Meet PP&R SUN School Supervisor Curtis Scott

News Article
This is a profile of PP&R SUN School supervisor Curtis Scott. It's part of a series that highlights our staff as part of PP&R's commemoration of Black History Month (February).
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Meet Portland native Curtis Scott, PP&R SUN Community Schools Supervisor. 

Curtis Scott-SUN Schools Supervisor in a black turtleneck with a zipper on a sunny day.
Curtis Scott, PP&R's SUN Schools Supervisor.

He’s been with the bureau for more than 20 years in various roles, and is a respected, widely admired, and well-liked member of our team. Curtis is known for being a great listener and for his professionalism and selflessness.  

Curtis and his wife of 35 years, Doreen, have two sons - Jordan and Joshua. He began his career with Portland Parks & Recreation in September 1999 as a Recreation Coordinator at Portsmouth (Cesar Chavez) SUN Community School.  

He also worked at other PP&R locations including Peninsula Park Community Center, Faubion SUN Community School, Matt Dishman Community Center, and the East Portland Community Center.  

Curtis now supervises 11 SUN Community School programs. He also continues to contribute to cultural shifts in PP&R:

“I have served on the bureau’s Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) and am one of the founding and current members of the Fostering Equity Support Team (FEST).” 

Curtis is proud to have started his work at PP&R under the tutelage of the late former City Commissioner and PP&R Director Charles Jordan.

“He taught me the importance of serving the public, and he’s why I take being a public servant very seriously. It’s important to give my best to the citizens of Portland.” 

Curtis said he is inspired by a motto from the author George Fraser: "What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say.’" 

Prior to PP&R, he was an Executive Director for the local YMCA.  

“I began my career in non-profit work at the Urban League of Portland, working mostly with Black teens. That work has been one of the highlights of my career. It has been the guiding light of my profession.” 

Curtis said he derives inspiration from the words of civil rights leader, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  - ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ 

This series highlights key staff as part of PP&R commemoration of #BlackHistoryMonth

Through SUN, the school community works with partners in the broader community to educate and support kids creating a collective impact.

For more information: portland.gov/parks/recreation/sun

Portland Parks & Recreation is looking for more part-time and full-time staff, in many programs! If you or someone you know could be a great fit in our inclusive, welcoming environment with fantastic colleagues, flexible hours, and great pay, please visit Portland.gov/parks/employment.