Stritikus Joins Northwest Regional Education Laboratory Board

Tom Stritikus, associate dean of academic programs at the University of Washington College of Education, has been named to the board of directors of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) in Portland.

Stritikus is one of 29 directors governing NWREL, a private, nonprofit corporation that works to improve learning by building capacity in schools, families, and communities through applied research and development. (Other Washington board members include former- OSPI superintendent Terry Bergeson, business representative Jeff Estes of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Seattle teacher Jeri Harris, Seattle University program coordinator Richard McCullough and Renton superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel.)

Stritikus brings to the board a long list of credentials, including eight years on the faculty of UW’s College of Education. He also taught elementary and middle school in Baltimore and San Francisco, in addition to teaching English to adults in Morelia, Mexico. Much of his research has centered on teaching English language learner students and on the Latino achievement gap. Stritikus holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in Education in Language, Literacy, and Culture.  

The Seattle resident joins other educators, district superintendents and chief state school officers in helping guide the work of the Laboratory—most of which is centered on the five Northwest states of Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. "One of the primary reasons for the success and national recognition enjoyed by NWREL has been the willingness of regional educators, and others working to improve education, to devote their time serving on the board," said NWREL Chief Executive Officer Carol Thomas. "Over the years, our board members have provided solid leadership, advocacy and support to ensure direction that results in high quality and useful products and services for the region and beyond."

NWREL counts among its members 932 Northwest agencies and organizations, including 323 in Washington. They are the primary clients for NWREL services and partners in the Laboratory’s educational research and development.

Learn more about NWREL.