½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Vice Principal

I love my job! I get to work in support of amazing students and alongside dedicated, compassionate, and caring staff. I know all students can be successful if provided with the right learning environment. Reconnection Services connects students to schools that provide creative and supportive learning environments - places where students experience success.

“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.” ¨D Charles F. Kettering

Sharde Dennis

Outreach Coordinator

I am a native of Portland, OR and attended all ½ûÂþÌìÌà schools and graduated from Lincoln High School. I come from a long line of educators and have seen how education has transformed lives: both professionally and personally. I am happy to serve and advocate on behalf of our next generation of leaders. Being an Outreach Coordinator has brought me joy in being able to assist students in their path of success.

“Keep reaching towards success.”

Eduardo Esparza Medina

Outreach Coordinator

I traded the valley of Sacramento CA for the mountains of Portland OR. I came to Portland and knew I wanted to work directly with youth and their communities. As a first generation Mexican-American, I struggled a lot with identity and what it means to fit in. School was a difficult challenge for me, but one day it clicked, and I feel fortunate to share my knowledge and experiences with others to help guide them on the right path. My previous background working with adolescence through MESD and JDH has prepared me to serve youth in the Portland metro-area and I hope to do my part in molding our future leaders and seeing them go on to have even more success than they believe they can achieve.

"Aquel que no espera vencer, ya está vencido" -Benito Juárez
(He who does not expect to win is already defeated)

Outreach Coordinator

I was born and raised in Anchorage, AK but have resided in Portland for close to 7 years now. As a young student I struggled with finding my place in educational settings and it took me time with little support to find my footing. With my past, helping find different pathways to success is my way of looking out for youth that are in a similar position. To see them reach positive outcomes and the happiness that coincides with it will forever fuel this passion. If engaged properly, students can accomplish anything they set their hearts on and have even more potential than they can imagine. Having positive adult rolemodels and support only deepens this connection and I hope to always be that for our students.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ¨D Ernest Hemingway

Data Analyst

I am a West Coast gal who moved to Portland 5 years ago. Being mixed made it feel harder to fit in places when I was growing up. I love that we are helping students, who are having a hard time, find a places where they can thrive.

"The key to success is failure." ¨DMichael Jordan

Outreach Coordinator

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Within my family, I am a second generation Portland Public School student and one of four who graduated from Jefferson High School. I love being able to work directly with students because they remind me of myself and all the questions that I had when I was their age. My experience working with students spans 20 years; with students from early education to college. In my current role as a Reconnection Services Outreach Coordinator, I enjoy assisting students  with navigating the academic system and introducing them to the unique school choice options available to ½ûÂþÌìÌà students.  I do this work because it is a way for me to plant into the next generation and it gives me an opportunity to encourage young adults to become their highest selves. I believe that all students have a gift and can be successful when given time to develop and when given the mentoring that often challenges them to go past their own self-perceived limitations.

“It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men."  ¨D Frederick Douglas

Outreach Coordinator

I am a Portland native and a graduate of Lincoln High School. I have worked for ½ûÂþÌìÌà for over 12 years, in a variety of roles, and have been an Outreach Coordinator since the spring of 2018. What I love about my current role with Reconnection Services is that I get to work one-on-one with students and support them in moving forward in reaching their educational goals. This work is important to me because I believe all students should have a voice in school choice and in what they want or need from their educational experiences. I know that all students can accomplish their goals when their voices are lifted, heard, respected, and honored.

“Outreach Coordinators have the privilege of working with the most intelligent, resilient, and determined students in ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ. It is an honor to be able to help lift up their voices so that others may see their brilliance.”

Outreach Coordinator

As a proud graduate of US Grant High School, I understand the impact that a community of positive adults can have on a student's success. I love working with students because it's an opportunity to help mold young minds and personalities. Something I know to be true is that all students have a gift and when surrounded by caring adults they can realize their full potential and do their part to change the world that they live in.

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little extra.”

Nohea?ililani Waiwai?ole

Outreach Coordinator

I grew up in the greater Portland area and Hilo, Hawaii. I feel deeply committed to supporting students and families and have worked for ½ûÂþÌìÌà in various student and family-centered roles. As a 4th generation displaced Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), I especially love connecting with other Urban Indigenous families and communities. I feel called to this work because I believe education is a crucial step towards both sovereignty and dismantling systems of oppression. I am grateful to work alongside our amazing team and alternative schools because they are attempting to challenge the status quo by reimagining what schools can look and feel like by recreating school systems that center our most resilient students and families.

"If I have courage, it is because I have faith in the knowledge of my ancestors" -Mau Piailug