Malheur Education Service District

10/29/2026

Harper Teacher Receives Top Automotive Education Award

HARPER – Harper School District automotive shop instructor Wade Johnson secured top recognition last summer from the North American Council of Automotive Teachers when he was awarded the organization’s 2026 MVP.
Johnson garnered the recognition during the organization’s educator conference in Sacramento, California, in June.
The MVP award is the organization's highest honor and recognizes a member who goes beyond regular service to support automotive education and the organization.
Johnson – who became a member of the organization’s board of directors in 2023 – said he was honored to receive the accolade.
“It was very good to receive that award because it is a very in-depth gig to be on the board. I was surprised,” he said.
Now Johnson serves as the secretary/treasurer of the organization’s executive board.
The North America Council of Automotive Teachers focuses on helping and advocating for high school and college automotive instructors across the nation.
Johnson said his work on the board is “extremely rewarding.”
“But it is quite a bit of work. We are in charge of recruiting and retaining members,” he said.
Johnson was selected for the award by North America Council of Automotive Teachers President Ed Martin.
Johnson began his career in the private automotive sector before becoming an educator at the Harper School District in 2015. Johnson also serves as the district’s transportation director. He said he enjoys teaching.
“This is my 12th year and I’m still learning every day,” he said.
Johnson said the North American Council of Automotive Teachers paid dividends for his career as an instructor.
“It has been a savior for me as a teacher. Coming from a dealership to a classroom wasn’t easy and I credit the organization and my local mentors for making that job easy,” he said.

10/28/2026

ADRIAN - Don’t forget – the Adrian PTO Halloween Carnival kicks off Thursday at 4 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. in the high school gym. There will be carnival games, a costume contest (judging from 5:00-5:30 p.m. with winners announced at 5:30), a haunted bus, silent auction baskets donated by families, pizza (take and bake or cooked), Adrian Antelope cinch bags, and a special performance by three famous witches! Unlimited wristbands are $20, tickets are .50 each, most games cost 2 tickets. We are accepting cash, checks, and Venmo!

10/21/2026

Music Returns to Vale High School With Choir Revival

VALE - After a 15-year absence, the Vale High School Choir is back in action, offering another way for students to participate, learn new skills and perform for parents, teachers and peers.
The resumption began last spring when Vale School District Music Teacher Debbie Wolfe recognized she might have room in her schedule to bring the program back in 2026-2027.
Wolfe then asked Vale School District Superintendent Alisha McBride for permission to resurrect the program, and McBride agreed.
Wolfe’s request was significant because the last choir class at Vale High School sang during the 2010-2011 academic year.
“Expanding opportunities for students to participate in the arts has been a priority for our District,” said Dr. McBride. “When our music and band programs were eliminated, students lost access to an important part of a well-rounded education. We took the first step toward rebuilding those opportunities in 2021 by restoring vocal music in grades K-6. Through changes in our elementary grade-level configurations and some creative scheduling by Mrs. Wolfe and our building principals, we were able to take another significant step this year by bringing choir back to Vale High School.”
Fifteen years is a long time by any measure, but Wolfe said she felt the time was right to reintroduce the program to students.
“I think having a music class as an elective for students is crucial. It helps round out the student culture,” said Wolfe.
Last week, between 40 and 60 people assembled in the school cafeteria to listen to the 12-member Viking choir present its first concert.
“I think it went really well. They sang really well. The improvement of the choir from the beginning of the year to now has been significant,” said Wolfe.
More concerts are slated for the academic year, said Wolfe. “We will have three more. One in December, one in March and one in May,” said Wolfe.
The choir has already sung at volleyball games and at the Viking homecoming football game.
“We will probably sing at a few basketball games too,” said Wolfe.
Wolfe said the choir delivers benefits for students beyond a performance before an audience.
“There is something about singing together with someone else that lights up a lot of different areas of your brain,” she said.
A choir, she said, is very much a team.
“You learn how to listen, because you are not the most important person in that ensemble. Everyone is important,” she said.
Vale High School senior Elizabeth Buhrig said the choir is “a really fun way to participate in school activities.”
“I enjoy singing with a group because of the way voices harmonize and how we build a song together. In our choir we have two or three parts, depending on what song we are doing. It is as much a team as any sport,” she said.
Singing in a choir also creates self-reliance, said Wolfe.
“You learn how to blend and balance and it gives you confidence, learning those new skills. You have to rely on each other, and you are working together to create a common goal,” said Wolfe.
Wolfe said the high school choir class is “her favorite class of the day.” She said the future is bright for the high school choir.
“I can’t wait to see what more they can do,” said Wolfe.

