Grant-Herriot named to represent 16th Legislative District

Walla Walla Public Schools fifth grade teacher Laura Grant-Herriot was named by the Columbia, Walla Walla, Benton and Franklin County Commissioners today to take her father's seat as representative of the 16th Legislative District.

Bill Grant was serving in his 10th term when he passed away in January from complications with lung cancer.

"I'm humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to carry on the values and traditions of my father," Grant-Herriot said. "I will take this appointment very seriously and work to stabilize our state's budget woes in these trying economic times. I will keep our legislative district in the forefront as we go through this difficult process."

Grant-Herriot has been employed by Walla Walla Public Schools for 17 years and is currently teaching at Berney Elementary. She is the mother of three daughters: Samantha, 16; Hope, 14; and Maggie, 11.

She is a class of 1980 graduate of Walla Walla High School and received her Associates of Arts degree from Walla Walla Community College. Grant-Herriot received her undergraduate teaching degree in elementary education from Eastern Washington University and her master's degree from Northwest Nazarene University in Napa, ID. She received certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2007 and has served on numerous district-level committees.

Grant-Herriot's father Bill Grant was always a strong supporter of education and voice for public schools in Olympia. Representative Grant operated a 4th generation family wheat farm after earning his Bachelor of Arts in physical education from Whitman College in 1959.

"A teacher's strength is in building relationships and I plan to use this skill in my new position," Grant-Herriot said. "There will be many issues I will need to get more familiar with during this process, but my passion for education and respect for people will continue to influence my decision making.

Grant-Herriot is taking a leave of absence from her teaching position for the duration of the 2009 legislative session.