SW Washington Regional Director, Akin

Within my work in family services and behavioral health, I have served youth and their families in our community for over 10 years. Throughout those years many families have expressed a need for an option like Rooted. Additionally, as a young child who experienced foster care and adoption, and then the mental health system in my teen years, school was always the place where I found hope for a different, better future. I see Rooted as a similar incredible opportunity, a school where students not only belong, but they thrive.

Community Development Manager, Fourth Plain Forward

I often wonder what it would have been like to attend a high school where I truly belonged, thrived, and felt empowered. At Rooted School Vancouver, I know our children will be provided with the tools to thrive, be uplifted and empowered to pursue their educational goals, while also expanding their knowledge and opportunities for new careers. It is important to cultivate the next generation of talented individuals in Vancouver, supporting them every step of the way, and closing the racial wealth gap. Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, we will foster a stronger community and give our children a chance to participate in the tech industry. Rooted School Vancouver is committed to creating a better community, and a space where our children can grow succeed and excel.

Office of Equity & Inclusion Business Partner

Director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships

As someone who dropped out of school in the 9th grade, I understand what it feels like to not be successful in a traditional school setting.  It wasn’t until I found the Job Corps program and experienced a hands-on, real world education framework that I was able to find my way and create a new path for myself.  Growing up in poverty and trauma, educational attainment was not prioritized.  By finding an environment where I felt welcomed and supported, I was empowered to continue my education and pursue a different kind of life.  I have spent the past 20 years working in education and workforce settings to try to help others do the same.  Joining Rooted School Vancouver feels like a natural extension of that work.  I want to see young people have access to the economic mobility that will allow them to thrive and contribute to a vibrant community through the power of education.  I have continued my own professional journey as the Director of Guided Pathways and Partnerships at Clark College, and love to encourage youth to pursue higher education.

Human Resource Consultant
I’m committed to supporting Rooted school Vancouver because I believe in investing in the future of our community, particularly for our youth. As a step-mom to three Hispanic teens/pre-teens, I’ve dedicated my life to ensure they have the same opportunities for success as any other child regardless of their race, financial upbringing or goals in life. 

Inspired by my late grandmother, a dedicated school teacher in the early 1900's, I understand the transformative power of education. I personally experienced the challenges of affording higher education, working full-time to fund my own college degree. By supporting Rooted School Vancouver, I hope to empower young people to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

Specialist, Vancouver School District

I found Rooted Vancouver through a friend who was looking for a school for her Black children. My husband and I looked at the vision and mission of Rooted and knew immediately that this was what we wanted our children to be a part of. I strongly believe that there is a system that keeps Black and Brown people from profiting from the ‘American Dream’. I want to be a part of changing that system and helping our families, as well as for others in our community, manipulate that system to their benefit. I have lived and worked in Vancouver for over 18 years and have seen what a positive and educated community can do to uplift our students and families. When given the opportunity our children flourish and are willing to share their joy and knowledge with others. I believe that is what Rooted School Vancouver is doing and am proud to be a part of the hard work happening here in Vancouver, WA.

As an educator who has served as a teacher, principal, and district leader, I have seen firsthand that a traditional school setting doesn't always provide the bridge to the life our students dream of- full of economic agency. I have dedicated more than two decades to building those bridges—ensuring that "school" isn't just about a diploma, but about a high-paying career and the financial freedom that comes with it.

This mission has led me from the classrooms of Oregon to the boroughs of New York City, where I’ve worked to dismantle the systems that hold our youth back. Whether I was founding a CTE high school in the Bronx to connect students to certified trades, or, more recently, consulting on a $2 billion national grant to launch school-to-apprenticeship programs in 11 major cities, my focus remains the same: creating the conditions for students to thrive.

Joining Rooted School Vancouver feels like a homecoming for my values. In my current work as a Senior Advisor for FullBloom, I advocate for instructional rigor that translates directly into community wealth. I hold a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Johns Hopkins and am a proud University of Oregon alumna, but my true passion lies in the "Rooted" vision—ensuring that our local youth have the skills, credentials, and power to contribute to a vibrant, equitable community.