Meet the Commission

Alyssa Fairbanks

Alyssa Fairbanks serves as the Assistant Director of Special Education Dispute Resolution at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). She began her career at OSPI as a complaint investigator and now oversees Washington’s special education dispute resolution system, including managing a team of investigators and coordinating mediation and due process in collaboration with partner agencies and organizations.

A graduate of Whitman College and the University of Washington School of Law, Ms. Fairbanks grew up attending K–12 schools in the Edmonds School District, where she was introduced to inclusive classrooms and inspired by dedicated educators. Throughout her career, she has remained focused on advancing equity in special education and ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality public education.

Recognized for her ability to listen carefully and consider multiple perspectives, Ms. Fairbanks is committed to fostering collaboration among students, families, educators, and schools across Washington.

Dr. Donald Felder

Retired from Casey Family Programs, Dr. Felder’s 30 years as a skilled and compassionate teacher, consultant and principal at Seattle Public Schools helped to positively transform the lives of thousands of students. During his years running Interagency Academy, Dr. Felder effectively protected the education rights of struggling students that included those who were pushed out from traditional schools and those who were adolescent offenders, homeless or in foster care. His leadership resulted in a significantly expanded and improved alternative education program that continues to successfully serve and educate 6th -12th grade students. He is currently an educational consultant, lecturer, and active advocate for children and for race and social justice in education.

Shomari Jones

Shomari Jones: Principal and Chief Strategist, The Bridge Consultancy 

“I believe public education should feel like belonging, possibility, and accountability working together in service of students and families.”

Shomari serves as a Commissioner for the Washington State Charter School Commission, supporting the Commission’s mission to authorize, oversee, and strengthen high-quality public charter schools across Washington State. In this role, he brings more than fifteen years of experience in educational leadership, equity strategy, and community partnership to help ensure schools are strong, accountable, and positioned to deliver excellent outcomes for students, especially those furthest from justice.

Shomari is known for helping institutions move from equity as an intention to equity as an operational reality, building trust across differences, and turning complex challenges into practical, human-centered action. He brings a deep commitment to belonging, transparency, and meaningful engagement with families and communities, believing public trust is earned through clarity, consistency, and care.

Outside of work, Shomari enjoys collecting art and reflecting on how culture and story shape the way we see the world, and of course, you can always ask him about the meaning behind his favorite piece.

Harium Martin-Morris, Commissioner At Large

Commissioner Harium Martin-Morris was designated to serve on the Commission as a member of the State Board of Education. Mr. Martin-Morris possesses a unique blend of classroom teaching experience, education policy development, school district governance and management expertise. In 2015, he retired from The Boeing Company after 17 years in software development. He was elected twice to Seattle School Board serving from 2007 to 2015. During his tenure on the Seattle School Board, he served on the Council of Great City Schools board of directors and the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) steering committee as its vice-chair. While a member of the Seattle School Board, he led the effort to end the out of school suspensions of elementary students with the aid of undergraduate students from the University of Washington. That work led to a resolution and actions that passed unanimously. And in the two years since its passage, hundreds of students remained in school getting an education instead of falling further behind their fellow students. His ability to listen, build coalitions and create conscience has made him a successful advocate for public education.

After his retirement from The Boeing Company, Harium started a consulting group with a focus on school district communication, equity and school improvement. Currently, Harium serves on two non-profit boards, the Equity in Education Coalition and the Boeing Employees Flying Association.

Harium and his wife, Linda, have two children. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from State University of New York at Cortland, and Master of Business Administration from Babson College as well as a Washington State Residency Teaching Certificate. Harium currently serves on the State Board of Education.

Vickey Melcher

A lifelong resident of Eastern Washington, Odessa High School alumnus Vickey Melcher has devoted her life to improving the state of education in Washington. With a BA in Special Education and an MA in Counseling Psychology, Vickey has worked in many different capacities to ensure the educational needs of ALL students in Washington State are met.

Vickey was a teacher for 16 years, including two as head of Special Education for Moses Lake High School. She was elected to the Moses Lake School board in 2017, serving as Director, Legislative Representative and President in her four years of service. While on the board, Vickey launched a monthly webinar for Eastern Washington school board members, legislators, superintendents and members of the State Board of Education (SBE), with the goal of creating a unified message grounded in understanding that, while all districts may have the same issues, how each district deals with them is unique to the district and the community they serve.

Vickey was part of the design team for Moses Lake’s Vanguard Academy and is a member of the General Advisory Board for CTE education in Moses Lake. She also serves on the foundation board of Big Bend Community College and as a Washington State Early Learning Fellow.

Vickey’s philosophy is that the best education for our children depends on the good decisions we make for them. Vickey and her husband Wes are blessed to have their children (Jayson and daughter-in-law Stephanie; Jesyka and son-in-law Brad) and five grandchildren all residing near them in Moses Lake.

Carla Rogenmuser, Vice Chair

Before putting down roots in the Pacific Northwest, Carla grew up in rural Pennsylvania Dutch Country. She was a 2019 WA Charters Aspiring Leaders Fellow and completed the University of Michigan Micro Masters Program of Leading Educational Innovation and Improvement in 2021. Carla is currently serving as Board Chair and President of the charter parent-led nonprofit Washington State Family Advocacy Board and works in state level education policy. Her focus is on equitable practices sector wide while holding a high standard of accountability in service to those traditionally underserved by the education system.

Christine Varela

Christine Varela is a strategic communication consultant and partner with the integrated marketing firm DH. Christine counsels CEOs and senior leaders across the northwest in industries such as healthcare, education, transit, B2B, and more. Christine works with organizations to build their reputations, influence public opinion and drive consumer behavior. She has deep expertise in public affairs, public relations, issues management, crisis communication and advocacy.

Christine serves as the Chair of the Greater Spokane Incorporated’s Public Policy Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Spokane County, Greater Spokane Incorporated, and is the past chair of the North Pacific District chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Christine was one of the founding Board members for PRIDE Prep, one of the first public charter schools in Washington State.

Christine graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. She is also accredited in public relations (APR) through the Public Relations Society of America.