Mr. Curtis Wilson, Jr. has been selected to lead Benson. He comes to us from Grant, where he has been a Vice Principal since 2007. Here is the text from the announcement:

Dear Benson Polytechnic High School Staff and Community,

I am very pleased to announce that Benson’s new principal will be Curtis Wilson Jr., current vice principal at Grant High School. Please join in welcoming Mr. Wilson on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 6 pm to 7 pm in the Benson Library.

Mr. Wilson is known as a hands-on administrator who enjoys collaborating with students, staff and community to build and nurture a safe, positive school environment.

He is a longtime Portland Public Schools teacher and administrator with deep roots in the athletic community. He started his PPS career as a Health teacher at Harriet Tubman Middle School (1992-97), where he coached basketball. He then taught Health at Roosevelt High School (1997-2006), where he coached track and cross country.

Mr. Wilson moved into leadership while at Roosevelt. He served as dean of students (2006-2007), overseeing discipline, acting as a testing coordinator and coordinating the Leadership Class. He has served as vice principal at Grant since 2007 and leaves a strong legacy of working with the principal and teaching staff to improve instruction and academic outcomes for all students and overseeing discipline.

At Grant, Mr. Wilson established a Black Student Union, created a partnership between the Parents of Students of Color Group and Grant’s administration to get more parents involved at the school and worked to engage equity practices among the instructional staff.

Mr. Wilson told me he is looking forward to building on the rich legacy of Benson and on the outstanding work of Carol Campbell by being a strong advocate for Career Technical Education and business partnerships and supporting students, staff and the entire Benson community.

Thanks to so many of you who gave input in this important process. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Wilson to Benson Polytechnic High School.

Carole Smith

Note that a reception will be held on Tuesday, 8/20 from 6-7pm in the Benson Library. Please join us in welcoming Principal Wilson!