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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2015)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A3 COMMUNITY Hermiston School District announces its educators of the year dously positive impact on our VFKRROV´0DLRFFRVDLG Maiocco said Mishra has Since joining the Hermis- navigated the challenges of ton School District in 2009, the special programs depart- Jon Mishra has served in ment expertly and that stu- many positions, from prin- dent learning has increased cipal to executive director of because he uses a combi- special programs. nation of common sense, This year, Mishra was commitment to families and rewarded for all of his work compliance with all legal re- when he was named the dis- quirements to make decisions trict’s administrator of the in the students’ best interest. year at Tuesday’s School Maiocco said Mishra’s Board meeting. peers say he is a valuable as- Mishra said the award set who is always willing to came to him as a complete ¿OOWKHJDSZKHUHKHLVQHHGHG surprise. and puts the district and stu- ³, ZDV LQ VKRFN DW ¿UVW´ dents’ needs before his own. Mishra said. “I kept looking “He never ducks away DURXQGJRLQJµ,VWKLVUHDO"¶´ from hard decisions, but he Mishra said even though it DOZD\V PHHWV WKRVH GLI¿FXOW feels good to be rewarded for moments with honesty and all his work, he said the team LQWHJULW\´ 0DLRFFR UHOD\HG with which he works deserves from one of Mishra’s peers. the credit in helping to make Mishra and the Hermiston the Hermiston School District School District’s 10 educa- what it is today. tors of the year will be hon- “It is the systems of sup- ored during the Hermiston SRUW ZH KDYH LQ SODFH´ KH Chamber of Commerce’s said. “We are a well-run dis- Distinguished Citizens Award trict. All the folks I work with, banquet Feb. 4 at the Herm- we all realize our goal is to be iston Conference Center. The premier in everything we do. event will begin with a social Having those structures in at 6 p.m. Dinner will begin at place have allowed me to be 6:30 p.m., and awards will be VXFFHVVIXO´ presented at 7 p.m. The event After serving as a middle will be catered by Simply school principal in Coos Bay, Catering. Tickets cost $30 Oregon, Mishra moved to and may be purchased at the Hermiston in 2009 to become Hermiston Chamber of Com- the Sandstone Middle School merce. principal. Shortly after, how- ever, he became the principal The following are teach- at Armand Larive Middle ers who were chosen as ed- School. ucators of the year: Superintendent Fred Cathy Duffy, Maiocco said in both assign- D i s t r i c t - w i d e ments, he did exceptionally educator of the year well. Duffy works with 18- to “While middle school 21-year-olds in the transition achievement improved, staff program at the Kik Center. morale improved and collab- Mishra said he would com- RUDWLRQWKULYHG´KHVDLG pare Duffy’s program to Then, in 2011, in what Disneyland because “magic Maiocco said as the result happens in Duffy’s program of his great work at the mid- DQG 'XII\ LV WKH PDJLFLDQ´ dle school level, Mishra was He said her students are al- promoted to director of oper- ways out in the community ations and business services, working with their commu- where he streamlined various nity-based learning. Mishra business practices and pro- said one of the people who cesses and improved com- nominated Duffy describes munication throughout the KHU DV GHGLFDWHG VHOÀHVV schools. committed and collaborative. “He took time throughout Other people said Duffy has the year to visit each building a real heart for the students administrator and seek in- in her program and cares for put about how these services them and their futures and could better thrive and sup- works collaboratively with all port the work going on in our staff, administration, students FODVVURRPV´0DLRFFRVDLG and parents in order to meet In 2014, he was promoted the needs of her students and to executive director for the families. special programs department. Joseph Thornton, Herm- Maiocco said he has worked iston High School to reorient the special pro- Thornton teaches in the grams department to be part Innovative Learning Center of the premier vision that the where he helps students who Hermiston School District struggle in the regular high has. school setting. HHS Principal “His hard work and will- Jocelyn Jones said Thornton ingness to do what is right is the students’ greatest