Barbara Chester

K–5 Principal,
Cherry Park Elementary School,
Portland, Oregon

Barbara Chester is currently the K–5 principal of Cherry Park Elementary, located in the David Douglas School District in Portland, Oregon. This is her twenty-sixth year as an elementary principal. Her years of experience have led her from the state of Washington, to Colorado and finally to Oregon as an administrator. In each of the six elementary schools where she has been principal, she has asked the key question: “What are we doing for the children?” She says, “The greatest opportunity we have to influence the future is through the work we do with and for our children.”

Collaboration and developing teacher leaders to mentor colleagues has been a key element of her leadership. With great pride, she now sees current administrators whom she was able to support in their professional journeys. Today she continues her commitment to developing the best leaders for tomorrow’s children through hiring and training the best instructors.

A member of NAESP since 1989, Barbara is currently serving on the Board of Directors and has previously served on the association’s Resolutions and Standards Committee. She has also held leadership positions with her state and regional associations, Oregon Elementary School Principals Association and the Northwest Regional Association.

Barbara’s school was named a 2007 Student Success Finalist/Closing the Achievement Gap recipient by the Oregon Department of Education, was recognized as a 2004–2005 Mayor’s Spirit of Portland Award, Youth Volunteers of the Year, and was recognized as a Rose Festival Community Service award winner. Barbara has also received the Northwest Region National Distinguished Principal Award and has been active in collaborating on school community partnerships with YMCA, City of Portland and Metropolitan Family Services.

Barbara received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the College of Idaho and her M.Ed. from the University of Washington.

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