Kourtney Ferrua has served as principal at Wascher Elementary in McMinnville School District (Oregon) since 2013. As a previous kindergarten teacher and instructional coach, Kourtney is passionate about early childhood education, trauma informed practice and strong teaching and learning with a balance of rigor and joy. Kourtney first became an ardent believer in the transformational power of education as an undergraduate at the University of San Francisco while working with inmates at San Quentin State Prison. Kourtney has served her community by participating on Juliette's House Child Abuse Assessment Center Board of Directors and currently serves on the Yamhill County Head Start Board. Kourtney is also the President-Elect for the Oregon Elementary School Principals Association. Kourtney lives with her husband and two children in McMinnville, OR.