Three new, experienced teachers hired

Three new teachers have been hired for the 2025-2026 school year: English teachers Andrew Hermanki and Sophia Vigeant, and science teacher Jade Jacobs.

New English teacher Andrew Hermanski previously taught English and science at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona. He first got a degree in public health while working a job at a sushi restaurant and he realised he desired more so he got certified to teach and went into the English department. His wife is a resident at OHSU so he ended up moving to Portland and applied to Douglas. He describes Douglas as a very welcoming school.

New English teacher Sophia Vigeant previously taught at St. Helens High School in Vancouver. She also taught as a reading instructor for students who struggled with dyslexia and other reading problems.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Vigeant said. “It’s the most dynamic job where every day feels different.”

Hermanski and Vigeant are both teaching freshman and sophomore English.

New biology teacher Jade Jacobs taught science at St. Helens High School for two years. Before teaching, Jade was an ecologist. She studied marine biology to earn a Bachelor’s of Science at the University of West Florida and environmental science to earn a Master’s of Science at WSU Vancouver. While working on her Masters, she was teaching chemistry and biology lab classes at WSU Vancouver.