The district is pleased to announce the April 2025 Staff in the Spotlight recipients. Every month, each of our schools honors a staff member at their building for going above and beyond their regular duties or for doing something special. Join us in celebrating these outstanding employees!

	PELC	Karen Smith –  Congratulations to KAREN SMITH, Pendleton Early Learning Center Staff in the Spotlight recipient for April. Karen Smith is doing an amazing job with the PELC Special Education classroom & students.  Karen has reorganized the classroom to help each student work on academic goals and structured the room for success.  Karen is very organized and professional at all times. The PELC staff and students are lucky to have her come out of retirement to help us out this year. We love her enthusiasm for helping our students succeed. Congratulations from the PELC family!
	McKay	Whitney Porter does an amazing job of identifying where students have gaps in learning and works hard at making sure interventions run smoothly.   She is diligent in providing instruction with fidelity. Students know expectations when they enter her room. When they walk out, it is with a smile because every learning victory is celebrated. Whitney is also always able to step in and support her colleagues when we are short-staffed.  She always listens and gives great advice.  She is willing to help where needed. We are lucky to have Whitney on our Mustang Team.
	Sherwood	Tammy HIllmick is the Staff in the Spotlight for her dedication to Sherwood, leadership skills, patience with struggling students, team-player attitude, perseverance in fighting for what’s right for both staff and students, and is always ready to provide assistance when needed. Tammy has made connections with her students and helps them to be successful. Tammy is a very knowledgeable employee; her experience in education & SpEd is a huge resource, is self-sufficient & helps prepare SEL lessons. Tammy is a great friend, always thinking of others, very caring & considerate, and her love language has got to be gift giving, as she is extravagant with it. Tammy constantly goes above and beyond with our struggling students, making connections and helping them strive for success.  She puts in extra time decorating bulletin boards, putting out street signs, and covering as a sub when needed. She has also done amazing work for our classified union members as the president of our local OSEA chapter. She is amazing!!
	Washington	Janice Wilks has been with us for the last couple of years and has been a great addition to Washington Elementary.  She is nominated by her peers for her willingness to cover any student, double up with groups, and take on extra duties to make sure everything is covered.  She is willing to learn the unique needs of each student she works with and gets creative in figuring out how to help them be successful.  Ms. Wilks is the other half of the twin duo that spends extra time after hours decorating Den 3 halls.  We appreciate all she does for us and are thankful she is a Wildcat!
	Sunridge	Haley Bradley is a phenomenal teacher! She goes above and beyond for her students and makes her classes fun and rewarding for them. Every student that I have spoken to who has had Miss Bradley absolutely loves her and raves about how wonderful her classes are and how much they love being in her classroom. She is such a ray of light to staff and always is positive in every interaction or conversation I have had with her. We are lucky to have Miss Bradley here at SMS! Go Broncs!
	PHS	Evan Rummerfield is a fantastic English teacher whose dedication to student growth and success is evident in every aspect of his work. He consistently meets students where they are and moves them forward in their learning with compassion, high expectations, and purposeful instruction. His classroom is a place where students feel seen, heard, and supported. Beyond his exceptional work with his English classes, Evan is also a strong advocate for collaboration. He works closely with our Special Education department to help implement meaningful interventions and support systems for students who need additional guidance. His efforts in this area have made a tremendous difference in helping students feel successful and confident in their educational journey. Thank you, Evan, for your continued commitment to students and for being a valued part of the Pendleton High School team.
	Hawthorne/ Homestead	Tina Williams We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Mrs. Williams for her outstanding dedication, creativity, and versatility in both the arts and mathematics classrooms. Her innovative teaching methods consistently meet students where they are, inspiring confidence in every learner she encounters. Mrs. Williams brings a vibrant energy to her art lessons, encouraging students to explore a wide array of art forms and techniques. In addition to her contributions to the arts, Mrs. Williams skillfully balances the demands of teaching multiple levels of mathematics. Her ability to simplify complex concepts while maintaining rigor exemplifies her commitment to student success at every level. Moreover, Mrs. Williams is a valued collaborator, always ready with thoughtful and creative solutions when procedures need to be refined. Her insight and flexibility have made a meaningful impact on both students and colleagues alike. Thank you, Mrs. Williams, for your unwavering passion, your creative spirit, and your tireless efforts to make learning meaningful and fun.
	District Office	Michelle Jones works tirelessly each and every day.  So much so that even when under anesthesia, she still thinks she’s working on spreadsheets and balancing budgets.  She does a thankless job that keeps the money flowing, and we’re all so grateful for all she does to prevent unnecessary cuts to the services our students need.  She is a national treasure!
	Nixyáawii Community School	Zach Brandsen is being recognized for organizing and getting kids involved with TEDx Portland and the Schnitzer Care Foundation.