• Portland Public Schools hires Yvonne Curtis as Deputy Superintendent

    12/18/2017
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    Yvonne Curtis joins PPS after serving as Superintendent of the Forest Grove School District the last eight years. Photo by Mike Tokito

    Portland Public Schools has hired Dr. Yvonne Curtis as Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities, Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero announced Monday. The 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,” Curtis said. “Together, we’ll identify the brilliance in the system for parents, teachers and staff, and leaders.” 

    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, where Jerry Colonna, then the superintendent in the Redmond School District, chose her to become principal at Terrebonne Elementary School.

    Colonna said Curtis took a school with a high poverty rate and low test scores and turned it into the top performing school in the district. He called Curtis “the complete package. She is widely respected across the state for her strengths and experience. PPS has made an excellent choice.”

    Curtis 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, Curtis will oversee various departments and programs including Curriculum and Instruction, Student Support Services, and School Performance. She will start with PPS on Jan. 2.

    “I am thrilled that Dr. Curtis is joining my leadership team,” Guerrero said. “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.”

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

    See also:

    -- PPS's full news release on the hire
    -- Yvonne Curtis' resume
    -- Job description for Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities
    -- Photos from Monday's news conference
    -- Video of Monday's news conference

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