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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Cooking oil fire damages SOU-owned home, displaces two ... Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... Cooking oil fire damages SOU-owned home, displaces two ... Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... EDUCATION Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district Zundel will be new chief academic officer The Medford School District has tapped Ashland High School Principal Michelle Zundel to be its new chief academic officer. Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News After a nationwide search, the Medford School District has tapped an educator close to home to fill its newly created chief academic officer position. District officials announced Monday night Ashland High School Principal Michelle Zundel will fill the post beginning July 1. During her five years as principal, Zundel improved student achievement and helped Ashland High School earn four silver medals in the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, district officials said. This year Zundel won a national Women in School Leadership Award, which measures educators on criteria including leadership, communication and community involvement. Zundel has 25 years' experience in education, including five years as a teacher and 20 years as an Ashland School District administrator. "Michelle is an extremely bright and seasoned educator who has a variety of successes. She has made a positive impact in every role she has held," said Medford School District Superintendent Brian Shumate. Shumate said Zundel will help lead district schools into the future. The chief academic officer is a new position on the district leadership team. Zundel will be tasked with overseeing the district's instructional initiatives, district officials said. Zundel said she's excited about the opportunity to contribute to the innovative work happening in the Medford School District. "I look forward to building on existing excellence and leading district improvement efforts," she said. "It's an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in the lives of 13,000 students, 600 teachers, support staff, administrators and the wider community." District schools include 14 elementary schools, two middle schools, three charter schools and North, South and Central Medford high schools. In an email letter sent out to Ashland High School families, Zundel said she almost didn't accept the new job because it means leaving the staff, students and families of the high school and the Ashland School District. "I love this District and am proud of what we have accomplished together. It was a difficult decision," she wrote. "You all are a difficult group to leave." Zundel said in the email Ashland School District Superintendent Jay Hummel is working with Ashland High School staff to determine the process for recruiting and hiring the next principal. "This is a highly desirable school to lead, with a strong, national reputation," Zundel wrote. "Some lucky administrator will be as honored to be the principal, as I have." On Monday night after her appointment to the post was announced, Zundel said she will have a busy spring transitioning from her job as principal into the Medford School District position. "I'm leaving a very high performing group of educators and I feel really good about the work we've done together. I love that community," she said. "At the same time, it seems like there is a remarkable opportunity for supporting the district improvement efforts in Medford." Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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