Kevin Ricker, Centennial High School Principal since 2010, has been named the Oregon High School Principal of the Year by the Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) and the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).  This award automatically places Ricker in the running for the National High School Principal of the Year Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and MetLife.

Under Ricker’s leadership, Centennial High School has experienced significant gains in student achievement.  On the Oregon State Assessments (OAKS), Centennial students increased by 12% in reading and 12% in mathematics in a one-year period.  Their cumulative passing percentage as a school for reading was 89% and for mathematics was 84%, placing them among the best at any level in Oregon.  According to the Oregon State Report Card, Centennial outperformed all schools with comparative demographics, and they far exceeded the state averages in both assessment areas.   Ricker states, “Our staff is showing a renewed sense of motivation and pride in their work and in the academic achievement and learning of our students.  This is an excellent example of how providing an opportunity for shared leadership, collaboration and support, can produce significant results in a committed organization.  I believe the process of change requires communication, trust and leadership at all levels.  The ability to change our school community is directly related to the individuals inside our educational environment. It was their belief, dedication and work that ultimately produced such significant results.”

Victor Vergara has been named the Oregon Middle School Principal of the Year by the Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators and the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA). Vergara serves as Principal for Valor Middle School in Woodburn.

“This award represents a collaborative effort by administrators, teachers, students and their families,” said Principal Vergara. “It is a great honor.”

Vergara was selected because of his work to improve the academic achievement of students. In 2002, Valor was one of the lower performing schools in the state. Only eight percent of students were considered proficient in writing, 29 percent in math, and 25 percent in reading. There were also 1,500 disciplinary referrals each year.

Earlier this afternoon, the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) voted to approve the initial administrative licensure (IAL) and continuing administrative licensure (CAL) programs proposed by COSA and its partner, Concordia University of Chicago (CUC). 

The first COSA-CUC cohort is expected to begin in the fall.  CUC will also offer doctoral and masters options for licensure candidates.  COSA will be sending out much more information about the program in the coming days and weeks.

Congratulations to new COSA President-Elect Tina Acker, Principal at Vernon Elementary School in Portland, and the entire new slate of officers who were elected last month to serve and lead COSA and each of the four departments: OACOA, OASE, OASSA and OESPA.  Voting took place online.  Officers will begin serving their terms in July. 

The following includes the list of new officers:

COSA President-Elect
Tina Acker, Vernon Elementary, Portland