Dr. Joseph Hattrick is an educational leader whose commitment has always been to foster student success and strengthen supportive educational communities. With extensive experience in education and a dedication to excellence, Joseph joins the Ashland School District as its new superintendent, bringing with him a vision for innovative learning and inclusive practices.  As he begins his service to the district, Joseph is eager to collaborate with all constituents with the goal of enriching the educational experiences of all Ashland students. 

Professional Background:

Joseph Hattrick's journey in education spans over two and a half decades, marked by unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of educational excellence rooted in relationships and educational equity. Beginning his career as an instructional assistant and then classroom teacher at an alternative school, Joseph quickly demonstrated his ability to inspire and empower students, fostering a love for learning in each child he encountered.

Over the years, Joseph's leadership skills and commitment to student-centered education propelled him into clinical and then leadership roles, where he continued to make a profound impact on systems and their students. Holding positions such as clinical director, social worker, and principal, and superintendent, Joseph honed his ability to collaborate with educators, parents, and community constituents to create enriching learning environments.

In his previous role as superintendent of a rural Oregon school district, Joseph spearheaded initiatives aimed at promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that every student had access to quality education regardless of background or circumstance. His strategic vision and forward-thinking approach led to tangible improvements in organizational improvements, fiscal security, and student opportunities which also have a positive impact on organizational climate.

Dr. Hattrick received his Bachelors of Education from Western Washington University, Masters in Social Work from Eastern Washington University, Post-Masters Certificate in Educational Administration from Western Washington University, and his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in K-12 Leadership from Grand Canyon University.  His research on school climate—the overall organizational health of a district, school, or classroom—has provided Dr. Hattrick the opportunity to speak at national and local conferences and consult with schools regarding school climate reform in hopes to educate and inspire other school leaders to transform the heart of their schools.  

Professional Philosophy:

At the heart of Dr. Hattrick's educational philosophy lies a deep belief in the potential of every child and the transformative power of education. He understands that education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing curiosity, resilience, and empathy in young minds.

Joseph is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, where educators are empowered to innovate and students are encouraged to explore their passions and talents. He believes in creating schools that serve as vibrant hubs of learning and community engagement, where all constituents feel valued, heard, and supported. 

Community Engagement:

Beyond his professional endeavors, Joseph is deeply invested in the communities he serves. He is known for his approachable demeanor, genuine empathy, and willingness to listen to the needs and concerns of others. Joseph is eager to build meaningful partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and residents to ensure that the Ashland School District continues to thrive and evolve.

In his spare time, Joseph enjoys spending time outdoors to connect with nature, hiking, and supporting local arts and cultural events. He is excited to immerse himself in the vibrant community of Ashland and looks forward to collaborating with its residents to create a brighter future for all students.

Who is Joseph?

Joseph was born and raised in Vancouver, WA.  Throughout school his mother was dedicated to raising him and his three brothers (Jeff, Jason; and the twins John & Joe) while being the PTA president, Band mom president, and booster mom president. His father, Jim, was a lifetime professional square dance caller who passed on a love of music to all of his boys.

Joseph first began to develop a love for the arts in elementary school when he was cast as “tree” in the community production of Cinderella but also received the role of “voice of Audrey II” in his high school’s performance of Little Shop of Horrors.  In high school, Joseph developed a passion for music as first-chair alto-saxophone player, steel drum player, and later in life, a self-taught guitar player.  Even as an adult his father would occasionally convince the boys to perform “Hattrick’s in Concert” at local square dances.

Joseph is no stranger to volunteering for exciting and sometimes unusual opportunities.  Whether skydiving with his brother, hot air ballooning in New Mexico, going a little too extreme with fall carnival, Halloween, or spirit day costumes at his school events, riding his motorcycle in local or Pride parades, or even appearing on the Wheel of Fortune; Joseph doesn’t shy away from exciting opportunities.

In 2012, he embarked on a journey to increase health and wellness in his community; providing community members with a 5K race and a training program to support those with no running experience to complete their first 5K.  This interest was adopted after being one of eight people in the world to complete all Rock n Roll Marathons in one calendar year.  Although he now finds himself in running retirement, he looks forward to hiking and exploring the great outdoors in Southern Oregon.       

Joseph could not be more excited to be relocating to Ashland with his fiancé G, and their energetic dachshund-lab mix rescue, Gus. Joseph and his partner enjoy travelling, events, playing with Gus, camping, and outdoor adventures.  He is looking forward to making Ashland his new home and meeting you.  If you have an opportunity to meet Dr. Hattrick this Spring, please consider attending one of the meet & greet events we will be putting on.  We understand that there may not be ample time to truly get to know each other but rest-assured, after his official start date of July 1, there will be plenty of time and he looks forward to getting to know everyone in this wonderful community!