Jennifer Rose Passadore Gfroerer
7042 SW 180th Place • Aloha, Oregon 97007
(503) 701-5548 • Email available upon request
linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gfroerer-685001234
(503) 701-5548 • Email available upon request
linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gfroerer-685001234
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) May 2021
University of Portland, Portland, OR
Concentration: Learning and Leading, Neuroeducation
University of Portland, Portland, OR
Concentration: Learning and Leading, Neuroeducation
Principal Formation Institute May 2012
Archdiocese of Portland, Portland, OR
Archdiocese of Portland, Portland, OR
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) May 1998
Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR
Concentration: Liberal Studies, Curriculum Development
Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR
Concentration: Liberal Studies, Curriculum Development
California Multiple Subject Credential May 1992
College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA
Concentration: Multiple Subjects/Elementary Education
College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA
Concentration: Multiple Subjects/Elementary Education
Bachelor of Arts May 1991
College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA
Major: Liberal Studies, Multiple Subjects/Elementary Education
College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA
Major: Liberal Studies, Multiple Subjects/Elementary Education
Certification
- Oregon Professional Teaching License – Multiple Subject PreK–12 Current
- California Clear Multiple Subject Credential – Pre-K through Adult Expired
Archdiocesan waiver granted in 2011 in lieu of Oregon Administrator License for the role of principal at Valley Catholic Middle School upon completion of the Principal Formation Institute.
Administrative Experience
Principal / Dean 1998 – Present
Valley Catholic Middle School, Beaverton, OR
Dean prior to 2011
Valley Catholic Middle School, Beaverton, OR
Dean prior to 2011
Curriculum Developer (Middle School Program) 1995 – 1998
St. Clare School, Portland, OR
St. Clare School, Portland, OR
Classroom Teaching Experience
Adjunct Professor | M.Ed. program | ED 550: Professional Growth and Development 2022 – Present
University of Portland, Portland, OR
University of Portland, Portland, OR
Grades 6–8 Teacher / Substitute / Elective Instructor 1998 – Present
Valley Catholic School, Beaverton, OR
Valley Catholic School, Beaverton, OR
Social Studies, English, Electives (Grades 6–8) 1995 – 1998
St. Clare School, Portland, OR
St. Clare School, Portland, OR
Social Studies, English, Electives (Grades 6–8) 1992 – 1995
St. Catherine Middle School, Morgan Hill, CA
St. Catherine Middle School, Morgan Hill, CA
Leadership Skills & Accomplishments
- New School Opening (three Catholic middle schools): Staffing, Supervision and Leadership, Curriculum development, Policy development for operations and programs
- Cognia STEM certification for Valley Catholic Middle School, 2018 (VCMS is the first STEM-certified school in Oregon)
- Workshop Design and Delivery (staff and parent): Vision, mission, values, beliefs; Brain development and impact on learning; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in-services and training
- Curriculum Development: DEI integration, Hands-Only CPR program (with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and the American Heart Association), Community wellness, Advisor for OHSU’s “Let’s Get Healthy” program, Capstone project for eighth-grade graduation
- School Accreditation and Restructuring: Led five successful accreditation processes, Served on multiple accreditation teams, Restructured middle school to include grades previously housed in high school
- Technology Integration: Developed and implemented a one-to-one iPad program for grades 6–8
- CPR Training Facilitator and Curriculum Developer: Led Hands-Only CPR program, lobbied for Oregon law requiring CPR training for high school graduation (adopted 2015)
- School Partnerships: Developed sister school relationships with Oregon Islamic Academy, German International School, and Oregon Episcopal School
- Program Developer: Created professional development program, weekly intergenerational program, regional science and STEM fairs, expanded regional speech tournament
Professional Board Memberships
Cognia Oregon Leadership Advisory Committee Jan 2018 – Present
Contributing to statewide strategic direction on accreditation, school improvement, and professional learning for Cognia-affiliated institutions.
Contributing to statewide strategic direction on accreditation, school improvement, and professional learning for Cognia-affiliated institutions.
