North Marion High School Welcomes New Vice Principal

By Jillian Daley

Bill Rhoades has been promoted to the North Marion School District’s new Chief of Staff, which created a vacancy in the High School Vice Principal position that Rhoades previously held. That is, until Nov. 1, when Joe Jensen filled that vacancy.

Rhoades now helps Superintendent Ginger Redlinger with School District operations. Jensen assists Principal De Ann Jenness and Vice Principal Mark Sundquist with High School organization, supervision, and administration of school programs. Jensen is a longtime educator who has spent the past 20 years of his education career working for the Woodburn School District. He spent the past five years as the Principal of the Wellness, Business, and Sports School before joining North Marion this month.

“Joe has been a great addition to the team and has jumped in with both feet, ready to work,” said Mark Sundquist, North Marion High School’s Athletic Director and the Vice Principal of Student Support Programs. 

Why Jensen Came to North Marion

It’s no surprise he’s all in; Jensen has always loved his work as an educator. He was drawn to North Marion to continue building relationships in a smaller school community.

“It’s just the size and what that allows you to do in terms of connecting with people,” said Jensen, whose title is technically Interim Vice Principal because he was hired later in the year. “It’s a major difference that you notice right away. The smaller size allows the kids to have more connections with people. You can see it happening.”

Jensen’s Philosophy on Education

Jensen believes that building connections is the key to how educators can help students fulfill their potential.

“I've worked to create academically, socially and emotionally safe spaces for students so that they can develop, learn, and thrive,” said Jensen in the education philosophy he lists on his resume. “I help students believe in themselves, so they can realize their potential and have a future that allows them choices.”

Jensen noted that students’ need for care and belonging (having friends, family, and a sense of connection at school) are among the needs that we have to achieve our potential. That’s why relationships with students matter so much.

“The more opportunities students have to talk with someone they can trust and confide in, the higher their success rate will be,” he said.

Jensen’s Education and Experience

Jensen backs up his philosophy with his actions. To better connect with, and meet the needs of emergent bilingual students,he completed English as a Second Language coursework at Willamette University. Throughout his career, Jensen focused his professional development on meeting the specific needs of each student.

He also has the education and experience to be a worthy expert on how to best reach students. 

• Experience: At Woodburn School District, where he spent most of his career, Jensen taught at French Prairie Middle School for five years before spending seven years teaching at the Wellness, Business, and Sports School. He invested another two years as the Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Woodburn High School, managing accelerated classes. He then attained his most recent position as the Principal of the Wellness, Business, and Sports School, a job he held for five years.
• Education: He has earned a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction and an Initial Administrative Program certification, both from Portland State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education and History at Montana State University at Billings.

He grew up in Montana (the youngest after two brothers and a sister), and traveled to Oregon to support his wife’s marketing career and to further his own education and profession.

“There is a lot more out here,” Jensen explained. “We’ve been here now a little over 20 years.”

How Jensen’s Background Connects to North Marion’s Priorities

What has Jensen been focused on as an educator for the past two decades? The list is long. He’s been committed to boots-on-the-ground learning, striving to provide the resources and support that students need to succeed. In fact, the changes that he led at his schools align with much of the work that North Marion also has been exploring. Jensen is and has long been:

• Committed to Career Technical Education as a path for students to gain skills or segue into a profession; 
• Devoted to the culturally responsive teaching ideologies of one of the foremost experts, Zaretta Hammond; 
• Invested in Multi-Tiered System of Supports, a framework based in problem solving that is designed to support all students, especially those who are struggling; and 
• Dedicated to the empowerment of teachers, in terms of encouraging educators to take academic risks to best meet the needs of students.

How Jensen Spends His Free Time

When he has a few extra hours on his hands, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two cats. His hobbies include diving into biographies, especially those by David McCullough, as well as camping, traveling, and watching movies.

During the school day, look for the tall, dark-haired man striding around the High School campus. Jensen is usually wearing a smile.

“There’s a good, positive vibe here,” he said. “Kids and staff have both been super welcoming, with kids walking up and introducing themselves and saying, ‘Welcome!’”

To share stories on the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.