Dear Community of South Meadows Middle School,

I am elated to have the opportunity to serve you and your students as principal of South Meadows Middle School.  As the parent of a future SMMS Hawk, I have firsthand knowledge of the great things going on at South Meadows and look forward to adding my own passion and energy to the successful work being done, as well as offering new opportunities to benefit our students and community.  

Before I moved to Hillsboro in 2014, I began my path as an educator at Linfield College and had my first teaching job in Utah (where I was born and raised).  After teaching for several years, I had the opportunity to serve as the assistant principal in a middle school and I truly love working with students at this age.  In fact, I have experience gaining status as a National School to Watch for maximizing student advisory time as well as enrichment and intervention.  My successful experience as a middle school administrator will give me insight into how to build upon the great things happening at SMMS, such as its robust Dual Language Program, AVID implementation, academic growth, attendance improvement, and student wellness.

From 2014 to 2019, I had the privilege to lead W. Verne McKinney Elementary School as the principal where we enjoyed immense success!  At McKinney, we have been recognized as a Nationally Distinguished Title I School and have annually received praise as one of the top-achieving Title I schools in all of Oregon.  This success comes from students, families, teachers, and community partners uniting together under a common vision.  As principal, I have leveraged many resources to not only meet the needs of our students, but to help them thrive.  I will continue to build community partnerships and outreach at South Meadows so that our students have many opportunities to reach their highest potential.  

I look forward to serving you at South Meadows Middle School for many years to come.  In that time, you will see that I model the values I hold dear in educating our children: that I believe in building upon strengths (and South Meadows has many!), that all students can collaborate and learn at high levels, and that engaging the community is crucial to a school's success.  Your involvement as an active member of the school will be critical to ensure that all children attending South Meadows are successful in their middle school years and beyond.  Contact me at any time so we can work together in our goal of making South Meadows the best possible school for your child and all the children of our community.

Humbly yours,

Justin Welch