That’s me!
ABOUT ME
WHERE MY STORY BEGINS
If someone told that little girl that one day she would be running for elected office, she probably wouldn't have believed it.
Born in the Bay Area and raised in Northern Nevada, I had what I’d describe as a typical childhood, filled with school, 4-H, marching band, and girl’s golf. Like many Asian American households, the plan was to become a doctor or lawyer, but after graduating with a BA in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Reno (Go Wolf Pack!), I realized politics wasn’t for me—at least not then—so I pursued a Master's and Doctorate in Education. During my Master’s program, I began teaching 6th grade at Sierra Vista Elementary—now Lemelson STEM Academy—a Title I school with a wonderfully diverse student body that differed greatly from the schools I attended growing up. I’ll never forget a student casually mentioning a neighborhood shooting, and when I asked if they were okay, they said, “We’re fine. It happens all the time.” That moment opened my eyes to the privilege I had growing up and reminded me that as much as I hope students learn from me, I often learn even more from them. My time at Lemelson forever changed my life; I’m still in touch with many former students and am incredibly proud of all they’re accomplishing. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave the classroom to complete my PhD in Education, with an emphasis in Literacy Studies, which led me to begin a new chapter in higher education in Spokane, WA.
At graduation with students from my very first class.
DR. BEDFORD GOES TO WASHINGTON (STATE)
With my dog and hedgehog in tow, I made the 788-mile drive from Reno to Spokane to begin a new chapter as an assistant professor at Eastern Washington University, where I taught future educators best practices in literacy. In Spokane, I built meaningful community connections, met the love of my life, Jeff, and began to truly call the Inland Northwest home. Just as I was settling into this new life, the world turned upside down with the onset of COVID-19. Like many educators, I had to rapidly shift to online instruction, adapting my teaching to support students academically and emotionally while also ensuring equitable access to resources—all while balancing the needs of my own family.
As we emerged from the pandemic and moved toward a sense of “normalcy,” an open seat on the Spokane Public School Board became available. With the encouragement of community members—especially Jeff and my parents—I decided to run, driven by my deep belief in public education and the need for educators to have a seat at the decision-making table. Reflecting on my time in the classroom and how often I wished policy-makers had firsthand teaching experience, I knew I had to try—and I won. During my time on the Board, I was honored to help shape critical initiatives, including the naming of schools, planning a bond and levy for the ballot, and supporting the district’s Equity Policy to ensure all students and families feel valued and supported. I especially cherished visiting schools, connecting with students and teachers, and handing out diplomas at graduation—experiences I’ll always hold dear.
Reading at a community story time at a local bookstore.
NEW ADVENTURES IN THE PNW
With new opportunities calling our family to western Washington, we made the difficult decision to relocate to the South Sound. Though it was hard to leave our life in Spokane, I was excited to return to the classroom and now proudly serve as an elementary teacher in Seattle Public Schools and an active member of my union. It brings me so much joy to once again work directly with youth, supporting their growth as learners and engaged members of their community. As a teacher, I witness daily how decisions made at the local, state, and federal levels impact our schools, students, and staff—and I believe it’s time for those decisions to be made by people with classroom experience. That’s why I’m running for Puyallup School Board.
As School Board Director, I want to ensure our teachers and students are supported with the funding and resources they need and deserve. I want to see our schools modernized so that they can provide innovative and safe spaces for gathering and learning. I want to foster a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration between the school board, district administration, school staff, and our community so that we can achieve our common goal - supporting our students!
As my family and I begin planting our roots in Puyallup, I am excited for new opportunities that lay ahead. I am ready to give back to our new community by bringing an educator’s voice to the school board and working to protect the future our students deserve. I would be honored to have your support and earn your vote for Puyallup School Board.