Meet Our Instructors

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We wanted to give you an chance to meet our instructors. Below is a chance to meet our instructors and get to know them and the expertise they bring into the program.

 


Ashley Burford

- CTE Classroom Management
- Administration of WSL

Ashley Burford has been a Family and Consumer Science teacher in the Cheney School District for the past six years. Ashley was drawn to CTE courses when she was in high school, which lead her to eventually purse FCS education. While earning her degree at Central Washington University she received an Emerging Educator Award out of all of the graduating education students.  

Ashley was the Worksite Learning Coordinator for two years for Cheney High School, where she evaluated students at their place of employment and set goals for the students to meet. Ashley has taught a variety of courses over the past six years including: Child Development, Clothing & Textiles, Food Science, Introduction to Culinary Arts, Interior Design 1 & 2, Personal Finance/Independent Living and Teaching Academy. She currently is an FCCLA Advisor at Cheney High School. 


Noelle Carstens

- Fundamentals of CTE
- Philosophy of CTE

Noelle Carstens is the Pre/K - 5 Elementary Principal, Assistant Middle School Principal, and CTE Director in the Davenport School District in Davenport, WA.

Noelle began her teaching career in Stanfield, Oregon teaching a variety of CTE business and marketing courses at both the middle and high school levels. There she also worked as the CTE Director, and started the FBLA program for the high school.

In 2013 Noelle moved back home to Lincoln County, receiving a position teaching CTE business & marketing in Davenport. In addition to her teaching duties, Noelle served as the FBLA Advisor, running a very successful chapter averaging 60-70 students each year even while in a small rural school district. The chapter consistently had members placing at state level and competing at nationals, routinely placing in the top 10. In 2019, the Community Service Project team earned first place while competing in San Antonio, Texas.

Over the span of Noelle’s teaching career she has taught a wide variety of CTE courses including: 7th & 8th Grade Keyboarding, Introduction to Business, Accounting, Advanced Accounting, College Ready, Pre-Teacher Education Program, Computer Applications, Leadership, Job’s for Washington’s Graduates, Health, Student Store, Work Based Learning, and Graphic Design & Journalism. Several of these courses provided students opportunities to receive an industry certification, and/or dual credit.

In 2015 Noelle added CTE Director to her duties in Davenport. Through Noelle’s work as a CTE Director, a number of new courses and programs were implemented with the help of grants applied for and received. For example, an AP Computer Science Principles course was implemented, a K-12 STEM pathway was developed through the receipt of a grant that provided teacher professional development and curriculum/supplies to implement a number of Project Lead the Way courses, a Rural Satellite Skill Center with both a Construction Trades and Nursing Assistant program was created, an apparel heat press business was built through an FBLA Partnership with Business project, and a CASE (Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education) Ag Engineering Pathway is currently being phased in through the receipt of a grant. In addition, a number of industry standard technology, equipment, and curriculum was added into each of the CTE programs in Davenport due to grants applied for and received.

Completing her administrative credentials through WSU-Spokane in 2016, Noelle also took on several administrative roles in addition to CTE Director, serving as the Dean of Students, GEAR UP Director, and Technology Director. From 2016-2020 Noelle spent half her day doing administrative work, and the other half of the day teaching Leadership, Accounting I & II, Job’s for Washington’s Graduates, and maintaining the Work Based Learning program. Beginning July, 2020 Noelle transitioned to her new role in the district as a principal and keeping the CTE Director role.

Becca L'Amour

Dr. Rebecca L'Amour

- Program Manager for Curriculum & Staff Development

Educational History:
College of Santa Fe: B.A., Theatre
New York University: M.A., Performance Studies
National University: Elementary Teacher Certification
Western University: Principal Certification
City University of Seattle: CTE Director Certification
City University of Seattle: Ed.D, Organizational Leadership and Strategic Thinking

Becca has dedicated 14 years to education, beginning her career teaching elementary grades K-5 before transitioning to a math coaching role. She currently serves as an instructional coach and induction facilitator in the Renton School District, where she mentors new Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers and supports new teacher induction across the district. With a deep commitment to enhancing CTE education, Becca completed her dissertation on CTE teacher retention and is passionate about building systems and support structures to improve the efficacy and retention of industry-based CTE teachers.

