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.
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, Ms. 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.
Ms. 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.
Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
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 Special Programs
Julie Smith, Ed. D.
541-966-3262
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Dr. Smith’s career in education started as an instructional assistant working with neuro-diverse students. This sparked a lifelong passion for serving neuro-diverse students in public education. After becoming a licensed special education teacher with a focus on behavioral intervention, Julie taught in the Beaverton then Pendleton school district for nine years.
She went on to complete her Masters of Science in Special Education at Portland State University in 2004, National Board for Professional Teaching Certificate in 2007, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Lewis & Clark Graduate School in 2016. Dr. Smith worked as an Instructional coach for special education before starting her career as Director of Special Programs at the district office in 2012. Throughout her career, she focuses on partnering with general educators and administrators to develop an inclusive comprehensive support system for all students.
Director of Human Resources
Kevin Dinning
541-966-3958
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Kevin Dinning was born and raised in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. After earning his degree in secondary education from the University of Idaho, Kevin taught and coached in Bonners Ferry. He then moved into school administration after earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through Concordia University Portland.
Kevin worked in education for ten years in Idaho, two years teaching English in the United Arab Emirates, and 2023-2024 will be his fourth year in Oregon. Kevin was the Superintendent/Secondary Principal in Ione, Oregon, for two years prior to his family’s move to Pendleton, and he was the Washington Elementary Principal for Pendleton School District for the 2023-2024 school year.
