Oregon “Teacher of the Year” recruits exceptional teaching team in Meridian

Nanette Lehman becomes principal of new Gem Prep charter school

March 2018- Nanette Lehman, a former Oregon State Teacher of the Year, has accepted the leadership of one of Meridian’s newest charter schools opening this fall, Gem Prep: Meridian. After an extensive talent search that began over a year ago, Mrs. Lehman emerged as the outstanding candidate to lead the new K-12 charter school. Although Lehman won’t make her full transition to Gem Prep until July 1, she is already putting together a premier staff.

Lehman and her team of administrators have been scouring the landscape for great teachers. “We’ve never had such a strong candidate pool for new teaching positions as we’ve had this year with Mrs. Lehman and the opening of Gem Prep: Meridian,”said Jason Bransford, Gem Prep Chief Executive Officer, “She is a magnet for teachers who want to develop their craft and work with the best.”

Gem Prep has a very rigorous screening process for the hiring of all staff, and especially educators. Even with the extensive hiring process in place, Lehman is seeing a lot of teachers interested in joining the team. When asked about the quality of the candidate pool Lehman said, “The plethora of outstanding candidates has provided us an opportunity to put together a powerful team right from the start; where students will receive the very best educators when they enter the doors of Gem Prep Meridian this fall.”

Currently, Lehman is serving as principal of South Baker Intermediate School in Baker City, Oregon—the same school where she was teaching when recognized with the 2013 Oregon State Teacher of the Year Award. Lehman has over a decade of teaching and administrative experience. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boise State University in 2006. Additionally, she received her M.S. in Education (math emphasis) and her E.Ds. in Teacher Leadership and Administration from Walden University.

When asked about her move to Gem Prep: Meridian, Lehman said, “I am honored and humbled to serve as principal of Gem Prep Meridian.  Gem Prep’s philosophy on innovative personalized learning for all students is commendable and inspiring.  I look forward to meeting all the students, staff, and parents as we begin our journey of preparing college and career ready scholars.”Gem Prep: Meridian will open this August and serve students in grades K-6th. The school will begin its college prep secondary program the following year by adding grades 7th-8th, and continue adding grades each year until they serve grades K-12th.

Gem Prep: Meridian has purchased and is currently renovating the Broadview University building at 2750 E. Gala Street. Parents may enroll their students from the school’s website at www.gemprep.org/meridian or may contact the school office at 208-917-9150. Tours of the school will be made available later in the summer, once construction has completed.