About SPI 
SPI Vision:
Better align, integrate, and
articulate the SPI Department work with larger district goal
related to Increased Student Achievement for All.
SPI Goals:
- Increase leadership capacity
within SPI Org and serve as an advocate for programs that support
students.
- To encourage cross departmental
collaboration and sharing of resources when appropriate to increase
capacity, improve communication, and enhance services.
- To work collaboratively
within/across the SPI/SPS Departments in the future implementation
of a comprehensive Response to Intervention Model System to better
support student needs.
- To work to increase awareness
district-wide about the scope and magnitude of services and
outreach supports provided by SPI Department across the
district.
SPI Theory of Action:
Communication +
Collaboration = Vertical & Horizontal
Alignment
About the Director:
Wanda M. Brown served as the first
Distinguished P-12 Educator and Senior Lecturer Faculty at the
University of Washington (UW) College of Education and American
Ethnic Studies Department. She currently serves as the Director of
P-12 Engagement for the Teachers for the New Era Project at the
Washington Center for Teaching and Learning since fall
2004.In these roles, Brown works with local, regional,
and national educators to address issues of disproportionality, and
works to close the achievement gap that exists among students of
color within Washington State. She is currently involved in a
national project funded by the Carnegie Corporation to renew the UW
Teacher Education Program to better meet the needs of diverse
student populations.
Brown, a 22-year veteran educator with extensive
knowledge and expertise in working with "high needs" urban schools,
is considered an expert on the topic of educational leadership and
reform efforts. She is a highly-sought speaker both locally and
nationally, and has been featured in the Renton Reporter, King
County Journal, and Colors NW Magazine.
Brown is a member of several local and national
professional education organizations, and is extremely active in
the education community. Her involvements include: National
Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP); National
Network for Educational Renewal (NNER); Association of Washington
School Principals (AWSP); Washington Association of School
Administrator (ASCD); Co-Chair, University of Washington Diversity
Task Force; Co-Chair, Professional Education Advisory Board for the
Teacher Education Program; Teacher Education Program Diversity
Scholarship Committee; Elementary Teacher Educational Program
Leadership Team; Gear Up Advisory Council; Administrative Liaison,
Puget Sound Education Service District #121.
Brown is a member of the Washington State African
American Educators Roundtable and recently spoke at African
American Legislative Day in Olympia, Washington. Brown highlighted
renewal initiatives underway in the College of Education designed
to address issues of social justice and equity in
education.
Prior to working at the University of Washington,
Brown enjoyed a successful career in the Renton School District in
Washington as an elementary teacher (12 years), as an Educational
Associate (2 years), as an assistant principal and as principal (4
years).
As the principal of Lakeridge Elementary, a "high
needs," diverse urban school, Brown worked collaboratively with
students, parents, staff, and community-based organizations (both
at the local and national level) to implement educational reform
initiatives.
Brown received her B.A in Education from Seattle University in
1986, and both her Masters degree in Education and administrative
credentials from Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington in
1999. Brown completed the Executive Leadership-Superintendents
Program at City University (July 2008)
