By Mary Owen
Building and stabilizing enrollment is a major goal of Joan Gilles, new principal at Regis High School in Stayton.
“We have 130 students this year,” said Gilles, who replaces Doug Ierardi as principal. Ierardi is now the dean of students at Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton.
Gilles also wants to “spread the good news about Regis to the community” so that people can understand what the Catholic high school offers.
Giles said there are many great things about Regis.
“A strong academic program is one, she said.
“We also have a new campus ministry program this year,” added Gilles, who once taught English and religion there.
The comprehensive Bible Study Course will complement the school’s existing religious education program.
Offered by the Institute for World Evangelization (ICPE), the course, Teen Timeline (T3), employs instructive and “entertaining” DVD presentations on scripture, salvation and various Bible characters, and themes that engage small group discussions.
“Basically, the studies will help teens to unravel what are for many young Catholics very complicated issues,” said Mark Dol, with ICPE.
Gilles will help with the 31st annual Regis Green and Gold Auction, set for 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 at the high school. The auction generates about 10 percent of school’s revenue annually, averaging about $1,000 to $1,100 per student.
Catholic schooling was a major part of Gilles’ education experience, she said.
“I have always been interested in education,” said Gilles, the oldest daughter of a family of 11. “My younger brothers and sisters were ready-made students.”
Gilles has taught a variety of subjects, including German, history, language arts, religion and humanities. She was an activities director, athletic director, associate director, director and principal at a variety of area schools. She also taught U.S. Army military personnel U.S. government and history at Kaiserslavtern, Germany.
Throughout her career, Gilles has worked with support teams, school improvement teams, charter school programs, literacy initiatives, Reading First, and the Oregon K-12 Literacy Framework. From 1999 to 2002, she wrote, administered and managed the $24-million Oregon Public Charter School Incentive Grant. From 1999 to 2008, she implemented Oregon’s Public Charter School Law throughout the state of Oregon.
Since 1999 Gilles has presented governance training to public and non-profit boards throughout the state; given Reading First presentations to the House and Senate Education committees; presented Charter School Planning and Implementation – School Districts, Town Hall; and given regular testimony/presentations on general education issues and updates to the State Board and other legislative bodies; and more. In 1996, she was the featured speaker on Middle School Leadership at the NCEA Convention in Philadelphia.
“Being back at Regis, I have a different perspective than as a part-time teacher,” Gilles said. “There’s a familiarity, but it’s like looking through a different lens.”
A steep learning curve comes with the additional responsibilities of being principal, she said.
“But I’m really enjoying it so far,” she added. “Everyone’s been so welcoming.”
