Kissell named new Highland Elementary principal

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Ron Wilkinson announced today that Brian Kissell has been selected to become the next principal at Highland Elementary School at Kenwood. Kissell is currently the principal at Ada Harris Elementary in Cardiff, Calif., a position he has held since 2010.

“It’s obvious to me that Highland has a very special personality and culture. I look forward to joining the hard working and dedicated staff at the school,” said Kissell. “I am really excited to learn more about the Storyline Method because I can already see the value it adds to the school culture. I feel very honored to become Highland’s next principal and it’s not a responsibility I will take lightly.”

While principal in Cardiff, Kissell served as the district’s assessment coordinator, Section 504 Coordinator and District Bilingual Director. Prior to that, Kissell served as the Dean of Student Affairs at the San Diego Jewish Academy for four years. Kissell began his teaching career in California and has 11 year of classroom teaching experience.

Kissell said he, his wife and three children are looking forward to making the move to Oregon. The family wanted to move to Oregon after vacationing in the state last summer. “I’m excited to relocate our family to Bend and to begin establishing a community for ourselves,” said Kissell.

Kissell will begin his position July 1; current principal Paul Dean has accepted a principal position at an international school in Spain.