As director of the Oregon Leadership Network and federal liaison to Oregon’s superintendent of public instruction, Rob Larsen has secured $4 million over nine years to fund the Oregon Leadership Network; developed and implemented state policy for the No Child Left Behind Act; and advocated for numerous policy positions on children’s health care, rural education, federal appropriations, teacher development, and career and technical education.

In 2009, Mollie Dickson received her Masters of Arts in Teaching. Now, she blogs about her experiences as first-year middle-school teacher.

Jessica Troutman, pictured here with her family, is an alumna of the Middle-Level/High School Teacher Education program (MAT ‘06). She has been selected Educator of the Year of South Columbia County for Scappoose.

Jeremiah Hubbard, MAT ‘04, leads the Southridge High School’s Uganda Sister School Club, which has raised over $20,000 for their sister school.

Jason Rodgers, M.A.T. ‘99, was awarded a Crystal Apple award for outstanding teaching at Valor Middle School in Woodburn, Oregon, where he is the Director of Bands and Choirs.

The seeds of positive change are sown by thoughtful professionals, leaders, and change agents whose personal and professional lives reflect creativity, compassion, and a commitment to diversity and social justice. Such is the case with Annette Klinefelter, a graduate school alumna and founder of Portland-based advocacy group, Girls Inc. N.W. Oregon. 

Kathleen Larson B.A. ‘92, M.Ed. ‘00, was named the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club Washington teacher of the year. Her work at Vancouver’s Evergreen High School includes teaching a wide range of subjects, designing curriculum, and advocating for deaf and special education students.

As principal of Russell Academy of Academic Achievement, he raised the bar by collaborating with staff, parents, and students to set new goals and create new opportunities for success. The school is now rated “exceptional” by the state. Meet Jeff Rose M.A.T. ‘97.

The first African American woman to attend the University of Mississippi, Verna Bailey M.Ed. ‘79 is now the principal of Beaverton’s Montclair Elementary. Each day she welcomes her nearly 340 students individually and encourages them to excel. Published June 11, 2007.

Long before the movie “School of Rock” hit the big screen, Chris Gragg M.A.T. ‘04 hit upon the power of music to motivate students. The Deep Roots Music Project, brainchild of Chris Gragg M.A.T. ‘04, inspires high school students to be active readers and writers. Begun as an experiment in motivating apathetic teens, the program has spawned several creative ventures and is drawing national attention. Published April 16, 2007.

Winner of the 2003 Oregon Book Award for The Play of Light and Dark, an autobiographical collection of poetry, she shares her passion for words with her high school students. Meet Rita Ott Ramstad M.A.T. ‘98. 

Heather Renz M.A.T. ‘90 was recently named an honoree at the Disney Teacher Awards: Celebrating Creativity in Teaching. The award is given to full time teachers who exhibit innovative teaching methods.