Hi! I am Nathan Emerson and I am a sixth grade teacher at Otto Petersen Elementary.  I got my start at OPE in the spring of 2016 substituting for Mrs. Longtain and Mrs. Stoel while they were each out on leaves. I really enjoyed working with the staff and students, and I truly appreciated the strong sense of community here. That summer I was hired to teach either 4th or 5th grade for the 2016-2017 school year. The district added a sixth fourth grade class just before the school year started, and I spent two years as part of an awesome fourth grade team before moving up to the sixth grade.  

I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, where I attended public elementary, middle, and high schools before continuing my education at the local community college.  I moved to Oregon in January of 2006, and decided to go back to school to pursue a career in elementary education.  I attended Portland State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in 2010 and my Master’s degree in 2012.  Before joining the Scappoose School District, I worked as a substitute teacher all over the Portland metropolitan area and coached high school softball at Grant High School in Portland.

I have three children and two grandchildren.  My wife of 20+ years is a creative director, artist, and my best friend.  In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, and riding my motorcycles. I love spending time with family and friends outdoors as much as possible.  My dog Hank, cat Jack, and rabbits Bruno and Junie also bring a lot of joy to my life.