East Wenatchee’s Dr. Sue Kane appointed to Washington State Board of Education

The Washington State Board of Education this week announced the appointments of Dr. Sue Kane of East Wenatchee and Shari Conditt of Ridgefield to the board. Both appointees were named by Gov. Bob Ferguson, began their terms Dec. 8, and will serve through January 2029. They are scheduled to be sworn in at the board’s Feb. 11 meeting.

Dr. Kane brings extensive experience in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, technology literacy, and career-connected learning to the board. She is chief executive officer of the NCW Tech Alliance, a nonprofit focused on digital skills, artificial intelligence literacy, and entrepreneurship programming designed to connect people and technology.

Previously, Kane spent eight years as director of STEM initiatives and strategic partnerships at the North Central Educational Service District, where she worked with schools and colleges around workforce preparation. Her work has also included participation on the Governor’s STEM Innovation Alliance from 2019 to 2024 and advisory roles emphasizing equitable access for tribal, rural and multilingual communities.

“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,” Kane said in a board release.

Conditt, a nationally recognized civics and history educator, joins the board with more than two decades of classroom experience. She has taught U.S. government and history in Woodland Public Schools and has received numerous awards for her teaching, including the 2025 Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Prize for Excellence in Teaching Civics from iCivics and the 2024 National Civics Teacher of the Year award from the Bill of Rights Institute.

Conditt has also served on the Washington Teacher Advisory Council and as a School Ambassador Fellow for the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, she teaches future educators as an adjunct professor at Washington State University Vancouver and Lower Columbia College.

Board Chair Mary Fertakis said the combined expertise of Kane and Conditt will support the board’s work to advocate for a K–12 education system that prepares students with a broad range of skills and knowledge for success in a changing world.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media