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Colleagues -
Welcome to the 2025-26 School Year!
This year, I want us to hold close the stories that remind us why we do this work. Stories like four-year-old Nuria’s who, after nearly 5 years, recently said “Mommy” for the very first time. That moment of joy, that first, is what public education makes possible.
We know this year begins in the midst of uncertainty. Policy shifts that cause fear and anxiety along with imminent funding cuts to essential safety net programs, are weighing heavily on students and families in our communities. There has never been a more important time to show up with care, joy and conviction for every single child we serve.
At NWRESD, our vision is that every student will be educated, equipped and inspired to achieve their full potential and enrich their communities. That work is happening every single day — whether it’s a child learning to read, a family feeling supported for the first time, or a student who once dreaded school discovering new reasons to belong.
As we start this school year, I ask you to share hope — share it with your colleagues, with families, with your communities, and most of all, with the students in front of you. Together, I know we will create more headlines of joy, achievement and student success.
Have a wonderful year.
-Dan
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 Cheyanne, left, a junior at Jewell High School, stands with her mom, Angela, and her friend TJ. Cheyanne now regularly attends school after reconnecting with teachers, joining the volleyball team and forging new friendships.
Cheyanne, a junior at Jewell High School, used to miss most of her classes and felt disconnected from school. With new leadership, stronger family partnerships, and support from NWRESD, Jewell has transformed its culture. Teachers built trust, improved systems, and created a more welcoming environment.
The results are striking: Jewell’s regular attendance rate jumped 25 percentage points in one year — from 55.4% to 80.7%. Cheyanne is now thriving: she rarely misses school, plays volleyball, volunteers with the fire department, and is earning college credit as she prepares for a career in nursing.
Jewell’s story shows how collaboration between schools and families can rebuild trust, improve culture and get students back in the classroom.
Read the full story.
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This fall, we’re launching our next strategic plan — a roadmap to guide our priorities and investments for years to come. Built around our core values of Student Success, Equity, Partnership and Innovative Service, the plan will turn our vision into action.
Using Liberatory Design (National Equity Project), we’re centering the voices of those most impacted by inequities to ensure our goals and strategies create meaningful, lasting change. Your participation in surveys, story circles, empathy interviews, regular meetings will be essential in shaping the path forward. Look for more information about those opportunities soon.
Read more about our Strategic Plan for 2026 and beyond. |
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 Three preschoolers enjoy time on the playground during an early childhood special education class at the Columbia Service Center in St. Helens.
We’re excited to offer a low-cost, inclusive preschool program this year for children ages 3–5 in Astoria, Beaverton, Hillsboro, St. Helens, Tillamook and Tualatin. Classes are led by licensed teachers and bring children of all abilities together for two hours of learning, play and friendship—four days a week for just $35/month. It’s a fun, supportive way to build social skills and get ready for kindergarten.
What parents are saying: “My goal as a parent is to raise kind, respectful kids — and building a strong foundation of inclusion is a big part of that. This program far surpassed my expectations. The teachers showed incredible patience and compassion, setting every child up for success.”
Learn more and register.
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 From left: Maureen Wolf, NWRESD board vice chair and at-large member, Becky Tymchuk, NWRESD board chair and Zone 5 member, Adam Whalen, NWRESD executive director of school performance and workforce development and Oregon Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin, participated in the Westside Economic Alliance on Aug. 21 at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus.
The Westside Economic Alliance recently hosted a Superintendent’s Forum at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus. District leaders from Beaverton, Hillsboro, Sherwood and Tigard-Tualatin shared their perspectives on topics ranging from economic development and career and technical education (CTE) to the evolving intersections of business, industry and K-12 education.
Community leaders in attendance had the opportunity to hear about current district initiatives, upcoming bond projects and emerging opportunities for collaboration between schools and our regional business communities.
“Collaborations like these are vital,” says Adam Whalen, NWRESD’s executive director of school performance and workforce development. He says the interconnectedness of our schools and economy has never been more apparent.
“As school leaders, we need to continue to work hand-in-hand with our economic partners to ensure a healthy future for all students in Oregon.”
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 Oregon’s First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson meets a young reader at the Warrenton Community Library on Aug. 26. The event highlighted a collaboration between Northwest Regional Education Service District’s Early Learning Hub, the Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
The Warrenton Community Library welcomed a very special guest on Aug. 26: Oregon’s First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. She shared the popular children's book, “The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld, a story that highlights empathy, the power of nonverbal communication and the importance of listening. After the reading, the First Lady joined families for arts and crafts and handed out books to young readers.
The event showcased the statewide impact of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which now delivers free books to more than 69,000 children across Oregon. Locally, our Early Learning Hub supports the program in Clatsop and Tillamook counties, helping families build strong home libraries.
Racheal Parker, an education program specialist at NWRESD, shared her excitement about hosting the First Lady as well as the success of the program. "It’s sparking a love of reading and bringing books into the homes of more than 800 families all across Clatsop County,” she says.
“Programs like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library remind us that when we put books directly into children's hands, we're giving them keys to unlock their potential," First Lady Kotek Wilson says.
To learn more or enroll your child, visit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library sign-up page and enter your zip code.
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 Allison McLeod, a third grade teacher at Vernonia Elementary, runs through an enhanced core reading instruction lesson with her third graders.
Vernonia’s third grade reading scores jumped more than 10 percentage points last year, and the Oregon Department of Education took notice. Backed by early literacy grants and science of reading training, Vernonia teachers and leaders are proving how focused, evidence-based practices can transform outcomes for students.
Watch the video feature.
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Career Technical Education in the Spotlight
KATU recently featured NWRESD professional learning coach G Bundy and our work supporting districts as they expand career and technical education (CTE) offerings. From welding and forestry to fisheries, culinary arts, and natural resource management, these classes are drawing record student interest.
G emphasized that CTE students graduate at far higher rates — as high as 98% — compared to peers who don't participate. He was joined by Sherwood High School teacher Allison Meadows, who shared how her welding and agriculture classes are filling up faster than ever.
With demand growing, G underscored the importance of schools continuing to invest in these opportunities that set students up for both college and career success.
See the full clip.
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 Retired health care executive and Columbia County resident Michelle Graham was sworn in for a second term in the Zone 4 position.
Read more about Michelle.
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 Tillamook Bay Community College President Paul Jarrell was sworn into the higher education position for a second term.
Read more about Paul.
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Director of Washington County’s Health and Human Services Mjere (MEER-uh) Simantel joined our board in the social services position.
Read more about Mjere.
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 Jeremy Catt is our new early learning principal in Clatsop County. He replaces Lynne Griffin and will be overseeing Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education services in the county. He is based at our Clatsop Service Center in Astoria.
Read more about Jeremy.
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 Robbie Davis is our new K-12 special education director. This is a new position for our agency and will ensure the day-to-day operations of our diverse special education programs are running smoothly in our four-county region.
Read more about Robbie.
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 Brandon Goodrich is our new principal at Levi Anderson Learning Center in Beaverton. The program is co-located on the St. Mary’s Home for Boys campus in southwest Beaverton. Students who attend the program receive intensive mental health and educational support that is tailored just for them.
Read more about Brandon.
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 Adam Whalen will lead our new Office of School Performance and Workforce Development. At the direction of regional school districts, we’re expanding regional career-technical education and workforce development programming.
Read more about Adam.
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In partnership –
 Dan Goldman
Superintendent
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