10/20/2026

Parents, Students Learn About ESD's East Coast Trip

VALE – More than 60 parents and students converged on the Malheur Education Service District’s new Redmond Innovation Center conference room last week to learn about a unique travel opportunity that began more than 30 years ago.
The focus of the meeting was the annual Washington, D.C./New York student trip and was spearheaded by Malheur Education Service District ELL Specialist Jason Echeverria and ESD board member Greg Alexander.
Alexander and Echeverria briefed the parents and young students on the details of the trip. Alexander created the trip in 1994, and the spring break event has evolved since then. Initially the student-parent journey only included a visit to the nation’s capital but over time the trip expanded to include a tour of New York City.
“It is amazing how many trips have gone by,” said Alexander.
The 2027 trip is already scheduled – so far 32 students and 16 adults are slated to participate – and the meeting Thursday, Oct. 15, was designed to deliver information on the 2028 tour.
Parents and students watched a slide show regarding the trip created by EF Explore America, the organization that oversees the journey to Washington, D.C. and New York City.
EF Explore America provides a tour director who meets the student group as soon as it arrives in Washington, D.C. and the individual stays with the student and parents until the end of the trip.
The trip is educational and offers a packed schedule of visits to historic sites in both cities.
During the Washington, D.C., trip students and parents visit a host of sites, including Capitol Hill, the Vietnam War Memorial, the National Air and Space Museum, the World War II and Korean War Memorials as well as Mt. Vernon and the Washington Monument. The D.C. visit stretches over four days.
After the D.C. tour is complete, the group jumps on a bus for a four-hour ride to New York City. During the two-day New York City visit, participants visit such sites as Times Square, the Sept.11 memorial, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and go on a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty. The group will also take in a Broadway play and tour the Financial District in lower Manhattan.
Each day of the trip is packed with action. Each day begins around 6:30 a.m. and often goes past 9 p.m.
“I think parents are surprised at how much we pack into a day,” said Echeverria.
The individual cost for the trip is around $3,500 per student.
Echeverria told the crowd that there are several different methods to pay for the trip, including fundraising and payment plans.
“We’ve found if parents have 17 months to save up, it is much more doable,” said Echeverria.
After the slide show Alexander and Echeverria fielded questions that ran the gamut from what type of identification – passport, REAL ID – parents needed to carry to sleeping arrangements of students and the type of hotel that will be used.
Echeverria told the crowd the hotels the students and parents planned to use were comfortable, clean and monitored by the tour group around the clock.
He also explained that room arrangements consisted of students of the same gender with double beds.
Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner – are provided by EF Explore America.
“It is an awesome trip. We wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t worthwhile,” said Echeverria.
To find out more about the 2028 trip, contact Echeverria at [email protected] or to enroll now go to www.efexploreamerica.com/3103139YX.

10/16/2026

Bulldog Work Ethic Shines at Ready2Respond Camp

NYSSA – A group of Nyssa High School students translated a gritty work ethic, know-how and determination into success during a week-long summer career and technical education construction event.
Joaquin Cuevas, Diego Campuzano, Marcelo Candelas along with Nyssa High School Woodshop instructor Spencer Esplin, participated in the Ready2Respond camp in Albany in June.
The camp – hosted by Knife River Corporation - was an initiative-taking disaster readiness and workforce training experience. Knife River Corporation also partnered with Team Oregon Build – a collaborative program that familiarizes middle and high school students to careers in construction – and regional emergency management groups for the course. More than 125 students from nearly 30 schools joined the event.
The course was designed to mimic a wildland fire base camp consisting of living quarters, a mess hall, first aid station and an incident command center. The camp was constructed by students – most already participating in career and technical education at their schools – with assistance from adult instructors.
Cuevas, Campuzano, Candelas – guided by Esplin - worked with a team of builders from central and southeastern Oregon to construct an 8-foot-by-12-foot emergency shelter and three 8-foot-by-8-foot emergency sheds. The sheds will be used across the state for emergencies.
“The work was divided up among students and instructors - my students and I were assigned to frame walls to the specifications provided in the blueprints. The first hour of the build I went from instructing, to being a helper as our students progressed through the build,” said Esplin.
Esplin said the lead instructor for the team “quickly noticed our students' skill level and asked if he could move less experienced students to help on our project.”
“We were assigned two new and less-experienced students. Again, our students stepped up in Bulldog fashion, incorporating and making feel welcome two very inexperienced students onto our team,” said Esplin.
Esplin said instructors from Klamath Community College construction program also “took notice of the crew from Nyssa.”
“By the end of the week our little crew from Nyssa were being pulled by other instructors, especially our friends from KCC, to help anywhere they needed skilled help that could effectively work with others,” he said.
Esplin said at the end of the week the Nyssa trio claimed three distinguished student awards for their work and he was proud of their performance.
“I want to thank our parents, teachers, coaches, church leaders and others who help and mentor our students to be successful and give them opportunities to contribute to the community,” he said.

