Kiley Mehlbrech: ‘She’s Just Amazing’

Second Installment in the Two-Part Student Services Specialist Series

By Jillian Daley

The next time you stop by North Marion Intermediate School, be sure to say hello to one of the newest employees, Student Services Specialist (SSS) Kiley Mehlbrech.

Mehlbrech holds one of two new SSS positions in the School District, offering instruction, guidance, and social skill development to students who are struggling. The SSS posted at the Middle School is Brad Horton (profiled First Installment of the SSS Series), who has been supporting students’ well-being for many years. 

Interestingly, while Mehlbrech may seem new to SSS work, she isn’t really. She has been studying counseling for many years and had already worked a couple years in mental health prior to coming to North Marion. She’s learning quickly here, as well.

“I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow so much this school year,” Mehlbrech said. “One of my favorite things is helping students achieve their goals and milestones by promoting a healthy and secure environment for them to succeed in and outside of school. Additionally, I've learned to better my collaboration skills with colleagues and parents to accomplish the success of the students I get to work with on a day-to-day basis.”

Mehlbrech’s currently working toward a Master in School Counseling at the Grand Canyon University and has earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Sciences and a Minor in Psychology from Oregon State University. She has already been honored for her academic abilities, regularly landing a place on the honor roll and receiving awards including the Starns Family Endowment Scholarship through Education Together and the Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship through Oregon State University. 

In addition, she has experience working for the Children’s Mental Health Treatment Team and Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center. 

“From a young age, I knew that I always wanted to work with children,” Mehlbrech said. “During my senior year of college, I did an internship at a residential treatment facility that served children who were removed from their homes due to trauma and neglect. I got to work with diverse kids from all over the United States. After this opportunity, I knew that school counseling was going to be the path I wanted to take.”

All of that education and experience brought her to the opportunity to work as an SSS at North Marion.

“There are so many great things about North Marion,” she said. “The support I’ve gotten this year has been incredible. Additionally, the staff here have been amazing to work with, and I only have great things to say about everyone.”

Her colleagues also are thrilled with the new hire.

“Kiley and I work closely together, and she is a great asset to our community and North Marion Intermediate School,” Primary School Counselor Patti Reeves said. “She has extensive experience working with at-risk youth and is passionate about this job, valuing care and connection above all else. She is eager to jump in where needed and has built strong relationships with students and staff. She has been a great teammate, and I look forward to continuing our work together!”

With the help of her co-workers, including Reeves, Mehlbrech has already done a great deal for students. One of her current projects is guiding her school in creating a Student Study Team, which is a partnership between school staff and families that employs a problem-solving approach to help students become more successful in the classroom. She’s doing the work with the support of Principal David Sheldon and District School Psychologist Jody K. Farri.

“Kiley has been an amazing addition to our team,” Sheldon said. “She brings a compassion and connection to all of our students that is based on a genuine heart of caring. She works really hard to understand and support systems and structures that aid staff and students. She is just an amazingly positive and flexible person who will take on whatever is needed to make sure the school is thriving.”

Farri also called Mehlbrech “sweet and positive” and said that she was eager to learn.

“She certainly is willing to help wherever she is needed and presents as a happy, helpful advocate for students,” Farri said.

K-5 Behavior Specialist Jamie Virgin agreed that Mehlbrech is a helpful, happy person to be around.

“She is an amazing team player and brings so much joy to not only the students that we work with but also to the staff,” Virgin said. “She has an open mind and is willing to learn. Kiley is willing to ask questions to better understand her role, and to best support the students she works with. I am so excited to see what she will bring to NMIS this year. Simply a joy.”

Secretary/Registrar Peggy Casto and Bilingual Secretary Merari Lopez both could not say enough kind words about Mehlbrech.

“We love her; the kids love her; she jumps in to volunteer to do everything,” Casto said. “She’s wonderful; she’s smart; she’s a great asset to the Intermediate School. She’s willing to do anything and everything the staff gives her.”

“She’s a team player,” Lopez agreed. “... She’s just amazing.”

When Mehlbrech is not hard at work or impressing her coworkers, she can be found hanging out with her family, including her younger sister. Mehlbrech enjoys tennis, a sport she played competitively at Junction City High School (she also participated in volleyball). Still an athlete at heart, she placed 80th of 259 women in the 2017 Scandia Run in Junction City. 

So, stop by and take some time to get to know Mehlbrech. She may be a newcomer here, but she has a great deal of talent and work experience to share.

To share stories on the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.