Meet Devin Leshin

Candidate for Tahoma School Board Director, Position 4

Devin with his wife and kids

Devin is a parent and community advocate whose lifelong commitment to public education was shaped by growing up with two union-based public school teachers. He himself has had classroom experience, both as a short-term and long-term substitute teacher as well as being an active member of curriculum writing committees for his childhood district in Virginia. With leadership experience on nonprofit boards (NAMI Seattle) and in corporate marketing, management, and IT consulting, he brings experience in first listening to those affected by a situation, gaining open and honest feedback on what they feel is needed to be supported and safe, and then working together to develop and execute a plan for success. He will stand with educators, champion students’ well-being, help make smart funding decisions, and ensure that every student can thrive.

Devin's oldest in Color Guard — Devin’s oldest during Color Guard

Devin is always ready to talk about his less-than-traditional path with his own educational journey. Having gone through public schools in his districts’ version of “HiCap”, Devin took an extended education break and entered the work force. Many years later, after starting a young family with his wife and two children, Devin decided to get his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and then immediately continued to get his Masters of Business Administration. This path worked for him in that it allowed him to approach his advanced studies with a more grounded, life seasoned mindset. While he recognizes that this approach is not for everyone, this experience has allowed him to understand that each student’s path is different and the more options available that leads to success, the better.

As a School Board member, Devin will bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to collaboration. He believes that the best decisions for students are made through the collective efforts of educators, parents, and community members and is ready to be a steady, consistent, and transparent leader to help develop and implement policies that support student safety and success.

He did what now?

Devin with Lex Luger — “Dapper” Devin conducting an interview

Speaking of non-traditional, there is one job that Devin had in his younger days that may surprise you! He accredits so much of his knowledge in business, marketing, the power of being a performer, the intricacies of developing working relationships with people of a large variety of backgrounds to this decade-long time in his life. What is it you may ask? Devin was an extremely active member in the world of Professional Wrestling! He performed, he helped write story lines, he helped plan and manage events, and mostly, he used it as a way to help promote positive behaviors to the kids that would come watch. This was also the time in his life where Devin first saw how much damage bullying could do to a young child as many of the fans that came to shows would tell him stories of being bullied in schools.

”Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Resume

Education

Bachelor’s Degree – Business Adminstration, Montreat College
Master’s of Business Administration (MBA), Queens University of Charlotte

Work Experience

Senior Marketing & Branding Manager, T&A Supply, Inc., Kent, WA
Marketing Technologist, Microsoft, Redmond, WA
Marketing Operations Manager, The Pedowitz Group, Atlanta, GA
Marketing Technologist, Inmar, Inc., Winston Salem, NC
Marketing Research Analyst, Hatch Early Childhood, Winston Salem, NC
Client Services Manager, Business Engineering, Inc., Reston, VA
Substitute Teacher, Prince William County Schools, Manassas, VA

Personal Experience

Devoted Husband and Loving Father to two K-12 aged children (both on the Autism Spectrum)
Decade long career in Professional Wrestling, performing and managing operations
Loves to teach - tutored since his junior year in high school onward and has often led employee development classes throughout his career

Community Experience

Former Board Member for National Alliance on Mental Illness, Seattle (NAMI Seattle)
Active member and project leader within various Employee Community Groups while at Microsoft
Dedicated advocate helping connect parents and students with resources to help with mental health and support systems

Other Experience

Contributor on the committee to rewrite the Mathematics Curriculum at Prince William County, VA
Member of the team tasked to investigate and adjust the “Gifted and Talented Program” within Prince William County, VA
Worked with a marketing automation software company to rewrite their certification exams, including writing specific test questions.