Damarys Espinoza (Highline Public Schools school board District 4, Washington, candidate 2025)

Damarys Espinoza

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Highline Public Schools school board District 4

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

University of California, Santa Barbara, 2004

Ph.D

University of Washington, 2014

Personal

Profession

Educator

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Damarys Espinoza is running in a special election to the Highline Public Schools school board to represent District 4 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] She was on the ballot in the special primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

Espinoza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Damarys Espinoza provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2025:

• Bachelor's: University of California, Santa Barbara, 2004
• PhD: University of Washington, 2014
• Gender: Female
• Profession: Educator
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes
• Campaign slogan: Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive. Together we can make that happen at Highline.
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

Special general election for Highline Public Schools school board District 4

Damarys Espinoza and Ken Kemp are running in the special general election for Highline Public Schools school board District 4 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Damarys Espinoza (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ken Kemp (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for Highline Public Schools school board District 4

Shirley-Nita Enninful, Damarys Espinoza, and Ken Kemp ran in the special primary for Highline Public Schools school board District 4 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Shirley-Nita Enninful (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Damarys Espinoza (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ken Kemp (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Damarys Espinoza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Espinoza's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Dr. Damarys Espinoza—a mother of Highline students, a first-generation Ph.D., and the daughter of Mexican immigrants. I bring over 20 years of experience working across education, government, and nonprofit sectors—all focused on creating the conditions for students and families to thrive.

Throughout my career, I’ve built programs, secured resources, and shaped policies that respond to what our communities actually need—whether that’s stronger academic pathways, better support for educators, or addressing challenges like housing instability, safe transportation, and student well-being. I understand both how systems work and how to make them work better for our kids.

Since being appointed to the Highline School Board in March 2025, I’ve brought clear vision and steady leadership rooted in four core commitments:

Every student thrives—with strong academics, career and college pathways, and the support they need to pursue the future they choose.

Educators are valued—with fair compensation, meaningful professional development, and a voice in the decisions that shape their classrooms.

Communities are healthy, connected, and included—because students do best when their families are supported and schools feel like a place of belonging.

Leadership is purposeful and accountable—with transparent budgeting, responsible planning, and real community input at the table.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Every student thrives—with strong academics, career and college pathways, and the support they need to pursue the future they choose.
• Educators are valued—with fair compensation, meaningful professional development, and a voice in the decisions that shape their classrooms.
• Communities are healthy, connected, and included—because students do best when their families are supported and schools feel like a place of belonging.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about public policies that create real support for students, families, and educators, both inside and outside the classroom. That includes education policies that strengthen academics and career pathways; workforce policies that value educators with fair pay and a voice in decision-making; and community policies that address housing instability, student well-being, and access to after-school programs. With over 20 years of experience in education, government, and nonprofits, I’ve worked to break down barriers and build systems that help young people thrive. I believe in policies rooted in lived experience, data, and the voices of those most impacted.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The most important responsibilities of school boards are setting the budget, shaping policy, and hiring and supervising the superintendent. To do this work effectively, a board member must be deeply connected to schools, families, and the broader community. Without those relationships, it’s impossible to make informed, equitable decisions that truly serve students.

I began my career as a paraeducator and now teach at the University of Washington. Over the years, I’ve held roles in both state and local government, leading health policy and initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for youth and families across Washington. Currently, I work at a local nonprofit that advocates for and serves families experiencing homelessness.

In each of these roles, I’ve been responsible for managing multi-million-dollar budgets, guiding strategic investments, and supervising high-level leaders. I bring both professional experience and a lifelong commitment to community advocacy, and I’m deeply rooted in the Highline community. These experiences uniquely equip me to lead with both heart and accountability as a school board member.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was as a dishwasher in my college dorm kitchen, which I held during the first years of my undergraduate studies. As a first-generation college student, my parents didn’t have the financial means to support my education, so I worked multiple jobs to help pay for school. Being a dishwasher was especially helpful because it provided a free meal with every shift, allowing me to save a little more on food. This experience taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and resourcefulness early on.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Supporting the diverse needs of our district’s students, faculty, staff, and community starts with a strong foundation of high-quality academics. Students deserve engaging, rigorous instruction that challenges them and prepares them for the many paths they may choose after graduation. This means equipping teachers with the resources, professional development, and flexibility necessary to meet each student’s unique learning needs.

At the same time, academic success depends on creating a supportive environment where students feel seen and supported beyond the classroom. Student support services—such as counseling and family engagement—are essential to removing barriers that can impede learning. These supports nurture the whole student, helping to create stability and confidence so every learner can thrive academically and personally.

For faculty and staff, fostering a collaborative, respectful culture is key. Providing opportunities for ongoing growth, recognizing their vital contributions, and attending to their well-being helps build a strong, resilient school community dedicated to student success.

Strategic use of data and community input ensures resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. Partnering with families and local organizations strengthens the support network around students, creating shared responsibility and deeper connections.

