After Principal Bob Lorence, Vice Principal April Dirksen, and Office Manager Debbie Tesch announced their joint retirement at the end of the 2024 school year, Umatilla High School (UHS) was left with the daunting task of filling these key roles. Recognizing the challenge ahead, Superintendent Heidi Sipe assembled a team to help locate the new leaders of UHS.
“We reached out to students, parents, staff, and key community members with a survey to help us understand the strengths and future needs of Umatilla High,” said Superintendent Sipe.
The survey results led the team to develop an advertising flyer and to create a part-time Culture Coordinator on Special Assignment. This role was designed to uphold Umatilla High traditions and school pride while also providing support to the new principal and vice principal. The flyer was shared with job postings at the state and national level, resulting in eighteen applications for the three positions. The team worked over the past two months to consider the pool of applicants and conduct interviews.
"We are pleased to introduce the new leadership team at Umatilla High. Principal Lorence, Vice Principal Dirksen, and Office Manager Tesch have established a strong legacy of success, and I look forward to seeing how this new team will build upon past achievements and take Umatilla High into its next phase while maintaining our commitment to enhancing student experiences and ensuring graduation success,” said Superintendent Sipe.
Principal Jared Tesch is a Umatilla High Alumnus who has worked in the Salem-Keizer, Dallas, Pendleton, and Central school districts over his twenty-year education career. He has fulfilled roles as a teacher, coach, instructional coach, vice principal, and principal. He brings a strong mix of leadership experiences from his previous roles coupled with knowledge and appreciation for the community of Umatilla.
Vice Principal Oscar Contreras has served as the physical education teacher for Clara Brownell Middle School and coach for Umatilla High. He has participated in various leadership committees in the school district and will be a great asset to the UHS team.
Culture Coordinator Corinne Funderburk has dedicated herself to serving the students and families in Umatilla for over thirty years as a teacher and coach. Her experience and passion for Umatilla's success will be invaluable in helping Umatilla High move forward.