10/14/2026

Local STEM educators earn state recognition

VALE - Vale High School agriculture engineering and robotics instructor Jim Schaffeld was one of four local education instructors recognized by the Oregon Science Teacher Association recently..
Schaffeld was named Outstanding Classroom Teacher for the Frontier STEM Hub region by the OSTA. He joins Nyssa High School teacher Tracy Watts, who also secured the Outstanding Classroom Teacher Award from the state organization.
Schaffeld is no stranger to the STEM curriculum. In one way or another, Schaffeld has taught STEM subjects for more than 15 years.
“I was a little shocked, but it is nice and an honor to be considered and recognized,” said Schaffeld.
Watts, along with Nyssa Elementary School teacher Courtney Lewis, are slated to receive the Special Services to Science Education Award from the OSTA. The state group will also honor Nyssa Elementary School teacher Burgandee Porter with its Sunrise Award.
The local instructors secured their awards and other recognition at the OSTA’s conference in Pendleton, Oct. 9 and Oct. 10.
Schaffeld said STEM education is important.
“Most of the items in today’s world everyone relies on, depends on someone using skills in STEM,” he said.
Vale High School Principal Jeremy Berquist said Schaffeld “provides a variety of educational experiences for students in and out of the classroom.”
“His involvement with robotics (and CTE content as well), competition and the opportunity he provides for students has a positive impact, strengthening engagement, interest and a pathway towards career interests and development,” said Bergquist.
Melodie Wilson, STEM Support Specialist for the Malheur Education Service District’s Frontier STEM Hub said the awards personify the commitment to excellence of local teachers.
“I have the privilege of working with teachers throughout Malheur County, and I know this area is home to some of the most dedicated, hardworking educators in Oregon,” she said.
Wilson is also the OSTA’s Frontier Region Director/Representative.
“Being nominated is an achievement in itself, and being selected is a well-deserved recognition of years of effort that too often goes unseen. I am incredibly proud to celebrate these teachers and grateful for the difference they make in our schools and our community,” said Wilson.
Wilson said the teachers honored by the state organization are selected “based on their ability to motivate student achievement and excitement in science.”
“Every day, they show up for their students with creativity, patience, and a genuine love of learning, often doing more with less and going far beyond what any job description asks,” she said.
The Oregon Science Teacher Association (OSTA) is a chapter member of the National Science Teaching Association. The association consists of Oregon teachers focused on science education. The Malheur Education Service District’s Frontier STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Hub is a pioneering organization devised to encourage and cultivate STEM learning for students in Malheur County.

10/07/2026

Annex Charter School Launches Student Leadership Program

ANNEX – Annex Charter School recently embarked on an innovative new program to help students become better leaders and, in the process, evolve into good citizens.
The school, on the Oregon-Idaho border, serves about 75 Kindergarten through eighth-grade students and created the basic framework for a student leadership plan this fall.
“We needed a program where we are teaching students how to be leaders,” said Dannette Hackman, counselor, and behavior support specialist with the Malheur Education Service District.
Hackman said the idea for the leadership program originated with Annex Charter School Superintendent/Principal Kim Voile.
“She’s been talking about it since she started here,” said Hackman.
Voile said she believes crafting a leadership program is an investment in students.
“I have seen some successful leadership programs in previous school districts and just felt we were ready to move forward and provide this opportunity to our students as well,” said Voile.
The basic parameters of the program are straightforward. Using an 18-week curriculum, the leadership program concentrates on enhancing communication and active listening skills while promoting conflict resolution, teamwork and service planning, said Hackman.
“Students will learn a skill, complete an activity and write a reflection on it,” said Hackman.
For now, the program consists of sixth, and seventh grade students divided up into fall and spring teams, said Hackman. Each team boasts four students.
Hackman said future plans call for expanding the program to other grades.
“It is set up so it is not just rewarding students who are natural leaders but finding some of those quieter students who want to improve their leadership skills,” said Hackman.
Hackman said the program is not a club.
“It is very much about team building and life skills. Each student must fill out an application and interview before they are put on a team,” said Hackman.
Voile and Hackman conduct the interviews.
Each team meets at the end of the day on Thursday in a study hall “for about an hour from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” said Hackman.
Students, said Hackman, must also maintain good grades to be part of the program.
“Part of being a leader is they have to maintain their responsibilities and coursework,” said Hackman.
After six weeks of lessons, said Hackman, each team will “get to plan their first school activity or service.”
“They will break the challenge down – how much will it cost, who will talk to the principal to get permission. Then they will do the service or activity and then we meet again on what worked and didn’t work,” said Hackman.
The students also wear polo shirts with an emblem with the words “Annex Student Leadership – Lead, Serve and Inspire,” said Hackman.
“This is our first step. It has been interesting. Now that students are in it and sharing with other students by the time we start the second group we will have a lot more students,” said Hackman.
As a school counselor, Hackman said she believes the leadership program is beneficial.
“I’ve always felt one of the best ways to improve mental health is through service. It is easy to stay in a positive light when you feel needed and have a purpose. A lot of students don’t know how they fit into the community and this really strengthens relationships,” said Hackman.
For Voile, the program is a key building block to producing well-rounded citizens.
“It teaches students that leadership is about service, not simply being in charge. Our sixth and seventh grade students can serve as positive role models for younger students and help strengthen the culture we value at Annex — being safe, respectful and responsible,” said Voile.
Voile said when students learn to “recognize what needs to be done, help others, model positive behavior and work together to make their school better, students develop leadership skills that extend beyond their years at Annex.”
“At this age, students are ready to have a greater voice and take meaningful ownership in their school. A leadership program gives them a structured opportunity to share ideas, identify needs, and help shape activities and experiences that affect their school,” said Voile.

