JULY 3, 2008
justout 7
outstanding
just asking
From Teacher to President
Just Out asked those at Latino Gay Pride,
"What moment do you wish had been
immortalized with a photo?"
or the past eight years Rebecca Levison has been
influencing the lives of Portland students as a
sixth-grade teacher at Clarendon-Portsmouth El
ementary School.
Levison started a new career venture July 1 as the
elected president of the Portland Association of Teachers.
Levison, who grew up in New York and received a de
gree in public policy from Syracuse University, could not
be more excited for her new career. “I wanted to step up
and take on more leadership in regards to the advocacy of
teachers and union rights,” she said.
Levison’s goals for the association are to make sure
teachers’ voices are heard in the district and to help with
the bargaining of new and improved contracts. “1 am going
to miss teaching because I really get invested in the lives of
my students, but I know I can do some great work with the
MARTY DAVIS
association and cannot wait to get started,” she said.
My name is Rebecca Levison.
I am known as the president-elect of the Portland As
sociation of Teachers.
he night 1 met my partner, Will
I Simonds, 19 years ago at Boxxes.”
My cause is advocating for the rights of teachers.
I am 38 years old. I feel 40 years old.
R obert N orth
Financial Adviser
My childhood ambition was to become a pediatrician.
My first same-sex crush was on Lucille Ball; 1 always
thought she was so funny.
I like to spend my down time sitting and relaxing in
my hot tub in my back yard with Kathleen Sullivan, my
partner of 10 years.
My proudest moment was the honor 1 received
because Portland teachers chose me to represent
them in the association.
11C' ingles Bunco for Just Out. I’d
W never bunco-ed before, and
when I did, I took my shirt off.”
O filia Z amora -W ard
Lady Fairy Cleaning Service Owner
My biggest challenge has always been balancing
work and pleasure. I am a major workaholic.
A perfect day in Portland would be spent at
breakfast at Wild Abandon, an afternoon seeing a
movie at Hollywood Theatre and then dinner at an
Asian restaurant on 82nd Avenue.
The day 1 met my partner, Juan
I Martinez, because everything
My first job was at Greenleaf Pharmacy in a town
called Hastings-on-Hudson in New York.
about that day I remember as if
it were a picture or a movie.”
My vice is a Vietnamese dish called bun, which
is grilled lemongrass chicken mixed with herbs over
cold noodles. It is unbelievable!
B yron B eck
Willamette Week
Writer/Columnist
My inspiration is the students 1 have served as
111 really enjoy traveling, and there are
a teacher.
The last queer or philanthropic event I partici
pated in was a house party for Sam Adams.
My highest hope for the cause is that we can
fund education at the level that is needed to provide
students with a well-rounded education and give
Rebecca Levison will represent her peers as president
of the Portland Association of Teachers.
H ollywood A ntiques
PORTLANDS
Q
O
PREMIER
e*i. 19X2
ANTIQUE
MALI
Phone: 503-288-1051
E-mail: hollywoodantique@comcast.com
www.hollywood-antiques.com
July 19
11:00am - 3:00pm
Members of Portland's
will appraise glass,
porcelain 8t ceramic items.
A donation of $3 each
will benefit PROG a
501C3 organization
Drawings,
snacks and fun
>-
moment through a photo. I've realized
there are other ways of appreciating
a place other than pictorially.”
teachers the support they need to do their job.
—James Maxwell ©
RAIN OF GLASS
vO
CM
■ times I’ve chosen to be more in the
moment rather than trying to capture that
Large Clearance room
contains merchandise with
savings of 50%
1969 NE 42nd Ave.
1 block North of Sandy
2 blocks from MAX
N atalie B utto
Explorer
I’mAVAILABLE, „
whenjjon are!
Careful and energetic handling of
all your home financing needs
jjj
cMii
MORTGAGE
Advocates
6700SW 105th Ave.. Suite 200 Beavviion. ()R97005
Toll Free (H77) 82WI900 Fax (503) 297-0824
E-Mail: colleen®.intga<h,ocates.a>in
www.miga<lvocates.C(>m