Journey

My hope for this community

I want to create a community that engages in inspirational and aspirational work that aligns with core values that center our focus on each student. I look forward to us learning together and from one another.

Favorite role in education

I have loved all the positions I have held in education. Sometimes we may not understand why we are placed into a specific position or certain location, but life generally reveals the why in due time. I have found over time, we are sometimes placed in tough situations which build our muscle(s) for the next assignment or door we are going to walk through.

Details

First Name

Shay

Last Name

James

Pronouns

She/Her

Name Pronunciation

Shay

Nickname

Shay

District

North Clackamas School District

City and State

Portland, Oregon

Experience

Shay James brings 23+ years of experience in public education and is the current Superintendent of the North Clackamas School District (NCSD), previously serving as Assistant Superintendent of Education and Executive Director of High School Programs. Prior to her work at NCSD, she held several roles with Portland Public Schools, where she worked as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Principal, and Senior Director of High Schools and College and Career Readiness. She is passionate about and accomplished in inspiring excellence, measurable results, and equitable outcomes. She is committed to removing barriers and providing the structures and leadership necessary to accelerate growth toward success for all students. Before her career in education, Shay worked in the business sector for eight years. She keeps her core values firmly focused on students, learning, college and career readiness, equitable practices, relationships, and collaboration. Shay earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) and her Masters in Education (M.ED) through Portland State University, along with her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Lewis and Clark College. She taught for two years as an adjunct professor at Washington State University in Vancouver, Washington. She is laser-focused on leveraging her expertise towards the North Clackamas school district mission of Inspiring graduates who are empowered to act with courage in life and to strengthen local and global communities.

Locations of Experience

Portland, Clackamas, and Milwaukie, Oregon. I have worked with many colleagues across the state of Oregon and understand the vast difference and needs across our educational systems within our state.