Jacqueline Brewster Named GRADS Teacher of the Year by Washington Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Educators

Jacqueline Brewster, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher in the Pasco School District, has been named the 2025 GRADS (Graduation, Reality and Dual-Role Skills) Teacher of the Year by the Washington Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Educators (WA-FACSE). 

This prestigious award recognizes outstanding educators in the GRADS program who provide exceptional instruction, demonstrate innovation in Career and Technical Education (CTE), and show leadership in their school and broader community. Mrs. Brewster was nominated by fellow FACS teacher Barbara Scully, who surprised her with the nomination. 

“I’m honored and humbled to receive this recognition, especially knowing I was nominated by my colleague,” said Brewster. “This award reaffirms the importance of the work we do in supporting students through real-life skills, career exploration, and meaningful relationships. The students are truly at the heart of this meaningful work; they are what make it all worthwhile!” 

Brewster has been teaching a wide range of Family and Consumer Sciences classes at New Horizons High School, including GRADS, Prenatal, Early Childhood Education, Clothing Design, Clothing Construction, Human Development, and Financial Algebra. As part of the 2025–2026 school year, she will transition to teaching at Sageview High School, Pasco’s newest comprehensive high school, where she’ll teach Human Development, Mental Health, Early Childhood Education, Clothing Design, and Tech Literacy. 

To be eligible for the award, nominees must be GRADS certified, have at least three years of experience teaching in a GRADS program, and be active members of WA-ACTE’s FACSE section. Finalists are evaluated based on their contributions to student success, innovations in CTE, and leadership in their school or the greater CTE community. 

The award will be presented to Mrs. Brewster at the WA-ACTE Conference Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.