This year, a number of new members are being added into the Lincoln community.

One very important addition is Ginger Taylor, the new curriculum vice principal, who most recently coordinated the Evening and Summer Scholars programs for Portland Public Schools Evening and Summer Scholars programs.

Taylor is replacing Cherie Kinnersley, who is becoming West Sylvan’s new principal. Taylor graduated from Jefferson High School in 1981. After high school, she attended Western Oregon University and then studied to be a school counselor at Lewis & Clark College. After being a counselor in the PPS system for eight years, Taylor achieved a School Administrative license at Portland State University.

She is married to Tim Taylor, an administrator at Milwaukie High School, part of the North Clackamas School District. Her interests include the outdoors, with a particular liking for the coast.

She spends her free time in the garden, baking in the kitchen, listening to classic rock ‘n’ roll music, watching sports and being with her family.

“Ginger is a dedicated school leader who will bring a strong background in counseling, academic supports, and drug and alcohol prevention,” Principal Peyton Chapman wrote in an email to parents in June.

Chapman is confident with Taylor’s ability to succeed in her new role as vice principal.  With her background in counseling, and her adventurous personality, it seems that Taylor is a great fit for Lincoln.

In addition to Taylor’s arrival, Lincoln also has seven new staff members.

Collin Reinking will be teaching Functions, Statistics and Trigonometry and Algebra 3/4 with Support. He also plays guitar and likes putting smiles on people’s faces.

Ranjani Krishnan will be teaching Exploring Computer Science and International Baccalaureate Math Studies. In her free time she enjoys meditating.

Debra Sankovitz will be joining the Lincoln counseling team this fall. She recently traveled around Colorado, riding her mountain bike.

Gayle Lennox, a knitting enthusiast, will be teaching physics to underclassmen.

Ruqayya Jarad will be teaching multiple levels of Arabic at Lincoln this fall. She was finally able to visit Palestine, the country of her parents, this summer.

Andy Riffel will be teaching Geometry 1/2 and Advanced Algebra ¾. He spent seven months volunteering as a teacher in India, and sings with the Oregon Repertory Singers.

Jessica Russell joins Lincoln this fall as our new athletic director, replacing Jeff Peeler.

Steve Pape will be teaching United States History.

Lisa Riffel is the new choir teacher, who starts at Lincoln just five days after singing backup to Josh Groban at his concert at McMenamins Edgefield on Aug. 24.

Aisha Beck is teaching Geometry and IB Math HL 1-2, coming from the International School of Beaverton. She loves cats.