Give to the League’s Education Fund in Memory of Carol Coe

Carol Coe grew up in Seattle, graduating from Tyee High School as part of its inaugural class in 1965. At the University of Washington, Carol participated in debate, becoming one of the first women to compete in the Senior Men’s Division. She graduated magna cum laude in 1969 with a degree in Speech. She then undertook a long career as a high school teacher, working at Thomas Jefferson, Rogers, Puyallup, Emerald Ridge, Northwest Yeshiva, and Cleveland. Known as a passionate and innovative educator, Carol began numerous highly regarded programs, including ENCORE (which taught students a process for creating and carrying out community projects), Students and Teachers Against Racism, and the Visions school-within-a-school program designed to reach non-traditional learners.

Carol’s groundbreaking teaching focused heavily on enhancing student discussion and participation, real-world applications, and meaningful community connections. In her words, she viewed “education as democracy.” Among the many accolades that Carol received were, in 1994, recognition as the Washington State Teacher of the Year and, in 1995, the National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation.

Carol had boundless energy, especially when it came to teaching and learning. In 2012—completing what she saw as a fun retirement project—she earned a PhD in Education from UW. Soon thereafter, Carol came out of retirement to work as the Director of Social Studies for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. There, she overhauled and revitalized social studies curriculum and civic education initiatives, testifying before the legislature on multiple occasions and successfully increasing state funding for these vital programs. Carol’s career in education ultimately spanned nearly 50 years, influencing thousands of students, teachers, leaders, and citizens.