Executive Leadership
Mark Redmond, Superintendent
Mark joined as Malheur ESD Superintendent in August of 2016. Prior to that, he was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Malheur ESD for 4 years. Preceding his employment at Malheur ESD, he was a science teacher and coach in the Vale School District, spending 8 years at the high school, and 6 years at the middle school. Mark currently serves as the President-Elect for the Oregon Association of Education Service Districts. He’s the Chair of the OAESD Program Cabinet, as well as a Board Member on the Oregon Small Schools Association.
Angie Arriola, Director of Curriculum and Assessment
Angie became Director of Curriculum and Instruction in 2016, but joined the Malheur Education Service District in 2010 As the Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for 4 years and then was the Autism Consultant for 4 years after that. Prior to these positions, Angie was a combined classroom teacher for 10 years at Willowcreek School located within the Vale School District. She has a passion for working with children and helping schools navigate ways to provide best practices to all students and staff. She has participated on numerous teams and committees across the state, providing input to help direct the learning of students in Oregon.
Teresa Jones, Director of Special Education
Teresa is the Malheur ESD Special Education Director since 2016, but has been with the ESD since 1996 as a Speech Language Pathologist in Early Learning and School Age. Prior to that she was a Business, PE teacher and substitute. She oversees all the Specialty Special Education programs in Malheur County (Autism Consultant, Counseling, EI/ECSE, OT, PT, SLP, SLPA, Sped Teacher/Diagnostician, Teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, YTP specialists). She has a Masters Degree in Education from Eastern Oregon University, Speech Language Pathology from Portland State & University of Oregon and an Administrator’s Degree from Lewis and Clark.
Kelly Poe, Director of Early Learning
Kelly has lived and worked in the western Treasure Valley since 1995. Her community service career began early as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and leader. She is currently the Director of Early Learning with Malheur Education Service District serving Baker, Malheur, and Wallowa Counties. Kelly was instrumental in helping to establish a system to serve runaway and homeless youth, a Regional Food Bank, a Boys & Girls Club, Relief Nursery, Eastern Oregon Preschool Promise, and a Welcome Center for Refugees. She has worked with local communities to establish Cradle to Career Partnerships in Baker, Malheur and Wallowa Counties. She convened and is currently participating in Eastern Oregon Equity for Common Good, Malheur Home Visiting Network, Keeping Families Together, and Nutrition Oregon Campaign. Kelly serves on the local advisory for Malheur County Poverty to Prosperity, Treasure Valley Tech, and is a board member of Four Rivers Healthy Community. Kelly is a graduate of the Ford Institute Leadership Program, an active Ford Community Ambassador, Ford Community Fellow Alumna, Oregon Community Foundation Regional Leadership Council member and Co-Chair of Eastern Oregon GO KIDS, and an American Leadership Forum Fellow.
Nickie Shira, STEM and Innovation Coordinator
Nickie Shira is a veteran classroom teacher and school technology leader. As the STEM and Innovation Coordinator for the Frontier STEM Hub, she supports families and educators in providing quality STEM learning experiences for all students of Malheur County, as well as serving as an Instructional Technology coach helping teachers integrate technology effectively into their classrooms. She is continuously seeking innovative ways to engage and inspire students, empowering them with the skills and mindsets necessary to fully contribute to an increasingly complex and technologically rich society.
Jerry Peacock, CTE Regional Coordinator
Jerry Peacock began his career as a high school teacher of multiple subjects in a small eastern Oregon community. He then served as an assistant principal at the high school level before taking a position as an elementary principal for seven years. He is the former director of Baker Technical Institute and served as the principal of Baker High School in Baker City, Oregon for over 20 years. He has long been a strong advocate for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and believes that public schools should provide and support such programs for the students and community. Through his position as CTE Regional Coordinator for the Malheur ESD, he oversees the administration and requirements of the federal Carl Perkins CTE Act, as well as numerous state initiatives in over 20 high schools in his six county region.
Matt Mejia, Business Manager
Matt began working for the Malheur ESD in 2012 as the Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Manager. He became the Business Manager in July 2017. In addition to his responsibilities at Malheur ESD, Matt is also the Business Manager for Huntington School District and has served as the business manager for Annex and Vale School Districts. Prior to his time at Malheur ESD, Matt was the Accounting Assistant at the City of Ontario. Matt earned his Bachelor’s Degree from The College of Idaho in Business with a concentration in Accounting in 2009. He also serves as an assistant football and baseball coach at Ontario High School.
Jennifer Susuki, Student Wellness Coordinator
Jenn began serving as the Student Wellness Coordinator for Malheur Education Service District in 2019. She brings extensive behavioral health experience to the position having served as a school counselor and behavior specialist for K-12 students in Eastern Oregon for many years. During her time at MESD, Jenn has collaborated with community partners to enhance student wellness opportunities in the schools. She is passionate that every student in Malheur County should feel safe, supported, and celebrated.