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StepUP

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StepUp: Social and Emotional Learning

StepUP programs provide small group and individualized support for Redmond School District students who need help with social skills, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and academics. Most students attend on a hybrid schedule between StepUP and their home campus. Placement is through referral after multiple school-level interventions.

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Karen comes from a diverse background with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Spanish.  She received her Masters in Teaching and began her career as a Spanish teacher in Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon and taught there for three years.  Following a move to Central Washington, she was able to get a job working in a brand new Alternative High School, where she worked with students from 7th through 12th grade for nine years, providing instruction in all subject areas, gaining endorsements in Special Education, Basic and Advanced Math.  During this time, she served as the campus Special Education teacher. When she moved to Central Oregon, she was hired as a Special Education teacher at Obsidian Middle School, where she worked for three years and completed her Administration Program through the University of Oregon.  

Karen has been at Edwin Brown Education Center, now called StepUP, since the 2016-17 school year.  In this time she has worked to completely redesign the programs and supports for Redmond school district’s students with the highest social-emotional and behavioral support needs.  At StepUP we believe that all kids do well if they can and focus on building specific skills to help students unlock their own potential.  We believe that collaboration with families and community partners is key to provide the most robust systems of support possible for all students in school and beyond.

Karen Mitchell

Principal, StepUP

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Principal: Karen Mitchell
Assistant Principal: Lisa Flora Burgher

Office Manager: Carrie Hulbert
School Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

SEL Middle and High School Hours: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM (Wed 1.05 PM)

SEL Elementary Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:15 PM (Wed 1:42 PM)

Summer Break June 12th – Sept 7th 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • StepUP SEL programs are accessed through a referral for students who are attending their home campus, have received numerous interventions at the school level, and continue to require higher levels of interventions and individualized instruction in the areas of social skills and/or emotional regulation. 
    Redmond School district has multiple tiers of support available on each campus and the team would meet to best determine what supports your student could benefit from.  A building level team can submit the referrals for the additional interventions available in Redmond, including both BRYT and StepUP, if the previous interventions are not effective. Accessing higher levels of support such as BRYT (on campus) and StepUP (off campus) comes from a referral process through the home campus. The teams consider the capacity for each intervention given that they serve the school (BRYT) or district (StepUP) and considerations have to be made on the highest levels of need, as well as if the intervention would be an appropriate fit for the student's current needs.  Both BRYT and StepUP are short-term interventions and the goal is to always get the student back to their regular classes and home campus as soon as they are ready.  

  • Student safety is our top priority. We implement comprehensive security protocols, including clear emergency response plans, ongoing crisis training for staff, and partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure a secure and supportive learning environment.

  • StepUP Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs provide intensive small group and individualized support through direct instruction in social skills, emotional regulation, coping strategies, as well as academics to ensure students do not fall behind.  The primary focus of our programs are to assist students in developing skills to be able to successfully access their home campus.  Most students attending StepUP are on a hybrid schedule and attend both StepUP and their home campus.
    Redmond School district has multiple tiers of support available on each campus and the team would meet to best determine what supports your student could benefit from.  A building level team can submit the referrals for the additional interventions available in Redmond, including both BRYT and StepUP, if the previous interventions are not effective. Accessing higher levels of support such as BRYT (on campus) and StepUP (off campus) comes from a referral process through the home campus. The teams consider the capacity for each intervention given that they serve the school (BRYT) or district (StepUP) and considerations have to be made on the highest levels of need, as well as if the intervention would be an appropriate fit for the student's current needs.  Both BRYT and StepUP are short-term interventions and the goal is to always get the student back to their regular classes and home campus as soon as they are ready.  

  • We utilize multiple communication channels to keep our community informed, including the ParentSquare app for instant alerts, district newsletters, official school websites, and social media. Contact your school's office to ensure your contact information is up-to-date.

  • Our Student Support Services department provides resources for students with diverse learning needs, including Special Education, English Language Learners (ELL), and counseling services. Please contact the Director of Student Support for a personalized consultation.

  • Yes, we are always looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to join our mission of providing a supportive and empowering environment. All current openings, including teaching, administrative, and support roles, are posted on our Jobs & Careers section.