advo- is already having a tremen- cate and helps students who BY MAEGAN MURRAY HERMISTON HERALD When Caring, Quality and Commitment Make a Difference. bla Ha ñol e a S sp E Call Today for your FREE Assessment Providing Personalized In-home Care 24/7 541-429-8099 920 Frazier Ave ste 212 Pendleton Or 97801 www.aqhcinc.com • Personal Care Checks • Housekeeping • Meal • Appointments Preparation • Bathing • Laundry • Companionship • Home Care • Respit Care • Grooming • Errands • Medication • Memory Care Assistance • Cognition • Insurance •Groceries Billing • Blood Pressure • Insured • Bonded • Licensed she is a master teacher but is always looking for that next best thing to help students in her classroom. He said she works tirelessly to help all her students get where they need to be academically. He said Velasquez absolutely de- serves the award, and he can’t think of a better person who KHZRXOGZDQWWRWHDFK¿UVW grade student. Susan Scheibner Sunset Elementary School Scheibner is a sec- ond-grade teacher at Sunset Elementary School. Principal Devin Grigg said he would normally use his own words to express how wonderful MAEGAN MURRAY PHOTO she is, but, instead, he enlist- Hermiston Superintendent Fred Maiocco talks about the accomplishments of Jon Mishra, the ed the words of students. Her executive director of special programs for the Hermiston School District, right, as his family students said that Scheibner is stands in the background. Mishra was named administrator of the year for the HSD. the greatest teacher because she is able to teach them math might want to give up keep Spoo said, sets high expec- Susan Thurman, High- and does fun things to help moving forward. She said tations and refuses to accept land Hills Elementary them learn. Her students said she also makes them hap- he has been instrumental in mediocrity. At the same time, School KHOSLQJ PDQ\ VWXGHQWV ¿QG he said, she makes her class Thurman teaches fourth py, is helpful, is pretty, truly their educational pathways, fun and interesting. She also grade at Highland Hills El- cares about her students and whether it be with a diplo- works well with others and ementary School. Principal LV WKH ³EHVWHVW´ WHDFKHU DQ\- ma or a GED. Jones said he creates a comfortable work- Brad Bixler said Thurman one can dream of. Grigg said, routinely brings in members ing environment. Her fellow builds a foundation for her when Scheibner learned she of the community to share staff members describe her students, not only academi- received this year’s award, about their careers and does DV³FKLSSHU´DQGDOZD\VVD\V cally, but at citizens. He said she gave credit to everyone as much as he can to take stu- hello to anyone she passes in her efforts to help shape stu- around her, which makes her dents out of the classroom to the hallway. dents into young adults who the greatest team member and experience life and help them Tracy Hodges, Sand- have the courage and wisdom teacher. Suanne Fitz- explore their interests. Out- stone Middle School to make the right choices, West Park side of school, he is active in Hodges is an English lan- understand right and wrong gerald, his church and volunteers his guage learning teacher at and realize that hard work has Elementary School Suanne Fitzgerald is a time with several community Sandstone Middle School. it rewards regardless of the programs. Principal Larry Usher said outcome. Thurman was pre- ¿IWKJUDGH WHDFKHU DW :HVW Josh Browning, Hermis- her peers describe Hodges sented a Generation College Park Elementary School. ton High School as someone who inspires a Award in 2009 by a Herm- Principal Kevin Headings Browning teaches En- love of learning in all of her iston High School student said when people think of glish and communication at students by setting high stan- who remembered the impact educator effectiveness and Hermiston High School. He GDUGVDQGVKDULQJFRQ¿GHQFH Thurman had on her educa- teacher quality, they would said he is dedicated to giving in her students’ abilities. He tion. Bixler said he learned immediately think of Fitz- his students high levels of said Hodges has put in count- this week Thurman will retire gerald. He said, at West Park, instruction and understands less hours to earn her students’ after this year. He said her the mission statement is “to the value of building respect trust and assurances. She also positive impact on students engage all students at high and trust. He also