Everyone has had to improvise over the past nine months as we’ve sought to keep students engaged, active and learning, even if we can’t see them face to face.
Perhaps no one has had to learn on the go this year more than Doug Taylor and Sam Platt, both of whom have taken on new positions as vice principals and athletic directors at the high-school level — and they’ve risen to the challenge, working to ensure student-athletes get opportunities on the court, in the pool and on the field.
Sam, the Ridgeview High vice principal and athletic director, has been with the Redmond School District since 2007, while Doug, Redmond High’s vice principal and athletic director, has worked in our district for seven years.
Here’s a little more about Sam…
How long have you worked for RSD and what did you do before coming here?
I started my career in 2007 at Elton Gregory Middle School, teaching social studies and coaching football, wrestling and track at the middle- and high-school levels. I have spent the last six years at Obsidian Middle School as the assistant principal.
How has your role evolved in the pandemic?
Like everything in education we have been challenged to become extremely creative and flexible in regards to offering extracurricular athletics. We are fortunate to be one of the few, if not the only, 5A schools in the state offering some competitions this past fall.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
My favorite part about being an athletic director is seeing student athletes having fun! Now more than ever I realize that I have taken for granted hearing kids support one another, laughing, having fun and building character. Bringing kids on campus for athletic and club opportunities has been so good for the social-emotional health of not only our students but also the adults who have the privilege of working with them!
What else should we know about you?
I am a fourth-generation Redmond resident and an RHS graduate. My wife, Elizabeth, is a counselor at EGMS and I have two kids, Louise, 6, and Phillip, 3. Working for RSD is like being part of a family. In each of my roles throughout my career I have had the privilege of working with caring and selfless professionals. I love this district and community!
And now, a little bit about Doug…
How long have you worked for RSD and what did you do before coming here?
“This is my seventh year with RSD. I taught sixth grade at Elton Gregory for three years and was the Dean of Students for a year, then moved to RHS as the Dean for a year. I am now in my second year as VP with Athletic Director duties added this year. Before RSD, I taught 6th grade language arts and social studies in Hermiston for four years.
How has your role evolved in the pandemic?
During the pandemic, student and student-athlete safety is at the forefront. The role I am in has evolved into somewhat of a compliance officer for health and safety regulations, making sure we are up to date on all the regulations and mandates and that we are following them as we have students for Limited In-Person Instruction and during athletics.
What is most rewarding about your role?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing student success, whether it is in the classroom or on the field — seeing kids realize what they can do and doing it is special. I firmly believe that students who participate in athletics become better young men and women.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced this year?
It’s been challenging this year to try to go through the guidance handed down from the state and figure out how to create the best possible educational and athletic opportunities for students.
What else should we know about you?
Working for the Redmond School District really feels like home. I am a product of the Redmond School District, having graduated from RHS in 2004. There are so many good people and I have built lots of great relationships within the district and the community that I couldn’t think of a better place I’d want to work and raise my family. My wife, Victoria, teaches second grade at John Tuck Elementary, and we have a son, Darryl, who is 8 and daughter, Abigail, who is 5.
