Meet our LEDE Faculty

Dr. Tyson Marsh
Associate Professor & Program Director

Dr. Tyson E.J. Marsh is Associate Professor and Director for the Leadership Development for Educators Program (LEDE) in the School of Educational Studies at the University of Washington, Bothell. His work as an international school leader coupled with his experience working in rural, suburban, and urban schools in the United States inform his research focused on the political, historical, social, cultural and economic function of education and educational leaders in relation to Black and Indigenous communities. Dr. Marsh’s

current work is focused on utilizing critical theories of race, class, and gender to assist educators in understanding the coloniality of schooling, while developing their agency and commitment to community-centered approaches to teaching, learning, and leadership.

Dr. Chelsea Craig

Email: craigc5@uw.edu

With a Doctorate in Education and a wealth of experience as Vice Principal and cultural specialist leader at a local tribal school, Chelsea Craig is a dedicated educational leader and nationally renowned presenter known for her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Specializing in leading and supporting students, particularly Tribal students, Chelsea consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of their unique needs and challenges.

She is deeply rooted in her culture and participates in teaching the youth traditional songs and cultural ceremonies that have been passed down for generations. Her work is driven by a genuine desire to promote the well-being and success of her community, with a focus on the best interests of her people and future generations.

Dr. Kyle Kinoshita

Email: kinosk@uw.edu

Dr. Kyle Kinoshita is a career educator and student and teacher of educational leadership. He has been an affiliate faculty member in the University of Washington-Bothell Leadership for Educator Development (LEDE) principal preparation program since 2011. He is also currently a faculty member and field internship advisor in the UW Leadership for Learning (L4L) doctoral program. Dr. Kinoshita was a school principal at Edmonds and Highline districts for 13 years and a teacher in Seattle and Shoreline prior to that.

After this time, he was Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in the Marysville School District, with principal supervision and curriculum responsibilities for 9 years. He retired in 2019 from Seattle Public Schools, where he was Executive Director and Chief of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction.

In all leadership roles there were deep intersections with issues of race and equity. Dr. Kinoshita earned a B.A.Ed. in Ethnic Studies from Western Washington University, and his master’s and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington. His graduate work for both degrees focused on leadership in the quest for equity.

In 1993, he received the Christa McAuliffe-Excellence in Education Award from the State of Washington; in 2000, the Snohomish Region Distinguished Principal Award from the Association of Washington State Principals and in 2004 and 2024 the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the University Council for Educational Administration.

Leslie Lederman

Email: leder@uw.edu

Leslie Lederman is an experienced education leader with 29 years in public education and a current role in the private sector supporting educator growth nationwide. She began her career teaching elementary students before moving into school leadership in the Issaquah School District, where she served as principal of Sunny Hills Elementary.

Leslie earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Washington Bothell in 1996 and achieved National

Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist in 2009. She later completed a Master of Education in Educational Leadership through UW Bothell’s LEDE program in 2012.

In her current position as Professional Development Director for the Bureau of Education & Research (BER), Leslie coaches expert teachers in planning and delivering professional learning for K–12 educators across the country. She guides them as they develop topics, refine presentation skills, and design sessions that are timely, practical, and grounded in classroom realities. Her work continues to focus on strengthening instructional practice, effective communication, and student-centered school communities.

Erin Rasmussen

Email: erasmu@uw.edu

Erin has spent her life in Washington state, where she built her career as an educator and leader. She began teaching 4th-7th grade at a Title I K-8 school in north Seattle (2008-2014), where she discovered her passion for leading system-level change. After earning her M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Seattle University, Erin became an assistant principal at Seattle Public Schools’ Aki Kurose Middle School, where she expanded equitable access to advanced math—quadrupling the number of students on a college-prep

track.

She then served as Principal of Emerson Elementary, guiding the community through a healing and visioning process after years of turnover. Her leadership focused on equity, student belonging, sustainable MTSS systems, literacy acceleration, and restorative justice practices rooted in student, family, and community voice.

After nearly a decade as a school leader, Erin founded Empower Educational Leadership, supporting districts in culturally responsive leadership, coaching, and training. Her work includes leading equity-focused professional learning, partnering with Seattle Public Schools and the University of Washington to co-design literacy experiences with families of Black boys, and strengthening culturally responsive practices across schools and central office departments. Across all her roles, Erin has prioritized empowering community voice, building sustainable systems, and ensuring strong Tier 1 instruction, while modeling collaboration and equity-driven leadership.

Dr. Melissa Riley

Email: mar33@uw.edu

Dr. Melissa Riley was born on the island of Dominica, the origin of her strong Afro-Caribbean roots. She immigrated to the United States when she was three, landing in Washington State where she has lived most of her life. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Sociology and her K-8 teaching credential from Whitman College. Later, she earned her master’s from City University of Seattle in Curriculum & Instruction. In 2013, she earned her master’s in educational leadership from University of Washington, Bothell’s LEDE

Program. She recently graduated from the University of Washington’s L4L program with her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy and her Superintendency Certification.

Dr. Riley’s formal educational career started in Washington in 1999, teaching preschool and subbing in high school. In California, she taught sixth grade in elementary school, and English, Social Studies and Leadership at a K-8 Science and Technology magnet school before teaching junior high English in Nevada. She returned to Washington State in 2005, and taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade in the Northshore School District for seven years. She remained in Northshore, taking on new roles as an elementary TOSA, junior high assistant principal, an elementary principal and Assistant Director of Equity Pedagogy. Over the last three years, she has served on Northshore’s senior cabinet, as an assistant superintendent and now directly supports 13 building principals as the Executive Director of Schools.

Dr. Riley strives to teach and lead for racial, educational, and social justice. She is excited to engage candidates in learning about the principalship through anti-racist praxis and justice-centered leadership that enact liberatory practices to transform schools and enhance students’ agency and their capacity to achieve their goals now and in the future.