Several schools welcome new leadership in 2017–18
Eugene School District 4J has announced the selection of administrators to lead several schools and programs in the coming school year.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS—Jim Moore, Edgewood principal • Scott Marsh, Edison principal • Lavinia Page, assistant administrator at Holt, Corridor and Yujin Gakuen
MIDDLE SCHOOLS—Larry Williams, Arts & Technology Academy principal • Morgan Christensen, Kennedy principal • Peter Barsotti, Madison principal
HIGH SCHOOLS—Iton Udosenata, North Eugene principal • Trinity Welch-Radabaugh, North Eugene assistant principal • Casandra Kamens, Churchill assistant principal • Tracy Ross, Sheldon assistant principal
DISTRICT PROGRAMS—Karen Pérez-Da Silva, Equity, Instruction & Partnerships Administrator • Sue Wilson, K–12 Curriculum Administrator • KC Clark, Fox Hollow Campus Administrator • Tom Horn and Susan Lorow, Student Services Administrators
Elementary Schools
Edgewood Principal: Jim Moore has been selected to be the new principal of Edgewood Elementary School, replacing longtime principal Larry Williams who is moving to Arts & Technology Academy. Mr. Moore has been assistant principal of Thurston Middle School in Springfield for the past two years. Before that he taught fifth grade for more than a decade in the Portland area. Mr. Moore values the importance of creating and sustaining a school community dedicated to equity, academic rigor, and the creation of lifelong learners.
Edison Principal: Scott Marsh is the new principal of Edison Elementary School, replacing Tom Horn, who will now be a districtwide special education administrator. Mr. Marsh is a dedicated education leader with 27 years of experience. He has been Madison Middle School’s principal for several years; before that he was principal of Parker Elementary School, a South Eugene neighborhood elementary school, until the school closed in 2011. He started his education career as a middle school math teacher. Mr. Marsh believes that every child has the potential to reach their dreams, and that it is the job of educators to help unlock that potential, aim them in the right direction and help them realize those dreams.
Holt, Corridor and Yujin Gakuen Assistant Administrator: Lavinia Page has been selected to continue serving as an assistant administrator, supporting the school administration at two of the district’s largest elementary school sites, Holt Elementary and the co-located Yujin Gakuen and Corridor Elementary. Ms. Page served as the interim assistant administrator in 2016–17.
Middle Schools
Arts & Technology Academy Principal: Larry Williams is the new principal of Arts & Technology Academy. Mr. Williams is an experienced instructional leader, most recently serving as the principal of Edgewood Elementary School for the past 10 years. Mr. Williams also has middle school administration experience, having served as an assistant principal of a K–8 school in Bethel and as an administrative intern at Kelly Middle School. Before becoming an administrator, he was a counselor at Churchill High School. Mr. Williams is excited about leading collaborative work in a diverse middle school environment, developing relationships with ATA staff and families, and supporting the school’s STEM vision and integration of STEM project-based learning throughout the curriculum.
Kennedy Principal: Morgan Christensen has been appointed as the new principal of Kennedy Middle School, replacing Charlie Smith, who is retiring after 17 years as a school principal in 4J. Dr. Christensen has done tremendous work in his 15 years in the district, first as a teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, as interim assistant principal of Arts & Technology Academy, and then as assistant principal of Churchill High School for the past 5 years. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Oregon. Dr. Christensen is committed to ensuring all Kennedy students develop the academic and social emotional skills to be ready to succeed in high school. He is excited about growing the community connection between middle and high school families in the Churchill region.
Madison Principal: Peter Barsotti has been selected to be the new principal of Madison Middle School, replacing Scott Marsh who is moving to Edison Elementary School. Mr. Barsotti comes to 4J from the Fern Ridge School District, where he has been a middle school principal since 2014 and previously served as assistant principal and dean of students. He began his education career 15 years ago working in an after-school mentoring program for inner city youth, then taught math and coached athletic teams in Elmira and Eugene before becoming an administrator. Mr. Barsotti is passionate about school climate and ensuring that every student, parent, staff member and community member feels safe, welcome and appreciated.
High Schools
North Eugene Principal: Iton Udosenata will be the new principal of North Eugene High School. Mr. Udosenata—a native Oregonian who graduated from North Eugene High School—emerged as the top candidate after a national search. He has served as principal of Cottage Grove High School for the past four years. Before Cottage Grove, he was an assistant principal of Willamette High School, a social studies and alternative education teacher at Thurston High School, and, at the start of his career, a middle school history teacher in Los Angeles. His leadership has included a focus on equity, career and technical education and improving the graduation rate, all priorities that he plans to continue to champion through collaboration and teamwork with North Eugene stakeholders. Mr. Udosenata is a strong and passionate education leader who has a deep understanding of and roots in the North Eugene region and a commitment to ensuring all students achieve their full potential.
