Malheur Education Service District

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

09/25/2026

Vale Elementary Makes Big Gains in English Language Arts

VALE - When Jennifer Melendez stepped into the principal slot at Vale Elementary School a year ago the ingredients for triumph already existed.
State results released Thursday, Sept. 24, show how Melendez and her teachers used those ingredients to build significant gains in English Language Arts (ELA).
State results show that 51% of third-grade students at Vale Elementary met or exceeded the state benchmark in ELA - a 16-percentage-point increase from the 2024-25 academic year and nine percentage points above the Oregon average. Notably, Oregon has adopted a statewide goal for 52.6% of third grade students to meet or exceed ELA standards by 2029-30.
Meanwhile, 52% of students in grades between third and sixth met or exceeded ELA benchmarks - eight percentage points above the state average and a six percent increase from the previous year.
Melendez said the notable improvement in such a key educational category can be traced to her staff at the school.
“I have a team of really good teachers,” she said.
Melendez inherited a sharp, disciplined staff and used that firm foundation to build a meticulous program to drive ELA success.
ELA places an emphasis on cultivating the skills of students in reading, writing, speaking, listening and the mechanics of the English language.
The ultimate objective is to assist students to become efficient in communicating and thinking critically.
Melendez said she and her staff focused on several key elements to help enhance ELA statistics.
She said phonics - a teaching strategy that binds sounds of the English language to the alphabet - became “more of an emphasis for the younger grades.”
“In kindergarten through third grade we also used high dosage tutoring with those who needed a little extra help,” said Melendez.
Teachers also focused on prompting students to recognize and highlight information in text and using it to answer questions, she said.
Another important factor, she said, was biweekly data sessions with teachers.
“Every grade (teacher) gathered and looked at what extra strategies we needed to use to support our students,” she said.
Brainstorming, feedback and cooperating with special education instructors and Malheur Education Service District Literacy Coaches also played an important role, she said.
“The teachers deserve the credit. They worked together in a really cohesive manner and I’m proud of the work they’ve done,” said Melendez.
Melendez said, “from the top down we are a great team.”
“We share ideas, best practices,” she said.
Vale School District Superintendent Alisha McBride said the statistical success “reflects the focused, collaborative work of Principal Melendez and the entire Vale Elementary School team.”
“They looked closely at student data, made thoughtful adjustments to schedules and interventions, and remained focused on meeting the individual needs of students. The growth we are seeing in English Language Arts is something to celebrate, and it reflects the tremendous effort of our students, staff, and Malheur ESD Literacy Coaches,” said McBride.

09/24/2026

Whitson Named 2026 Malheur County Regional Teacher of the Year

JUNTURA – This week was a big one for the Juntura School District.
It was an even bigger week for district teacher Andrea Whitson.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, Whitson was officially notified she was named the 2026 Malheur County Regional Teacher of the year by the Oregon Department of Education in conjunction with Oregon Lottery. Representatives from Oregon Lottery and the Malheur Education Service District presented the award to Whitson at the Juntura school Tuesday.
“I’m shocked and surprised and thrilled,” said Whitson.
As part of her honor, Whitson will accept a $1,000 award and is now a semi-finalist for Oregon Teacher of the Year accolades. The 2026-2027 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be selected and announced later this autumn.
“We are super excited for her. We think the kids and the community are lucky to have her here,” said Juntura School Board Chair Erika Fitzpartick.
Regional Teachers of the Year are selected through local nominations and a selection process supported by the 19 Education Service Districts in Oregon.
Teachers are evaluated on their leadership abilities, instructional skills, commitment, professional development, community action and knowledge of key issues impacting education.
Whitson is no stranger to the teaching field. She previously taught in Alaska before coming to Juntura last year.
Whitson credited much of her success in Juntura to the school board.
“The board gives us the freedom to be creative,” said Whitson.
The school in Juntura serves seven students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The rural school is about 50 miles from Vale, the county seat of Malheur County.
Whitson said her teaching triumph can also be attributed to the “support I get from the Malheur ESD.”

Below: Angie Arriola, (left) Director of Curriculum for the Malheur Education Service District poses with 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year, Andrea Whitson, Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Juntura School in Juntura.

