Meet the Principal

Debra Jokela, Principal

Deb Jokela has worked in education for 27 years as a special education teacher, elementary classroom teacher, special education supervisor, elementary assistant principal and principal. She has a passion for working with teachers, students and their families. She is a firm believer that all students can succeed when they are involved in supportive, positive learning environments where they have a sense of belonging. She loves to partner with parents and teachers of students to ensure the best possible learning experiences which are engaging and have social emotional learning within the classroom environment.

Ms. Jokela attended Minnesota State University, Moorhead where she earned her bachelor's in Elementary Education, and completed licensure requirements to teach special education. She earned her master’s from St. Mary’s University where she also earned a K-12 administrator’s and director of special education licenses. She has worked in St. Cloud Area School District since 2012 and has been at Oak Hill since 2016 as an assistant principal and principal.

Jokela has been married for 30 years to Pete and they have three children. They were excited and happy to welcome their daughter-in-law to the family in September of 2020! They love to travel together, especially west to Montana and Oregon to visit family and skiing in the winter and hiking, and adventures in the summer. They enjoy spending time together with their three dogs in addition to the three dogs their children have! She likes to read, cook, hike, ski, go to concerts and watch movies. 

Amanda Anderson, Assistant Principal

Amanda Anderson is grateful to back at Oak Hill as assistant principal. Mrs. Anderson has over 20 years in St. Cloud Area School District. Prior to this position, she was a kindergarten and second grade teacher at Oak Hill and lead talent development specialist. Anderson is passionate about helping students recognize and develop their individual strengths.

She graduated from St. Cloud State University where she received a bachelor of science in elementary education with an emphasis in science. She then attended St. Mary’s University where she earned master’s degrees in Teaching and Learning and K-12 Educational Leadership. 

Anderson is a St. Cloud resident, where she lives with her husband and three children. She loves to spend time at the lake, traveling, gardening and playing outside. 

Building strong relationships is her priority and she looks forward to working alongside all members of Oak Hill to create successful outcomes for all students.