Joe La Fountaine was raised in the small rural southern Oregon town of Winston. The third of four children his mother raised while living in a small federal housing project. School and sports were about all there was to do in this small town. There were very few career options in his area, so when the opportunity to attend college presented itself, he jumped at the chance.

 

He attended what was then known as the Oregon College of Education (Western Oregon University). An institution with a focus on preparing students to become teachers. All he had ever really known was school, so it seemed natural to pursue a career as an educator. He hoped to be able to support and inspire other youth. After earning a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, he returned to Winston to teach American History at the same middle school he had once attended. Eventually, he became the vice-principal and then principal of the school. After 21 years at Winston Middle, his career pulled him away to do school improvement work in Salem. In Salem, he was tasked to turnaround a very poor performing middle school.

 

After doing so, he became known for his transformational talents. Ontario school district recruited him to help transform their high school. It was those talents that also earned him an executive leadership spot in Portland Public Schools. There he helped elevate the city Title I schools and eventually high schools. After 37 years in education, he retired from his position as the Regional Superintendent of High Schools for Portland Public Schools.

 

After retiring, Joe and his wife Kelli returned to the rural Oregon community where they had both grown up. They bought a home and now spend their days gardening and traveling. Joe has been a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and Oregon Ducks. He enjoys catching them play when he can. They have two grown children and one granddaughter.