It is a privilege to serve as the Magnolia Intermediate School Principal. My experiences include nine years as a building administrator, one year as an instructional/curriculum coach, and more than twenty years as a middle school and high school teacher. I have also coached numerous sports, primarily varsity boys basketball, and served as a student government advisor. I earned my bachelors degree, masters degree, and administrative certification from the University of Oregon. Social studies is my primary teaching area; however, I also earned a basic math endorsement from Western Oregon University. In recent years I have served as a member of the University of Oregon College of Education Advocacy Council.
One of my goals as a principal is to promote a collaborative structure that encourages communication and participation. However, communication and consensus does not necessarily mean agreement or unanimity. Trust and respect are key components of any relationship and there will be times when we will need to agree to disagree. Hopefully, we are all in agreement that student success, learning and personal growth, is the goal that binds us.
While Magnolia is a good school, we should never be satisfied with the status quo. We must constantly assess our practices and strive for improvement. Our success should be measured by what students are able to achieve. Parents and families are key components in this process. Research findings conclude that parent involvement and student achievement are directly related. “The most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is the extent to which that student’s family is able to (1) create a home environment that encourages learning; (2) communicate high, yet reasonable, expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers; and (3) becomes involved in their children’s education.” (Henderson & Berla) Yet parent involvement in their children’s education significantly declines at the middle school level when there is a need for it to increase. Even though your child seeks greater independence at this age, please stay involved.
Please contact the appropriate school staff member when you have concerns. I am looking forward to a productive partnership between the staff and the Pleasant Ridge School District community in assuring Magnolia students a quality education opportunity.
Greg Motarjeme, Vice Principal -gmotarjeme@prsd.k12.ca.us
Mr. Motarjeme is new to Magnolia for the 2012-2013 school year and is ready to Roll Like a Rattler. As Vice Principal, he looks forward to interacting with the students to help maintain the positive atmosphere that makes Magnolia great.
Before coming to Magnolia, his professional career was primarily within the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District in Roseville, CA. During his time at Dry Creek, he held the positions of Teacher, Math Department Chair, Union President, Technology Trainer, Common Curriculum Developer, Coach, District Presenter at the California League of Middle Schools, as well as numerous other roles within the district. All of his time at Dry Creek was spent at Silverado Middle School, an award winning school where he developed a passion for helping middle school students excel through a truly unique period in their lives.
On a personal level, he has been happily married to his wife Amanda for nine years and has one daughter, Gretchen Elizabeth Motarjeme, who has just turned one this past May. Please feel free to stop by his office anytime to say hello and he has promised to bore you to tears showing off pictures of her
Robert Hoey, School Counselor
- rhoey@prsd.k12.ca.us
Dr. Hoey has been providing counseling services in the Pleasant Ridge School District for 19 years. He also maintains a part-time private practice after school hours as a Licensed Psychologist. Prior to coming to the district, he spent nine years working in education at every age level including teaching college. His primary responsibility is at Magnolia, an age where children often struggle the most with peers and their own identities.
Dr. Hoey provides academic and crisis counseling, mediation, chairs the Student Study Team and 504 meetings and becomes an integral part of many student's lives. He also is a resource in referring families to outside counseling and medical services. He teaches a component of sixth grade health that helps students understand how their brains function, the influence of changing hormones on behavior, the importance of education related to healthy brain growth and development, and teaches students how to deal with teasing more effectively.
When asked why he works in education with children, he responded, "I love working with kids! Even though at times kids behave poorly, and it is in their job description to do so, it is the adult's responsibility to help coach and guide them. I enjoy helping them pick up the pieces and turn poor choices into learning experiences." One of his favorite quotes is, "Life is a struggle. And anyone who tells you differently, is trying to sell you something."
When not at work, Dr. Hoey enjoys spending time with family, friends, climbing mountains (he has pictures in his office standing on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro), and traveling the world to experience other places and cultures with his wife.
Pam Hemminger, School Secretary - phemminger@prsd.k12.ca.us
Pam moved to Nevada County from the Bay Area three years ago. Her previous profession was as a 911 Police and Fire Dispatcher, which give her the perfect calm demeanor to work in a Middle School office! Her children attended Pleasant Ridge and Cottage Hill Elementary Schools, as well as Magnolia Intermediate. Pam served as a District Parent Club representative and is active in the community. She and her children are members of Nevada County 4H and raise dairy and meat goats, they also belong to the Hummer X 4-Wheeling Club and can occasionally be seen in parades and around town in their patriotic-themed Red, White and Blue Hummer. Pam is a wonderful addition to the Magnolia office staff and we are thankful to have her!
Donna Emerick, School Secretary - demerick@prsd.k12.ca.us
You can always count on Mrs. Emerick for a smile and a kind word. Mrs. Emerick has been working at Magnolia School since 1999. One of the most striking things about her is that no matter what is going on in the office, she never seems to lose her cool. After working at an elementary school, she commented that one of the things she loves most about working at Magnolia is the age of the kids. “They are old enough that you can joke around with them and they get it!” She also truly enjoys the staff and feels very fortunate to work at a school where everyone is so supportive. One of the things she loves about Magnolia is that the kids always come first. When Mrs. Emerick is not cruising the town in her extremely cool car (the kids love that!), she enjoys shopping, playing with her dogs and hanging out with her 2 grown daughters.
Gene Morgan, Principal
- gmorgan@prsd.k12.ca.us
maintains a part-time private practice after school hours as a Licensed Psychologist. Prior to coming to the district, he spent nine years working in education at every age level including teaching college. His primary responsibility is at Magnolia, an age where children often struggle the most with peers and their own identities.
Pam Hemminger, School Secretary - phemminger@prsd.k12.ca.us