For Teachers

The High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) has entered into a long term lease agreement with the Forest Service for Skyliner Lodge which is 8 miles west of Bend.  HDESD Superintendent, Dr. Dennis Dempsey, said HDESD was asked by local school district superintendents to look into leasing the lodge for educational purposes several years ago.  He noted that the lodge offers great instructional possibilities for our districts.

The building is on the National Historical Registry and will hold 60-70 students.  It is intended for day use only.  The goal is to use the facility for conservation, outdoor and natural resource education in addition to educational meetings. 

There is no cost to schools requesting to use the facility. The Lodge is also available for community and family events.  The fees will vary depending upon the date and the type of event.

The Oregon DATA Project (Direct Access to Achievement)
is a collaborative initiative of the Oregon Department of Education and the statewide Education Enterprise Steering Committee.

Over the past 4 years, the Oregon Data Project has provided opportunities for staff development in Districts throughout Oregon. Locally, HDESD has coordinated trainings to staff from Bend La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Crook County, Culver and Jefferson 509J .

The High Desert Education Service District provides Educational Technology training and support to school districts, teachers and HDESD staff. Classrooms use educational technology -- including computer equipment, software, curriculum and Internet resources to locate, process, and present information. Educational Technology includes computers, computer software, cameras, CD players, calculators and other electronic tools to help enhance student learning.

The Goals of the Educational Technology Department are to

• Assist all teachers in the integration of technology into instruction by providing grade level/subject area appropriate training on the use of technology in the classroom as identified through research and best practices.

• Assist  in establishing a District-wide vision for use of technology to support teaching and learning and to assist in the creation of site-based plans to support the integration of technology to support instruction.

• Assist in the implementation of National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Students, Teachers, and Administrators and the Oregon State Educational Technology Standards.

The High Desert Education Service District can provide teachers with hands-on science-teaching kits developed by the National Science Resources Center. Kits can be checked out for classroom use. Many students learn better by doing and this is especially true in the sciences. That's why Science and Technology for Children ® was developed. With these science kits teachers can engage students in investigation and discovery activities using everyday materials along with basic science equipment.

This hands-on, motivational approach captures children's natural curiosity and stimulates their interest.

The kits are housed at the High Desert ESD/Redmond School District. Teachers are able to check out the materials as needed using the online request system.

The High Desert Education Service District provides augmentative communication services to children birth-21 years of age who have not developed adequate speech to access their educational environment. In addition to computerized communication devices, the program offers training in techniques other than speech to support education. These techniques include facial expressions, gestures, sign language, eye gaze, pictures and initial-letter curing. Read more...

The High Desert Education Service District's School Improvement Department offers a number of opportunities for teachers to enhance their professional skills and improve student learning, from Career and Technical Education (CTE) to Migrant Education to Plaza for parents children in our constituent districts who need Spanish literacy support.

HDESD has several grants through the Oregon Department of Education to support local districts efforts in programs as well a US Department of Education Teaching American History grant providing content staff development for teachers of US History grades 3rd through 12th.

We also have a great variety of programs/services designed to increase student achievement, support local districts’ school improvement efforts through Data Teams, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) and Standards work using data from Common Formative Assessments to adjust teaching strategies thereby improving all students’ growth and academic achievement. A variety of staff development opportunities are available through HDESD. See our calendar of events and trainings here.

Teaching American History is a grant-funded program that offers professional development and training for American History teachers to help them enhance instruction through inquire methods and primary source documents. TAH is available on a limited basis to select candidates.

Visit our Web site at http://www.teachamericanhistory.us for more information.

The High Desert Education Service District's Oregon Statewide Assessment program offers professional development for teachers interested in hands-on training and experience at scoring the Oregon Statewide Writing Assessment (college/district credits are available).

Writing Assessment rater positions are open to all certified teachers; however more specific requirements may vary from year to year.

If you would like to be on the list for the next scoring event, please complete the application and submit between November 15 - December 21 to be considered for a rater position.

The High Desert Education Service District provides technology services to Central Oregon schools, school districts, HDESD staff and the community.  These services enhance and enable learning, create and maintain a safe environment, drive improved efficiencies and productivity, aid in better decision making, and facilitate communication.

Technology services include Desktop Support, Educational Technology, and Network Operations Center (NOC).

The Technology Services department also partners with Central Oregon Community College, Central Oregon libraries, the City of Bend, the Oregon Department of Education and school districts outside of Central Oregon.

The High Desert Education Services District provides resources for Hispanic adults and families through the Oregon Mexico Education Partnership (OMEP) project. Community Centers called "Plaza Comunitaria" offer literacy programs and resources in Spanish as well as English instruction for Spanish-speaking adults and students ages 14 and older. Books, videos and on-line study courses for all levels of literacy from beginning to continuing education are available. The Plazas are sponsored through a unique partnership between the State of Oregon, Oregon Department of Education and the Mexican Government.

Información en Español