Melinda Dyer
Melinda Dyer has been an advocate for the educational rights of homeless students for more than two decades as the Washington State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. Melinda oversees the implementation of the federal McKinney-Vento Act in school districts across Washington state, providing training, technical assistance, grant management and resource development. She has worked to inform state and federal education policy related to the educational rights of homeless students, partnering with local, state and national colleagues to improve the educational outcomes for children and youth in homeless situations
Melinda has served on various state and national boards related to the education of homeless children and youth, including the Washington State Advisory Council on Homelessness, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, and the Washington State Interagency Coordinating Council for Young Children. Prior to taking her post at the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Melinda was a public high school and junior high school teacher, focusing efforts to support vulnerable and at-risk youth. Melinda earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Oregon State University in Health Education, graduating with honors. Melinda, her husband, and their two children live on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in rural western Washington.