Date: December 12, 2025
Purpose: Governance layer completion for Moses Lake
transparency project
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) controls WHO can teach in Moses Lake schools through:
KEY DIFFERENCE FROM SBE: While State Board of Education controls WHAT students must learn (graduation requirements), PESB controls WHO can teach them (teacher qualifications).
Board Composition: - 12 members total - All appointed by Governor - Majority must be “active practitioners” - Majority of practitioners must be classroom-based - Terms: 4 years (vary by member) - Members continue serving until replacement appointed
Current Members (10 visible from website): 1. Adam Aguilera - Evergreen Public Schools, WEA 2. Special Ed Teacher - Helen Baller Elementary, Camas SD 3. Alejandro Castro-Wilson (Executive Committee) - Special Ed Teacher, Renton SD 4. Dr. Tenesha Fremstad - Principal, Tukwila SD 5. Michaela Jackson - Director BAS Programs, Lower Columbia College 6. Susan Lathrop - OSPI Interim Chief Education Officer (Ex-officio) 7. Juan Mata - School Counselor, Wahluke SD (Eastern WA!) 8. Denise Renteria - Early Learning Coordinator, Puget Sound ESD 9. Dr. Kevin Roxas - Dean, WWU Woodring College of Education 10. Dr. Nicole Talbert (Executive Committee) - CTE Teacher, East Valley SD (Eastern WA!)
Executive Director: Dr. Hernandez-Scott (staff, not board member)
Geographic Note: At least 2 members from Eastern Washington (Mata-Wahluke, Talbert-East Valley)
Teacher Certification: - Sets requirements to become a teacher in Washington - Determines which out-of-state certifications are recognized - Establishes testing requirements - Mandates continuing education (clock hours, professional growth plans)
Preparation Program Approval: - Approves which colleges can prepare teachers (e.g., CWU, EWU, WWU) - Sets standards programs must meet - Reviews program performance - Can shut down failing programs
Educator Discipline: - Establishes code of conduct for all teachers - Investigates violations - Can revoke or suspend teaching certificates - Issues “letters of concern” for minor issues
Professional Development: - Sets requirements for certificate renewal - Approves clock hour providers - Mandates specific training topics: - STEM integration - Suicide prevention - Equity-based practices - Cultural competency - Government-to-government relations - Social-emotional learning
Every teacher at Moses Lake High School must: 1. Meet PESB certification requirements 2. Complete PESB-mandated continuing education 3. Follow PESB code of conduct 4. Participate in PESB-required trainings
If Moses Lake wants to hire a teacher: - Must verify PESB certification - Cannot hire anyone without proper PESB credentials - Must ensure teacher maintains certification
If teacher has conduct violation: - OSPI Office of Professional Practice investigates - PESB makes final determination on certificate action - Can result in teaching career ending statewide
Major Initiatives:
Cultural Competency Required: All educators must demonstrate “cultural responsiveness and center diversity, equity, and inclusion” in supporting students.
Required Instructional Topics: - Issues of abuse (identification, reporting, prevention) - Equity-based school practices - Government-to-government relations (tribal) - Social-emotional learning - STEM integration - Suicide prevention
Educator Code of Conduct Includes: - Social media and digital communications standards - Sexual misconduct prohibitions (including grooming definition) - Professional boundaries - Reporting obligations
Discipline Levels: 1. Letter of Concern (non-disciplinary, preventive) 2. Conditional Certificate (restrictions) 3. Suspension (temporary loss of certificate) 4. Revocation (permanent loss of certificate)
Works With: - OSPI (implementation agency) - State Board of Education (different jurisdiction) - Higher Education institutions (preparation programs) - Local school districts (hiring and evaluation)
Reports To: - Governor (appointments) - Legislature (recommendations, required reports)
Advises: - Superintendent of Public Instruction - Governor on educator issues - Legislature on policy needs
Wahluke School District Representation: Juan Mata serves as school counselor at Morris Schott STEAM Elementary in Wahluke SD and sits on PESB. This gives Grant County area direct representation on the board that controls teacher certification.
Eastern Washington Teachers: Many Moses Lake teachers likely completed preparation programs at: - Central Washington University (CWU) - Ellensburg - Eastern Washington University (EWU) - Cheney - Washington State University (WSU) - Pullman
All three programs are PESB-approved and subject to PESB review.
Teacher Shortage Impact: Grant County experiences teacher shortages. PESB’s alternative route programs and recruitment initiatives directly affect Moses Lake’s ability to hire qualified teachers.
| ASPECT | STATE BOARD | PESB |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | What students learn | Who teaches students |
| Focus | Graduation requirements | Teacher qualifications |
| Members | 16 (mixed selection) | 12 (all appointed) |
| Selection | Appointed + Elected | All appointed by Governor |
| Power Over Students | Direct (graduation) | Indirect (through teachers) |
| Power Over Teachers | None | Direct (certification) |
| Moses Lake Input | Minimal | One member from region |
Similar to State Board: PESB has significant power but receives minimal public attention.
Why This Matters: - Controls who can teach your children - Sets professional standards - Can end teaching careers - Determines continuing education requirements - Yet operates with little public scrutiny
Unlike Legislature: - No public campaigns - No constituent contact - All members appointed (no elections) - Meetings rarely covered by media - Decisions affect every teacher statewide
All Members: No PDC records expected or found, as: - Members are appointed (not elected) - No campaigns required - No campaign finance involved
Primary Authority: RCW 28A.410.200-210
Administrative Rules: WAC 181 series
Major WAC Sections: - WAC 181-78A: Teacher preparation programs - WAC 181-79A: Teacher certification - WAC 181-85: Continuing education - WAC 181-87: Code of professional conduct
Document Version: 1.0
Date: December 12, 2025
END OF PESB PROFILE
This document is part of the Moses Lake School District transparency project. See also: State Board of Education, Education Committee, Governor Ferguson, OSPI Superintendent Reykdal.