From the Superintendent
Our mission is to improve student outcomes with excellence, equity, and efficiency. Implement best practices for educators gleaned from investigation, innovation, and incubation of ideas and efforts from the public and private sectors.
SAVE THE DATE: BIG DREAM GATHERING ON SEPTEMBER 25TH
The Big Dream Gathering - September 25, 2019 What is your big dream? Everyone has one, but sometimes it’s hard to define, and even harder to see how to make that dream a reality. Are you ready to get inspired and get clear on your big dream? On September 25th from...
2019 We Read: So You Want To Talk About Race
High Desert ESD is proud to continue our annual, organization-wide book club and continue to align our content with our organization’s commitment to equity. For this 2019 We Read, we have chosen Ijeoma Oluo's New York Times Bestseller, So You Want to Talk About Race....
Finding Support After Transition Programs: Job Coaches Can Help
A discussion with Lauren Crisp, at Good-2-Go Oregon, on the role of job specialists and job coaches. Students in transition programs and their families know that each of us grows and learns at our own pace. Not all students are ready to launch into independent living...
Chalkboard Project interview with Katie Condit of Better Together
Chalkboard Project recently interviewed Katie Condit, executive director of Better Together. Better Together is located in Central Oregon. Can you tell me a little about the community? I love this community so much. The three counties in Central Oregon, Deschutes,...
How One Girl with Albinism Has Excelled
With the wide range of kids High Desert Education Service District serves through local schools, there’s one idea educators have in common: A person’s challenges or limitations don’t define them. Sierra Abbott, who recently graduated Bend High School with honors, is a...
Make the Most of Summer: 4 ways to keep developing skills
Sunshine, flipflops, and lazy days – that’s what summer is all about, right? That may be the case in June, when students have worked hard all year and are ready for a break. But by the end of July, with more than a month of summer left to go, students may be ready to...
A New Database for Disability Services
Ablefind.org helps connect people to housing, jobs, and more A few years ago, Tel Woolsey needed to find the right services to help with his physical disability. He’s a graphic designer and Web Accessibility Specialist at the Center on Human Development (CHD) at the...
Culture of Care
Left to right: Erin Taylor, Amber McGill and Amy Yillik Building a Culture of Caring for Students with Trauma High Desert Education Service District recently hired staff for three new positions that will forward the idea of a “Culture of Care” across Central Oregon....
Four lessons on how to self-advocate
Four lessons on how to self-advocate. Advice from a Transition Network graduate!
Oregon Adaptive Sports: Gear up and Get Outside!
Oregon Adaptive Sports: Gear up and Get Outside!
6 Quick Teacher Tips for Using Gender Pronouns: Creating inclusive, welcoming classrooms for all students 1
By J Beresheim Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired & DeafBlind Consultant High Desert Education Service District Pronouns: they/them Disclaimer: This is my own personal experience as a non-binary individual and I do not speak for, or represent, the LGBTQ...
What is an Autism Specialist and why are they important?
What is an Autism Specialist and Why Are They Important? What is an autism specialist and what do they do in our Central Oregon schools? Like so many titles in education, it’s a role with many hats. Autism specialists with High Desert Education Service District...
Central Oregon educators gather for a School Retool activity put on by HDESD
How to Hack Your Way to the School You Want Revamping a school starts at the top. But it also begins with small change. For teachers, educational assistants, counselors and students to feel like they can make a difference with their ideas, they need a leader who will...
How Design Thinking Can Unlock the Best in Central Oregon Schools
Photo caption: HDESD staff discuss ideas to improve the substitute teacher program using design thinking. How Design Thinking Can Unlock the Best in Central Oregon Schools Design thinking – what is it and how do educators use design thinking in Central Oregon schools?...
Collaborating Your Way to Better Problem Solving
Photo caption: High Desert Education Service District was excited to host Ross Greene on May 17 in Bend. Greene, a clinical child psychologist who developed the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model, offered a training for parents, educators, and medical...
6 Quick Teacher Tips for Using Gender Pronouns: Creating inclusive, welcoming classrooms for all students
By J Beresheim Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired & DeafBlind Consultant High Desert Education Service District Pronouns: they/them Disclaimer: This is my own personal experience as a non-binary individual and I do not speak for, or represent, the LGBTQ...
Changing Perceptions in Pop Culture
Five Shows that Shift the Stereotypes of Disability
Growing Plants and Growing Skills in La Pine
Growing Plants and Growing Skills in La Pine