What’s Happening in Local Schools?

The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading

Todd Hamilton has been the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools since July 2019. His career in education began in 1995 as an elementary teacher in Hermiston, and his broad experience includes classroom teaching, instructional technology, student services, curriculum, and staff development. Prior to Springfield, he served as superintendent in Creswell. Todd has championed expanding opportunities across the K–12 continuum, including early learning, college-level courses, and CTE programs. He values strong community partnerships that support the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. Todd is active in several boards and advisory groups, including the Springfield Education Foundation, Connected Lane County, and the Early Childhood Hub of Lane County. His guiding mission is to ensure that schools are welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments where every student can thrive. He earned a BS in psychology at University of Oregon and a masters in teaching from Pacific University.

The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading

Miriam Mickelson has more than 20 years of experience across multiple levels of public education, including as a classroom teacher, an instructional coach, a high school principal, an executive director of teaching and learning, and a superintendent in Washington state. Her leadership has been marked by a strong focus on instructional quality, operational excellence, and community partnership. She has led districtwide efforts to improve early learning outcomes, increase graduation and dual credit access for historically underserved students, and strengthen inclusive practices in special education. She is also known for building trusted partnerships with multilingual families, Tribal leaders, LGBTQ2SIA+ advocates, and local organizations—reflecting her commitment to values-driven leadership and student-centered decision-making. She earned a PhD in Educational Leadership and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle Pacific University, and a BS in Mass Communication from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, in the Philippines.

The following biography is provided by the panelist and edited for length/proofreading

Kraig Sproles has served as the Bethel superintendent since Fall 2021. Prior to joining the Bethel community, he worked as an administrator and teacher in several Oregon school districts. He began his teaching career in Oregon as a middle school science/math teacher and later served as a principal at three elementary schools and then as the assistant superintendent in Salem-Keizer Public Schools. His career includes serving as a combat engineer in the military and working at a community college primarily enrolling indigenous students. Kraig earned a BA at the University of Sioux Falls and PhD in education at the University of Oregon, where he studied school conditions that encourage teachers and students to flourish by establishing strong relationships, finding their learning meaningful, and experiencing joy.