Susan Douglass

I have been a middle and high school Spanish Teacher for Portland Public Schools for the past 25 years.  I recently retired in June with the need to find a job that better fuels my passion: student international exchange.  I have lead six student groups to Costa Rica, one to Mexico City and my last group was to Madrid, Spain, right before the Pandemic.  I am currently the Training Director for Amigos de las Americas and am currently serving on their board.  In my job as TD I work with students planning to volunteer during the summer in Latin America.  The training is cross cultural and Spanish language focused.  The last 13 years of teaching for PPS I worked in the International Baccalaureate program and taught the beginning levels and college credit Spanish classes (SL and HL).  Although my career has been teaching Spanish, I was also trained to teach ELL.

I am passionate about travel and Spain is one of my favorite places to live and travel.  In fact, last September and October I walked the entire Camino Frances (500 miles) which was such an amazing experience and life long goal I have had since studying in Sevilla in 1984 as a college student.

Personally, I am a widow with 2 daughters: one in college and the other recently graduated from college, both far from home living their own lives.

I am fluent in Spanish and am passionate about teaching and my students.  As a teacher I work hard to develop a trusting relationship right away to help students take risk with their language.  I am encouraging, thoughtful and compassionate toward my students, regardless of level and ability.

Currently working as a Substitute Teacher for Portland Public Schools, Spanish, General Education

Portland Public Schools: August 1996-June 2022, Spanish Teacher

Mt. Hood Community College :1995, ESL Teacher

B.A., International Studies/Spanish-University of Oregon 1987

M.A.T., School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont 1995