Introducing Cedar Louis as New Family Engagement Coordinator

Dear Vashon Island School District Families, Staff, and Community,

We are pleased to announce that Cedar (Elizabeth) Louis has joined our district team as the new Family Engagement Coordinator. This role focuses on strengthening district-wide systems, programs, and partnerships to support equitable student outcomes and ensure meaningful family collaboration.

Cedar is a Vashon resident who has witnessed firsthand the wonderful experience her stepdaughter had navigating the Vashon Island School District from kindergarten through graduation. That journey showed her the deep dedication of our local teachers and staff, inspiring her commitment to support that same positive experience for all families in our community.

Professionally, Cedar has spent more than ten years turning community perspectives into actionable institutional strategy. Her background includes leading community workshops, home visits, and focus groups for organizations like Landesa, as well as collaborating with public agencies through U.S. Digital Response to update internal systems for better access. Cedar holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences/Human Geography, is conversational in Spanish, and brings extensive cross-cultural experience from her global research and fieldwork.

In this position, Cedar will work closely with Nidia Sahagun and serve as a liaison between district leadership, employees, families, and the broader community. They will coordinate efforts to build trusted relationships, incorporate family perspectives into district decisions, and advance strategic goals around equity, access, and belonging. She can be reached at clouis@vashonsd.org and looks forward to working with you.