Administration - Pendleton School District

PHS Principal - Community Feedback Survey

Pendleton School District has begun the search for the next principal of Pendleton High School, and we want to hear from you! As we seek the next leader for PHS, we invite students, families, staff, alumni, and community members to share their thoughts about the qualities, characteristics, and leadership attributes they would like to see in our next principal. Your feedback is important and will help inform the screening and interview process as we work to identify the right fit for Pendleton High School. Pendleton High School has a proud tradition, a strong culture of Buckaroo Pride, and an incredible community. We are committed to finding a leader who will honor those traditions while continuing to move PHS forward. Please take a few moments to complete our community feedback survey. Thank you for partnering with us as we shape the future of Pendleton High School.

Community Feedback Survey

Superintendent

Michelle Jensen, PhD

541-276-6711
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Michelle Jensen serves as Superintendent of the Pendleton School District, bringing over two decades of experience in education as a paraeducator, counselor, school leader, and district coordinator. Her career is rooted in a strong belief in the power of public education to transform lives and communities.

Prior to becoming superintendent, Michelle held leadership roles at both the school and district levels, including serving as both a school principal and coordinator of strategic initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her commitment to instructional leadership, inclusive school cultures, and collaborative systems that support both student and staff growth. She has successfully led schools through improvement efforts, designed innovative learning programs, and championed student-centered practices.

Michelle is known for her relational leadership style, guided by values of kindness, community, grace, and teamwork. She believes deeply in reciprocal accountability—holding high expectations while providing high levels of support. Her approach emphasizes open communication, authentic partnerships with families and community members, and ensuring every student has access to rich learning experiences that prepare them for their future.

Michelle holds advanced degrees in education and counseling, reflecting her passion for lifelong learning and innovation in education. She also brings valuable leadership experience from state and regional organizations, having served on the board of the Oregon Elementary School Principals Association and as past president of the Oregon School Counselor Association.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys time with family, traveling, and supporting community initiatives. She is proud to lead the Pendleton School District and is committed to honoring its traditions while building a bright, inclusive, and forward-thinking future for all students.

Assistant Superintendent/HR Director

Matt Yoshioka

541-966-3260
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Matt Yoshioka grew up in La Grande, Oregon. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University and his master’s degree from Portland State University. He also did post-graduate work at Lewis and Clark College.

Mr. Yoshioka taught 6th Grade at Sunridge Middle School for seven years and also worked as the Outdoor School Coordinator at SMS for six years. He has been a coach in Pendleton schools, four years in high school soccer and in basketball at Sunridge. Mr. Yoshioka was the Assistant Principal at Sunridge Middle School for two years before becoming Principal for six years. He is currently in his 23rd year in the Pendleton School District and has been serving as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the past seven years.

Director of Business Services

Michelle Jones

541-966-3259
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A native to Pendleton, Michelle Jones came to the PSD in 2001 as a business assistant. She was promoted to Director of Business Services in July 2009. Prior to coming to the PSD, Mrs. Jones was a payroll clerk/administrative assistant at Umatilla-Morrow Head Start. She also spent four years during college at the PSD, assisting with payroll and business services.

Mrs. Jones is a graduate of Pendleton High School and has a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, as well as an Associate’s degree in accounting from Blue Mountain Community College.