CTE Month 2025
Pendleton High School Spotlight
Meet Abbey Prevot, Digital & Media Arts Teacher
What do you teach?
I teach Multimedia Art, Visual Design Basics, Digital Art and Studio/Advanced Studio Art. Multimedia Art is a beginning, general art course. Visual Design Basics focuses on the design aspect of the artistic world, geared towards client/customer relationships. Digital Art is an advanced class that focuses on digital photography and Adobe programs for graphic design. Studio and Advanced Studio Art are for students who work independently on art projects throughout the year.
In your classes, what is the CTE focus for the 24-25 school year?
I am still strengthening and refining the foundations of my CTE program, which are connections with industry partners and creating curriculum with real-world simulations and practice.
Students engage with industry professionals through field trips to creative workplaces, gaining insight into careers in arts and graphic design. Our industry partners include Pendleton Center for the Arts, BMCC, Master Printers and Creative Signs.
We encourage students to enter pieces in local and regional art shows. Finally, students work on real-world simulated design challenges through TSA (Technology Student Association) competitions.
How do you think CTE work in your school is making a difference for students?
The Digital & Media Art CTE Pathway helps students build their portfolios, develop professional skills and explore potential career paths. We focus on collaborative teamwork and the design thinking process to help students develop soft skills such as communication and creative problem solving.
At times, students design for real events or publications, such as Main Street Show’s program cover and the Pendleton School District Art Show poster. I have seen the skills gained through CTE help prepare students for any industry. I love how CTE helps my students think outside of the classroom and prepares them for the workforce.
What is something people may not know about CTE in schools?
CTE is a crucial step toward making education more practical and aligned with the real job market and workforce training. Looking back at my own high school and college years, I wish there had been stronger connections between education and industry, as I felt unprepared for the workforce upon graduation.
CTE bridges that gap, ensuring that we, as educators, equip students with the skills and knowledge they need for their future careers—because, quite simply, it just makes sense.
Bus Routes 13 & 16 on April 10, 2025
/in District Site News /by rthornburgThis morning, during bus route pick up and delivery, the driver of route 13 suffered a medical emergency. The driver was able to pull over safely, and Emergency Medical Services were contacted. Students were kept safe on the bus; a replacement driver was able to transport students to their schools. In a separate incident, route 16 was in an accident. The bus was rear-ended by a car. No student injuries occurred, and the students were safely moved to two different buses to transport them to their schools. We are grateful to the First Student drivers for keeping our students safe during these unfortunate events.
McKay Students Artwork for District Art Show
/in District Site News, McKay Creek School News /by rthornburgStudents at McKay Creek Elementary have been creating artwork for the Pendleton School District Art Show in May 2025.
Community Read-In at the PELC
/in District Site News, Early Learning Center News /by rthornburgIn early March, the Pendleton Early Learning Center celebrated its annual Community Read-In. More than 90 volunteers came to the school to read with the Kindergarten students. Volunteers included students from Sunridge Middle School, parents, grandparents, ALTRUSA members, law enforcement officers, and more!
District Recommends New Sunridge Middle School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District will recommend that the board approve Doug Gunter to be the new assistant principal/athletic director of Sunridge Middle School, effective July 1, 2025.
With the recent announcement that Sunridge will have a vacancy for an assistant principal, the district decided to draw from the strong applicant pool of principal applicants to fill this position for the 2025-2026 school year.
The position of assistant principal/athletic director was offered to Doug Gunter, and he has accepted. Doug was a finalist in our recent SMS principal search, and he comes highly recommended by his colleagues and current supervisor.
Mr. Gunter has been a teacher and executive director at Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School for the past 12 years in the Salem-Keizer School District, and taught at Adam Stephens Middle School before that, also in Salem-Keizer. We’re excited to have him join the SMS team, the Pendleton School District, and the Pendleton Community.
Mr. Gunter will officially take over as assistant principal/athletic director on July 1st. He is replacing Caleb Patterson as he has accepted a position in La Grande.
District Recommends New Sunridge Middle School Principal
/in District Site News, News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District School Board will be asked at their next board meeting to approve the recommendation to hire Angie Horton to be the new principal of Sunridge Middle School, effective July 1st, 2025.
Horton is currently a principal in the Warrenton Hammond School District. Horton has held Principal, Vice Principal, Behavior Support Classroom Teacher, and a 3rd Grade teacher positions in her district. Before her time in Warrenton, she was a Child Treatment Specialist at the Grande Ronde Child Care Centre in La Grande.
Mrs. Horton attended Wallowa High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration in 2001 from Eastern Oregon University, a master’s degree in Special Education in 2019 from Western Governor’s University, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Western Governor’s University in 2022.
Mrs. Horton will officially take over as principal on July 1st. She is replacing Principal, Piper Kelm, who is retiring effective June 30th.
