Because of increased enrollment throughout the district, the Banks School District has made the current Banks Middle School Principal, Shelley Mitchell, full-time Special Services Director next year. That has enabled for a full time principal position at Banks Middle School. “It’s what’s best for our students. They are deserving of full time people in both positions. With our increased enrollment in the district and middle school, it was time to make the positions full time. It will better serve students at Banks Middle School and students receiving Special Services in our district. It will also provide more support for our staff” states Superintendent Jeff Leo.
After a lengthy process, the new Banks Middle School principal next year will be Daniel Van Winkle. Mr. Van Winkle comes to Banks from Baker School District in eastern Oregon where he has taught at the middle school level in math, social studies, and language arts and has been the director of the Baker Summer Academy which serves over 130 students during the summer months.
Mr. Van Winkle is a graduate of Century High School in Hillsboro. After starting at Western Oregon University in 2003, Mr. Van Winkle had to take a year off when he was deployed to Iraq in 2003. After returning, Mr. Van Winkle studied in Spain for a semester and then returned to Western Oregon University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and philosophy. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from New York University in 2008 in interdisciplinary humanities and social thought. He then worked in New York City Schools as an educational assistant and began his teaching career at the William W. Niles School in Bronx, NY. In 2010, he earned his Master of Science degree from the City College of New York in Mathematics Education. Mr. Van Winkle completed his administrative licensure through Concordia University in 2016. He also continues to serve in the Army Reserves as a First Sergeant of the 455 Combat Engineer Company based in Hayden, Idaho.
Mr. Van Winkle is happily married to Ashley and they have two children together, son James (4) and daughter Eleanor (1).
Superintendent Jeff Leo states, “We are very excited with our selection for the next middle school principal at Banks School District. Mr. Van Winkle is an excellent addition to our administrative staff and the Banks School District. Mr. Van Winkle has the middle school experience we were looking for and also has shown in his past experiences to be a great leader in many different capacities. We look forward to the transition for the upcoming school year and what educational knowledge he will bring to our students.”
After a lengthy process, the new Banks Middle School principal next year will be Daniel Van Winkle. Mr. Van Winkle comes to Banks from Baker School District in eastern Oregon where he has taught at the middle school level in math, social studies, and language arts and has been the director of the Baker Summer Academy which serves over 130 students during the summer months.
Mr. Van Winkle is a graduate of Century High School in Hillsboro. After starting at Western Oregon University in 2003, Mr. Van Winkle had to take a year off when he was deployed to Iraq in 2003. After returning, Mr. Van Winkle studied in Spain for a semester and then returned to Western Oregon University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and philosophy. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from New York University in 2008 in interdisciplinary humanities and social thought. He then worked in New York City Schools as an educational assistant and began his teaching career at the William W. Niles School in Bronx, NY. In 2010, he earned his Master of Science degree from the City College of New York in Mathematics Education. Mr. Van Winkle completed his administrative licensure through Concordia University in 2016. He also continues to serve in the Army Reserves as a First Sergeant of the 455 Combat Engineer Company based in Hayden, Idaho.
Mr. Van Winkle is happily married to Ashley and they have two children together, son James (4) and daughter Eleanor (1).
Superintendent Jeff Leo states, “We are very excited with our selection for the next middle school principal at Banks School District. Mr. Van Winkle is an excellent addition to our administrative staff and the Banks School District. Mr. Van Winkle has the middle school experience we were looking for and also has shown in his past experiences to be a great leader in many different capacities. We look forward to the transition for the upcoming school year and what educational knowledge he will bring to our students.”