional paraeducators
• Establish requirements and policies for general and advanced paraeducator certificates
• Develop requirements and policies for paraeducator subject matter certificates in English Language Learner and Special Education
• Make policy recommendations for a paraeducator career ladder that will increase opportunities for professional advancement

Learn more

• Strategic plan
• Agency overview
• Rule making and WAC changes
• Contact the Paraeducator Board

Board members

The Paraeducator Board consists of nine members appointed to four-year terms. The Chair is appointed by the Governor. A member will continue to serve on the Board, regardless of term expiration, until either the Governor appoints a new candidate to serve, or the Member’s term is renewed by the Governor.

Member	Title and term information
Pam Johnson (Chair) (Executive committee member)	Academic & Behavioral Intervention Specialist, Rochester High School, Rochester School District, WEA Term one: March 28, 2022 – August 31, 2023
Susan Lathrop	OSPI Assistant Superintendent, Educator Growth and Development Term one: October 30, 2023 – October 30, 2027
Dr. Lindsay Lightner	Assistant Professor (Career Track), Teaching and Learning Term one: November 16, 2023 – November 16, 2027
Doug Pace (Executive committee member)	Resource Paraeducator, East Valley Middle School-BECCA Coordinator/Supervision, East Valley School District Term one: May 21, 2021 – May 21, 2025
Laura Rogers (Vice chair) (Executive committee member)	ELL Paraeducator, Jackson Elementary School, Everett Public Schools Term two: June 14, 2022- July 24, 2025
Lizzy Sebring	WSPTA Advocacy Director Term one: April 13, 2020 – April 13, 2023
Spring Shoupe	Teacher, Learning Support, DI, John R. Rogers High School, Spokane Public Schools Term one: April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2027
Jamie Wells	Director, Center for Excellence for Careers in Education, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Term one: July 14, 2020 – July 14, 2023

Become a board member

• Want more information? If you’d like information on serving as a member of the Paraeducator Board, please contact us at (360) 725-6275.
• Ready to apply? If you are ready to apply to serve on the Paraeducator Board, please complete the application found on the Governor’s Boards and Commissions website.

Board member resources

• PESB rules of order (PDF)
• Resign from the Board
• Travel reimbursement form (document)
• Legislative priorities
• Boards and commissions handbook (PDF)
• Presentation on board ethics (PDF)
• Serving on a Governor-appointed board (training and resources)
• Board bylaws