Pendleton School District

An eastern Oregon native stood out among 33 applicants to be selected as the new McKay Creek Elementary School principal in the Pendleton School District. Aimee VanNice, a 12-year teaching veteran who graduated from Cove High School, will start her new position in Pendleton on Aug. 1.

Most recently, VanNice was a 4th grade teacher at Lava Ridge Elementary School in Bend (2010-2012), and prior to that she was a 1st grade teacher at Lava Ridge (2005-2010).

VanNice was selected as Teacher of the Year at both Palm Springs Unified School District (2004) and Bend LaPine Schools (2012). She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Oregon University and her Master’s in Teacher Education from Cal State San Bernadino.

“I am excited for challenge and looking forward to being a part of the Pendleton team,” VanNice said. “My husband and I are excited to be back in eastern Oregon. The Pendleton School District is a quality district with a lot of really good things going on, and, most importantly for us, Pendleton is a great place for us to raise our children.”

VanNice and her husband, Jason, have a daughter, Cambria (4), and son, Carter (2).

“Aimee will be a definite asset to the Pendleton School District leadership team,” said Tricia Mooney, Pendleton School District assistant superintendent. “She comes to us with a variety of experiences as a teacher leader and recent classroom experience, which will be great strengths in working with our teachers. It is always exciting when there is an opportunity to bring in someone of Aimee’s caliber who can share new ideas and contribute to all the positive things we have going on in the district.”

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