Kate Donegan chosen as new principal for Ensworth Elementary in NE Bend

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ensworth Elementary School in northeast Bend will have a new principal next school year. Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook announced Monday that Kate Donegan has been selected for the position and will begin July 1. She is replacing Principal Dana Pedersen, who has resigned to relocate.

“We are excited to welcome Kate to our administrative team as the new principal at Ensworth,” Dr. Cook said. “She is an experienced school leader who has a clear understanding of the impact education has on students’ lives and has worked to serve students in a variety of roles over the course of her career. The Ensworth community is a strong one, and having a new leader who is experienced in working with a variety of communities will help continue the tradition they have.”

Kate is currently the principal at Trillium Creek Primary School in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, a position she has held since 2019.

Prior to her current role, she served as instructional coordinator at Trillium Creek, where she supported and mentored staff to implement best practices in instructional strategies. She has 15 years of teaching experience, having served as a classroom teacher, learning specialist, and reading specialist at a variety of elementary schools.

“I am thrilled to become part of the Ensworth community. I look forward to joining the incredible teachers, staff, families and students in the work of making our school a place where every child thrives and realizes their greatest potential,” Donegan said.

In other administrative hiring, Dennis Foster Jr. has been selected as the new Assistant Principal at Pilot Butte Middle School, replacing Jessica Gambee, who is moving into the Principal position at Pilot Butte. Dennis is currently the Assistant Principal at Cheldelin Middle School in Corvallis. He will begin at Pilot Butte on July 1.