Cascade High School principal Matt Thatcher has been named Oregon principal of the year by the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators.
Thatcher, who has served in the position for the past 11 years, is the first Cascade School District administrator to receive the honor. Thatcher was the athletic director for the Cougars for six years prior to being named principal.
Under Thatcher, Cascade’s graduation rate has risen to 94%. ninth among the state’s 355 schools. The rate has increased from 89.7 just two years ago. Also, 97 percent of Cascade freshmen are on track to graduate.
Cascade tracks each ninth grade student and takes extra care with students who failed core classes in junior high. Those students are supported by a teacher and a counselor to assist them so that they are successful in high school.
“Thatcher’s personal connections with students, staff and parents allow him to be so effective in his role,” said Cascade Superintendent Darin Drill. “Matt’s ability to find ways for improvement in himself and the high school make him special in this role.”
“A quantitative evaluation of Principal Thatcher’s impact on student learning in his district is clearly apparent,” said Lynn Jackson, president of the Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators, a subset of COSA.
“However, beyond the numbers, Matt Thatcher has made a qualitative impact on educational leadership throughout the state that is much more difficult to measure and quantify. He often acts as an experienced mentor and soundboard for up and coming administrators facing difficult situations and decisions. His leadership has extended well beyond his building’s walls and district’s boundaries.
“Oregon is very fortunate to have him among our ranks of educational leaders,” Jackson said.
The state honor will be awarded to Thatcher in June at COSA’s annual conference. Thatcher also is now in the pool of candidates for national principal of the year.
“The main reason this is such a great honor is that it helps shine a light on how amazing the staff, students and families of Cascade High School actually are,” Thatcher said. “In truth, this award belongs to everyone that has called CHS home.”
