The Senate Early Learning & K‑12 Education Committee heard testimony from nominees to the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) during a public panel. Nominees described careers in classroom teaching, educator preparation, early learning and workforce development and answered committee questions or offered prepared statements.

Dr. Nicole Tower (testified as Nicole Talbert in the record) described more than two decades of teaching experience across secondary subjects and work as an adjunct instructor at Spokane Falls Community College. Michelle Jackson, director of K–12 partnerships and educator preparation at Lower Columbia College, described her work in pathways for future educators and efforts to increase diversity in the teacher workforce. Denise Renteria outlined bilingual classroom and coaching experience and current work as a GRAMA coordinator for Early Learning at Puget Sound Educational Service District. Dr. Kevin Roxas, dean of the Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University, and other nominees appearing remotely described classroom and leadership experience and a commitment to equitable outcomes for students.

Nominees emphasized workforce pipelines, educator preparation and removing barriers for first‑generation college students and diverse candidates. Jackson highlighted tuition assistance programs that enabled her own path into education and described program work to create rural university partnerships and CTE dual‑credit pathways. Renteria detailed bilingual and dual‑language classroom leadership and grants to support educator mentorship and retention for educators of color. Dr. Roxas related personal immigrant family history and long experience in teacher education and school leadership. Several witnesses framed their work as addressing teacher recruitment, retention and culturally responsive practice.

The committee followed its standard practice of asking nominees to affirm the truth of their testimony on the record. Committee members thanked nominees and noted the committee would consider gubernatorial appointments during further committee work. No committee confirmation votes or final referral actions for PESB nominees are recorded in the public testimony portion of the transcript; committee members said they would see nominees again during the board affirmation process.

The committee then proceeded to an executive session on bills. Members asked nominees and attendees to submit any additional written materials to the committee record.