Leslie Juan Rivera a Professor of English as a Second Language (ESL) at Clark College.  He teaches ESL Level l and ESL Level 5 (out of six levels).  He started teaching part-time ESL at Clark College in June 1993 and became a full-time faculty member in September 1997.  In addition to his classes at Clark College, Les also teaches ESL three evenings per week at the Portland Community College Cascade Campus. 

He earned his B.A. in Education from the University of Portland, graduating Cum Laude in June 1974.  While at the University of Portland, he participated in the Sophomore Year Abroad at the university's Cross Cultural Program in Salzburg, Austria during 1971 and 1972.  He earned his M.A. in English with a Concentration in Teaching English as a Second Language from San Francisco State University, graduating Cum Laude in May 1986.

He has served on numerous committees at Clark College, including the college Curriculum Committee (2001-2004), an Organizational Taskforce (2004) and the Tenure Review Committee.

Les taught ESL overseas in the Peace Corps in Palau, Micronesia, Western Caroline Islands of the Pacific (1974-1976) and at Mt. Carmel Catholic Mission School on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (1976-1978).