Steering Committee

The Washington State Coalition for International Education Steering Committee consists of volunteers who help guide the plans of the Coalition.

Welcome to our newest members: Era Schreper, Rosanne Royer, Tamara Leonard, and Veronica Trapani.

Current Members

  • Era Schrepfer has served as Executive Director of FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students) since 2006. Founded at the University of Washington in 1948, FIUTS advances international understanding through cross-cultural experiences, student leadership, and community connections. In her role at FIUTS, Era works with partner organizations and individuals both on and off campus to engage students and others in leadership and dialogue and connect them with international experiences that build peace and understanding. Era lives in a dual language household in the South Park neighborhood and has two children who attend Seattle-Area language immersion schools.  She serves extensively in the community – she was a Girl Scout troop leader for 12 years, is a longtime ESL and literacy tutor, and serves on the Board of Joyas Mestizas, a children’s Folklorico dance group. 
  • Michele Anciaux Aoki is an International Education and World Languages Advocate. She retired in 2019 after five years as International Education Administrator for Seattle Public Schools. From 2008-2014, she served as World Languages and International Education Program Supervisor, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Michele was a founder of the Washington State Coalition for International Education and a member of the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 State Teams, and Project Director for State Innovations grants in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2010.
  • Noah Zeichner is a National Board-certified social studies and Spanish teacher at Ingraham High School in Seattle, WA. He also leads the International Schools Leadership Team for Seattle Public Schools. Noah was honored with the 2013-14 World Affairs Council World Educator Award and was among 50 finalists chosen for the 2015 Global Teacher Prize.
  • Rosanne Royer has a B.A. in Russian Language Education and M.A. in East European Studies from the University of Washington. She taught Russian and Language Arts in Bellevue, Washington high schools and Social Studies in a private school. She is a past president of Washington Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT); Washington State AATSEEL; and is a past board member of ACTFL. Her parents were Serbian and Croatian immigrants from Croatia, which inspired her special interest in ethnic mapping and participation in the founding of the Ethnic Heritage Council. EHC’s mission is preserving and sharing ethnic heritage to advance mutual understanding. Heritage languages are revered as the fundamental conservators of the cultures represented by participants in EHC programs.
  • Ryan Hauck is a teacher of comparative politics and international studies at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, WA, where he brings the world into his classroom by engaging students around the importance of living in an increasingly interconnected, interdependent world. Ryan was honored with the 2007-2008 World Affairs Council World Educator Award and he currently serves as director of the World Affairs Council Global Classroom.
  • Tamara Leonard has domestic and international experience in the fields of teaching & learning, organizational development, and humanitarian intervention. She currently serves as Managing Director for the Center for Global Studies at The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington. She is a member of  the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for International Studies (FIUTS). She graduated from Oberlin College with high honors in sociology, is a former Thomas J. Watson Fellow,  and received her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University where she was a Mandel Premier National Scholar.
  • Veronica Trapani is the current World Languages and International Education Program Supervisor at Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). She recently took over this position after teaching German, English as a Second Language, and Drama for a decade in a variety of places, such as Michigan, Tennessee, New York, and Germany. She is currently working toward her Doctorate of Education, focusing on the social and emotional well-being of international university students.

Previous members of the Steering Committee:

  • Caleb Perkins, (former) Social Studies and International Education Supervisor, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, member of 2004 State Team
  • Carey Moore, Pacific Village Institute
  • Cynthia Rekdal, Executive Director of WSAME and member of 2002 State Team
  • David Woodward, President of Associates in Cultural Exchange; member of 2004 State Team; Project Director for State Innovations grant 2004
  • Greg Siegler, Advocate of International Education, member of FIUTS Board of Directors
  • Greg Tuke, Former Executive Director, Bridges to Understanding; formerly of Powerful Schools, Seattle; Project Director for State Innovations grant 2006
  • Katherine Barr, Global Education Advocate, (former) Research and Learning Coordinator for Global Washington
  • Kelly Martin, Former Social Studies and International Education Program Supervisor at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Kristin Hayden, Executive Director, OneWorld Now! and member of 2003 State Team
  • Lili Hein, formerly Program Coordinator of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and member of 2003 State Team
  • Liora Minkin, Principal and International Education Advocate
  • Loretta Ferguson, Special Education Teacher and International Educator
  • Masaru Kibukawa, Steering Committee Chair 2004-2005
  • Sandra Chait, formerly of Africa Studies program at University of Washington
  • Tania Westby, Coordinator of School Family Partnerships, Aki Kurose Middle School
  • Toshi Moriguchi, CFO Uwajimaya and member of 2002 State Team
  • William Linser, Social Studies teacher, Robinswood High School in Bellevue School District, and member of 2002 State Team
  • Aysha Haq, Chair, Project Manager of the 2004 Summit, Newsletter editor, and Project Director for the 2010 Grant for Multi-State Initiatives on Critical Issues
  • Jennifer Geist, Owner, Zeitgeist Creations: Global Education Tools
  • Laura Adriance, Teacher, formerly Director of Professional Development, World Affairs Council Global Classroom, Seattle
  • Mary Margaret Welch, Science Specialist for Seattle Public Schools and the Executive Director of Seavuria: http://seavuria.org/

We thank you for your involvement with the Coalition!