Lincoln County School District’s Human Resource Director Dr. Tiana DeVries was recently awarded HR Director of the Year from the Oregon School Personnel Association (OSPA). 

Devries said it was humbling to be recognized by her peers but credits her entire District HR team for the honor. “It’s a testament to what my team does,” DeVries said. “We have good systems in place from benefits to payroll and provide good service to our employees from hire to retire.”

After joining the District in 2006 as a teacher and coach, DeVries went on to become an Assistant Principal and Principal for LCSD before taking the HR Director position in 2018. Since then, she has led several initiatives that have proven very beneficial to employees and the school District as a whole. One of those initiatives is the “Grow Your Own” program, a partnership between LCSD, Oregon Coast Community College, and Western Oregon University for District classified staff to become teachers and other licensed staff to get further education.  

Since starting this program, LCSD has had many students and staff take advantage of this opportunity and the District has benefited from recruitment and retention of a diverse and excellent staff. “We’ve removed some barriers and that has been life changing for people,” Devries said. “These are people that live here in our community. They own houses, have families, and kids in schools and we want them to stay. It also helps the economy.”

DeVries helped launch a program that provides start-up funds for new teachers in the district. “Many of them arrive with no supplies and this program really helps. Over 50 people have taken advantage of that grant in some way.”

In nominating DeVries for the award, LCSD Superintendent Dr. Karen Gray highlighted the many programs and initiatives DeVries has led while also calling her a consummate professional. “She keeps confidentiality to a maximum, is honest and trustworthy, compassionate and kind, and she is a pleasure to work with,” Gray said. “We are blessed to have an HR Director that maintains expertise and a sense of humor. She is amazing and deserves this award.”

Congratulations Tiana on this honor!