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Administrative Changes Bring New Expertise, Oversight to NWRESD Programs
Levi Anderson Learning Center, Early Intervention Gain New Leaders
Northwest Regional Education Service District has tapped new leaders to head up two specialized programs starting this fall.
Jonicia Shelton joins as the new principal at Levi Anderson Learning Center, a program that serves about 50 students and is located on the St. Mary’s Home for Boys campus in southwest Beaverton.
Jonicia comes to NWRESD from the Parkrose School District where she worked as a vice principal at Parkrose Middle School.
She says she is eager to meet the students and families at Levi Anderson and looks forward to building relationships and hearing the perspectives and experiences of the students, educators and families who are part of this community.
Half of the students at Levi Anderson live there full time and the other half attend during the day. Students are referred by local school districts and state or private child welfare agencies.
Students who attend receive intensive mental health and educational support that is tailored just for them often through an individualized education plan, also known as an IEP.
Jonicia has worked in assistant principal roles in the Parkrose, Reynolds and Portland Public school districts since 2022.
“Jonicia’s mix of educational leadership and mental health experience make her a great candidate for this role,” says Robbie Davis, director of K-12 special education at NWRESD. “Many of our students face trauma and mental health challenges, so she is uniquely positioned to understand both their therapeutic and educational needs.”
Prior to becoming an administrator, she spent about a decade working as a therapist at Portland Public Schools and in private programs like Lifeworks NW and Guiding Light. In 2018, she founded her own therapy practice called Talks with June, LLC, where she provides coping strategies to children experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health disorders. She also offers crisis intervention to young people and their families.
“Leadership is not simply about authority,” Jonicia says. “It is about influence, trust, and consistency. An excellent administrator leads with both heart and clarity, ensuring decisions are student-centered.”
Jonicia says one of her greatest career accomplishments has been reducing the number of Black and Brown students who are disciplined (i.e. through suspension, expulsion, etc.) at her schools relative to the student population. Using data, bias training, and improved classroom practices, she worked with teachers to meaningfully reduce how often Black and Brown students were disciplined compared to their peers.
“As a Black woman and educational leader in Oregon, I understand the urgent need to disrupt inequitable systems and expand representation, access, and opportunity for students and families who have historically been marginalized,” she wrote in her application for the position.
Jonicia holds a K-12 administrator’s license and a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Dillard University, a historically Black university located in New Orleans. She is also a licensed school social worker.
Her first day is Aug. 24.
The program provides coaching to families with babies and toddlers who are experiencing disabilities or delays. Some children also receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing services or speech services.
An estimated 800 children and their families receive Early Intervention services in our four-county region.
Candice has 13 years of experience as a bilingual (English-Spanish) school psychologist. Before joining NWRESD in 2021, she worked in the Canby School District in Clackamas County and Milwaukee Public Schools in Wisconsin.
Ensuring students are receiving high-quality mental health services and that schools are using data to make sure students are receiving the supports they need have been major focuses of her career.
While working for Milwaukee Public Schools, she set up a data-tracking system (multi-tiered system of supports) for two schools so that teachers and administrators were able to use data to identify when students needed additional academic or social-emotional support. One of the schools later received recognition as a National Bright Spot for Hispanic Students by the White House.
Candice says she’s thrilled to take on this new role in Early Intervention. “This team is actively building bridges and trust and altering outcomes for children, families and generations of people for the better,” she says.
During the past 5 years at NWRESD, Candice has advocated for better visibility and services for children who have experienced traumatic brain injuries. These types of injuries can be invisible, but immediate support and services are crucial for helping them overcome their injuries and prevent long-term disabilities. She says she is most proud of her work advocating for children who are experiencing complex disabilities, trauma or mental health challenges and helping teachers navigate complex family needs including foster care.
“Candice understands that when educators have the support they need, students do better,” says Stacy Rager, executive director of early learning. “She has trained most of our Early Childhood Special Education educators in care and safety practices and has been a strong and effective collaborator across the programs in the department. I’m excited to see her lead our Early Intervention program.”
She is in the process of obtaining her administrator’s license from George Fox University, has an Ed.S from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an associate’s degree from Wilbur Wright College in Chicago.
Her first day was July 1.
Other changes to NWRESD's administration this year include:
Laurel Fischer is now a program administrator overseeing our early literacy supports and Oregon Response to Instruction and Intervention program. She replaces Ryan Blasquez who is now our executive director of instructional services.
Bianca Jimenez replaces Steve Ryan, who retired in June, as the assistant principal at Cascade, Pacific and Columbia Academies.
Tammee Meneghin is now a program manager for Northwest Outdoor Science School. This is a new position for the organization. Tammee will oversee the day-to-day operations of our outdoor school program, which hosts 10,000 fifth and sixth graders annually.
Jerry Nihill will serve as interim principal of our Northwest Outdoor Science School while Akari Jensen is on family leave until December.
Rikkie Schley is now a director of early learning. This is a new position for our early learning program, and Rikkie will focus on the service delivery and technical aspects of the Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education programs while fellow early learning director Jennifer Vanderschuere will continue to focus on the instructional side of ECSE classrooms, inclusive practices, and community partnerships with districts and community-run preschool programs.
Leslie Van Kleek is a new special education coordinator overseeing our Deaf/Hard of Hearing program.
Jennilyn Wilson is now payroll manager. She replaces Pam Voss, who is now working as the business manager for the Vernonia School District.