Colton Corner: New principal tabbed for Colton High School

Colton School District recently announced the appointment of Dr. Shane M. Bassett as the incoming principal of Colton High School.

Dr. Bassett was born and raised in Massachusetts but has called the Portland area home for the past 31 years. He earned his Bachelor’s in elementary education and social studies from Concordia University, a Master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Portland, and a Doctorate in educational leadership from George Fox University.

He will bring 27 years of experience in education as a teacher, reading coach, principal, and K-12 director of federal programs to his work at Colton High School. Most recently, he worked for four years as the middle school principal of a United States Embassy-affiliated international school in South America.

|In this role, he served for one year as a mentor for the new high school principal, and as the high school’s substitute principal. Dr. Bassett is married, has three children, and said he is excited to reunite with his extended family when he returns home to Gresham.

As a strong school climate and instructional leader at five schools over the past 16 years, Dr. Bassett demonstrates a track record of success with implementing comprehensive, continuous school improvement plans.

He is described as a kind, patient, culturally-responsive, servant-leader who intends to collaborate with high school staff, parents, district leadership, “and the Colton community to relentlessly support the social development, academic achievement, and life-readiness of Colton High School’s students.”