tries to works to not only meet stu- is felt throughout the High- OHYHOVRIOHDUQLQJ´DQGZKHQ learn more about each stu- dents’ needs, but those of their land Hills building and he is he walks into Fitzgerald’s dent on a daily basis. Jones families, as well. Usher said, so proud and honored that he classroom, he sees that is hap- said Browning achieves the on a personal note, Hodges had the chance to work with pening. He said her students are routinely engaged, and perfect balance between so- is an “unbelievable resource her. ciability and professionalism, DQG LQFUHGLEOH SURIHVVLRQDO´ Ibbet Velasquez, Rocky she makes the most mundane creating an environment con- in the Sandstone building. He Heights Elementary School whole-class reading activity ducive to learning for all his said he couldn’t ask for a bet- 9HODVTXH] WHDFKHV ¿UVW exciting and fun. Headings students. She said he is pos- ter teammate. grade at Rocky Heights Ele- said the one thing that stands itive and respectful with his Linda Mruk, Desert mentary School. Principal BJ out most about Fitzgerald is colleagues and gives useful View Elementary School Wilson said this past summer, how strong of an advocate she advice that is to the point. Mruk is a kindergarten the school made T-shirts that is for her students. He said he Jones said he was quick to teacher at Desert View El- said “Striving to be better than is very proud and quite frank- incorporate the Chromebook ementary School. Principal ZH¶YHHYHUEHHQ´DQG9HODV- ly thinks Fitzgerald is also the labs into his instruction and Michael Roberts said if he quez does each day. He said ³EHVWHVW´WHDFKHU shares newfound skills and were to compare educa- ideas with staff. After school, tion with building a house, Jones coaches the golf team. Mruk’s students have the best Chelsea Bergstrom, Ar- foundation. He said Mruk en- January 23rd • 1:00 -4:00 p.m. mand Larive Middle School courages her students to love Good Shepherd Medical Center • Conference Room #2 Bergstrom is a math teach- school. Roberts said, last year, Hermiston, OR er at Armand Larive Middle Mruk’s kindergarten class School. Principal Tom Spoo UHDFKHGSHUFHQWSUR¿FLHQ- said Bergstrom, in addition cy in reading. She was also to ensuring her students are the only teacher voted unani- growing academically, prides mously to the leadership team herself on knowing her stu- during the election. He said dents and building relation- she was also surprised to be ships. He said she also helps honored with educator of the with extracurricular activities year because she is so humble and works with many stu- and doesn’t realize just how dents after school. Bergstrom, great of a teacher she is. SKIN CANCER SCREENING FREE Happy New Year From Dr. Hibbert, Lacee, Jessica, Bailey, Heather, and Sarah 541-612-3707 “Melanoma & Funny Moles ” Center for Excellence in Dermatology is proud to announce we will be hosting a FREE skin cancer screening. Dr. Robert Hopp, Board Certified Dermatologist, will be giving a presentation and will follow up with skin exams! Please call 509-735-1100 to reserve your appointment time! CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY (509) 735-1100 or 1-855-525-4677 toll free B O N N E V I L L E P O W E R A D M I N I S T R A T I O N McNary Substation Project Notice From January 2015 to December 2017, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will make major improvements to the McNary Substation in Umatilla, Oregon. The substation improvements are necessary to meet the growing power needs in the area, to integrate new generating resources, and to support a safe and reliable BPA transmission system. The project will physically expand the substation and include the installation of power transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and other equipment. Construction activities will normally take place on weekdays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. There will be increased noise levels typically associated with construction activities and, at times, there will be a slower traffi c fl ow on Hwy 730 due to the movement of heavy equipment. For your safety, please be aware of construction activities and equipment in the area around the substation. Your patience and cooperation during this time of construction are appreciated. For more information please visit www.bpa.gov/goto/McNary or contact the BPA Project Manager Amy Gardner toll free at 800-282-3717 or amgardner@ bpa.gov.
