Educators Helping Educators
WAME Board Members are elected to serve a two year term. Your board members are from all over Washington and are here to help you get the most out of your teaching experience! From providing our experienced teachers with new and inspirational professional development to mentoring novice teachers.
Shawn Perez
Current President
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Shawn M. Perez is an enthusiastic and innovative National Board Certified marketing teacher at Heritage High School, Vancouver, WA. She is passionate about teaching and loves the thrill of student learning. Currently teaching multiple marketing classes, an assistant head volleyball coach and DECA Advisor. Through DECA she has had multiple students compete and place at International marketing competitions. Shawn was awarded the School Administers, Community Leadership Award. She has also served on the National DECA School-Based Enterprise Board, and currently she serves as district department head for Business and Marketing teachers of Evergreen School District.
Before teaching Shawn held marketing director jobs at multiple non-profits, owned an accounting business and worked with different small businesses as an office manager. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Montana and Masters Degree in Educational Learning and Technology from Western Governors University. She is currently a National Board Certified Teacher. Shawn is the married to Tom and the mother of three daughters and one grandson.
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Brenda Grabski
Past President
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Brenda Grabski has been teaching high school for 16 years and is currently teaching IB Business Management and Marketing courses at Capital High School in Olympia. Brenda is a strong advocate for career and technical education that provides learners with authentic, real-world experiences and believes these experiences begin with talented teachers. Currently she serves as President Elect for WAME (Washington Association of Marketing Educators) and was honored as Washington’s Marketing Teacher of the Year in 2013. Brenda is a Nationally Board Certified teacher with a B.S. in Accounting, a B.S. in Business Education and a Master’s in Business Administration. Her professional career outside of academics included positions in accounting and the international petroleum industry.
An important aspect of her life is family -- her husband (a fellow backpacker and traveler), two sons, a daughter and a variety of pets.
Sierra Larkin
President-Elect
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Sierra Larkin is a third year business and marketing teacher at Wenatchee High School. She is currently teaching Intro to Business classes, Student Store Management, and Applied Math. As a DECA advisor she loves being able to see students grow and learn 21st century skills that will help them beyond high school. She is a graduate of Eastern Washington University holding a B.A. in Business Administration, a B.S. in Economics, and a Masters in Education.
Jodi Jacobs
Secretary ​
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​I have been teaching high school for 16 years. I am currently teaching Marketing courses as well as Independent Living and Career and College Readiness at Cascade Sr. High School in Everett. I also serve as the Cascade Sr. High School CTE Department Head and CTE Director Intern At CHS I am able to combine my love of running with coaching as one of the Cascade High School Cross Country coaches. Personally, I am dedicated to teaching as a profession. I am a hard-working, driven, and passionate person regarding my work. I am a motivated a self-starter as well as an enthusiastic team player and I love my husband and dog.
Renee Crow
Legislative Representative
Prior to teaching, Renee Crow was a successful buyer in the Fashion industry for Macy’s and David’s Bridal. She also was a buyer in the Sports and Entertainment merchandise industry. Ms. Crow has been teaching CTE classes since 2011. Last year, she added an AP 3D Studio Art & Fashion class to Hazen high school and this year the program grew to 3 sections. She also teaches Marketing Operations and Social Media Marketing. She is the proud advisor for DECA and for the FIDM Fashion Club. Her strengths as a teacher are connecting with students, trauma informed teaching, and connecting students with their interests. She earned her BA in Business from University of Washington, her MBA from Seattle University, her math teaching credentials from City University, and her CTE credentials from Central University. Ms. Crow’s most important aspect of her life is her little family (a.k.a. The Screamin’ Crows). She lives in Bellevue with her two sons ages 9 and 6…and a puppy. They participate in many cancer related philanthropic activities, soccer, basketball, and ballet. Her favorite quote is from Ice T, “Don’t hate the player; hate the game.”
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Lori Hairston
Washington DECA Executive Director
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Prior to her current position, Lori Hairston was an educator and DECA Advisor for 20 years. Her professional experiences include 16 years in Retail Management, 10 years on the board of the Washington Association of Marketing Educators, and 6 years on the Washington DECA Board of Directors, including 4 as Board Chair. Lori has her MBA in Management and Strategy.
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