PRESS RELEASE 2027 Oregon Middle School Principal of the Year is BMS Principal Amanda Wilde
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators
Baker Middle School’s Amanda Wilde Named 2027 Oregon Middle School Principal of the Year
Baker, Oregon — Amanda Wilde, principal of Baker Middle School in Baker School District 5J, has been named Oregon Middle School Principal of the Year. She received the news in a surprise announcement over Zoom. The award is presented by the newly named Oregon Principals Association (OPA), part of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA). OPA brings Oregon’s elementary and secondary principals together in one association, mirroring the National Principals Association (NPA), which now serves principals at every grade level.
Wilde grew up in Baker City, attended Baker schools, and came back to teach before becoming principal of Baker Middle School in 2022. Since 2024, she has also served as principal of Keating Elementary.
“Amanda is not simply leading Baker Middle School. She is helping build the future of Baker,” Baker School District Superintendent Casey Hallgarth wrote in his nomination letter.
Wilde has made several changes ahead of state and national trends. In fall 2023, Baker Middle School began using Yondr pouches to keep phones locked away during the school day. That was well before Governor Tina Kotek’s executive order restricting cell phones in Oregon schools. In fall 2025, she replaced take-home Chromebooks with classroom carts. Some staff were hesitant at first, but when the school reviewed the change after a year, no teacher wanted to go back.
“She does not wait for someone else to lead,” Hallgarth wrote.
Baker Middle School now leads the district in attendance, and more than 90% of families take part in student registration. Staff say she has built a culture where people want to work. Library technician Ruth Woodworth delayed her retirement to stay. “I had actually been planning to retire the year she started as principal, but her energetic vision and constant support completely changed my mind,” she wrote in her nomination letter.
Wilde is also known for developing other leaders. School counselor Karissa Kingsbury credits her with encouraging her to pursue an administrative license. “She does not simply lead others; she develops other leaders,” Kingsbury wrote in her nomination letter.
“She manages with her mind, and leads with her beautiful heart,” wrote Shandra Lee, a teacher at Baker Middle School for 30 years, in her nomination letter.
Wilde will be formally honored at the COSA Law Conference in December 2026.
About the Oregon Principals Association
The Oregon Principals Association represents Pre-K–12 principals and assistant principals across Oregon. It is part of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) and is aligned with the National Principals Association (NPA). Learn more here.