In this way, our district can provide an educational experience that prioritizes academic excellence while thoughtfully addressing the broad range of needs students and staff bring to our schools—empowering everyone to thrive.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

To ensure our schools are properly funded, we must approach budgeting as both a values-based and outcomes-driven process. Given recent and ongoing disinvestment in public education at the state and federal levels, Highline must be strategic, transparent, and proactive in how we align funding with student needs and long-term sustainability.

First, we must ensure that every dollar is tied directly to advancing student success. This means investing in what we know works: strong academic programs, career and college readiness, and wraparound services that support the whole student—such as stable housing, food access, and enrichment programs. All financial decisions should align with our district’s strategic plan and be evaluated based on clear, measurable outcomes.

Second, we need to continue investing in our educators and classified staff. A stable, well-compensated, and well-supported workforce is essential for improving student outcomes. That includes expanding professional development, ensuring culturally affirming workplaces, and reducing burnout by increasing in-classroom support.

Third, we must strengthen our advocacy at the state level to push for full and fair funding of basic education, especially special education, where Highline is currently underfunded.

Finally, we need to be creative in exploring other funding sources—such as public-private partnerships, philanthropy, and grants. This multi-pronged strategy will help ensure our schools remain strong, sustainable, and centered on student success.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Highline Education Association

MLK Labor
Sage Leaders
National Women's Caucus of Washington
Planned Parenthood Advocate Alliance
King County Democrats
33rd and 34th LD Democrats
SeaTac Mayor Mohamed Egal
Burien Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore
SeaTac Councilmember James Lovell

SeaTac Councilmember Senayet Negusse

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

My ideal learning environment is one where every student is challenged academically and prepared for life beyond graduation—whether that’s college, career, or another path they choose. It’s a place where rigorous instruction is matched with the right support, where students have access to strong foundational skills in literacy and math, as well as opportunities for real-world learning through STEM, the arts, dual-credit, and career pathways.

In this environment, learning is engaging, relevant, and future-focused. Students are equipped not just with knowledge, but with critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Educators are supported with the tools, training, and time they need to innovate and respond to the needs of diverse learners. Class sizes are manageable, and classrooms are well-resourced—ensuring that every child has what they need to succeed academically.

But academic success is only possible when students feel safe, valued, and connected. That’s why my vision also includes a learning environment where every student feels they belong. This means classrooms that are inclusive and culturally responsive, where the identities, languages, and lived experiences of students are reflected and respected. Students of all backgrounds should feel seen and supported.

An ideal learning environment also connects students and families to essential resources and support services. Schools must be places that not only foster achievement but actively remove barriers to it. When we align high expectations with high levels of support, students thrive—and that must be the goal of every school in our district.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

Building strong relationships with parents is essential to supporting student success and fostering a healthy school community. I would prioritize open, transparent, and consistent communication so parents feel informed and valued as partners in their child’s education. This includes multiple channels, such as community meetings and online engagements, to reach families where they are.

Creating welcoming, culturally responsive environments at schools is crucial so parents feel comfortable engaging with staff and leadership. I would host regular forums and listening sessions where families can share their perspectives, concerns, and ideas, ensuring their voices help shape district decisions.

Equally important is supporting and expanding parent leadership opportunities. I would work to strengthen existing parent advisory councils and encourage the development of new leadership roles that enable parents to actively participate in decision-making processes at the school and district levels. By empowering parents as leaders, we build a stronger partnership and ensure their insights help guide policies and practices that impact their children.

Collaboration with parent organizations and community groups is key to building trust and fostering ongoing partnerships. I would also advocate for resources such as workshops, language access, and family support programs that help parents effectively support their children’s academic and personal growth.

Ultimately, I see parents as vital members of the educational team. By fostering genuine, two-way relationships grounded in respect, shared goals, and active leadership opportunities, we can work together to create the best possible outcomes for our students.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

One story that deeply moved me was from a school bus driver who described his job not just as driving children to and from school, but as a profound responsibility. He sees himself as the first smiling, welcoming face many students encounter in the morning and the last one they see in the afternoon. For some children, he is the steady, positive presence that sets the tone for their entire day. His dedication embodies the heart of my campaign—ensuring every student has the support and care they need to truly thrive. This story reminds me that success in education isn’t just about what happens in the classroom, but the entire environment that surrounds and nurtures our students.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

One of my proudest accomplishments is being part of the estimated 1% of Indigenous and Latina women who hold a PhD—a milestone that reflects both personal perseverance and a commitment to education. Alongside that, being the mom of my three wonderful children has been an incredible journey that continually inspires and grounds me.

My career as an educator has allowed me to live my passion for creating opportunities and supportive environments for students and families. I also carry deep pride in being my parents’ daughter—their values and sacrifices have shaped who I am today.

Most recently, I was honored to be appointed to the Highline School Board in March 2025. This role gives me a platform to advocate for our community and work toward meaningful change in our schools, which is a responsibility I take with great dedication.

Each of these accomplishments is deeply connected, fueling my commitment to serve and support students, families, and educators.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Espinoza completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

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