ESES Private School Partnership – Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Dec 2023 – Present
Collaborating with ODE to support equitable services for private schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Collaborating with ODE to support equitable services for private schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Oregon Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS) Nov 2023 – Present
Advocating for policy and legislative support of Oregon’s private and independent schools.
Advocating for policy and legislative support of Oregon’s private and independent schools.
Innovation Advisory Board – Empowering Student Autonomy Aug 2024 – Present
Advising on student-centered innovation initiatives and autonomy-driven instructional design.
Advising on student-centered innovation initiatives and autonomy-driven instructional design.
Professional Affiliations
- National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
- Oregon Federation of Independent Schools
- Cognia Committee for accreditation and certification, assessment, and professional learning
- National Association of Secondary Principals
- American Educational Research Association (SIGs: Administration, Organization & Leadership, Catholic Education)
Presentations
- Gfroerer, J. (2020, Feb). Steps to get there: Blending AdvancED within the school community. Cognia 2020 Think Future: STEM Institute, Beaverton, OR.
- Cantwell, R., & Gfroerer, J. (2020, Feb). Neuroscience and the implications in the classroom (Peer-reviewed). Critical Questions in Education (CQiE) Annual Conference, Seattle, WA.
- Cole, A., Gfroerer, J., & Cantwell, R. (2020, Feb). Simultaneously support learning, inclusivity, and holistic assessment with the neuroeducation model. Oregon Association of Teacher Educators (ORATE) 23rd Annual Conference, Portland, OR.
Publications
- Passadore Gfroerer, J. (2021). Catholic Education Centers as Third-Party Support for Catholic Principals. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Portland.
- Cole, A., Cantwell, R., & Gfroerer, J. (2020). Innovative Approaches to Education in the 21st Century: Analyzing Brain Science to Understand Student Learning Theory. Curriculum in Context, 45(2), 12–18.
- Gfroerer, J. & Brown, B. (2019). Correlational Analysis of Interim Assessments for the Multnomah County Partnership for Education Research Consortium.
Invited Presentations & Media
- Gfroerer, J. (2019). Leading STEM Implementation. Featured on Intersection Education Podcast. Listen here
- Gfroerer, J. (2010). Impact of Catholic Education. Invited speaker for Archdiocesan School boards and parent groups.
Brief History of the Dean of Middle School Position
In 1989, Valley Catholic High School restructured to establish two distinct educational programs: a middle school (Grades 7–8) and a high school (Grades 9–12). To support the unique needs of middle school students, a Dean of Middle School was appointed as instructional and administrative leader, working with the high school principal for program alignment.
With growing enrollment and programming, a new facility opened in 2011 for Valley Catholic Middle School (Grades 6–8), allowing a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate experience.
Today, Valley Catholic Middle School is a fully accredited, stand-alone institution serving ~300 students with 30+ staff, focused on academic excellence, character, and community engagement.
Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer served as Dean from 1998–2011, then as Principal after the independent middle school opened.
With growing enrollment and programming, a new facility opened in 2011 for Valley Catholic Middle School (Grades 6–8), allowing a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate experience.
Today, Valley Catholic Middle School is a fully accredited, stand-alone institution serving ~300 students with 30+ staff, focused on academic excellence, character, and community engagement.
Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer served as Dean from 1998–2011, then as Principal after the independent middle school opened.
Job Description: Dean of Valley Catholic Middle School (1998-2011)
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Schools Corporation
Title: Dean of the Middle School
Title: Dean of the Middle School
- Accountability
The Dean is accountable to the SSMO Campus Schools President and the Valley Catholic School Principal. - Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction over 7th and 8th-grade students, programs, and staff. - Responsibilities
Maintaining and improving instructional program quality, providing leadership, direction, and support for students and staff, and addressing student needs.- Administration: Academic and personnel scheduling, budget and calendar development, faculty supervision, hiring/termination input, admissions, discipline, student activities.
- Instruction: Teaching, program coordination, policy enforcement, instructional program evaluation, accreditation compliance, staff development.
- Qualifications
Experienced teacher with administrative experience, master’s degree or valid Oregon Teaching License, attendance at school/professional events.
Incumbent: ____________________________ Date: ____________