News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Boyd Keyser, Sisters' new high school principal, leapt at the opportunity to live and work in the Sisters School District. Keyser received his contract from the Sisters School Board at its Monday, May 8, meeting.
"(Sisters) has got a great reputation," Keyser said.
Like many migrants to Central Oregon, Keyser was also attracted to the natural beauty of the area. He is an Eastern Oregon native, a horseman and an outdoorsman.
The principal is coming to Sisters after a year as principal at Central High School. Before going to Central, he spent 12 years at McMinnville, including eight as chair of the high school social studies department.
Keyser told The Nugget that he is particularly impressed with Sisters High School's technology programs and the school's focus on giving students practical tools for success in the world beyond high school.
"I'm really interested in that transition from school to the rest of their lives," he said.
Keyser believes that helping students prepare for the rest of their lives requires that schools play a role beyond basic academic training.
"I think character education is an important part of what schools do," Keyser said.
According to Keyser, character education means instilling and reinforcing values such as honesty, respect, responsibility and accountability for one's actions.
To help do that, Keyser has involved students in community-based site councils to help identify problems and deficiencies in the schools and asked students to create solutions.
"They really get to the core issues fast; they don't fool around," he said.
Keyser brings to Sisters extensive experience working with site councils and a diverse range of interests and skills.
He is a believer in the value of athletics to students and has a background coaching basketball. He has been active statewide in curriculum development and has worked in teacher training. He also has a strong background in technology.
Keyser will step into the principal's job on July 1.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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