North Marion Welcomes New Vice Principal at K-5 Schools

By Jillian Daley

An educator and administrator with 20 years of experience has left the Gladstone School District to come work for North Marion, starting Nov. 8.

Longtime educator and administrator Michael Clutter joined North Marion this month as the Interim Vice Principal for the Primary and Intermediate schools (K-5). He fills in a vacancy that was first created when Allison Hunt left the role to replace Andy Kronser as the Primary School Principal.

“I am humbled to serve as the Interim Vice Principal and look forward to getting to know the students as well as the families and community members who make North Marion such an amazing place to be,” Clutter said.

Hunt said that Clutter is already making a difference, even though he just started.

“Michael hit the ground running last week!” she said on Nov. 18. 

Clutter’s Role at North Marion

What will Clutter be doing to support the principals at the elementary level?

He is handling supervision duties, responding to radio calls, addressing bus and behavior referrals, and attending Individualized Education Plan meetings as a district representative, Principal David Sheldon said.

“Michael has been very responsive to needs as they arise and has already begun forming strong relationships with students and staff,” Sheldon said. “He has a wealth of knowledge from his administrative background that is already showing up in meetings and systems work. He is simply a very hard-working and humble human being that is stepping into all that is being asked of him with a positive attitude.”

Sheldon also noted that Clutter will be helping to maintain the schools’ Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, a framework based in problem solving that is designed to support all students, especially those who are struggling. 

Hunt agreed with Sheldon that Clutter is already building connections with the children and adults at both schools, and that he is eager to help.

“He has created relationships with students and staff,” she noted. “Michael is observant and responsive to immediate and long-term needs. He is willing to take on any task, and does so with a positive attitude. It is great to have him be a part of our elementary team.”

Clutter said he’s just glad to be here and excited to connect with everyone.

“I am also excited about all of the accomplishments we will attain this year and look forward to celebrating those successes,” Clutter told staff recently. “My door is always open to you, and I welcome your conversation and input throughout the year. Go Husky Pups!”

Clutter’s Experience

Clutter confidence in his schools’ future success seems linked to not only his firm faith in others who are teaching and learning, but his own strong background and ability to support them in all they do. He was most recently the principal of John Wetten Elementary in the Gladstone School District for the past two years. He also served as the principal of Alder Elementary for four years and, prior to that, as the principal of Woodland Elementary, also for four years, both in the Reynolds School District. In addition, he has taught Grades 1 and 2 and various subjects at the high school level.

“Michael comes to us with 10 years of elementary school administrative experience in the Reynolds and Gladstone School Districts, and 10 years of both primary and secondary school teaching experience,” Sheldon said. “We believe his experience will help support our instructional practices.”

Clutter’s Education

Not only does Clutter have a depth of experience, he also has an impressive academic background. He has earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Lewis & Clark College, a Post-Degree Teaching Certification from Northern Arizona University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Ecology from the University of Arizona.

Clutter’s Hobbies and Family

When he’s not earning stacks of degrees or working hard for a school district, Clutter’s hobbies include listening to music, reading, hiking/camping, snowboarding, gardening, and cheering on the Portland Timbers. His wife is also an educator, and they have three children, ages 14, 11, and 8. 

“Being a parent myself, like you, I want what is best for my children and will work tirelessly to ensure that your children have the best experiences possible at North Marion,” Clutter said. 

He spoke those words recently to North Marion staff, but the message applies beautifully to local parents. Essentially, Clutter will give his all to North Marion as both a parent and an educator, a whole-hearted and warm-hearted approach.

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