This episode of Learning in Lake Oswego looks into the diverse career opportunities within the Lake Oswego School District. Our executive director of human resources offers insights into the array of roles available, and we hear firsthand from alumni turned teacher and a parent turned administrator, who share their inspiring career journeys. Plus, listen for valuable tips on securing a position within our district and discover how we celebrate the achievements of individuals in our vibrant learning community. Join us in exploring the pathways to success in Lake Oswego!
LOSD Career and Job Opportunities
Educational Excellence Awards Event
Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD
Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD
Dr. Donna Watson, Executive Director of Human Resources, LOSD
Annie Johnson, Learning Specialist and Pathways Coordinator, Lakeridge High School
Welcome to Learning in Lake Oswego, a podcast providing educational insights for an engaged community. Lake Oswego School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Shealy will discuss what's important to our learning community. She'll be joined by experts examining various topics, answering important questions, and sharing upcoming events and activities you won't want to miss.
And now, it's your host.
Welcome to Learning in Lake Oswego, a window into our district's heartbeat. I'm Mary Kay Larson here with Dr. Jennifer Schiele our superintendent. Today's focus, career opportunities in Lake Oswego School District. We'll look inside our district's diverse career opportunities and hear some inspiring stories.
We'll also explore the roles and unique paths that people can take to join our community. Jen, let's begin. Greetings everyone. Thanks again for listening. The Lake Oswego School District is more than a place of learning. We are a significant employer in our area and a contributor to our community's livelihood.
While classroom teachers and educational assistants are often the first roles that come to mind, the reality is far more diverse. The spectrum of careers supporting our students is vast, from principals and teachers, to office staff, counselors, custodians, accountants nutrition services, and even more.
Our district's strengths lie in our people, and today we're going to explore a few examples of career paths within Lake Oswego School District. We're pleased to start with Dr. Donna Watson, our Executive Director of Human Resources, who's pivotal to our discussion. Welcome, Donna. Thank you, Dr. Scheele. It's a pleasure to be here.
Could you please start by sharing your journey within the educational field, and specifically within Lake Oswego? Yes. I was welcomed into the Lake Oswego School District in 2001 as an assistant principal at Lake Ridge High School. I then moved to district office in 2005 and held a few titles here.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment, Technology, Director of Secondary Programs, and now I have been working in the Human Resources Department for about nine years. Wow, lots of different hats that you've worn here. So in our district we see a kind of this wide array of employment paths from licensed employees, classified employees, contractors, and substitutes.
So can you give us a little overview of what those different terms mean when seeking a job in Lake Oswego? Of course. Administrators are our principals and our assistant principals. We do also have directors who are in charge of running some of our, of our service departments, like our food services and facilities operations departments.
Our licensed employees are those who have to hold a license to be a teacher or a counselor or a social worker in our buildings. Our classified staff is probably our most diverse group of employees in the district. Again, those range from food services to facilities operations to administrative assistance support and to educational assistance support.
These are the folks who really support and have our buildings. Work throughout the day contractors are those people who come in on a very short term basis and many times help us with projects that may take two to three weeks or possibly two to three months. And substitutes are invaluable to us here in the district, substitutes, our substitutes are amazing.
We do have licensed substitutes and licensed substitutes do need to hold a teaching license to be in our classrooms and rent classrooms. But we also have classified substitutes, which do not need to hold a license and are there to support students while they're in school. That's a lot. Yeah. So obviously with that many different roles here in the district, recruitment and hiring very vital to HR.
So how do we attract the top talent here? That's a great question. First and foremost, the people who work in our Lake Oswego School District are amazing. And that makes Lake Oswego Schools a great place to work. We have wonderful students and wonderful families who support us. We also are out there in the digital world and Thank you.
Many different kind of job platforms. So if you're seeking a job and you're looking on any of those platforms, you're probably going to find positions with the Lake Oswego School District. We attend job fairs for our licensed staff and job fairs for our classified staff. And I would really encourage people to keep up to date with the.
jobs that are posted here on our own Lake Oswego website. What advice would you offer those who are listening, who are really keen in joining the Lake Oswego School District team? I think if it's been a while since you've been in a school district, there are many ways to get to know the Lake Oswego School District.
team. You could certainly come in as a volunteer to work with our students. You could become a substitute to see if this is a place that you would like to work. We of course think it's a great place. And we want you to feel that way too. And if there are postings that come up or questions that come up about particular jobs that may be open, please feel free anyone to contact the human resources department.