09/23/2026

500-Plus Students Explore Careers at Eastern Oregon Skilled Trades event
ONTARIO - More than 500 middle school and high school students converged on the Ontario Oregon Army National Guard armory Wednesday, Sept. 23 for the first annual Eastern Oregon Skilled Trades Day. The event was a cooperative effort between the Malheur Education Service District’s Frontier STEM Hub, area businesses and agencies and a host of volunteers. During the all-day event, students secured the opportunity to chat with industry representatives and take part in break-out sessions covering subjects such as discovering a career in natural resources, women in trades and careers in electrical and energy.

09/21/2026

Vale High Inducts More Than 40 Into National Honor Society

VALE - More than 40 Vale High School senior and junior students were inducted into the National Honor Society Sept. 14, underscoring a deep commitment by local youth to education and their community.
“Our students are concerned about their grades and about doing well not only in school but also in being part of a leadership community and being involved in activities,” said Mary Jo Sharp, the advisor for the Vale High School National Honor Society organization.
The National Honor Society is a longtime organization where students are identified for excellence in four key areas including scholarship, community service, leadership and character. The scholarship piece is designed to feature youth who maintain a high grade point average – at Vale High School the GPA requirement is a 3.25.
The VHS chapter also seeks students who volunteer within the community. “Students are asked to complete 20 hours of community service for each year they are members,” said Sharp.
The organization encourages students to take a leadership role by overseeing various projects and becoming role models.
The Vale School Board also requires all Valedictorians and Salutatorians to be National Honor Society members.
Inducting 44 members was an extraordinary accomplishment, said Sharp.
“I feel like we are headed in the right direction in leadership and this group of kids is really going to be outstanding,” said Sharp.
Sharp said students are focused on helping in their hometown.
“I had more students ask me this year about how to gain more community service hours,” said Sharp.
To become a National Honor Society member students must fill out an application. Selection to the local chapter is a major academic achievement, said Sharp.
Sharp said the students “really took ownership of the induction ceremony.”
“They led the whole thing. They were given their part and that was all I had to do,” said Sharp. The ceremony was facilitated by officers President, Brooklyn Maag, Vice President, Peyton Hood, Publicity Director, Claire Peterson, Secretary/Treasurer, Gabriella Sandoval, Volunteer Coordinator, Makayla Officer and Events Coordinator, Braelyn Keller.
Sharp said the VHS National Honor Society chapter focuses on “thinking about something bigger than themselves.”
“When you live in a community you should be willing to give back and this organization is one more avenue Vale High School uses to encourage students to become part of their community and look around about how they can best help community members,” said Sharp.
The following Vale High School students were recognized at the 2026-2027 induction ceremony: Bruce Atkinson, Kaylynn Brandon, Genesis Canseco, Tate Cook, Rye Cummings, Ethan Dotson, Sophia Duarte, Duncan Fritts, Maddox Hartley, Brooklyn Maag, Aubrey Maupin, Lesley Martinez, Claire Peterson, Grace Russell, Gabriella Sandoval, Ellie Seals, Ryann Shaw, Riley Steele, Taylor Stepleton, Rhylan Williams, Ellie Bennett, Marli Bennett, Sadie Blake, Ashlyn Branigin, Milagros Damian, Stella Flynn, Hailee Franklin, Peyton Hood, Cal Johnson, Braelyn Keller, Kendall Kesey, Avery Knapp, Bannock Lamb, William McBride, Makayla Officer, Christian Rosiles, Reed Saunders, Avery Schiemer, Eli Seals, Rocco Shaffer, Kayci Shira, Adalyn Tolman, Rowan Ward, Asrey Wilson-Gilman.

09/16/2026

Malheur ESD’s stORytime Brings Literacy to life

ONTARIO – Four Rivers Cultural Center was a busy place Tuesday.
More than 300 kindergarten students from across the county converged on the local convention center for the Malheur Education Service District’s annual stORytime celebration.
The event marked its 13th anniversary Tuesday and showcased several unique features. For one, many of the youth volunteer readers on hand participated in the first stORytime event as kindergarten students. Also, members of the Nyssa High School girls’ varsity soccer team chipped in to be readers.
The stORytime program – spearheaded by the Malheur ESD’s Early Learning Hub – is designed to launch kindergartners into the world of literacy.
When the kindergartners arrived Tuesday, they were directed into groups across the main foyer area of FRCC where an adult or high school student read a book to them.
After the reading session, the kindergartners were guided into the Meyer McClean Performing Arts Theater to enjoy music and entertainment, including mascots from local schools.
Esmeralda Diaz, a Nyssa High School senior soccer player said she “really liked” reading to the students.
“I liked how the kids were engaged,” she said.
The students also enjoyed snacks, and each received a book – “Will the Pigeon Graduate” – and a stORytime T-shirt.
The stORytime event began in 2015 as part of a now-elapsed state education initiative and was led by Sherri Hironoka, a former Ontario School District administrator, and Kelly Poe, the former director of the early learning hub for the Malheur ESD. Now the program continues through funding from local businesses and the community.

