Principal Jason Setter on Quality Education at Oakwood Elementary

Mr. Jason Setter serves the community as principal of Oakwood Elementary School of Portland. Mr. Setter grew up in Port Huron. He received his bachelor’s degree from WMU and his master’s degree from Grand Valley State University. Mr. Setter was a first classroom teacher in Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, and Grand Rapids Charter Schools. Prior to coming to Portland, he served as assistant principal at Ridge Park Charter Academy and as principal at Charlotte Public Schools. He is in his first year as principal at Oakwood. As principal he has an effective philosophy of elementary education.

“I think about how best to serve the student body,” he said. “I think about how we can form them into healthy, effective members of society when they become adults. I care about what is necessary to achieve those ends.”

Mr. Setter said that three educational programs in place at Oakwood help the school to meet those needs.

“We have a program in place called ‘Portrait of a Learner,’” he said. “It is a way of viewing elementary education. It involves how we actually educate young people in that system. Basically we prepare the young for their lives as adults. We teach them how to be thinkers, problem-solvers, and good communicators. We teach them skills like resilience and mindfulness.”

A second program in place at Oakwood is called Positive Behavior Intervention for Schools, known by its acronym PBIS.

“PBIS pertains to how we actually conduct our school,” said Mr. Setter. “It’s about how we impact learning in the classroom. We teach the students to respect one another. We celebrate each student. We promote school pride. Concrete examples of this program involve teaching students how to interact with each other in a civil manner and of how to make and build friendships.”

A third educational program present at Oakwood is called “Capturing Kids’ Hearts.”

“This program pertains to moral development,” said Mr. Setter. “It teaches gratitude, respect, perseverance, and honesty. These qualities help make students into effective adults as well as into effective students in the here and now.”

Mr. Setter also believes that a high-quality teaching staff is essential to good education.

“We have such a staff,” he said. “I am amazed by them. The teachers here are first-rate and they are highly caring of their students. They focus on the welfare of each child. They are ‘kids first’ in every way. They encourage students to be the best that they can be and they lift students up in that manner.”

Mr. Setter said that the future of Oakwood Elementary is bright.

“We want to continue to support quality learning at Oakwood and to create healthy kids who move up the educational ladder effectively and who become effective as adults,” he said. “All of this begins in their young lives. The lessons and relationships that they learn and form now will have lasting impact on them and it will help them become successful adults who give back to their community. I am very grateful to be involved in this journey on their part.”

Community members who have questions for Mr. Setter may contact him at (517) 647-2991 or at jsetter@portlandk12.org.

Courtesy photos.