Join us for our first episode as we introduce Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Lake Oswego School District's Superintendent, and discuss the motivation behind creating this podcast. Hear from Daniel Hartley, our high school band director, who was instrumental in helping make it happen. Plus, we'll have a brief roundup of the upcoming events fun for the whole family.
Dr. Jennifer Schiele, superintendent, LOSD
Mary Kay Larson, executive director of communications, LOSD
Daniel Hartley, band director, Lakeridge High School
Cover Art by: Sera Parker, digital media specialist, LOSD
Podcast theme music written, produced and recorded by these Pacer Band musicians:
Mattias Balogh (piano), Emory Guyer (bass), Declan Southard (drums), Tyler Waltner (tenor Sax), Elaina Stuppler (trombone) Ocean Punsalan (piano), Spencer Becker (alto sax), Kento Klasen (trumpet)
About your hosts:
Jenn Schiele
Dr. Jennifer Schiele, or Jenn, is an experienced and compassionate administrator dedicated to keeping students at the forefront of Lake Oswego School District’s mission. She balances prioritizing social and emotional support and advocating for the best in teaching and learning to provide educational excellence. Jenn has served our schools in various capacities since 2003. She started as a school counselor at Waluga Junior High (now Lakeridge Middle School), then served as assistant principal and principal at Waluga and Lakeridge High School and as assistant superintendent and executive director of curriculum and instruction at the district office. Before moving to Oregon, Jenn was a guidance counselor for Ladue School District and a guidance counselor and math teacher for Kansas City School District in Missouri. Jenn holds a doctorate in education leadership and administration from Lewis & Clark College, a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas, and a bachelor's degree in education from Iowa State University. Growing up in Minnesota as the youngest of nine children has shaped who she is today. Jenn is married to her college sweetheart and has raised her son and daughter while supporting our district's children.
Mary Kay Larson
Mary Kay Larson, a household name with anyone receiving a message from LOSD, has served as the Executive Director of Communications at Lake Oswego School District since 2019. Recognized for listening to dissenting viewpoints, clarifying confusion, and building community, Mary Kay supports our learning community through challenges and changes. Before working in education, Mary Kay spent over a decade managing corporate communications and product marketing for high-tech firms in Silicon Valley. She took a break from the corporate world when she and her husband moved their family of four to Lake Oswego for better schools. Mary Kay put her skills to work as a volunteer leader in our schools before returning to the workforce full-time as the Director of the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation in 2016. Having grown up in the California Bay Area, Mary Kay can trace her career path back to her time as a campaign manager for student government and editor of her school paper. She earned her Bachelor of Science in journalism with a minor in public relations from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. Mary Kay is uniquely positioned in the district office as a Lake Oswego resident and a parent who has raised children in our schools.
To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