CTE Spotlight – Thomas Feller
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School
2025 CTE Month Spotlight
Meet Thomas Feller, Senior at Pendleton High School
He is taking classes in Robotics.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
I enjoy the teacher and the tech. I’ve learned a lot from this pathway. I learned how to run 3D printers here, and now I run my own printer and print things for myself and my friends/family.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
They are furthering my knowledge in this field. I knew a decent amount of things, but these CTE classes have helped me a lot.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
I would encourage new students to take CTE classes. They are great hands-on classes and teach you a lot of things about modern technology. These classes are my favorite ones in my schedule.
CTE Spotlight – AJ Nez
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School
2025 CTE Month Spotlight
Meet AJ Nez, Senior at Pendleton High School
She is taking classes in the Digital and Media Arts Pathway.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
I enjoy being able to express my creativity in my work and being able to be my most authentic self.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
I get to have a break from all my schoolwork to work on art. It is stress relieving so I’m not so foggy minded.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
PHS art classes have been my absolute favorite. Before high school, I felt I hadn’t been able to learn much about art and I felt put in a box. But now, I have learned so much in art class, and I get to use my creativity. I got to learn photography and work with Adobe software, which has definitely broadened my ability by a ton, and I discovered yet another medium I enjoy.
CTE Spotlight – Gaige Jordan
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgPendleton High School
2025 CTE Spotlight
Meet Gaige Jordan, Sophomore at Pendleton High School
He has taken Metals 1 and Metals 2, plus Multimedia Art, Foods 1 and Robotics.
What do you enjoy about your CTE classes at PHS?
I like the different activities we get to do. I also like the teachers because they make the class interesting.
How are CTE classes making a difference in your education?
They are enhancing my current life skills and teaching me more life skills.
Would you like to share anything else about CTE at PHS?
I highly recommend all of the CTE classes, especially if you want to enhance or learn new skills.
Pendleton School District Announces Superintendent Selection
/in News - District & All Schools /by rthornburgThe Pendleton School District Board of Directors is pleased to announce that a contract for Superintendent of the Pendleton School District has been offered to Dr. Michelle Jensen, of West Linn, Oregon.
Dr. Jensen is currently a Primary School Principal in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. She has worked in her current position since 2019. Previously, she worked in the Hermiston School District as a counselor from 2005 to 2014 and Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives from 2014 to 2016; and as a principal in the Hillsboro Oregon School District from 2016 to 2019.
Eleven individuals applied for the position, and the Board interviewed two finalists for the position on March 10. Dr. Jensen will assume the duties of Superintendent beginning July 1, 2025.
Dr. Douglas Nelson and Mrs. Heidi Sipe of McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. served as consultants in the search process. Mrs. Sipe will continue working with the Pendleton School District Board of Directors and Dr. Jensen in helping establish performance objectives for her.
CTE Spotlight – Abbey Prevot
/in District Site News, High Schools News /by rthornburgCTE Month 2025
Pendleton High School Spotlight
Meet Abbey Prevot, Digital & Media Arts Teacher
What do you teach?
I teach Multimedia Art, Visual Design Basics, Digital Art and Studio/Advanced Studio Art. Multimedia Art is a beginning, general art course. Visual Design Basics focuses on the design aspect of the artistic world, geared towards client/customer relationships. Digital Art is an advanced class that focuses on digital photography and Adobe programs for graphic design. Studio and Advanced Studio Art are for students who work independently on art projects throughout the year.
In your classes, what is the CTE focus for the 24-25 school year?
I am still strengthening and refining the foundations of my CTE program, which are connections with industry partners and creating curriculum with real-world simulations and practice.
Students engage with industry professionals through field trips to creative workplaces, gaining insight into careers in arts and graphic design. Our industry partners include Pendleton Center for the Arts, BMCC, Master Printers and Creative Signs.
We encourage students to enter pieces in local and regional art shows. Finally, students work on real-world simulated design challenges through TSA (Technology Student Association) competitions.
How do you think CTE work in your school is making a difference for students?
The Digital & Media Art CTE Pathway helps students build their portfolios, develop professional skills and explore potential career paths. We focus on collaborative teamwork and the design thinking process to help students develop soft skills such as communication and creative problem solving.
At times, students design for real events or publications, such as Main Street Show’s program cover and the Pendleton School District Art Show poster. I have seen the skills gained through CTE help prepare students for any industry. I love how CTE helps my students think outside of the classroom and prepares them for the workforce.
What is something people may not know about CTE in schools?
CTE is a crucial step toward making education more practical and aligned with the real job market and workforce training. Looking back at my own high school and college years, I wish there had been stronger connections between education and industry, as I felt unprepared for the workforce upon graduation.
CTE bridges that gap, ensuring that we, as educators, equip students with the skills and knowledge they need for their future careers—because, quite simply, it just makes sense.