Becca is a sought-after speaker across the state, presenting on topics such as Teacher Academy, Multilingual Learner Supports, and, of course, CTE Teacher Retention.

Interestingly, Becca's journey to the classroom mirrors the industry-to-education pathway she now advocates for. Before entering the education field, she worked in theatre as a stage manager and master electrician, eventually making her way to New York City to work in off-Broadway theatres. Over time, she found that world to be a bit jaded and decided to return to her hometown of San Francisco. There, she started an after-school theatre program for a K-8 school. Encouraged by the school’s principal to pursue a teaching certification, Becca embraced the opportunity—and the rest is history. Now, this theatre professional turned educator is using her unique background to inspire and support teachers across the state.

Teri Melone Picture
Teri Melone

- CTE Practicum

Just a little about Teri and what experience she brings to the table.

Education & Training:

  • BA in Business Administration – Pacific Lutheran University
  • BS in Business Education – Central Washington University
  • CTE Director Certification
  • Microsoft User Specialist
  • National Board Certified Teacher

Work History:

  • Customer Relations, WA State Health Plan
  • Human Resource and Merchandise Manager, Target Store
  • Business & Marketing Teacher, River Ridge HS
  • CTE/Instructional Technology Coach
  • Program Administration: CTE Director, Technology, SIS, Assessment and Communications Director
  • ESD 101 - OPLA, South Seattle, Bates Technology Colleges Plan II instructor
  • Consultant

Throughout her career, she has benefited from amazing mentors, colleagues and industry partners who have allowed her grow by sharing innovative ideas, reflecting on accountability and providing grace while being vulnerable. Education can be a lonely endeavor if you are not open to feedback and willing to change. A core belief she shares with her students is “who are you are is what you do when no one is looking.” She believes in walking the talk and leading by example.

You are the future of CTE education, and she truly believes in paying it forward.

Karen Hay

- CTE Classroom Strategies

Adam Smith Picture
Adam Smith

- CTE Portfolio
- CTE Practicum

Adam Smith currently teaches at Spokane Valley Tech in the Central Valley School District where is a FBLA Adviser, CyberPatriot coach, and FIRST Robotics coach. He previously taught at Cheney High School in Cheney, WA for 26 years where he was a FBLA Advisor, CyberPatriot coach. Adam is still currently the Spokane CTSA President, and the Online Professional Learning Academy Plan 2 CTE Certification program Program Director.

In 2010, he became a National Board Certified teacher and renewed his certification in 2020. In 2014, he was recognized by Cisco as an Expert Level Instructor placing him in the top 10% of the Cisco instructors globally based on the success of his academy and the success of his students.

As a teacher, he has have received multiple awards. In 2014 and 2021 he was awarded the FBLA Advisor of the Year. In 2016, he received the Washington State Business Education Association teacher of the year. In 2017 and 2024 he received the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator award, in 2018, he received the Western Region Business Education Association Educator of the Year award and in 2023, he received the WACTA CTE Director of the Year award.

He began teaching Microsoft Office Applications and Keyboarding and quickly fell in love with teaching technology. In 2001 he went through training to be a Cisco Networking Academy Instructor and has maintained a Cisco Networking Academy since then. Cheney is one of the only Cisco Networking Academy offered at a comprehensive high school in Washington.

In 2012 Adam began to investigate offering AP Computer Science at his school and was able to finally offer the class for the 2014-2015 school year. In his first year he had 23 of the 27 students who took the AP exam pass and of those had four students earn 5s. Since then he has maintained an 80% pass rate for his students on the AP exam.

