The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – The Dayton School District has hired a K-12 school counselor, to start next fall. Susan Stege is a certified school counselor with experience in individual and group counseling, and in working with parents.

Stege graduated from the University of Oregon, and Portland State University. She also holds a teaching certificate in Art. She worked in the Chandler Arizona School District from 2002-2015 and is a recent arrival to the Walla Walla Valley.

Tracy Pearson is the new wood/ag teacher in Dayton for grades 6-12. Pearson is finishing his 17th year of teaching in Prosser. He has also taught at Almira- Coulee-Hartline, Grandview, and Mabton.

When not teaching, Pearson has been an active FFA program adviser. He has coached football, and has also supervised athletic events. It is likely that Pearson will teach a small engine class, three woodshop classes, and one other ag science class, according to school officials.

Pearson will participate in an internship program next year to prepare him for serving as the district’s career and technical education director.

Current Dayton elementary school teacher Clayton Strong will be the new middle/high school health and fitness teacher. He will also be the new middle school athletic director, assisting Principal Shaber for the high school athletic director position, as needed.

Strong’s elementary school background in science, math, reading and writing will be an asset to the health and fitness courses, and will align the program well with the Washington State standards for health and fitness, according to school officials. He will attend professional development and training courses in health and fitness, to prepare him for his new position.

Strong will continue as the HS Varsity Girls’ Basketball coach.

The District is currently seeking a 4/5 grade elementary teacher to replace Strong.