Richards chosen as new Bear Creek Elementary principal

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Shay Mikalson announced Friday that JP Richards has been selected to serve as Bear Creek Elementary School’s new principal. Richards is a veteran educator and principal who is bilingual and has 19 years of experience in education in Oregon.

“I am excited for this opportunity and to get to know the Bear Creek students, staff and families,” said Richards. “I have heard tremendous things about the school.”

Richards is currently serving as Director of Human Resources at Three Rivers School District in Grants Pass. Previously, he served as principal at East Elementary School in Tillamook, Director of English Language Development and Principal at Tillamook Junior High School.

Richards also worked as an administrator in schools in Klamath Falls and Estacada. Richards also has experience as a high school Spanish teacher and is bilingual.

” I believe in empowering staff. I know we have a very talented staff at Bear Creek and I look forward to helping tap into that talent, ” said Richards. “The possibilities are endless.”

Richards will begin in the new position July 1.