Adam’s work with Computer Science has created some exciting opportunities. In 2016, he was asked to be part of a team of educators to meet with Washington State Senator Patty Murry to discuss an emphasis on teaching Computer Science and in 2019, he had the opportunity to deliver a TED Salon talk about Computer Science at Western Washington University.

Adam has run a very successful FBLA chapter that that has earned numerous state awards and routinely places students in the top 10 in the nation. His chapter has had one national champion, three 2nd place finish and five 3rd place finishes since 2010 with over 50 national top 10 placers. His chapter is particularly successful in Network Design competition placing top 15 in the nation 9 times.

Additionally, Adam runs a CyberPatriot club that consistently places multiple teams into the top 10 for Washington state and top 200 in the nation.

At Spokane Valley Tech, his current course offerings include Cisco Networking, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles and Cyber Security.

Kevin Smith Picture
Kevin Smith

- CTE Practicum

Kevin Smith is the CTE Director for the Renton School District in Renton, WA.

Kevin began his working career while in high school, working at a small grocery store chain in Covington, WA. He continued working there while in college, attending Green River College and then the University of Puget Sound, and graduate school, attending Seattle University. After ten years as a grocer, leaving as a senior journeyman, shift, and department manager, he was hired by the Enumclaw School District.

He started at Enumclaw High School in 1993, as a Social Studies Teacher, and then became involved with extra-curricular activities. He was a Leadership Teacher, ASB Advisor, Senior Class Advisor and Activity Director. During this time, he earned his principal certification from Central Washington University. After 13 years, he moved into administration. He served as an Assistant Principal and CTE Director for 11 years, taking on Alternative Learning and Athletics at different times, while also earning his CTE Director certification from the WACTA/OSPI program.

After 24 years in Enumclaw, he left for the Renton School District. He is in his 8th year as the CTE Director there. He oversees programs in 9 schools, with over 135 staff, serving all students grades 7-12. His programs include all CTE, Career and College Success Centers, GEAR-UP, Washington Alliance for Better Schools, and Native American Programs. He is currently the Past President of the Washington Association of Career and Technical Education; serves on the Renton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; serves on the Renton Technical College General and Workforce Advisory; and serves as Chair of City U's PEAB for their CTE Director Program and as a member of the WA-ACTE CTE Director Program PEAB. He is married to his wife Allison, has 3 children and one grandchild, and lives in Buckley, WA.

As he enters his 32nd year in education, he continues to deeply understand the importance of Career and Technical Education, and how that connection to all post-secondary pathways is what sets our students up for life-long success and joy.



Venetia Willis-Holbrook

- CTE Classroom Strategies
- CTE Classroom Management

Veneta Willis-Holbrook is the Supervisor of Secondary Initiatives and Site Administrator for the CPSD Open Doors program in Clover Park School District in Lakewood, WA.

The program is a 2018 National School Board Association MAGNA First Place Winner. The 2018 award theme was equity. Her program focuses on removing barriers and building relationships with students and families using trauma skilled practices to help students reach graduation. In 3 1/2 years the program has graduated 150 students who were severely credit deficient. She has reduced out of school suspensions, and increased family involvement in her program.

Her work includes special projects including implementing house bill 1541 and the new discipline rules for the district. This work includes developing systems and structures to reduce and eliminate discipline disparities in the district through cultural competency and intervention.

She is a presenter for the 2019 Beyond Paper Tigers conference for the session “Strategic Planning for High Expectations in a Trauma Informed School”

As an administrator, she coaches staff to build relationships with students through home visits, self regulation, and clear expectations. She is passionate about recognizing ambient belonging and implicit bias in classroom environments.

In the Plan 2 program, she plans to challenge student’s thinking about their students’ behavior and teach them skills to dig deeper to uncover what the functions of behavior are for students, and their barriers to success. She also plans to help students explore cultural competency through self-awareness and awareness of their students’ experience.

Venetia has spent all her educational experience in diverse, urban, high poverty schools.

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