Interim Bear Creek principal named

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson on Thursday named Anissa Wiseman interim principal for Bear Creek Elementary School, filling in as the Matt Montoya investigation continues..

Wilkinson said Wiseman will take on the role of interim principal at Bear Creek effective immediately.

Wiseman brings more than 18 years of teaching and administrative experience to the position. She has served as student services at Pine Ridge Elementary School for the last eight years.

“I look forward to working closely with students, families, staff and the entire Bear Creek community,” Wiseman said. “There are so many great programs at Bear Creek that are designed with all learners in mind – I am excited to be a part of a team that provides so many options for kids.”

Wiseman is a familiar face to many at Bear Creek Elementary – she taught for five years at the school in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

“I am starting my 16th year at Bend-La Pine Schools. I bring a strong understanding of this community and the variety of programs that our schools offer,” She said. “It is a real honor to be interim principal and to be a part of such an outstanding school.”

Wiseman’s background and her fluency in Spanish will prove an asset as she gets to know teachers, students and parents.

“Bear Creek is a neighborhood school with a great staff and a lot of community support,” she said. “I can’t wait to speak Spanish every day to students in the Dual-Immersion program and throughout the school.”

Wiseman adds, “My door is always open, and good communication is important to me. It is my goal that our school supports every student by providing the best learning environment possible for them. Parents can count on me to be involved in all aspects of the school and work collaboratively with the staff to insure that their students’ needs are being met. “

In making the appointment, Superintendent Wilkinson said, “We believe it is critical to have clarity around the building’s leadership now for staff and parents.” He adds, “With school starting in just a few weeks, there is a lot of work to complete.”

Wiseman will be assuming the principal role previously held by Matt Montoya. Montoya was placed on administrative leave from his principal position at Bear Creek Elementary School on June 24, following review of his annual personnel evaluation and pending an investigation. Montoya has since filed a discrimination complaint with the district.

Also, Jay Etnier has been hired as assistant principal at Summit High School. Etnier brings 13-years of teaching and leadership experience to the position. He currently serves as a teacher and department chair at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham.

“Summit High School has a reputation of excellence in education, in community service, and in activities and athletics,” Etnier said. “”One of the roles of an assistant principal is to support teachers, but it is also to inspire educators to take on challenges and support successes.”

Etnier says that his leadership style includes support to staff through communication, consultation and staff development.

“If people need assistance, I listen and do my best to see they get what they need,” he says. “As a captain, as a coach, as a teacher, and as a leader, relationships are critical to building a culture of trust.”