We are honored to celebrate the legacy of Deborah Massachi, M.Ed. '13, the late co-director of ConnectEd: Professional and Community Learning, who passed away on June 25, 2025, following treatment for metastatic endometrial cancer. Deborah's life and work were defined by a deep and enduring commitment to educators, and her impact will continue through the creation of the Deborah Massachi Memorial Fund for Educators.

This named fund will support EduDesign fellowships that cover participation costs for in-service teachers across Washington state. Through EduDesign, preschool through 12th-grade educators take part in teacher-led professional development communities where they can reflect on their practice, share expertise and support one another. A former second-grade teacher, Deborah helped create these communities in response to challenges many educators face — including isolation, limited mentorship and unclear pathways for growth. By supporting EduDesign, the fund advances both meaningful professional learning and long-term educator retention in our state. 

Deborah’s connection to the College of Education began as a graduate student in education policy, where she earned her master’s degree in 2013. She returned to the College the following year as a staff member and, over the next decade, became a deeply valued colleague known for her expertise, thoughtfulness and unwavering commitment to educators. 

Her first professional role at the College was as a project manager supporting the Washington State accreditation review process for the Teacher Education Program. In 2015, Deborah became the project manager — and, the following year, managing director — of INSPIRE, a center for cultivating university–school–community collaborations in professional learning, directed by Dr. Elham Kazemi. In this role, Deborah helped guide and grow several impactful initiatives, including the Learning Labs Network, Partnerships for Early Learning – StoryTIME STEM, the Mentor Lab Project (in partnership with the Ackerley Partner School Network), Teacher Education by Design and the early development of EduDesign Learning Communities.

Dr. Kazemi shared:

Deborah took on her leadership role with grace and humility. She was deeply committed to supporting teachers, and the projects she managed within INSPIRE flourished under her thoughtful leadership. 

Launched during the 2015–2016 academic year, EduDesign grew from a desire to offer ongoing, collaborative professional development opportunities for the College’s educator alumni — many of whom had participated in INSPIRE projects. With Deborah’s guidance and support, EduDesign took shape as a teacher-led model that has since welcomed more than 400 educators, many of whom return year after year. The program brings educators together in cohorts organized by teaching focus and identity, including elementary and secondary education, special education, dual language education, early career teachers and BIPOC educators. Today, EduDesign is a signature professional development offering of the College and plays an important role in supporting educator retention across the Puget Sound region and Washington state. 

Gwen Sweeney, teacher candidate retention and support specialist, worked closely with Deborah to support EduDesign participants and shared the following: 

On a computer screen, across a table, with colleagues, with graduate students, with educators — Deborah helped create spaces to belong. She noticed when someone was not well, needed extra support or could use mentoring. That care extended beyond the workplace. She shared meals, welcomed people into her home, and showed up with generosity and intention. She was such a joy to collaborate with because she truly heard you, saw you and believed in you. 

Many educators who participated in EduDesign have shared how deeply they valued the sense of community and connection they experienced. That sense of belonging empowered them not only in their professional lives, but also in their justice-centered work with students and families. The ripple effects of Deborah’s care continue. 

An EduDesign participant reflected on Deborah’s impact: 

Working alongside her during the cohorts felt like being part of a small, meaningful community I didn’t even realize I needed. She created spaces that were safe, inclusive, joyful and often filled with the best snacks. She encouraged everyone to show up exactly as they were, with no pressure to be anything else. That kind of presence is rare, and so deeply valued. 

As INSPIRE evolved into ConnectEd, Deborah became its co-director in 2020. In this role, she continued her commitment to serving educators through custom-designed professional learning experiences grounded in research and responsive to the realities teachers face. Under her leadership, ConnectEd supported College of Education events, webinars and symposia, and became the home of the EduDesign Learning Communities. 

Deborah’s co-director at ConnectEd, Kendra Lomax, partnered closely with her to shape the office’s scope and reach within and beyond the College, and shared the following reflection: 

Deborah was the heart of ConnectEd. From the beginning, she played a pivotal role in shaping our work by bringing together an advisory group made up of individuals with a wide range of roles and identities who helped define our mission and vision. The values that emerged from that work — relationships, community, interconnectedness and justice — are a direct reflection of Deborah’s wisdom and leadership. She lived these values in every interaction; from the way she began each meeting with a sincere check-in to her relentless focus on creating more just learning spaces and communities. Her legacy will live on in the work we do, the values we hold and the community she helped build. 

Deborah will be remembered not only for her vision and leadership, but also for the deep relationships she built across the College and beyond. Her dedication to equity, her warmth and her steadfast support of educators leave a lasting legacy. 

Established in Deborah’s honor, the Deborah Massachi Memorial Fund for Educators will help ensure that teachers across Washington can continue to participate in EduDesign Learning Communities by reducing financial barriers and sustaining the resources that make this work possible. Through this fund, Deborah’s belief in teacher-led learning, community and care will continue to shape the experiences of educators and the students and communities they serve.

Make a gift to the Deborah Massachi Memorial Fund for Educators.