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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2021)
PAGE A18, KEIZERTIMES, APRIL 30, 2021 We didn’t set the bar WE ARE THE BAR! Erik Jespersen. SECOND, Continued from page A17 “ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive and caring! The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly recommend this community to anyone! ” — HEIDI However, thanks to an aggressive approach to safe, in-person learning, McNary was able to cut their failing grades from 38% to 17% in less than a month. McNary assistant principal Dan Borresen spoke highly of Jespersen’s eff orts to get students back on track — Borresen nominated Jespersen for the award. “But Erik and our staff weren’t satisfi ed – the numbers still weren’t acceptable – so we incorporated an aggressive, in-person, parent conferencing plan and then a lim- ited in-person instruction system for our struggling students,” Borresen said. “Erik’s ability to provide the freedom and encour- agement to boldly create systems where staff needed them, allowed McNary to lead the charge in welcoming back students. Erik refused to let anyone on our staff use FILE PHOTO. any of the hardships we or our students were facing as excuses to fail, but rather turned those hardships into reasons to succeed.” Along with all the accolades, what sets Jespersen apart is his love and commit- ment to McNary High School. “I would have to drag him kicking and screaming out of here if I needed him to do something else, which is what you want in a high school principal,” Perry said. Jespersen credited the team of teachers and administrative staff at McNary with helping him obtain this award. “The work is not one person. I am hon- ored to be here, but quite honestly, it’s all about the people sitting in those bleach- ers,” Jespersen said. “I feel blessed to be a principal here. It has been an amazing ride.” Jespersen will be honored at the annual COSA Seaside Conference in June and at the Statewide Principals Conference in October. He will also be honored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Speed Bump By DAVE COVERLY r ached t h e age of si i x t y -two. t ose who ha v e re v i n g f o r th Qual l i t y senior lil vi Come See the Finest in Senior Living! CALL (503) 390 -1300 1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com
