
October Newsletter
from Multnomah Education Service District
Celebrating Fall
October is a time for growth and for new beginnings. As we move into the fall, MESD teachers and staff are working hard to support our students and to engage with our community. We are listening to our staff and taking your feedback seriously as we continuously strive to make MESD a place we are proud to work. We are also implementing our strategic plan and sharing this ongoing work with our stakeholders.
Keep reading to learn more about the exciting initiatives and amazing people at MESD.
Introducing the Leaders Build Leaders Podcast with Dr. Coakley
Last month, MESD launched the podcast “Leaders Build Leaders with Dr. Coakley.”
This is a platform dedicated to exploring the experiences, insights, and strategies of exceptional leaders from the educational field. This monthly podcast hosted by Superintendent Dr. Paul E. Coakley features interviews with industry experts, discussions on the latest education trends and news, and insights on effective leadership strategies. Our aim is to provide our listeners with practical advice, lessons learned, and actionable insights that they can apply to their own personal and professional development.
For the first episode, Dr. Coakley invited Multnomah County Chair Vega-Pederson to share her expertise. She talks to us about partnerships, Preschool for All, and Investments in schools for 2023-24.
Listen and subscribe to “Leaders Build Leaders with Dr. Coakley” on the following platforms:
Staff Satisfaction Survey
In February 2023, MESD staff participated in the annual Staff Climate Survey. The purpose of the survey is to better understand staff experiences across MESD schools and programs. A total of 446 employees took part, resulting in a participation rate of 65%.
Responses from survey participants indicate the following organizational strengths:
MESD’s commitment to equity
Autonomy and flexibility in staff roles
Teamwork and peer support in the workplace
While staff perceptions were generally positive, responses suggest relative opportunities for MESD, including:
Addressing differences in experiences across staff identities and worksites
Trust and relationships between leadership and employees
Training and onboarding
Greater transparency into policies and processes related to staff promotion and career pathways
Read the full 2023 Staff Climate Survey Summary Report, including recommendations from the 2023 Staff Review Committee and next steps.
Blueprint'28 Update
Starting last spring, each month a different MESD program reports to the board. On September 14, Amy Marquardt-Dustin presented the work of the Hospital Schools Program. Amy did a great job aligning their current work with the Blueprint’28 (MESD's Strategic Plan).
Interested in learning more? You can see the SHS presentation and all previous presentations here.
Staff Highlight
This month, we're celebrating Wynne Watts School Education Transition Specialist Brittany Wyncoop!
Things to know about Brittany:
- If she could listen to one album for the rest of her life: The Chicks - Fly.
- Her favorite morning beverage: Iced Vanilla Oat Milk Latte.
- The animal she wishes she could be: a dog because they are typically very loved by their owners. They get to stay home and lay in their cozy beds, go on walks, do cool tricks, and everyone loves it when they dress up.
- Five people she would like to share a dinner with: my grandma and grandpa who have passed, Brene Brown, Taylor Swift, and Michelle Obama.
In Case You Missed It...
Oregon Teacher of the Year
Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy, and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12.
Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. Regional winners were identified through a local nomination, application, and selection process facilitated by the 19 Education Service Districts around the state. Applicants submitted testimonials and letters of support and were assessed by a diverse panel of regional representatives on the attributes of leadership, instructional expertise, commitment to equity, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, vision, and professional development.
Congratulations to Nicole De Lagrave, a 5th grade teacher at Jason Lee Elementary School, the 2023 Regional Teacher of the Year for Multnomah ESD.
“My goal is to make sure that students enter middle school already infused with a tremendous sense of self and community.” De Lagrave is quoted from her application.
NEW Professional Learning Site: PDNetworks
MESD is excited to introduce PDNetworks! This is a new professional learning registration site where you will be able to search, browse, and register for all upcoming MESD events in one place. PDNetworks will also track your PDUs from MESD events for future access. Click the links below to learn more and get started!
What is PDNetworks? Learn more about PDNetworks and how to get started
Current PDNetworks Offerings: See all the MESD opportunities currently available on PDNetworks
How to Use PDNetworks: Learn how to set up your account and get started
September Event Highlights
2023 Student Mental Wellness Conference
Angie Turner and Benjamin White (MESD Hospital School Program Teachers) were invited to speak about their published research at the 2023 Student Mental Wellness Conference in LA. They presented on September 7 and 8, 2023 to professionals from around the country about a framework and tools to improve hospital-to-school transitions (re-entry).
OCDE's Interpreters & Translators Conference
Held on September 29 and 30th in Costa Mesa, California, the Orange County Department of Education (ODCE) held its seventh annual Interpreters and Translators Conference titled "Know Your Path: Each Step Matters to Ensure Language Access."
Marifer Sager presented "Strategies to create meaningful family-school connections."
COSA's 2023 Oregon Equity Summit
Held on September 28 and 29th in Salem, Oregon, the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) held a conference titled "Embracing Equity: Stories, Strategies, and Successes" and invited several MESD staff to take part.
MESD Superintendent Dr. Coakley was a featured speaker, and presented "Leaving A Legacy: Elevating Voices, Removing Barriers, Creating Healthy Culture..."
Additionally, Dr. Reiko Williams and Yusuf Leary were invited to facilitate a session called "The Clap Back: Responding Decisively and Professionally to Workplace Aggression and Insult."
We love seeing MESD staff engaging positively with our community!
October Events & Celebrations
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaboration between government and private industry to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime.
To learn more visit https://staysafeonline.org/programs/cybersecurity-awareness-month or check out these training events:
- Cybersecurity Essentials (MFA Passwords, Phishing)
Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 12-12:30pm (online)
Register for Cybersecurity Essentials here - Student Privacy and AI -
Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 3:30-4pm (online)
Register for Student Privacy and AI here
October is Head Start Awareness Month
Preschool Marketplace is a one-stop webpage to find reduced-cost preschools near you. Preschool Marketplace provides information about preschool programs all in one place such as contact information, location, the hours of a program, if they provide transportation, and other information that helps you make the best decision for your child and family.
Learn more at preschoolmarketplace.org
Bridge to the Future - Be the Driver of Your Education!
Hosted by East County Bridges, this event is an opportunity for students to learn how to take their next step toward a high school diploma, GED, or trade program. Friends and family are welcome, too! No registration needed.
Tuesday, Oct 10, 2023, 04:00 PM
17805 Southeast Stark Street, Portland, OR, USA
Intro to Restorative Justice
Schools that increase their use of restorative practices see improvement in student behavior and staff response. Learn more about why restorative justice is so important with this equity professional development opportunity.
Register for Intro to Restorative Justice
Questions? Contact Yusuf Leary at YLeary@mesd.k12.or.us
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 03:00 PM
11611 Northeast Ainsworth Circle, Portland, OR, USA
October is also...
- National Principals Month
- Bilingual Child Month
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- Dyslexia Awareness Month
- National Custodian Month
- Oct 2 - National Custodial Appreciation Day
- Oct 10 - World Mental Health Day
- Oct 11 - Indigenous People’s Day
Share Your News with MESD!
Thank you to the MESD staff who shared their stories with us this edition!
We want to continue sharing your stories and happenings across our district. To submit a photo(s) for consideration, please email commsteam@mesd.k12.or.us by the 20th to be included in next month's newsletter.