Leadership changes in seven of ten Newberg Public Schools go into effect July 1 for the coming 2017-18 school year. Citing a need to match leadership skills and strengths to school needs, Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza stated that improving outcomes for kids is at the core of school leadership changes.

 “I believe these leadership moves will help us do just that,” said LeBlanc-Esparza.

Troy Fisher moving to Mabel Rush Elementary

Troy Fisher is completing his 13th year as an elementary school principal. He has led Antonia Crater Elementary since 2013 and is known for his outstanding skill set in building relationships with staff and parents. In addition to providing strong leadership skills, Troy has worked extensively with teachers and student data to improve instruction.

Fisher has also taught third, first and blended grades in several locations in eastern Oregon. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Western Oregon University.

Fisher and his wife, Megan,  have three children. He is the voice of Bruin football and basketball at George Fox University and is an active community member.

Michele Paton will lead Antonia Crater Elementary

Michele Paton’s roots in elementary education and middle school experience are fueling a passion for developing smooth transitions between elementary and middle school. For the past two years, her work as principal at Mountain View Middle School has focused on kids, building relationships and strengthening instruction for all students. She brings 13 years of classroom experience in addition to her administrative experience. Michele looks forward to seeing students develop a love of learning and fostering that growth before sending them to middle school.

Paton received her Masters of Education from George Fox University and her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. Paton and her husband are parents of two boys, age 10 and 13.

Terry McElligott new Mountain View Middle School principal

Terry McElligott is a veteran educator with strong leadership and instructional skills. A middle school teacher for 22 years, McElligott served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction before stepping in as principal of Joan Austin Elementary five years ago.  She serves on her school Innovation Team to implement assistive technology and has initiated changes to provide greater opportunities for diverse students and families at Joan Austin.

McElligott has been recognized for civics education by the Classroom Law Project and  initiated a strong reading program that earned the state exemplary reading program award in 2016.

McElligott and her husband have two children that are Newberg graduates and currently in college.

Alaina Carter tapped to lead Joan Austin Elementary School

​Alaina is currently the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at Newberg High School. She brings an extensive teaching background in Language Arts and English Language Development. She describes one of her most rewarding experiences as watching high school students stand on the stage at graduation and receive their high school diplomas.  She now finds herself looking forward to the other end of that journey — supporting, nurturing, and caring for children in those critical early years of development — and  thrilled that she will be part of learning community where she would want her own children to attend.

Carter and her husband and live in Wilsonville, and are proud parents of four amazing children- three boys ages 17, nine and seven,  and a beautiful baby girl of seven months.  She says the family is always on the go and they spend a ton of time involved in outside activities, juggling their time between soccer, basketball, and baseball games.

Carter earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Oregon and Master of Arts in Education from Corban University. She also attended law school at Willamette University and worked as a law intern at the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton.

Cassandra Thonstad named assistant principal at Mountain View Middle School

Cassandra Thonstad came to Newberg High School as a math teacher in 2010 after serving as a math teacher and Instructional Coach in the North Clackamas School District.  She shifted to a leadership  role as an Instructional Facilitator at both Chehalem Valley and Mountain View Middle Schools last year and has served this year as a half time administrative intern and half time Instructional Facilitator at Chehalem Valley.  Thonstad has worked to address achievement gaps and discipline disparities of our under-served students through collaboration with staff and by inviting family and community support.

Thonstad received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University and her Masters in Mathematics and Administrative License from Portland State University. Cassandra and her husband are raising their family in Newberg.

Donald Johnston to serve Edwards, Mabel Rush as new dean of students

Don Johnston has taught in the Newberg district since 1995 and most recently served as the Assistant Principal at Mountain View Middle School for three years.   Johnston is known for his expertise in working with at-risk students. He has extensive classroom experience in both regular education and alternative education and is looking forward to working with both elementary schools.

Johnston holds a Masters Degree from George Fox University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Earth Science from Western Michigan University. He served as president of the Newberg Education Association in 2011-12 academic year.