Farewell & Thank You with Dr. Marisa Bier

Dr. Marisa Bier, the founding Director of the Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) at the Alliance for Education, has been a transformative leader in educator preparation for over a decade. Under her guidance, STR has evolved into a nationally recognized, innovative program that focuses on recruiting, training, and retaining teachers of color, providing essential support to students in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Before joining STR, Dr. Bier served as the Coordinator of the Secondary Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington, where she developed strong partnerships with local schools and enhanced the alignment of curriculum with practical teaching experiences. Her commitment to racial equity has been integral to STR's design, ensuring that aspiring educators are well-prepared to create equitable and affirming learning environments.

Recently honored as an Impact Academy fellow by Deans for Impact, Dr. Bier joins a distinguished cohort of leaders dedicated to improving educator preparation across the nation. This fellowship underscores her exceptional work and commitment to addressing the challenges faced by educator-preparation programs today.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. Bier has built a robust network of partnerships and coalitions, successfully expanding the reach and impact of the residency model. She leads a high-performing team that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a culture of growth and mentorship. Dr. Bier's vision and leadership have not only transformed STR but have also made a lasting impact on the educational landscape of Seattle.

As she departs from the College of Education, Dr. Bier leaves behind a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast dedication to educational justice. Her work has paved the way for future generations of educators, ensuring that all students have access to well-prepared teachers who are equipped to engage them from day one.

Could you share a brief reflection on your time at the College of Education?  

I walked into Miller Hall in April of 2004 and my life as an educator changed. I met Cap Peck and Bill McDiarmid, who brought me on as a doctoral student and a colleague to grow and learn from partnerships with schools and districts. I had the extraordinary privilege of having “fireside chats” with the late Dr. John Goodlad, who inspired my learning around how we improve schooling for children furthest from educational justice through simultaneous renewal of teacher preparation and schools. I had the good fortune of studying and working with Cap and Bill, as well as Dr. Ed Taylor, Dr. Ken Zeichner, and Dr. Elham Kazemi, and so many others who cultivated my leadership, including school partners in the region.  

Upon graduation, I was honored to take on the role of leading the Secondary Teacher Education program and worked with faculty to bring alignment between what they were teaching and how we supported teacher candidates in the field. Then, in 2012, I was beyond privileged to take on the role of leading the design and launch of the Seattle Teacher Residency in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, the Alliance for Education, and the Seattle Education Association. It has been an extraordinary journey, and I’ve had the great fortune of building incredible partnerships and working with amazing educators within Seattle, as well as across the country.

What achievements or contributions are you most proud of during your time here?  

Wearing that purple cap and gown and being “hooded” by Cap was one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had. And building and leading STR has been something I’m so proud of, and, in particular, the network of colleagues and friends that I have because of that work. STR has become a nationally recognized and highly regarded residency program, and we have learned and grown alongside other programs around the country, as well as our fellow programs at UW.

What will you miss the most about working at the College of Education?  

It’s hard to imagine not being a part of the College of Education. I honestly feel like I’ve made life-long friends and colleagues, and so I feel like I’ll continue to be connected.

What are your plans or aspirations for the future?  

I have some wonderful opportunities to support educator preparation programs around the country and assist in continuous improvement. I’m going to do some work as an independent consultant and continue to connect with colleagues in my network to decide on what else is next.

Is there a message or piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues and the College community?

My advice is the advice Cap always gave me – to always seek out and learn from each other…we have so many opportunities to learn, and they can easily be missed if we aren’t intentional. There is so much amazing work happening in all our programs and initiatives.