Nicole Butler-Hooton teaches second grade at Irving Elementary School in Bethel School District where her teaching style goes beyond instruction and serves to build lasting relationships with students and families.
Read Nicole's StoryThe Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, presents 2021's Regional Teachers of the Year! Each receive a $500 award. The top three finalists will also receive $2,000!
“When we as educators question our biases and reflect on our practice in meaningful ways, we approach expertise and advance the potential of our youth.”
“With appropriate scaffolds and teacher collaboration across subjects, students can be given space, time and freedom to make their learning come to life.”
“Our students are our beacon. They guide us in our instruction and give us a sense of hope for the future.”
“Students, the thing that will make your eyes light up, the future that you will have, is probably something you don’t even know about yet, so keep every door open that you can!”
“It is our collective purpose to inculcate and foster a culture where students are connected, valued, and resilient to withstand all that life will bring them on their journey.”
“Students will share their victories with you, and in that, it becomes your victory as well. So, know your students, foster those trusting relationships, and watch them succeed!”
“I am so happy to represent the greatest profession there is. Helping young people find their gifts and see in themselves what we see in them is what all teachers strive to do.”
“It is truly my pleasure to receive my students’ energy and enthusiasm and let it infuse my teaching. My students remind me every day why I became a teacher.”
“By understanding the situations that many of our students encounter each day, our minds and hearts will be open to making sure we are emotionally present for them.”
“Education is powerful, memorable, real, and emancipatory when it transcends the classroom, and these experiences give students reasons to care and engage authentically.”
“I aim to demonstrate what it looks like to be vulnerable, to take chances, to experiment, to collaborate, and to take the kind of risks that evolve learning systems.”
“As an educator, my goal is to create a generation of informed citizens who understand what science is and how it can inform their choices.”
“I believe in the power of classroom creativity, that movement is for everyone, and that given the right exposure to different activities every student can find something they enjoy!”
“Call it a village, call it a community, call it a coalition. As educators and impassioned supporters of education, we know we cannot do it alone.”
The Teacher of the Year program was created to recognize exemplary public school educators — Oregon teachers who inspire students and make a positive impact in the communities in which they live. The award celebrates knowledge, dedication, innovation and leadership. For 2022, exceptional teachers will be honored in up to 19 regions across the state, with Oregon’s Teacher of the Year selected from among our regional finalists.
Know a great teacher? Fill out the nomination form and tell us what makes them exceptional!
We notify qualifying nominees and invite them to apply for Teacher of the Year.
Each of Oregon’s 19 Education Service Districts review applications from their area and choose a winner for their region.
Regional applications will be reviewed by a diverse panel of education advocates and finalists will be interviewed by department staff and recommended to the director for selection.
The Oregon Lottery is the proud presenter of Oregon’s Teacher of the Year as well as a valued partner of the Oregon Department of Education. Currently, 53% of Oregon Lottery profits go to Oregon’s Pre-K-Higher Education public schools to help pay teachers’ salaries, build and repair schools, purchase much needed textbooks, computers, equipment and support other essential services. From pre-kindergarten to state universities, from textbooks to teachers’ salaries, Lottery funds help support classrooms and the future stewards of Oregon.
This biennium Oregon Lottery has contributed $535.7 million towards K-12 education. That's about $460 per student each year!
In 2018, Oregon Lottery contributed $30 million to the Oregon Opportunity Grant which awards college scholarships to students across our state.