Portland Schools Adds Top Position

Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero is pleased to introduce Dr. Yvonne Curtis as the PPS Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities. This new position is part of the superintendent's plan to reorganize the central office to improve academic achievement and outcomes for PPS students.

"It's an amazing opportunity to work with a superintendent so ready to focus Portland Public Schools on teaching and learning," said Dr. Curtis. "Together, we'll identify the brilliance in the system for parents, teachers and staff, and leaders. We'll work to build professional learning communities. We'll also invite parents and communities to join in our work to achieve a shared vision, where every student graduates with a path to college or career."

"I am thrilled that Dr. Curtis is joining my leadership team," said Guerrero. "We share a deep belief that with an intentional focus on teaching and learning and a systemic approach to supporting school communities, we can positively impact student outcomes. We are optimistic that PPS can become the premier school district in Oregon and grow to become one of the top urban districts in the country."

Dr. Curtis comes from the Forest Grove School District, where she served as superintendent for over eight years. She was a teacher and then an administrator in central Oregon when Jerry Colonna, then the superintendent in the Redmond School District, chose her to become principal at Terrebonne Elementary School. Colonna said Dr. Curtis took a school with a high poverty rate and low test scores and turned it into the top performing school in the district.

Colonna, the retired superintendent of the Beaverton School District and currently a member of the state school board, called Dr. Curtis "the complete package. She is widely respected across the state for her strengths and experience. PPS has made an excellent choice." In addition to her work at the district level, Dr. Curtis has served for 10 years as a commissioner on the Oregon Quality Education Commission and as a director on the Oregon Education Investment Board. She has also chaired or facilitated more than a dozen state and national committees, as well as making many presentations at statewide and national conferences. Dr. Curtis currently serves as chair of Education Northwest.

Dr. Curtis belongs to a number of professional organizations including the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, the American Association of School Administrators, the Oregon School Board Association, and the Council of School Administrators.

She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Oregon. She earned her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University.

In her new position, she will oversee various departments and programs including Curriculum and Instruction, Student Support Services, and School Performance.

Dr. Curtis will begin her position with PPS on January 2, 2018.

Superintendent Guerrero intends to continue identifying highly qualified educational leaders to serve in key senior leadership positions in PPS.

Source: Portland School District


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