Release Date:
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) is pleased to announce that Dr. Sue Kane and Sharon Conditt have been appointed to the Board by Governor Bob Ferguson. Both members’ terms began on December 8 and will run through January 2029. They will be sworn in during the Board’s regularly scheduled February 11 meeting.
“Both of our new members bring a wealth of expertise to our work,” said Mary Fertakis, Chair of the State Board of Education. “Dr. Kane’s long career advancing STEM education and Conditt’s experience as an accomplished civics educator will strengthen the Board’s ability to advocate for a K–12 system that prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a changing world.”
Dr. Kane, a resident of East Wenatchee, brings expertise in AI and technology literacy, STEM education, and career-connected and competency-based education to the Board. She is the chief executive officer of NCW Tech Alliance, a nonprofit that connects people and technology to unlock potential and opportunities through digital skilling, AI literacy, STEM education and entrepreneurship programs.
Dr. Kane previously served for eight years as North Central ESD’s Director of STEM Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships, supporting schools and colleges in preparing students for Washington’s future workforce and economy. She was an appointed member of the Governor’s STEM Innovation Alliance from 2019 to 2024 and has contributed to numerous advisory groups and volunteer organizations across the state. Her work has consistently emphasized building strong relationships with tribal communities, rural communities, and multilingual learners to ensure equitable access to opportunity.
“The world is changing fast, and our schools have such an important role in helping kids build confidence, curiosity, and resilience,” Dr. Kane said. “I’m excited to collaborate with educators, families, and communities to make sure our educational pathways are clear and accessible today, and strong enough to carry students into the future.”
Learn more about Dr. Sue Kane here.
Conditt, a resident of Ridgefield, is a nationally recognized educator who has taught government and U.S. history at Woodland Public Schools for over twenty years. She is the recipient of the 2025 Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize for Excellence in Teaching Civics from iCivics, the 2024 National Civics Teacher of the Year from the Bill of Rights Institute, 2016 Washington State History Teacher of the Year.
She has previously served on the Washington Teacher Advisory Council and, in 2024, was selected as a School Ambassador Fellow for the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to her work in secondary education, she is an adjunct professor at Washington State University Vancouver where she offers instruction in teaching methods for social studies and history to pre-service teachers. She is also a College in the High School instructor at Lower Columbia College and Eastern Washington University.
“As a classroom teacher for over two decades, I have seen firsthand the challenges and needs school communities face,” Conditt said. “We must keep the needs of our students in hyper focus as we build systems that will support schools in their quest to ensure students have the 21st century skills needed to actively engage in our democracy. I am humbled to serve and excited to engage in this important work.”
Kane and Conditt fill positions previously held by Kevin Wang and Harium Martin-Morris, who were appointed by former Governor Jay Inslee and whose terms expired in January 2025.
Learn more about Shari Conditt here.
Please Direct All Media Inquiries To:
Colton Kaltenfeldt, Communications Manager