North Eugene Assistant Principal: Trinity Welch-Radabaugh has been named assistant principal of North Eugene High School, as Tracy Ross is moving to Sheldon. Ms. Welch-Radabaugh is a member of the North Eugene community and has more than a decade of experience as a high school educator. She has been assistant principal of Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis since 2015, and previously taught high school advanced mathematics. Ms. Welch-Radabaugh is committed to fostering positive community relationships, creating teamwork between homes and school, empowering families to contribute to the educational process in meaningful ways, and improving outcomes for all students.
Sheldon Assistant Principal: Tracy Ross will serve as assistant principal of Sheldon High School next year, replacing Beth Richardson, who is moving out-of-state. Previously, Ms. Ross was assistant principal of North Eugene High School and before that taught at Sheldon for more than a decade as the band director. Ms. Ross’ 20-year education career has included many years teaching music, experience as a regional essential skills coordinator in 4J and as a high school instructional coach in Lebanon, and three years as assistant principal of North Eugene. She brings strong instructional skills and high school experience to her new position and is excited to return “home” to Sheldon.
Churchill Assistant Principal: Casandra Kamens has been appointed assistant principal of Churchill High School, replacing Morgan Christensen, who will be principal of Kennedy Middle School. Ms. Kamens previously served as a world languages teacher, a small schools coordinator, an instructional programs administrator and principal of North Eugene High School. Ms. Kamens’ extensive high school experience and skills will be a great asset as she joins the leadership team at Churchill.
District Programs
Equity, Instruction & Partnerships Administrator: Karen Pérez-Da Silva has been hired as 4J’s Equity, Instruction & Partnerships administrator, replacing David Bautista, who has moved out-of-state. Dr. Pérez-Da Silva has spent more than 16 years teaching in diverse classrooms, conducting action research, and working with teams of general education and special education teachers, students and their families to analyze problems of practice at the classroom and school levels in order to bring about change. She has taught culturally responsive teaching courses, led courageous conversations groups for teachers and mentored dual language teachers. She obtained her doctorate in educational leadership from Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Dr. Pérez-Da Silva has a deep passion for creating more equitable systems, and a strong belief in the power of collaboration to support the district’s vision and goals.
K–12 Curriculum Administrator: Sue Wilson is joining 4J as a curriculum administrator focused on math, science, health and PE, replacing Maddy Ahearn who has taken on a countywide role with Lane ESD. Ms. Wilson is currently the Oregon Department of Education’s applied math/STEM education program specialist. Previously she taught math, science and special education in Arizona for 13 years, in a variety of school settings—juvenile corrections, self-contained special education, a large urban high school, and a small STEM high school—and served as a teacher leader, professional development specialist, and acting principal. Ms. Wilson is passionate about working collaboratively with teachers to provide students a personalized, authentic, and rigorous educational experience that allows them to explore their passions, define their identities, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Fox Hollow Campus Administrator: KC Clark has been named administrator of the Fox Hollow Campus and the three programs it encompasses—comprehensive services, home instruction and instructional program—replacing the previous campus administrator assigned by Lane Education Service District. Ms. Clark is a 4J graduate and has 17 years of experience in the district, the last 15 years as the student services administrator assigned to high school and post-graduate programs. Prior to joining 4J, Ms. Clark worked for Lane Community College and Looking Glass Youth and Family Services where she was a GED teacher, a classroom teacher and an education supervisor. Her strengths in program development, problem solving and building relationships with students and families will serve the Fox Hollow campus and its programs well.
Student Services Administrator: Tom Horn has been selected to serve as a student services administrator, replacing Joane Butler, who retired this year. Mr. Horn brings a strong background and more than 20 years of experience to his new role, in which he will work with schools and students with special needs and their families across the district. Mr. Horn has been the principal of Edison Elementary School for the past five years and previously was principal of Al Kennedy Alternative High School in Cottage Grove. Before earning his administrator’s license, Mr. Horn was a special education teacher for more than a decade. He holds a master’s degree in special education and has served as an adjunct faculty instructor at the University of Oregon and Pacific University. Mr. Horn believes that learning should be a fascinating adventure, a rigorous but joyful pursuit, and that cooperation, collaboration and teamwork are essential. His commitment to students is unwavering.
Student Services Administrator: Susan Lorow is joining 4J as a student services administrator, replacing KC Clark, who has been named Fox Hollow Campus administrator. Ms. Lorow has more than 20 years of experience in public education, including working as an adjunct instructor at the college level, assistant special education director, English Language Learner and migrant education program director, assistant principal, acting principal and school psychologist. In her current student services position in Maryland, she has worked with staff, students, families and the community to identify and remediate adverse challenges impacting student attendance, homelessness, dropouts and behavioral concerns. Ms. Lorow is committed to high-quality teaching and learning and using student achievement data to improve instruction and student outcomes.
Welcome to these education leaders and all others who are beginning or changing positions with 4J this year.