We are here to answer any questions you may have about the different. positions and opportunities available here in the district. So what are our interests or our area of focus in 2024? Like where might people find the most job opportunities in Lake Oswego? I think our areas of focus are to have wonderful people who can support our students.
One of the areas of focus that we've had now for a while are really in our classified. Staffing and it's important for those folks out there who might not know that classified roles do not necessarily need to have any former training that a lot of that training can happen right here on the job.
And that we can help kind of acclimate you to what the role is and what, how we can support our students. So even if you don't have any experience, but you're just interested, we would really encourage anyone to apply for a classified position because it really is an on the job. kind of training program.
And our, our focus is really, we would like to have people here who want to be with students and want to work in a wonderful place. Great. Thanks so much for all your insights. Let's now turn to a unique aspect of our district, the substantial number of alumni who return as educators, aides, and more, their dedication to giving back.
speaks volumes about our community's impact. And I'm so thrilled to have Annie Johnson, a former student and now dedicated teacher, here with us. Annie, welcome. Hi, thank you, Dr. Shealy. Annie, when did you first consider teaching and what steps did you take towards that career? My Teaching goals, I guess, go all the way back to when my, I have two younger brothers.
When the middle brother was born, he has intellectual disabilities. He went through the Pathways program here in Lake Oswego. And that kind of just led me into a teaching role already, you know, having to have. a brother like that in a position like I was and so it just Developed a passion in me from a very young age And then from that I was so lucky to have so many great educators at lake ridge high school Dr.
Sheely was my principal both at the middle school and at the high school So I was so lucky to have a lot of great people surround me and encourage that journey for me. So then from there, I went to Chapman University and I minored in disability studies, which then got me involved in the disability rights movement and international child rights, which is then I went to London to get my master's degree there in international child rights.
And so that whole trip out to Europe brought me back here exactly where I started, which is kind of crazy because, you know, as you grow up, you don't really think that you're going to go back to your exact high school, you know, when you graduate, you're like, Oh my gosh, thank goodness I don't have to come back here, you know, like, I feel like that's a very relatable feeling, but I was in such a unique position that I was able to go off and do my own research and my independent study and experience and be able to apply that into my own community and I think that that's super, super special.
I agree and we're so happy that you came back Annie and after your graduation you had so many things to choose And so what made you say I'm going back to Lake Ridge. I'm gonna go back to Lake Oswego School District where it started. If I pin it on one person, I'm going to pin it on Desiree Fisher. She is such a great advocate for all of her students.
And she knew that I came back and she, there was a position I started off as a classified employee, like Donna was talking about earlier last year. And she called me and she was like, Annie, I have this job. I want you to take this job. And I was like, okay, yes, ma'am. I, she had complete faith in me and put me in a position that.
She knew I was gonna succeed in that I didn't know at the time and then from there, I was able to build upon my already developed relationships at Lakeridge and create something even greater and even more substantial, not that my first job wasn't important, it so was, but yeah, Desiree Fisher was the reason that I came back because she, yeah, she's so great.
She really wants the best for me and everyone in Lakeridge. in her school and I was one of them. Totally agree with that. Huge shout out to Ms. Fisher for all the work that she does with our students and our alumni. Can you describe what your current role is at Lake Ridge and your involvement in the program?
Yeah, so I'm currently the learning specialist for the access program over at Lake Ridge High School. The district has been taking a bunch of special education programs and kind of dispersing them over different schools. And so I am in, I'm developing and creating the first year that the access program is over at Lake Ridge High School.
It had previously been just at Lake Oswego High School, but this is the first year that it's opening up to Lake Ridge students. And so it's a special education program where we focus a lot on. life skills and social communication and social cognition. So I kind of explain it as in it's a class where we learn things that are maybe implicit to some students, but we make them explicit to a lot of other students.
So we talk about things like emotion, communication, relationships, all of that stuff that maybe some people don't need to learn to understand because they can pick it up. But some need it to be explicit to them. And so we have those conversations and we encourage those role plays and things like that in our classroom.
