Marissa R. Winmill

Marissa Ricamara Winmill was born, raised, and educated in the Quezon Province, Philippines. She spent her first ten years of her career teaching in Catholic schools in Manila. In 2002, she landed a teaching job in La Joya, Texas, as a reading specialist, and three years later, she made a move to Washington, where she now resides. She teachers ELLs at Kent-Meridian High School, one of the most diverse high schools in the nation. The nearly 200 refugee students she serves and teaches, inspire her to continue to advocate for access, social justice, equity, and excellence in her school, district, and state. Marissa holds her National Board Certification in Teaching English as a New Language, and a master’s in educational leadership with principal certification. She is currently working on her doctorate in educational leadership. She serves as a board member for the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board and as a leader for a network of Teachers of Color in Washington. Marissa led the Refugee Educator Foundations of Practice Washington pilot cohort, which drives her in building an inclusive and dynamic community of refugee teacher practitioners committed to supporting students of refugee backgrounds to not only survive but thrive.