The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is pleased to introduce our newest staff member, Rassamy X. Smith. Rassamy, WSSDA’s learning and development specialist, will work closely with WSSDA’s director of leadership development, Dr. Heather Curl. Rassamy’s work will have her interacting with members regularly by facilitating trainings and supporting school directors in meeting their professional development needs.
Rassamy, born in Washington state to a Laotian war refugee family, has always been passionate about education. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a focus on K‑12 special education. She launched her career in special education by working as a specialist for multiple Washington state school districts, where she developed and implemented data collection systems for program assessment and created inclusive learning environments. As an instructional designer, she developed culturally responsive learning modules. She was also involved in professional development design for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Skilled in both virtual and in-person facilitation, Rassamy has partnered with educational leadership teams to embed equity practices across programs and designed assessment frameworks to drive continuous improvement. Having facilitated training for over 1,300 participants, and with her background in curriculum design, event coordination, and stakeholder engagement, Rassamy’s previous experience will benefit school directors and support WSSDA’s mission.
“As a second-generation Lao refugee who grew up in Pasco schools and went on to teach special education in Spokane, Bellevue, and Renton, I’ve experienced Washington’s education system from multiple perspectives,” said Rassamy. “I’m genuinely excited to join WSSDA because I’ve seen how thoughtful governance creates opportunities for all students.”
In her personal life, Rassamy is an avid West Coast Swing dancer, competitor, and organizer dedicated to building inclusive dance communities. Her passion for dance is parallelled by a deep commitment to education. Her dual dedication aligns perfectly with WSSDA’s mission to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all.
Please extend a warm welcome to Rassamy as she begins making a lasting impact across our state.