And it's, it's so lovely. I have such an amazing group of kids, amazing aides, and it's such a great program to be a part of. And the special education department over at Lakeridge is phenomenal too. So couldn't be in better hands. And you're doing an amazing job right before we got on air here. She was telling me a story about her student taking a test and her being kind of nervous about being on the podcast and her leg shaking and the student noticing, Hey, your leg is shaking.
And I mean, that means you're, you know, you're teaching exactly what you said to kind of notice those social cues around you. So fantastic job there. So being alumni, how did that experience influence your teaching? And then like, what's it like to be a coworker with some of your former teachers? Yeah.
So when I first came back, it was really funny to see a lot of teachers. Cause you know, I was in the, I was at Lakeridge like eight. Years ago, eight to 10 years ago. And so a lot of them recognize me, but didn't, you know, weren't able to pin a name on the face. So they would just kind of look at me and stare, you know, like, where do I know you from?
And then I would be like, I'm Annie Johnson. I had you X, Y. years ago and they'd be like, Oh my gosh, that's so crazy. So at the beginning it was, it was a little daunting to be honest, because, you know, these people that I respected and I held that were adults when I was a child, you know, like that's a different dichotomy of a relationship and it was intimidating at first, but Lakeridge is so special in that that I feel that that is a place that supports me, even if I were to fail because they have known me for so long and because I was their student, they want me to succeed because they have seen me from the scaffold of my educational journey and watch it develop.
So I feel so. to make mistakes because the people, my peers and my colleagues are the ones that have supported me from the beginning. So it's just continuing that relationship. And when I have questions, I can ask them for questions specifically about things that I know that they helped me with years ago.
Or if, like I said, if I make a mistake, then they're You're not going to be afraid to be like, Hey Annie, I know you can do better because I've seen it before. And so it's just, it's a really special and sacred relationship that I get to have that I wouldn't have anywhere else because I started there.
That actually brings tears to my eyes that you said that. I think that's fantastic. You know, this whole podcast is about jobs and getting into Lake Oswego school district. Do you have any advice for those who are aspiring to join our fantastic team here? Definitely. I would say just make connections.
The people here are so phenomenal and don't be afraid to ask questions and to reach out, whether that be to anyone at the admin building, whether that be to a teacher, to a classified employee that, you know, everyone here is so wonderful that they want to hear you out and they want to hear what you have to say.
So I think making connections and just not being afraid to reach out and to try, especially, you know, if you're coming from a different district or if you're you. Weirdly young, like I am, as one of my kids told me once, like, it's okay. And yeah, I think just reaching out, getting your questions answered.
There she is, our weirdly young teacher here, who I feel like I watch grow up, and I'm so proud of you for everything that you've done. You are so truly inspiring. Thank you for your commitment to our students. Thank you, Dr. Shealy. You know, yeah, absolutely. And thanks for joining us here today. Of course. We also celebrate the parents of our students who are part of our staff, like our very own Mary Kay Larson.
Mary Kay, please share your journey to Lake Oswego School District. Sure. I love telling my story about this because I am here to represent the people who, and I know there's many of us, who took a step out of the workforce and then made our way back in. Before I came to Lake Oswego, I spent Over 10 years in high tech PR in the Bay Area doing both product marketing and corporate communications.
And when my family moved up here, the plan was for me to freelance, but then life happened and I was needed more with my family. So I put my skills and my energy into volunteering with the schools and with the district. There came a time when it was time for me to get both feet back in the workforce and bring in a paycheck.
And I knew there was things that I like to do that other people did not. I love to public speak. I like to write. And I had a conversation with my children's principal. You know, talking about what career opportunities there might be, not necessarily in Lake Oswego School District, but just where I wanted my next career to be.
And then, as luck would have it, about a month later, the foundation was looking for a director, and she forwarded me the job description. And I hadn't been thinking about Fundraising per se. But when I looked at the job description, I thought this is everything I had talked to her about and what I wanted to do.
So I went for it and the board hired me and it was an amazing, inspiring, thrilling experience for three years. And then when the communications position opened up, which is my background, I thought it's it's time for me to Jump out of the frying pan and into the fire and I applied for this job, and I will say that I'm very fortunate in that I I have one of the few positions in a school district where you don't necessarily Have an a background or credentials in education So I did find those few positions where you know, I can use my skills But I I feel very fortunate to have it and the other Thing I like to tell people on my journey and I want to point out is that even though I was volunteering, I really, and asked my husband, I treated those volunteer jobs as if they were paying jobs and put all my skills and energy into it.
