My name is Alex Wakeman Rouse. She, her pronouns. I'm a parent of two kids: one who's in second grade at Dunlap Elementary in Seattle Public Schools in Rainier Beach, and I have a five-year-old who will be an incoming kindergartner next year. I grew up here in Seattle. I'm a graduate of Seattle Public Schools, and my mom also worked as a school nurse for the school district.

I helped found All Together for Seattle Schools. I'm the current board co-chair of the group. And we're a grassroots, parent and caregiver-led advocacy organization but that's really been advocating for the district to communicate transparently with the public and involve parents and school communities.

David Knight is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington specializing in education finance and policy. His research examines inequities in school funding, the economic impacts of education policies, and strategies for improving resource allocation in public education systems. David’s work has been instrumental in shaping discussions on education funding reform, particularly in Washington State, where he has provided critical insights into the limitations of existing funding models and advocated for equitable solutions.

Debbie Carlsen was a Seattle School Board candidate for District 1 in 2023. She has experience with the National Women's Political Caucus of Washington and the 46th Democrats. Carlsen co-founded Champions for Educational Empowerment and helped create the "Learning Together" training series, which provides preparation for people interested in school board service.

Heather Hart is an organizer of the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance (SESSFA) Move-a-Thon, a fundraising event supporting 17 public schools in Southeast Seattle.

​Janis White is a dedicated advocate for inclusive and equitable education within Seattle Public Schools. She has served as the president of the Seattle Special Education PTSA (SEPTSA), working to support students with disabilities and their families. As a mother of three children who have attended Seattle Public Schools, Janis has been actively involved in efforts to enhance the educational experience for all students. 

Jie Lei is a parent of two children in Seattle Public Schools, one in the Highly Capable Cohort (HCC) at Cascadia Elementary and one at a neighborhood Title I school. A first-generation immigrant, Jie brings a unique perspective as a former SPS student who progressed through various programs, including ESL, Special Education, Spectrum, and HCC. Jie is an advocate for equitable access to advanced learning programs and has firsthand experience navigating the challenges and opportunities within Seattle Public Schools.

Kendall Fujioka is a PhD student in Educational Policy, Organizations, and Leadership at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on education funding, equity, and the impacts of state-level policy decisions on resource distribution in public schools. Kendall collaborates with policymakers and advocates to address systemic inequities in education, contributing data-driven insights to reform efforts across Washington State.

Landon Labosky is a candidate for Seattle School Board District 5. He has experience in public administration, management, and youth programs, and currently works as an Aquatics Manager. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Boise State University and has served on Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Commission. His stated priorities include school funding, communication with the public, and coordination between the school district and other local government entities. 

Megan Larkin is a parent of two Seattle Public Schools students with a master’s in Education Policy and Leadership Studies. She is the Regional Advocacy Co-Chair for the Washington State PTA and has extensive experience in education advocacy.

Oliver Treanor Miska, 33, is a queer Seattleite, educator, community organizer, and lobbyist for educational justice policy in Washington State. Moving out of full-time classroom teaching after six years, they substitute teach in SPS and are founding director of Solidarity Policy and Public Affairs, a political consulting firm. As a community organizer, Oliver has held leadership roles within Seattle Democratic Socialist of America and Washington Ethnic Studies Now, where they co-lead a statewide legislative coalition. Oliver is also a member of SCORE, the Seattle Caucus of Rank and File Educators of Seattle Education Association (SEA), our educators union. They work to organize youth, families, educators, and community organizations to pass progressive revenue to fully fund our schools statewide. To contact them, email solidaritypolicywa@gmail.com

Garfield High School student, Class of 2027

Sarah Clark was appointed to the Seattle School Board in April 2024 to represent District 2, which includes Ballard, Green Lake, Phinney Ridge, Greenwood, and Magnolia. She is the Director of Policy at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and holds a Master’s in Education Policy from the University of Washington. A graduate of Seattle Public Schools, she attended Madrona Elementary, participated in the Highly Capable Program, and later graduated from Garfield High School in 2003. Clark is now running in the 2025 election to retain her seat for the remaining two years of the term.