PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Portland Public Schools (PPS) staff gathered at Benson Polytechnic High School on Wednesday to hear Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Armstrong’s keynote address and call to action. But Armstrong planned a surprise collaboration and was joined on stage by civil rights activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
There was hardly an empty seat inside the Benson’s auditorium Wednesday morning as PPS waited to hear Armstrong’s annual keynote address and call to action ahead of the upcoming school year.
“Her remarks will unveil the district’s sharpened academic priorities and reaffirm PPS’ commitment to its Continuous Improvement Plan, which centers on four high-impact focus areas: early literacy, middle-grade math, attendance and enrollment, and on-time high school graduation,” PPS said in a press release.
Armstrong’s speech motivated teachers and other staff ahead of the upcoming school year.
“Every time that we are questioned, every time that you are questioned, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate our potential, to show who we are,” she said.
And to celebrate their wins and to inspire her team to keep up the good work, Armstrong shared the stage with Kaepernick.
“Muscles grow when we meet resistance, and our minds grow the same way,” Kaepernick said.
Kaepernick delivered a call to action of his own, emphasizing the value of student voices.
Armstrong said their collaboration was more than just a fun surprise it was about setting PPS up for success.
“What I most appreciate about him (Kaepernick) is that he believes in our city and what’s possible,” Armstrong said. “\[We\] know his affiliation with Nike, but it’s even more than that. It’s about the potential of making sure that we’re in a city that’s thriving for the benefit of our students and our families.”
And as the first day of school gets closer, Kaepernick is leaving students with this message:
“Go be great,” he said.
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