And so I think that really helped me when I went back into the workforce. I hadn't really gone dormant with my experience. It just took a different path. Yeah, well Mary Kate, we are the ones who are very fortunate to have you in this role. Oh, thank you. Absolutely. So what is it like balancing your role as a parent and then as an employee?
I think that's the hardest and the best part of my job. I will say it's the best. Well, for many reasons. One, I really feel that this job has purpose and I value education and I love our community and I love being a part of helping make it the best it can be. I also think that being a parent. In the district helps give me perspective.
It helps give me a pulse on what's happening. And so I do think that that's a huge benefit. And even though I'm soon to be an empty nester, although I don't like people saying that I'm not ready. I do have friends who have younger children. So I think that being a parent and a former parent it really does help me in my position.
It's hard. Well. I should say just in general, being a parent and working full time is, is always a balance and, and tough but I have this weird job where everyone knows what kind of day I'm having based on how many emails I'm sending and, and, you know, when you have children also in the district, they're like, Well known so that that makes it a little bit tough, but I think we make it work I will say one funny story When I was getting my both feet back into the workforce and and working with the foundation and I was explaining to my daughter Who was about to go into middle school on why you know?
I was gonna upset the apple cart at home a little bit and I was explaining to her why I was going back to work And that I thought okay, I got to make this in a way that She'll understand. And I said, well, you know, now that mommy's working, we actually might be able to go on a vacation, say to Disneyland or, you know, different things.
Fast forward a couple of months later and she's in her one of her classes and she has to give a speech about herself and her family. And she says something like, yeah, my mommy collects donations so we can go on vacation.
Thankfully the teacher reached out and she knew and she laughed. And I'm like, okay, that, that got lost in translation. Yeah, sometimes that happens with middle school students. And Zachary and Megan are so lucky to have you as their parent. And we're so lucky to have you here as our communications director.
What guidance would you give other parents who are considering a career in our district? I know that Dr. Watson touched on this and Annie did as well, but We have such a vast network of people that work already in the district. I encourage you to reach out to any one of us, and we can share, you know, different perspectives and different opportunities.
There's always opportunities in the district, so keep looking. I love when I, you know, find that someone's looking for a job, and I love to try and matchmake them with. Opportunities that we might have in the district. So people are more than willing and interested in talking to you about what might be available here in our district.
Yes, Mary Kay is quite the matchmaker and you're very good at that. So thank you so much Thanks to Donna and Annie and Mary Kay, obviously and thank you to all of our employees who make up our amazing district We are truly a family here and I'm So proud to be part of that. So if you're looking to be part of our family, you know, please again, reach out to HR, reach out to the department, reach out to Mary Kay, talk to your friends, family.
This is a great place to work. I love it. I work for the people and the people here are amazing. But with that, let's segue to Where's Jen. We are heading into March of 2024. What are some of the fun and exciting places that you'll be? this month, Jen? Yeah, thanks for asking. March is a key month for hiring, which is why we did this particular podcast this month.
So we're going to be at the Educator Fair. That's a huge focal point for us. And I hope to see many of you there. Also in March, we have the Lake Oswego Rotary Club Educational Excellence Award Ceremony. And that's held on March 19. And it's at the Lakewood Center. And this annual event celebrates our educators and our students and our residents who go above and beyond to support and foster educational excellence in our schools.
And I really encourage everyone in our community to attend this ceremony. Learning about these award nominees and the recipients is so inspiring and you will love being a part of it. I agree. I love this event. I want to say though it's, It's new name is Educational Excellence Awards. Some people might know it as the Sassy Award.
That's the event, but it is now being rebranded as the Educational Excellence Award Ceremony. If you know you like going to that, please mark your calendars and plan to be there. This concludes today's Learning in Lake Oswego. In the next episode, we're going to focus on our buildings and all the work being done in our Capital Bond Improvement Program.
Spotlighting, in particular, the new River Grove Elementary School, which will be coming online very shortly. Absolutely, it will be a great show, so until next time, keep exploring and stay engaged. Class dismissed. We hope you found this episode informative and helpful. While our discussions are general, we understand each family's experience is unique.
If you have specific questions about your child, please contact your school principal. To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego.
We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.