School staff, teachers, and administrators are joining community members in mourning the passing of Don Staples, 54.

Don died at home on Tuesday, February 28th, after a battle with cancer. He was a part of Newberg schools since his elementary days as a student at Mabel Rush Elementary.

Services for Don will be held on Saturday March 11 at 10:30 am in Bauman Auditorium at George Fox University.

Colleagues remember Don as a friend and a dedicated professional whose commitment to students, educators and parents has shown itself in different ways throughout his 17 years in the Newberg School District.

“Don had a wicked sense of humor,” said Assistant Superintendent Dave Parker, “but it was his empathy that I will remember most. Don connected with people – he cared about you and your life”

Parker explains that Don remembered the names of students, staff, parents and friends. “He went out of his way to know about you and care about what was happening in your life.”

Don was a lifelong educator. He graduated from Newberg High School as the class valedictorian, going on to George Fox University to pursue a degree in education. He joined the Newberg School District as an assistant principal and academic intervention teacher at Mabel Rush Elementary in 1999 after a 12-year career in the Yamhill-Carlton School District.  Don was looking forward to coming to the school district where his children attended school.  

Kevin Milner, Ewing Young Elementary Principal, remembers Don as an immediate hit in his new assignment.

“Don helped me as a new administrator through the peaks and valleys of my first year as a principal at a very large elementary school that included three special programs,” says Milner.  “Don's attention to detail and ability to connect with students helped many of the Mabel Rush students to thrive.  The end of the year celebrations such as lip-sync bands ("Out of Sync") and sumo wrestling still stand out.  From working with Don, I learned the importance of relationships, patience, listening, trust and integrity. For these traits, there is no greater role model.”

Fifth grade outdoor school revealed Don’s passion for providing outdoor camp experiences for students, especially at his "home away from home", Twin Rocks on the Oregon Coast.  During the summers, Don lead a boys camp at Twin Rocks where he and family had spent many summers creating special places for kids and adults to explore while at the camp.  The Staples name appears in many places at the camp.

Budget reductions in 2002 led Don to being reassigned as a middle school math teacher at Chehalem Valley.   District leadership recognized his talents for data and assessments and soon Don made the shift from full-time teacher to working at the district office as an Assessment Coordinator and later Director of Assessment.  Don thrived in this role, establishing the district’s elementary standards-based report card, introducing universal assessments (MAP and FAST) to help to target instruction and support for students, as well as working on numerous projects that helped to move the district forward. 

“Don has been such an influential voice in our district,” said Superintendent Kym LeBlanc-Esparza.  “He could always be counted on to take on some really challenging changes with calm, reflective, servant leadership.  He has lived his life in the service of his community.”

Don’s qualities earned him the district’s top Crystal Apple award as an outstanding administrator in 2015 for his work as director of assessment. He was cited for initiatives changing the way the organization operates, including state testing, grade-level math and literary assessments. He also received the Crystal Apple for Outstanding Middle School Teacher in 2008. In 2012, Don was named George Fox University’s Volunteer of the Year for his work as public address announcer for women’s basketball, starting in the 1999-2000 season.

“I was lucky to work with him for years as a teacher and later as a director,” said Terry McElligott, principal of Joan Austin.  “He had that ability to walk beside me, instill confidence and certainty about situations without even saying a word.  Just his presence gave me the assurance needed to move forward with some daunting tasks.”

Don understood the importance of leadership both as a professional and a father.  There was no greater reward than spending time and building relationships with the people around him.  He knew that the relationships he built were the cornerstone of life itself.

He took pride in the educational professional but his number one calling was being a loving husband and father.  Don would rearrange his schedule to be at band concerts, cross country meets, or special events of all of his children.  And in the office the next day, he would recite the highlights of the event for his co-workers to hear.

The community and school district of Newberg has lost a champion, a partner who lived the essence of his faith.  He embodied the golden rule of do unto others as you would want done unto you.  

“There is no greater teacher than the man who leads by his example, and that is what Don Staples did every day of his life,” says McElligott. “His spirit will remain present in the many lives that he touched.  Don would say that he was lucky to be our friend, but those of us that truly knew him knew that his friendship was one of life’s cherished gifts.”    

A blog has been created to share stories of Don. Click  to read or contribute