09/14/2026

Peacock Comes Full Circle, Returns to Huntington as Superintendent

HUNTINGTON – There was no GPS system when Jerry Peacock first came to Huntington.
He used a fold-out paper map to find the location of his first teaching job.
That was 1978.
Fast-forward 40-plus years and Peacock is back where he started, this time as the Huntington School District Superintendent. He’s the first to admit a lot of water has flowed under his career bridge since the day he first drove into Huntington. Yet the key theme he endorsed as a young teacher – furnishing students with an opportunity to be the best they can be – remain.
A Florida native, Peacock was a true son of the South when he came to Oregon.
“I’d never really been out of the south and I discovered not everybody eats grits. I also discovered these things called hash browns,” he said.
Peacock’s career stretches across a swath of eastern Oregon. After his stint at Huntington, Peacock moved to Baker City where he served as an assistant principal, elementary school principal and then principal of Baker High School for 22 years. He also kick-started the Baker Technical Institute, a precursor of sorts, to career and technical education (CTE).
“It was sort of CTE on steroids at the time. We had an engineering, agriculture and a building construction program. We also had a health service program where you could get you CNA license,” he said.
He finished out his initial education career in 2017 and then stepped into the CTE Regional Coordinator slot for the Malheur Education Service District for seven years. Last year, Peacock served as a school improvement coach for the ESD.
When he learned the Huntington superintendent position was open, he said he decided to apply.
“I thought Huntington has been good to me, and I saw some things I believe could be improved for kids and teachers,” he said.
For Peacock, a key part of education is about the future.
“It is awfully cliché, but who is the future in the hands of? Certainly not us. It is in the hands of the current generation. So, what do we do while we are still here to positively impact that?” he said.
Peacock said he believes in constantly evaluating educational methods.
“Do we do it the same way we have always done it? What can we do differently? How do we be more effective? It really comes down to what is quality instruction,” he said.
Over his 40-plus years in education Peacock has seen just about everything and he laments the search for quick fixes to educational challenges.
“We are always looking for the silver bullet to solve educational woes we deal with. Like lack of attendance or lack of production in a classroom, but one doesn’t exist,” he said.
Peacock said often, “we keep going in circles in education.”
“Why don’t we stick with something long enough to prove we can be successful? As an educator you deal with individuals and they are all different. There is no way there will be this panacea,” he said.
For Peacock another key to success is simple.
“How do you develop relationships that students and staff begin to trust you,” he said.
He said he also believes sometimes teaching doesn’t show instant results.
“I believe we are like investment bankers. We don’t always see the return immediately. Years later you may find that student and they say this is what I’m doing now, and I just want you to know I really did hear you. That’s the investment piece,” he said.
Peacock said one of the most valuable lessons he’s learned revolves around dedication.
“If you want results from something, no one is going to give it to you. You have to earn it. There is value in hard work,” he said.
Peacock said success at any level of education is a group effort between parents and teachers.
“We are team here. We are here to create responsibility. We have to collaborate effectively to help a child be successful,” he said.
Peacock said he loves his job. One of the most attractive elements to his work, he said, is the opportunity to “make change.”
“I want to be known as someone who made a difference. That’s what motivates me, I want to make a difference,” he said.
Peacock said he wants to pass on the lessons he’s learned as an educator.
“I’ve been around so many good people over the years and learned a lot from those people. I can share that. It is easy to share but people have to accept it. That’s the challenge,” he said.
While he is happy to be back in Huntington helping educate students Peacock said he believes there are challenges facing education.
“Kids are spending too much time on screen time. It is way too much. What happens when you are on screens, computers, laptops, an iPad, is you get answers to things without understanding the process. So, you will have issues problem solving,” he said.