Visit Nominations/Elections page for more information about joining the board.
2026 WAESOL Board
2026 Board Meetings:
January 24, 2026 – Online Meeting
September 2026 – In-person Renton Technical College
October 24, 2026 – Annual Member Business Meeting at Annual Conference
December 2026 – Online Meeting
Your 2025 WAESOL Board
Officers of the Board:
Past President
Kelli Dahmen (2026)
Affiliation: Pullman Public Schools
I am an experienced English language teacher with a passion for helping students achieve their language learning goals. With a rich background in education, I dedicated eight years to the IALC program at Washington State University and the past five years to Pullman Public Schools as the secondary ELD teacher and district ELD team leader.
My teaching philosophy centers around the WIDA Framework, which I am striving to implement both in self-contained classrooms and collaborative co-planning/push-in instruction settings. This approach ensures that English language learners receive the support they need to excel academically and linguistically.
Throughout my career, I’ve honed my skills in creating engaging, inclusive, and effective learning environments. I believe in fostering a love for language and promoting cultural diversity among my students. My commitment to professional development keeps me up-to-date with the latest teaching methodologies and strategies, ensuring that I provide the highest quality education.
President
Rosemary Colon (2026)
Affiliations: Mukogawa US Campus and Gonzaga University
Rosemary Colón is an ESOL educator at Mukogawa U.S. Campus. She has grown her experience over the last 7 years teaching in university and community settings in the Spokane area where she currently resides after having spent most of her life in the Bay Area, California. Rosemary is an advocate not only for MLs, but for education by taking an active interest in policy and advocacy, learning and sharing how educators can build their support for students and communities. She hopes to continue to develop the advocacy arm of WAESOL with another term in leadership. ¡Sí se puede!
Recording Secretary
Wing Shuen Lau (2026-2027)
Affiliation: Seattle Pacific University and Renton Technical College
Wing Shuen Alice Lau, Ph.D., is a lecturer at Seattle Pacific University and SUNY Cortland. She also teaches English Language Acquisition classes at Renton Technical College and Highline College. Her most recent research integrates culturally responsive practices and social-emotional learning to strengthen multilingual learners’ literacy development and promote equitable instruction.
She has served as the Board Secretary since 2023 and has been an officer of the WAESOL Conference planning committee for the past three years. She is committed to supporting multilingualism and multiculturalism
Treasurer
Kathryn Kemble (2026-2027)
Affiliation: Spokane Community College
Kathryn is currently an English Language Instructor at Spokane Community College where she works with adults in the refugee and immigrant community. Kathryn has experience in curriculum design for non-profits and higher education with a focus in English for Specific Purposes. She also has volunteer teaching experience with various organizations in the Spokane area where she worked with international students, refugees, and immigrants ranging from beginner to advanced English proficiency levels. Kathryn is a graduate from Eastern Washington University where she received a B.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Executive Director
Joan Johnston Nelson, PhD
Affiliation: Independent ELL Trainer and Consultant
Joan has been engaged in English language teaching since 1986. Since her first experience teaching in Taiwan, she has taught in a wide variety of teaching situations at all levels from kindergarten through adult literacy, workplace literacy, and academic English. Joan is an active advocate, teacher trainer, and consultant, as well as a frequent presenter at local, state, and international conferences. She obtained her Masters degree in TESL from Gonzaga University. In 2013, she completed her doctoral dissertation on elementary ELL interaction and earned her Ph.D. through Washington State University. Joan has been serving on the WAESOL Board of Directors since June of 2011. Her passion is for working with students on the margins, especially in the refugee/immigrant communities and her own Native American community.
Members-at-Large:
Eugenie Mainake (2025-2026)
Affiliation: Washington State University (Pullman)
Eugenie Mainake is pursuing a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Technology at Washington State University, Pullman. He is a Fulbright alumnus from Indonesia and holds an MA in TESOL from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His work centers around computer-assisted language learning (CALL), digital literacy, teacher education, and task engagement. His ongoing research examines the intersection of students’ psychological states and task engagement. As a Teaching Assistant at College of Education, he teaches courses on multilingual education for teacher candidates for equipping future educators to support culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Coming from the culturally and linguistically diverse country, Indonesia, Eugenie is dedicated to promoting inclusive and engaging learning experiences that support multilingual learners’ academic success.
Amir Abbas Ravaei (2025-2026)
Affiliation: Vancouver TESOL Training Center
I am an accomplished TESOL expert with over 24 years of experience in English language teaching, teacher training, and educational management. Based in North Vancouver, Canada, I hold a PhD in TESOL and currently serve as the CEO of Vancouver TESOL Training Center. Throughout my career, I have been recognized for innovative teaching techniques that emphasize humor and inclusivity to create engaging learning environments. As a University of Cambridge Speaking Examiner, I have contributed to exam preparation and curriculum design, training teachers who now work internationally. My dedication extends beyond the classroom—I have presented at international conferences, published training modules, and organized workshops. My academic qualifications include numerous certifications from Cambridge and the London Teacher Training College, reflecting my commitment to advancing the field of English language education. Outside of work, my personal interests include music, reading, and outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.
Cara Galbraith (2026-2027)
Affiliation: Longview School District
Ms. Galbraith has been an educator in the US and abroad for over 20 years. She holds a MA in Russian Language, a K-8 Teaching Certificate with endorsement in English Language Learners and a Certificate in TESOL. As an educator and trainer, she loves working with multilingual learners and dedicated teachers.
Ms. Galbraith has served as a Member at Large for the WAESOL Board since 2025. In her spare time, Ms. Galbraith likes spending time with family, being outside, kayaking, playing pickleball and laser engraving.
Krissy Wilcox (2026-2027)
Affiliation: Spokane Public Schools
Krissy has served for 4+ years on the WAESOL Board, mostly in the Treasurer position. She is an ELD Teacher at Shadle Park High School in the Spokane Public School District where she has worked for twelve years. Krissy’s passion for teaching students who are new to English and the U.S. shows in many ways, one of which is her love of learning new ways to teach her students. She is dedicated to helping WAESOL continue the tradition of offering training and support to other ELD teachers throughout the state.
Lauren Beven (2026-2027)
Affiliation: Whatcom Community College, Bellingham
Lauren is a compassionate, collaborative instructor for multilingual language learners. She currently delivers in-person courses for immigrant and international college students at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, hybrid courses for K-12 students in Okinawa, Japan, and online courses for adults in Washington State. Lauren is an advocate for student-centered learning and asset-based pedagogy, and she specializes in pronunciation, speaking and listening.
Since 2017, Lauren has contributed two WAESOL Conference workshops and one published article to WAESOL Educator. She is also a peer editor for WAESOL Educator. As a member-at-large, Lauren hopes to offer her years of experience in the classroom and as a professional contributor to WAESOL.
Marjeta Bejdo (2026-2027)
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Dr. Marjeta Bejdo is a multilingual educator located in Seattle, Washington. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with English Language (EL) and Special Education endorsements from Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University) in 2017. She then pursued her Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Experiential Learning at Clemson University, and graduated in 2019. In 2024, she completed her Doctorate in Leadership in Education at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Dr. Bejdo is committed to promoting equitable education for multilingual students. Her research focuses on increasing teacher self-efficacy and community involvement to support literacy development for multilingual students.
Board Information
All WAESOL Board members are volunteers who are also professionals in the TESOL field. Please consider joining the board. Elections take place in November. Learn more by visiting the Nominations and Elections page!
Board meetings, held four times a year, are open to any WAESOL member. WAESOL reimburses board member’s travel expenses based on WAESOL travel policy when attending board meetings and the annual conference.
Board minutes are available upon request.