10/01/2026

Fist to Five: Nyssa Elementary Gives Students a Tool to Self-Regulate
NYSSA – Caitlin Lind is fascinated by the brain.
The Nyssa Elementary School vice principal believes understanding how young brains work and why is central to a successful education.
That’s why she recently introduced an innovative behavioral management blueprint where students learn how to self-regulate and find a successful path to learning.
“Ultimately the goal is for students to be good citizens and contribute to society,” said Lind.
The program revolves around the brain and a hand signal system used by students to demonstrate their level of anxiety or frustration. Called “fist to five,” the system gives youth a tool to manage their anger or frustration. A fist means a student is calm and ready to learn.
“A two or three may mean they need a drink of water or a breathing break or to go into a calm corner. It is a way for them to recognize there is something wrong and I need a reset,” said Lind.
If a student signals with their hand they are a four or five “then they already are past the limit,” said Lind.
“They are not going to learn or listen to what you are saying,” said Lind.
At that point, said Lind, a student is in their “downstairs” rather than their “upstairs” brain.
Once a student descends into their “downstairs” brain, their ability to learn is truncated, said Lind.
“At that point the goal is to get them to calm down,” said Lind.
Lind’s technique is also based on the fundamentals of brain function with an emphasis on the amygdala. The amygdala is the brain’s alarm system. When the amygdala recognizes a threat, it signals the hypothalamus to kick start the flight-or-fight response, saturating the body with adrenaline.
When a young student suddenly faces a stressful situation – anxiety, anger, frustration – the amygdala can activate. Then, instinct takes over, and learning isn’t the highest priority for the brain.
“It is one way of looking at it when kids are mad and they are not doing any work it is not necessary they don’t want to, but they are in their downstairs brain and literally can’t learn at that point,” said Lind.
“The amygdala is great for a fire in the house but sometimes it doesn’t understand what is and isn’t an emergency. It may view a fight with a friend and see it as the same thing as a fire. When it thinks you are in trouble it takes over,” said Lind.
Lind said the elementary school built upon the existing character strong program to introduce the “fist to five” plan this year.
“We started with the counselor that teaches character strong and he taught every single class about the brain. Once he taught everyone, we asked the teachers to implement it in their classrooms,” said Lind.
Lind said the program works.
“It is a simple, but powerful tool,” she said.
Students also see the benefit, said Lind.
“We are already seeing they are communicating with us. I had a kindergarten student come to me and said I’m now at a one (fist) but a while ago I was five. The kids understand it,” said Lind.
Lind said the root of the program emerged when she taught at an alternative school in Idaho.
“The more they are in their thinking brain, the more those neurotransmitters are reconnecting where they feel more comfortable,” said Lind.
Lind said the “fist to five” tool is one a student can learn and carry on throughout their education career and their life.
“They learn, this is how I can calm myself down and hopefully help with those bigger behaviors,” said Lind.

09/29/2026

Malheur ESD Offers Affordable, Hands-On Driver Training

VALE – It might just be the best driver’s training course you’ve never heard of, and the Malheur Education Service District offers its program three times a year during the fall, spring and summer.
Cost of the program is $300 for eligible students and the curriculum includes crucial, hands-on training. The classes feature 10 weeks of online education, six hours of behind-the-wheel training, six hours of study inside a vehicle and five hours of driving under the guidance of an instructor. Students aged 15 to 17 are eligible for the classes but must complete the course before they turn 18. Summer classes are slated for five weeks on weekdays, said Jodi Westerberg, executive administrative assistant for the ESD.
The program focuses on coaching key skills and knowledge to prepare safe drivers for the road.
Students must also carry a valid Oregon permit to register and attendance at the classes is mandatory.
Westerberg said the classes typically fill up fast and there is already a waiting list for the sessions set for the spring.
To find out more about the driver’s education program, contact Westerberg at 541-473-4821.

09/28/2026